Walnut Creek, California

Walnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about east of the city of Oakland. 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.
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 grantsmeasuring 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, the California Walnut. 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.
As settlers from the United States arrived following US annexation of California after victory in the Mexican–American War, a small settlement called "The Corners" emerged. It was named for the junction where roads met from the settlements of Pacheco and Lafayette. The intersection of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street is now at this site. The first town settler was William Slusher, who built a dwelling on the bank of Walnut Creek, first called "Nuts Creek" by Americans in 1849. In 1855, Milo Hough of Lafayette built the hotel named "Walnut Creek House" in The Corners. A blacksmith shop and a store were soon established by settlers. In 1850 Hiram Penniman laid out the town site and realigned Main Street to what it is today. (Penniman also developed Shadelands Ranch.)
In December 1862 a United States Post Office was established here, named "Walnut Creek". Pioneer Homer Shuey platted the downtown street patterns in 1871–1872 on a portion of one of his family's large cattle ranches. These streets have been maintained to the present.
The arrival of Southern Pacific Railroad service in 1891 stimulated development of Walnut Creek. On October 21, 1914, the town and the surrounding area were incorporated as the 8th city in Contra Costa County. A branch line of the Southern Pacific ran through Walnut Creek until the late 1970s. Portions were adapted by East Bay Regional Park District for the Iron Horse Trail, which is used by walkers, runners and bikers. The mainline of the Sacramento Northern Railway passed through Walnut Creek. Both railroads had stations here. Today, the of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) serves Walnut Creek with a station adjacent to Highway 680.
With the 1951 opening of the downtown Broadway Shopping Center (now Broadway Plaza), Contra Costa County's first major retail center, the city took off in a new direction. In the postwar period of suburban development, its population more than quadrupledfrom 2,460 in 1950 to 9,903 in 1960. Growth has accelerated since the late 20th century, and the population in 2019 was estimated at slightly more than 70,000.
Geography and climate
Walnut Creek is located at . Portions lie in both the San Ramon Valley and the Ygnacio Valley below the western slopes of Mount Diablo. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 0.06 percent of which is water. Walnut Creekthe actual waterway that runs through the townhas been routed underneath downtown through a series of tunnels. These start at the southwest end of Macy's and end just southwest of Bar Camino Restaurant.
Neighborhoods
Walnut Creek consists of a bustling, upscale downtown with established neighborhoods in its surrounding areas. Neighborhoods range in affordability and feel, with some being exceptionally charming and tight-knit (e.g., Parkmead) while others are more rural and forested with homes on generous lots (e.g., Tice Valley). Not all neighborhoods are incorporated; there are many unincorporated areas that are serviced by Contra Costa County. A non-exhaustive list of neighborhoods in Walnut Creek include:
Castle Hill
Carriage Square
Diablo Shadows
Lakewood Area
Larkey Park (Median SFH sold price of $1,205,000 --- Feb 2022)
Livorna Estates
Northgate (Median SFH sold price of $1,762,500 --- Feb 2022)
Overlook
Parkmead
Rancho Paraiso (Median SFH sold price of $2,500,000 --- Feb 2022)
Rossmoor (A 55+ retirement community of approximately 10,000 residents)
Rudgear Estates
Saranap (Median SFH sold price of $1,900,000 --- Feb 2022)
Summit Ridge
Tice Valley (Median SFH sold price of $1,879,000 --- Feb 2022)
Walnut Heights (Median SFH sold price of $1,802,000 --- Feb 2022)
Walnut Knolls
Homestead
Creekside
Depending on the neighborhood, homes can be assigned to schools in Lafayette, San Ramon Valley, Walnut Creek, or Mt. Diablo Unified School District.
Open space
Walnut Creek owns more open space per capita than any other community in the state of California. In 1974, Walnut Creek voters approved a $6.7million bond measure to acquire and protect open space: the city purchased of undeveloped hillsides, ridge lines, and park sites. Walnut Creek owns parts of Lime Ridge Open Space, Acalanes Ridge Open Space, Shell Ridge Open Space, and Sugarloaf Open Space.
The East Bay Regional Park District operates Diablo Foothills Regional Park and Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, both of which are located in Walnut Creek.
Climate
Walnut Creek's warm summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) is typical of California's interior valleys. In summer, high pressure results in almost unbroken sunshine and virtually no precipitation. Days start out cool but quickly warm up, with high temperatures normally in the 80s Fahrenheit (27 to 32°C). Temperatures of or hotter occur numerous times during heatwaves, however. In the winter, the jet stream moves far enough south so that Pacific storms can reach Walnut Creek, bringing much-needed rainaverage annual rainfall approximates , with slight variations occurring in microclimates based on elevation and topography. During particularly cold storms, snow falls on the peak of nearby Mount Diablo, but snow in the valley floor is very rare. There are numerous clear, mild days in winter, often with morning frost. The climate allows for the successful cultivation of many plants and crops, being warm enough for citrus yet cold enough for apples. The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a renowned botanical garden that showcases the diversity of plants that can be successfully grown.
