Walnut Creek

An urban oasis surrounded by unspoiled hillsides, Walnut Creek is embraced for its mild Mediterranean climate and picture perfect setting at the foot of Mount Diablo.

Walnut Creek offers a distinctive blend of urban flair, suburban grace and peaceful wilderness. With its central Bay Area location and easy access to BART and major roadways, and six major airports,  Walnut Creek is your perfect getaway in San Francisco’s East Bay for shopping, dining, the arts and the outdoors.

Known as the Jewel of the East Bay, Walnut Creek retains residents with its many amenities and advantages, including its cultural attractions, outdoor destinations, thriving economy, fabulous shopping, excellent health care,  and diverse dining scene that includes more than 100 restaurants. 

Walnut Creek boasts some of the greatest schools in California.  The Walnut Creek School District is responsible for meeting the educational needs of approximately 3,600 students enrolled in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.  It operates five K-5 neighborhood elementary schools, one K-8 school, and one 6-8 intermediate school. Grades K-5 are primarily self-contained, while grades 6-8 offer a mixture of core and elective classes.  

Those living in Walnut Creek enjoy opportunities typically only found in larger cities, such as nearby San Francisco, without the high cost of living and frustrating traffic. As a result, the city has attracted not only major corporations but small businesses which thrive in Walnut Creek, thanks to strong support from the tight-knit community.

Walnut Creek is a haven for the arts as it is home to one of the largest community arts programs in California: the City of Walnut Creek’s Civic Arts Education program. The program is open to adults, teens, and children, and classes are offered in ceramics and sculpture, dance, digital media and photography, music, drama, and other areas.

In addition, Walnut Creek lays claim to the Lesher Center for the Arts, where visitors can enjoy live performances throughout the year. The center also includes Bedford Gallery that exhibits works created by historic, modern and contemporary artists in five to six new exhibitions annually, as well as lectures, workshops, and panel discussions.

When it comes to getting active, Walnut Creek offers Mount Diablo, part of California’s world-famous state park system. Visitors can hike along the mountain’s extensive trail system, bike to its 3,849-foot summit, or explore the more remote trails on horseback. Those who reach the summit can take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Farallon Islands, and Mount Lassen.

Not feeling adventurous? A more low-key outdoor destination is the Gardens at Heather Farm, which covers six acres and includes 20 sustainable gardens that are open to the public.

Finally, Walnut Creek is a family-friendly city with plenty of activities for the community to take part in no matter the season. For example, the Walnut Festival takes place in the fall, and the city offers Walnut Creek on Ice during the winter months. The Walnut Creek Aquanuts – a world-renowned synchronized swimming club – perform three times each year, and in the summertime, the two-day Art and Wine Festival draws more than 100,000 attendees.