Section Image

Northgate

Northgate

Suburban Neighborhood in Walnut Creek, California

Contra Costa County 94598

$1,745,481 Average Value
$752 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale
Mount Diablo views Backyard beauty in Northgate homes.
Mount Diablo views Backyard beauty in Northgate homes.

Backyard views of Mount Diablo in Walnut Creek

At the base of Mount Diablo, Northgate is a suburb with mighty mountainous views on the horizon. The Walnut Creek neighborhood gets its name from Mount Diablo State Park’s northern entrance, which is located on the south side. Residents are minutes from world-class hiking and biking trails, but Realtor Zack Torrey says it’s the schools people come for. “The schools are the glue of the community, and they’re why a lot of people move back to Northgate,” he says. “We have a lot of second- and third-generation Northgaters. People come back to give their kids the childhood that they had.” Torrey grew up in the neighborhood. He and his sister worked with his late father, Pete Torrey, who started the Torrey Team in 1977. “If you walk through the neighborhood, you got people on sidewalks waving and saying hi, there’s kids hopping out of minivans, someone’s walking their dog… It’s almost cliche, but it’s totally that type of community.”

Suburban harmony Rows of homes lining Northgate streets.
Suburban harmony Rows of homes lining Northgate streets.

Roomy midcentury modern homes

Northgate is in one of Walnut Creek’s most expensive zip codes. Its wide streets are lined by mature walnut trees and spacious houses, most built before the turn of the 21st century. Midcentury modern ranch-style homes are popular, but a smattering of two-story and split-level houses can also be found around the community. Some residences even display unique styles like Craftsman or Mediterranean Revival. Lot sizes average just over a quarter of an acre, but larger properties can be found on the south side. “There are a lot of horse properties at the base of the mountain,” Torrey says. List prices range from around $1 million to $3 million. Townhouses are also available, but sales information is limited, with only three units sold in the last year. Roughly, these units list between $950,000 and $2 million.

Community and arts at Northgate High's Jack De Rieux Little Theater.
Community and arts at Northgate High's Jack De Rieux Little Theater.

Friday Night Lights in California

Northgate is served by the Mount Diablo Unified School District, which includes California Distinguished School Walnut Acres Elementary. It has an A-minus on Niche and rich performing and visual arts programs. Right next door is Foothill Middle, also rated A-minus. Built in 1974, Northgate High has won acclaim for its distinctive Brutalist architecture. It’s ranked among the top 200 high schools in California, rated A on Niche and has the No. 10 spot on Niche’s list of Contra Costa County’s best high schools. The high school has a robust performing arts program that operates out of its recently remodeled theater and a popular biliteracy program. It also has plenty of community-backed athletic programs. Torrey coaches the school's softball and football teams. “We have a really good crowd for the football games,” he says. “Even though we’re in California and not Texas, it’s an event. People with no skin in the game are in the stands. Basketball is big, too.”

Mount Diablo State Park

The northern entrance to Mount Diablo State Park is on the south side of Northgate, right on North Gate Road. The scenic, 20,000-acre mountain preserve has 160 miles of trails, and the mountain's peak is the highest point in the Bay area, standing at almost 4,000 feet. Visitors can explore beautiful rock formations and wind caves in the historic Rock City or enjoy the ambiance of cascading waterfalls in the oak woodlands below.

Other recreational avenues around Northgate

The expansive Arbolado Park has all the traditional amenities, including playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field and barbecue pits. It also features an almost 7-acre walnut grove for locals to walk through. Diablo Shadows Park is a smaller park with a playground and trail access.

Tranquil trek Woman hiking through Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Tranquil trek Woman hiking through Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Soccer time Grandfather and grandson at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Soccer time Grandfather and grandson at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Swinging joy Children at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Swinging joy Children at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Tennis action Community games at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Tennis action Community games at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Sky-high fun Father and son fly a kite at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Sky-high fun Father and son fly a kite at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
1/5

Encina Grande and The Orchards at Walnut Creek

Encina Grande is a shopping center in Northgate where neighbors are sure to run into one another. The strip has convenient stores like Whole Foods Market and Walgreens. It also features a couple of restaurants, including Rocco’s, an old-school Italian joint, and Toyo Sushi, a casual spot for Japanese cuisine. Across the street, The Orchards at Walnut Creek has more stores and restaurants. There’s Safeway for grocery shopping and Mike Hess Brewing for happy hour. Torrey says the brewery is a Friday afternoon hangout for Northgate High alums. “Hess is a Northgate kid,” Torrey says. “He was out of the area for college, got into the world of brewing and beer, and came right back. Everyone comes back.” Northgate is also just about 4 miles from Walnut Creek’s lively downtown district, a shopping and dining hub in a walkable, small-town setting.

