$1,653,614Average Value$890Average Price per Sq Ft
From rural estates to an in-demand Bay Area suburb
Named for a 19th-century Mexican estate, the Rancho San Miguel neighborhood has a long, rich, evolving history. "What I see is more growing families who are able to go to Walnut Creek and get to some really good school systems they can take advantage of for their kids," says local Realtor Roland Osage of Real Brokerage Technologies, a lifelong East Bay resident. "Sometimes they can get a bigger house or sometimes get the same style of house, but just a little bit more affordable." The one-time colonial land grant and a hub of walnut orchards, Rancho San Miguel has transformed into an in-demand suburb of downtown Walnut Creek, about 18 miles northeast of Oakland.
Ranch San Miguel is a birdwatcher’s paradise filled with soothing nature sounds.
A cobbled mansion is surrounded by green in the Rancho San Miguel
hills.
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Midcentury mansions and ranches in Rancho San Miguel
Much of Rancho San Miguel was developed from the late 1950s to the 1970s as Oakland experienced suburbanization, and Contemporary ranch-style residences can be found lining the streets north of the Ygnacio Canal. South of the canal, La Casa Via and its side streets are home to dozens of palatial houses built from the 1980s to 2000s, offering very different streetscapes and housing prices. Single-story homes range from $1.2 million to $2 million, while larger estates can fetch between $2.6 million and $3.6 million. Rancho San Miguel’s streets tend to feature sidewalk access and abundant shade from roadside trees. Residential lanes branching off from La Casa Via are instead flanked by shrubbery and vast front lawns.
Contemporary ranch homes blend modern design with cozy, inviting living spaces.
A three car garage traditional style home in the hills of Rancho San Miguel
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Academic and extracurricular excellence at Northgate High
Walnut Acres Elementary School and Foothill Middle School receive A-minus ratings from Niche, while Northgate High School scores an A. Northgate High not only features strong academics, but this school also encourages extracurricular excellence through diverse performing arts programs and varsity athletics. After-school programs include an E-commerce club, a Mock Trial team and even a VEX Robotics club.
Foundation of learning at Northgate High School.
Walnut Acres Elementary School serves grades K-5.
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Garden strolls and hilly hikes
Rancho San Miguel has nature all around with nearby Mount Diablo rising high above it. Closer to home San Miguel Park includes playgrounds, an off-leash area for dogs and tennis courts for family recreation. Across Ygnacio Valley Road, Heather Farm Park is a popular venue for scenic strolls through its 6-acre botanical garden. The park is full of color and also includes a swim center, a volleyball court and an all-abilities playground. Next door to Heather Farm is the nine-hole Diablo Hills Golf Course, open to the public for weekend tee times and for dining and karaoke at its sports bar. At Rancho San Miguel’s eastern end, the Shell Ridge Open Space invites hikers to explore 31 miles of trails that lead through the foothills of the Diablo Range and past fishing ponds and small cattle ranches.
Shell Ridge is a nature lover’s paradise with diverse trails and scenic views.
Bright Vibrant flowers are strewn across Rancho San Miguel.
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Shopping up and down Ygnacio Valley Road
Ygnacio Valley Road connects this community with major shopping conveniences. The Ygnacio Plaza Shopping Center includes a half-dozen eateries, including The Breakfast Club at Midtown, a newer brunch restaurant serving up pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches and other breakfast fare. Farther up the road, the Encina Grande shopping mall hosts a Whole Foods, while The Orchards at Walnut Creek retail plaza across the street features a Safeway. Down Ygnacio Valley Road, downtown Walnut Creek is a hub of shopping and entertainment. "A lot of people go to Walnut Creek specifically for the downtown, for the nightlife on Fridays and Saturdays and the brunch on Sundays," Osage says. "Downtown is what I would say attracts residents more than anything else." Here, the Broadway Plaza mall sports trendy boutiques and eateries, while Locust Street hosts the Walnut Creek Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Customers can dine outdoors on the patio at The Breakfast Club in Rancho San Miguel.
Rancho San Miguel residents can get breakfast all day at the new Breakfast Club restaurant.
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BART access to cities on the Bay
Rancho San Miguel directly borders Ygnacio Valley Road, which connects commuters with State Route 24 and offers an 18-mile drive into Oakland. Alternately, the 93X bus runs from Ygnacio Valley Road to the Walnut Creek BART, which conveys passengers into “Oaktown” within a 25-minute journey. San Francisco is an hour to the west by both car and train. Healthcare necessities are never far away, as the John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center is located within the neighborhood.
BART is easy to access at the Walnut Creek station near Rancho San Miguel.
The trails along the Mt. Diablo foothills present panoramic views near San Marcos.
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
Kelly Crawford,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
San Miguel Park
Heather Farm Park
Bike Trails
Fishing
Picnic Area
Walden Park
El Divisadero Park
Howe Homestead Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Hiking
Walnut Creek Skatepark
Shell Ridge Open Space
Transit
Airport
Metro Oakland International
38 min drive
Bus
Montego And Satellite Senior Homes
Bus
John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rancho San Miguel
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rancho San Miguel, Walnut Creek sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Rancho San Miguel, Walnut Creek over the last 12 months is $1,892,409, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,785,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,720,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$890
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Median List Price
$1,598,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
18%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
640
Median Year Built
1959
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,998
On par with the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,333
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kelly Crawford,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,943
Median Age
48
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$167,718
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$183,361
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.2%
College Graduates
73.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
35/ 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.
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.
