Walnut Creek

Ranked by Niche as one of Contra Costa County’s best places to live, Walnut Creek is known as a relaxed suburb with stellar schools, conveniently located near major cities like Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, and San Francisco.

 

Originally an 1800s-era Mexican land grant, this area was settled later in the century and came to be referred to as Walnut Creek. The town gradually grew to include a blacksmith’s shop and various stores; during the 1950s, Walnut Creek’s population boomed after the addition of a shopping center. Today, Walnut Creek has become a commuter hub for the Bay Area.

 

Typical for the Bay Area suburbs, Walnut Creek’s cost of living is high. Many homes are located on sprawling acreage overlooking Mount Diablo, and updated California ranch-style houses are common as well. With convenient shops, restaurants, schools, and parks nearby, this is the perfect town for homebuyers searching for the typical suburban experience.