Daily life Residents exiting Safeway in Northgate.
Daily life Residents exiting Safeway in Northgate.
Whole Foods Northgate's choice for organic and fresh.
Whole Foods Northgate's choice for organic and fresh.
Craft beer journey at Mike Hess Brewing, a Northgate favorite.
Craft beer journey at Mike Hess Brewing, a Northgate favorite.
Inside Sourdough & Co Northgate's cozy sandwich retreat.
Inside Sourdough & Co Northgate's cozy sandwich retreat.
Sourdough & Co Northgate's spot for sandwich delights.
Sourdough & Co Northgate's spot for sandwich delights.
Toyo Sushi's chicken teriyaki Northgate's taste of Japan.
Toyo Sushi's chicken teriyaki Northgate's taste of Japan.
Toyo Sushi interior Northgate's gateway to Japanese cuisine.
Toyo Sushi interior Northgate's gateway to Japanese cuisine.
Inviting facade of Toyo Sushi in the bustling Northgate.
Inviting facade of Toyo Sushi in the bustling Northgate.
Rocco's Pizzeria in Northgate is a popular dinner location for locals.
Rocco's Pizzeria in Northgate is a popular dinner location for locals.
1/9

Bay Area traffic and John Muir Health

Ygnacio Valley Road runs right through the neighborhood, and the Walnut Creek BART station is just a few miles away. “Getting places from Northgate is like anywhere else in the Bay Area,” Torrey says. “It’s a crowded area, and I mean, let’s be honest, you got a lot of people going a lot of places. It rivals Los Angeles, but it is what it is.” Northgate is about 20 miles from Oakland and less than 30 miles from downtown San Francisco. The closest hospital is John Muir Health, less than 5 miles away. The hospital has many accolades, including the No. 2 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of San Francisco’s best regional hospitals.

San Francisco's majestic skyline, easily reachable from Walnut Creek's Northgate.
San Francisco's majestic skyline, easily reachable from Walnut Creek's Northgate.
Oakland's skyline, a short journey from Northgate, Walnut Creek's tranquility.
Oakland's skyline, a short journey from Northgate, Walnut Creek's tranquility.
It's a quick BART ride from Northgate to San Francisco and Oakland
It's a quick BART ride from Northgate to San Francisco and Oakland
1/3
Micaela Willoughby
Written By
Micaela Willoughby

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 area? Reach out to Wendy Moore, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

40 min drive

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,777,500
Median Single Family Price
$1,805,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$752
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Last 12 months Home Sales
28
Months of Supply
3.00
Median List Price
$1,769,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,306
Median Year Built
1968
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,501
Above the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,504
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Open Houses

  • Thursday, Apr 24
    5 - 7pm

    2927 Comistas Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

    $2,589,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,714 Sq Ft
    • 2927 Comistas Dr
    • New 4 days ago

    Stunning home Located on 1.22 acres in the heart of Northgate. This incredible property has unique features, inside and out. Outside, across the spacious backyard, there is an ADU, and horse stables - and in-between, a newly refinished hot tub and pool. With a 2714 square foot 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom main house and a 762 Square foot ADU with 1 bedroom 1 bathroom full kitchen and living room, there

    Lily Shields Coldwell Banker

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    3117 Bowling Green Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

    $1,698,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,268 Sq Ft
    • 3117 Bowling Green Dr
    • New 4 days ago

    New Northgate Listing! Welcome to this beautifully updated single-story home nestled on a picturesque, tree-lined street with convenient access to local trails. This charming residence features gleaming hardwood floors, an open-concept layout, and skylights that flood the space with natural light. Enjoy entertaining in the spacious formal dining room and elegant living room with a cozy fireplace.

    Margaret Combs The Agency

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    2878 Encina Camino, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

    $1,550,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,032 Sq Ft
    • 2878 Encina Camino
    • New 11 days ago

    Beautifully located in this special Walnut Creek neighborhood. You will appreciate this well maintained home and enjoy the convenient floorplan featuring a gracious living room with fireplace, formal dining and a convenient kitchen with cozy eating area and family room, cedar lined closets in the bedrooms and an AUXILIARY BLDG.(permit unknown) for an office, art studio or ??? Large yard with

    Rosie Yandwell

    Section Image

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,632
Median Age
50
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$218,973
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$226,574

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.7%
College Graduates
82.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.1%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

66 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

23 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

0 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Northgate neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Northgate