Public transit and bike trails
The city has two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations – and (in the unincorporated area known as Contra Costa Centre Transit Village) – both served by the .
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection/CCCTA) provides bus service throughout Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County at a modest cost. County Connection also operates three free weekday shuttles within city limits: the Downtown Trolley/Route 4 loops from Walnut Creek BART to Broadway Plaza; Route 5 runs from Walnut Creek BART to Creekside; and Route 7, which runs from Pleasant Hill BART to Shadelands Business Park.
Walnut Creek is transected by the Iron Horse Trail (running north–south) through its downtown, as well as the Contra Costa Canal Trail (running east–west) at the north end of the city. Both these trails, in addition to city bike lanes, make bicycle transportation feasible both for recreation and as an alternative commute.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Walnut Creek had a population of 64,173. The population density was . The racial makeup of Walnut Creek was 50,487 (78.7 percent) White, 1,035 (1.6 percent) African American, 155 (0.2 percent) Native American, 8,027 (12.5 percent) Asian, 125 (0.2 percent) Pacific Islander, 1,624 (2.5 percent) from other races, and 2,720 (4.2 percent) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,540 persons (8.6 percent).
The Census reported that 63,171 people (98.4 percent of the population) lived in households, 176 (0.3 percent) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 826 (1.3 percent) were institutionalized.
There were 30,443 households, out of which 6,363 (20.9 percent) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,305 (43.7 percent) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,071 (6.8 percent) had a female householder with no husband present, 844 (2.8 percent) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,286 (4.2 percent) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 298 (1.0 percent) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 11,884 households (39.0 percent) were made up of individuals, and 6,424 (21.1 percent) had someone living alone who was 65years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08. There were 16,220 families (53.3 percent of all households); the average family size was 2.79.
The population was spread out, with 10,719 people (16.7 percent) under the age of 18, 3,599 people (5.6 percent) aged 18 to 24, 15,137 people (23.6 percent) aged 25 to 44, 17,653 people (27.5 percent) aged 45 to 64, and 17,065 people (26.6 percent) who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 47.9years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
There were 32,681 housing units at an average density of , of which 20,262 (66.6 percent) were owner-occupied, and 10,181 (33.4 percent) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4 percent; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7 percent. 43,079 people (67.1 percent of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,092 people (31.3 percent) lived in rental housing units.
Government
City Council members are elected at-large to staggered, four-year terms, in elections held in even-numbered years.
As of 2022, the current elected representatives are Matt Francois (Mayor), Cindy Silva (Mayor Pro Tem), Loella Haskew, Cindy Darling and Kevin Wilk (Council members).
County, state, and federal representation
On the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, Walnut Creek is split between Supervisorial District 2 and Supervisorial District 4, represented by Candace Andersen and Karen Mitchoff, respectively.
In the California State Legislature, Walnut Creek is split between and and in .
In the United States House of Representatives, Walnut Creek is located in California's 10th congressional district, represented by .
According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Walnut Creek has 46,149 registered voters. Of those, 21,391 (46.4%) are registered Democrats, 10,708 (23.2%) are registered Republicans, and 12,147 (26.3%) have declined to state a political party.
Education
Public K–12
Walnut Creek residents attend schools in five public school districts. The Walnut Creek School District (K8) has five elementary schools, one magnet school (K–8), and one middle school in the city. Some residents are served by schools from the Mount Diablo Unified School District (K12), the Acalanes Union High School District (912), the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (K12), and the Lafayette School District (K8). The Walnut Creek and Lafayette districts feed into Acalanes Union HSD.
The following public schools are within the city limits of Walnut Creek:
Walnut Creek School District
Buena Vista Elementary
Indian Valley Elementary
Murwood Elementary
Parkmead Elementary
Walnut Heights Elementary
Walnut Creek Intermediate
Tice Creek School
Acalanes Union High School District
Las Lomas High School
Acalanes Center for Independent Study
Mount Diablo Unified School District
Eagle Peak Montessori (charter elementary)
Bancroft Elementary
Valle Verde Elementary
Walnut Acres Elementary
Foothill Middle
Northgate High School
Private K–12
Walnut Creek is home to several private schools, including:
Berean Christian High School (Grades: 912)
Contra Costa Christian Schools (Grades: PK12)
Fusion Academy Walnut Creek (Grades: 612)
Garden Gate Montessori School (Grades: PKK)
North Creek Academy & Preschool (Grades: PK8)
Palmer School (Grades: K8)
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School (Grades: PK8)
The Seven Hills School (Grades: PK8)
Springfield Montessori School (Grades: PKK)
Walnut Creek Christian Academy (Grades: K8)
Wellspring Educational Services
Public libraries
The Walnut Creek Library and the Ygnacio Valley Library of the Contra Costa County Library are located in Walnut Creek. The Ygnacio Valley Branch, which opened in 1975, is also known as the Thurman G. Casey Memorial Library. Fundraising and other support is provided by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation.
