Walnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek is a city of 70,088 people in Contra Costa County, California, founded in 1849.
Why visit Walnut Creek
Townapedia lists 21 museums and landmarks, 56 parks and trails, 285 places to eat, 11 places to stay and 18 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill, John F. Kennedy University, Old Borges Ranch and Don Francisco Galindo House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; December lows average 41°F.
Weather in Walnut Creek
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) east of the city of Oakland and 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of San Francisco. Walnut Creek has a total population of 70,127 per the 2020 census, is located at the junction of the highways from Sacramento and San Jose (I-680) and San Francisco/Oakland (SR-24), and is accessible by BART. The city shares its borders with Clayton, Lafayette, Alamo, Pleasant Hill and Concord.
From the Wikipedia article Walnut Creek, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do18
John F. Kennedy University
School · 3.8 mi
Private university located in Pleasant Hill, California, United States
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
Monument and historic site · 4.8 mi
Water park in Concord, California
June Bulman Grove Overlook
Scenic view · 3.6 mi
In memory of mayor June V. Bulman, Concord City Councilmember 1979-1989
6 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks21
Old Borges Ranch
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
The former ranch of early Walnut Creek pioneer Frank Borges
Don Francisco Galindo House
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 4.9 mi
Historic House museum in Concord, CA
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.4 mi
Danville, California
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Museum · 2.4 mi
American museum and wildlife rehabilitation center
1931 1st Avenue, Walnut Creek
Patrick Rodgers Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
Historic district in California, United States of America
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Shadelands Ranch
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Nationally Registered Historic Place in Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Saint Maryʼs College Museum of Art
Museum · 5.7 mi
Museum in California, US
18_1B SF-SL Acalanes Ridge
Monument and historic site · 2.1 mi
Transcontinental Airmail Arrow used to indicate the direction to the next beacon. These arrows, located by a rotating light tower and a...
Old Alamo Fire Station
Monument and historic site · 3.6 mi
Previous location of SRVFD Station 32
1101 Stone Valley Road, Alamo
9 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds56
Ruth Bancroft Garden
Park · 1.5 mi
1552 Bancroft Road
Su, Tu-Th 10:00-16:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-17:00
Dinosaur Hill Park
Park · 3.5 mi
Park in California, United States of America, United States of America
Heather Farm Park
Park · 1.1 mi
Public park in Walnut Creek, California, USA
44 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes285
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.8 mi
7000 Sunne Lane, Walnut Creek
Mo-Fr 05:00-17:00; Sa,Su 06:00-17:00
Coffee Shop
Cafe · Coffee, Tea, Sandwich, Smoothie, Burrito · 3.6 mi
3160 Danville Boulevard
Mo-Su 06:30-14:00
Dough Zone
Restaurant · Chinese · 1.2 mi
1320 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
George's Giant Hamburger
Restaurant · Burger, Sandwich, Chicken, American, Ice Cream, Tea, Hot Dog, Dessert, Wings, Sausage, Fries · 1.2 mi
1491 Newell Avenue, Walnut Creek
Mo-Sa 11:00-20:00
Havana
Restaurant · Tapas, Spanish, Seafood, Caribbean · 1.2 mi
1516 Bonanza Street
Mo-Th 10:00-22:00; Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 05:00-21:00
MYO Frozen Yogurt
Ice cream · Frozen Yogurt · 2.1 mi
2913 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek
Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
Manakish Oven & Grill
Restaurant · Mediterranean · 2.1 mi
2905 North Main Street, Walnut Creek
Mo-Su 08:00-21:00
Mi Oficina Computer Cafe
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Mexican · 3.4 mi
1500 Monument Boulevard, Concord
Mo-Sa 06:00-14:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Original Joe's
Diner · American · 1.1 mi
1300 South Main Street, Walnut Creek
Su-Th 11:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Pacific Catch
Restaurant · Seafood · 1.2 mi
1305 South Main Street, Walnut Creek
Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
273 more on the map.
History
There are three bands of Bay Miwok Native Americans associated with the area of Walnut Creek (the stream for which the city is named): the Saclan, whose territory extended through the hills east of present-day cities of Oakland, Rossmoor, Lafayette, Moraga and Walnut Creek; the Volvon (also spelled Bolbon, Wolwon or Zuicun), who were near Mt. Diablo; and the Tactan, located on the San Ramon Creek in present-day Danville and Walnut Creek.
