Living a Cultural Center Lifestyle in Walnut Creek, California

Walnut Creek has many parks, great shopping, 2 BART stations, and a thriving art and culture scene. Walnut Creek is a wealthy town of about 65,000 in the hills east of San Francisco and Oakland. For many it is used as a suburb of those cities, although there are some high tech and shopping employers in the area. The Clay Arts Guild is a nonprofit organization that supports ceramics art education in town. This area of northern California is very beautiful and so is the town. The Castle Rock Recreational Area and Mt. Diablo offer many opportunities for outdoor fun. Nearby towns like Lafayette are an alternative to Walnut Creek.

Photos of downtown and the Northgate community courtesy of and per license of Wikipedia.

Where to Retire in Walnut Creek and Home Prices

You can live in this beautiful town and its many developments. There are active adult communities to choose from (see Active Communities link on left).
The median home value in early 2022 was $1,109,685 according to Zillow.

What Is Special about Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek is a beautiful town with great shopping and at least one top active adult community. It owns more open space than any other town in California. There are many parks and a thriving art scene.

What Is Not Special about Walnut Creek

Homes and the cost of living are high in Walnut Creek. It is also suburbia, which doesn't appeal to everyone.

Climate and Physical Environment

Walnut Creek is in the highlands just east of San Francisco, the Bay area, and Oakland.  The climate is dry. Winter temperatures average in the 50's and summer temperatures in the 80's. The climate is referred to as "Cool Mediterranean".

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The Lesher Center for the Arts is a major cultural institution. Others include a new library, California Symphony, Center Repertory Company (at the Lesher Center), Civic Arts Program, and the Clay Arts Guild.

Crime

According to City-Data crime in Walnut creek is just under the national average.

Medical Facilities

John Muir Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente offer high level medical care in Walnut Creek.

Transportation

Amtrak is 10 miles away in Martinez; Walnut Creek has two BART stations; biking is a popular way to commute as many roads have bike lanes.

Valuable Links

City of Walnut Creek

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