On February 26, 2008, the city demolished the Walnut Creek Library, that was built in 1961 at the southern end of Civic Park. Mayor Gwen Regalia hosted a groundbreaking on the same site for the new library on May 19, 2008. The new library, designed by Group4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc., has and an underground parking garage. Construction was completed in 2010 and the library was officially opened on July 17, 2010.
Economy
Companies based in Walnut Creek include Central Garden & Pet (makers of the AvoDerm, Amdro, Kaytee brands, among others), American Reprographics Company, CSE Insurance Group, Maximum Games, and the PMI Group.
Points of interest
Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)
Bedford Art Gallery
Boundary Oak Golf Course
Broadway Plaza Shopping Center
Castle Rock Park
Civic Park, including seasonal outdoor skating rink
Heather Farm Park, including Gardens at Heather Farm and all-abilities playground
Howe Homestead Park
Lesher Center for the Arts
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Mount Diablo State Park
Open space hiking/biking trails, including Acalanes, Lime Ridge, Shell Ridge (featuring Fossil Hill trail)
Old Borges Ranch
Ruth Bancroft Garden
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, featuring Carpenter Gothic chapel
Shadelands Ranch Museum
Walden Park Disc Golf Course
Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society
Media
Walnut Creek is served by the daily newspaper, The East Bay Times (formerly The Contra Costa Times). The paper was originally run and owned by the Lesher family. Since the death of Dean Lesher in 1993, the paper has had several owners. The Times, as it is known, has a section called "The Walnut Creek Journal."
Walnut Creek TV (WCTV) is the city's government-access television channel, covering local government and community events. WCTV is available in Walnut Creek on Comcast channel 28 (channel 26 in Rossmoor), Astound channel 29, AT&T U-verse channel 99 under the menu option "Walnut Creek Television," and on YouTube. Claycord.com is the widely read independent news and talk blog serving the greater Walnut Creek metropolitan area.
Notable people
Arthur Adams, comics artist
Matt Anger, professional tennis player
Dan Ashley, journalist
Ruth Bancroft, gardener, landscape architect and creator of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
Jessica Bowman, actress, portrayed Colleen Cooper in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Tom Candiotti, MLB pitcher
Richard Carlson, psychotherapist, author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Curt Casali (born 1988), baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants
Joyce Chin, comics artist
Dr. Alette Coble-Temple, Ms. Wheelchair America 2016, disability advocate
TJ Cox, congressman
Corey Duffel, professional skateboarder
Kyle Gass, guitarist for Tenacious D, attended Las Lomas High School
Lee Goldberg, writer and television producer, graduated from Northgate High School (1980)
Ella Halikas, model, body positivity acvitist, and social media influencer
Dan Haren, MLB pitcher
Brandon Harkins, professional golfer
Jack Henderson, Artist
Marya Hornbacher, author
Sabrina Ionescu, basketball player
Kristian Ipsen, U.S. diver, Olympic bronze medalist
Kyle Jensen, baseball player
Bessilyn Johnson, daughter of Hiram Penniman, Shadelands Ranch owner, resident of Scotty's Castle in Death Valley
Randy Johnson, Hall of Fame MLB pitcher
Persis Karim (b. 1962), American poet, editor, educator; born in Walnut Creek
Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015
Alexandra Killewald, professor of professor of sociology at the Harvard Kennedy School
Hans Lineweaver (1907–2009), physical chemist known for popularizing the double-reciprocal plot, died in Walnut Creek at the age of 101
Tosh Lupoi, defensive line coach for Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen, NBA player
John A. Nejedly (1914–2006), California State Senator
Kyle Newacheck, co-creator, co-star of Comedy Central's Workaholics
Jason Newsted, bassist for Metallica
Aaron Poreda, MLB pitcher
A.J. Puckett, professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization
Markie Post, television actress
Jeff Richards, writer and featured performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live, 2001–2004
Bill Rigney, MLB infielder, Angels' inaugural manager
Lester Rodney, journalist, civil rights activist
Katharine Ross, film actress, graduated from Las Lomas High School (1957)
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Sesame Street puppeteer
Greg Sestero, actor, star of cult film The Room, author of The Disaster Artist, born in Walnut Creek
Justin Speier, MLB pitcher
Joe Starkey, California Golden Bears and former San Francisco 49ers announcer
The Story So Far, pop punk band
Christy Turlington, supermodel, health activist
Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica
Katie Volynets, professional Tennis player
Joseph R. Walker, 19th-century wilderness explorer and scout
Johnny Weekly, MLB outfielder
Wayne A. Wiegand, library historian, author, academic
Sherri Youngward, Christian singer and songwriter
Mary Griffith (activist), LGBTQ+ Activist
Sister cities
Walnut Creek has an active Sister Cities International program with two sister cities. Schools in the city have a yearly student exchange with these cities.
Noceto, Italy
Siófok, Hungary
See also
Walnut Creek CDROM
List of cities and towns in California
List of cities and towns in the San Francisco Bay Area
References
Further reading
External links
Walnut Creek Convention & Visitors Bureau
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
1849 establishments in California
Cities in Contra Costa County, California
Cities in the San Francisco Bay Area
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated places established in 1849