The city of Walnut Creek has developed within the earlier area of four extensive Mexican land grants. One of these land grants – measuring 18,000 acres (73 km2) – belonged to Juana Sanchez de Pacheco. The grant was called Rancho Arroyo de Las Nueces y Bolbones, named after the principal waterway, Arroyo de las Nueces (Walnut Creek in English), and for the local group of Volvon indigenous Americans (also known as Bolbones in Spanish). The Arroyo de las Nueces was named for the local species of walnut tree, Juglans hindsii. The two grandsons of Sanchez de Pacheco inherited the thousands of acres of land. One, Ygnacio Sibrian, built the first roofed home in the valley in about 1850.
From the History section of Walnut Creek, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay11
Extended Stay America
Motel and hotel · 2.4 mi
3220 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Churches and places of worship36
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Church · Episcopal · 1.5 mi
1924 Trinity Avenue
St Luke's Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 1.4 mi
2491 San Miguel Drive, Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 1.5 mi
1801 Lacassie Avenue
Shopping54
Gas and EV charging31
Schools, colleges and libraries86
Healthcare19
Physical Rehabilitation Center, Pleasant Hill
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.7 mi
3480 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Kalologie | Club Studio | Walnut Creek
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.4 mi
2270 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek
Passport Health Walnut Creek Travel Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.8 mi
150 North Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek
Map of Walnut Creek
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 42°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 63°F | 44°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 68°F | 47°F | 2.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 72°F | 49°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 78°F | 53°F | 0.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 85°F | 57°F | 0.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 58°F | 0.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 88°F | 59°F | 0.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 86°F | 58°F | 0.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 78°F | 53°F | 0.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 67°F | 46°F | 1.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 59°F | 41°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Concord Wwtp (6 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Contra Costa County has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.
- 2023-01-14: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2023-01-09: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2017-04-01: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2017-03-16: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 6 miles away.
- Alamo 4 mi southeast, about 6 min by car
- Pleasant Hill 4 mi northwest, about 7 min by car
- Lafayette 4 mi west, about 7 min by car
- Concord 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Moraga 6 mi southwest, about 10 min by car
- Clayton 7 mi northeast, about 11 min by car
- Danville 7 mi southeast, about 12 min by car
- Orinda 7 mi west, about 11 min by car
- Martinez 8 mi northwest, about 12 min by car
- Bay Point 10 mi northeast, about 16 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Walnut Creek view from Acalanes Open Space, Jeffreymendel Jeffrey Nash, CC BY 3.0
- Walnut Creek view from Shell Ridge Open Space, Tellurium6, CC BY 4.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (4), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (5), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (6), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (11), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (15), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (17), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (14), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (18), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (7), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (10), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (19), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (9), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (16), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (8), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio, Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (6), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (2), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (3), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Miguel, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA - panoramio (1), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (5), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South side of Walnut Creek SP station, August 2018, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek SP station, August 2018, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek SP station from garage, August 2018, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA - panoramio (13), Clotee Pridgen Alloc…, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Old Borges Ranch (Walnut Creek, CA), Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Don Francisco Galindo House (Concord, CA), Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Shadelands Ranch House (Walnut Creek, CA), Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2nd Aero Squadron Collar Pin, Cybercubber, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pacheco, Walnut, Grayson Creeks and Buchanan Field aerial, Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ammopelmatus pictus 330914144, Michael Warner, CC BY 4.0
- Ramalina leptocarpha 2922890, Ken-ichi Ueda, CC BY 4.0
- Dermatocarpon americanum 2929567, Ken-ichi Ueda, CC BY 4.0
- Dermatocarpon americanum 2929581, Ken-ichi Ueda, CC BY 4.0
- Dermatocarpon americanum 2929580, Ken-ichi Ueda, CC BY 4.0
- Harry Edward Sears in Lt. Colonel Uniform, Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Andricus pattersonae on blue oak, Janna Layton, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Iron Horse Trail Ygnacio Valley Rd Bridge 02, ShakataGaNai, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iron Horse Trail Ygnacio Valley Rd Bridge 01, ShakataGaNai, CC BY-SA 3.0
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