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Lakewood

Lakewood

Suburban Neighborhood in Walnut Creek, California

Contra Costa County 94598

$1,476,790 Average Value
$797 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

Wooded enclave, lakefront properties next to downtown Walnut Creek

Lakewood is a longstanding community tucked away in a winding, leafy sanctuary east of downtown Walnut Creek. The neighborhood’s rural streetscapes offer quiet, country-style appeal, minutes from upscale city centers, BART stations and hillside trails. “It gives you this small-town feel, but you are still close to freeways and downtown with all the big shopping, dining and diversity,” says Holly Sibley, a Dudum Real Estate Group realtor who has been selling in the Walnut Creek area for 17 years. This neighborhood gets its namesake from a well-kept secret at the center of the community – Lake Lakewood. "Half of the population of Walnut Creek doesn't even know there's a lake right near downtown in Lakewood, and that's kind of the fun part about it. It's kind of a surprise to our own community," says local Realtor James Collins of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and lifelong area resident. Formerly made to be a part of an envisioned resort community, the lake is now bounded by just a handful of homes that get to enjoy this private slice of lakefront living – one of the many neighborhood perks.

Residents of Lakewood have stunning views of Mt. Diablo.
Residents of Lakewood have stunning views of Mt. Diablo.
Lakewood homes are terraced upon one another due to the hilly landscape.
Lakewood homes are terraced upon one another due to the hilly landscape.
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Hilly streetscapes with mid-20th-century homes

The community’s winding streets are well-shaded by lush, mature trees, from magnolias to evergreens and redwoods. Most homes were built in the 1930s and 1940s, with common housing styles being midcentury ranch, traditional and modern farmhouses. “Lakewood has a lot of older homes and long-term owners,” Sibley says. “There’s not a whole lot of turnaround, but when they do decide to sell, the homes usually sell fast, and new residents will come in and renovate them.” The well-spaced properties have manicured front landscapes with features like half-circle driveways, white picket fences and boxwood hedges. Some houses are perched high atop hilly terrain with larger lots, while others reside around the small, man-made lake in the center of Lakewood. Prices range from $1.2 million for a 1,200-square-foot home to $2.2 million for a renovated, 3,000-square-foot residence.

This ranch-style home has a wrap-around driveway.
This ranch-style home has a wrap-around driveway.
A well-manicured yard with a place to sit is not out of place in Lakewood.
A well-manicured yard with a place to sit is not out of place in Lakewood.
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National Blue Ribbon recognized public schools

Students may attend Indian Valley Elementary School before moving on to Walnut Creek Intermediate School, both of which get an A-minus rating from Niche. Las Lomas High School, which gets an A-plus rating, is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. It offers numerous extracurricular clubs and organizations, from the National Honor STEM Society to a mechanical engineering club.

Northgate High School opened in 1974.
Northgate High School opened in 1974.
Foothill Middle School is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District.
Foothill Middle School is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District.
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City garden-style parks and hiking trails at Shell Ridge Open Space

The 16-acre Civic Park is less than a few miles west, surrounded by redwoods, sycamores and colorful gardens. It features green spaces, play structures, walking trails and a central gazebo. Just east of Lakewood are many scenic trails, one of the closest being Fossil Hill Trail. Shell Ridge Open Space, named after the fossilized shells discovered in the area’s rocks, is four miles away. Lush with oaks, buckeyes and willows, the 1,420-acre tract contains 31 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails with views of Mount Diablo. It’s also known for birdwatching, as redtail hawks and golden eagles often fly over the hillsides. Indian Valley Swim Club, located to the east, is a notable community pool. “It’s really popular because a lot of families will go and join the swim club so they can connect with other similar families in the area, Sibley says. “It’s bringing in this younger generation,” Sibley says.

The trails along the Mt. Diablo foothills present panoramic views near San Marcos.
The trails along the Mt. Diablo foothills present panoramic views near San Marcos.
Civic Park provides a slice of nature for nearby residence.
Civic Park provides a slice of nature for nearby residence.
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Annual Oktoberfest and winter ice skating at Civic Park

Many of the area’s most popular community gatherings are held at nearby Civic Park, including the city’s biggest event of the year, Walnut Creek Oktoberfest. This two-day festival features artisan vendor booths, seasonal food, beer and live entertainment. Civic Park hosts Walnut Creek on Ice from December to January, with festive outdoor ice skating, while the summer brings a Movies Under the Stars series for outdoor screenings of family-friendly movies.

Trendy downtown lifestyle centers and street-side patio dining

Top dining and shopping offerings are only a mile away in downtown Walnut Creek. Among its extensive restaurant lineup is trendy Limón, popular for its street-side patio dining and Peruvian cuisine. Next door, Broderick Roadhouse serves unique New American items like duck and bison burgers. Broadway Plaza is downtown’s lifestyle mecca. This open-air, car-free shopping center has over 80 well-renowned stores, including Nordstrom, Apple and Louis Vuitton. Its modern, upscale grounds also have chain eateries like the veggie-inspired True Food Kitchen. Whole Foods is just across the plaza for groceries, and Trader Joe's is on South California Boulevard.

Melo's Italian Table is a popular destination for Italian food in Lakewood.
Melo's Italian Table is a popular destination for Italian food in Lakewood.
Broderick's in Lakewood offers offers a laid back dining experience.
Broderick's in Lakewood offers offers a laid back dining experience.
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Next to Walnut Creek BART Station and Interstate 680

The neighborhood is moderately walkable, but there are many County Connection public bus stops along Ygnacio Valley Road for traveling around the city. The Walnut Creek BART Station is less than a few miles west, along with Interstate 680, a major thoroughfare leading to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Next to Lakeside is John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center, consistently ranked as one of California's top medical facilities and one of Walnut Creek's top employers.

The Walnut Creek BART station is just a few minutes away from Lakewood.
The Walnut Creek BART station is just a few minutes away from Lakewood.
Highway 680 os the fastest way to get from Lakewood to San Francisco.
Highway 680 os the fastest way to get from Lakewood to San Francisco.
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Britni Petersen
Written By
Britni Petersen
Eli Tye
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Kailani Kimoto, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

37 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lakewood US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,250,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,465,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$810,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$492,499
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$797
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
17
Months of Supply
0.70
Median List Price
$1,122,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
637
Median Year Built
1955
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,032
On par with the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,755
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,075
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
701
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to Kailani Kimoto, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,467
Median Age
45
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$128,611
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$153,672

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99%
College Graduates
67.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

10 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

21 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

21 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lakewood
Kailani Kimoto
Rossmoor Realty / J.H. Russell
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