About Walnut Creek, California

Walnut Creek is a typical, medium-sized suburban city located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. After being part of a Spanish land grant comprising several ranchos, the first Midwestern settlers of European descent in this area planted walnut trees. Some of these trees grew close to a small creek; thus, over time the locals came to call the creek “Walnut Creek,” but the town was known as “The Corners.” Today, Walnut Creek is mostly known for its retail and restaurant offerings. The City also boasts extensive protected open space for hiking and picnicking, as well as a predominantly sunny and warm climate with a briefly cool and wet winter.

With a total estimated population of 70,166, Walnut Creek is the business hub of Contra Costa County, due in part to its prime location at the intersection of SR-24 and I-680, as well as accessibility by BART. Over the years, Walnut Creek has grown beyond a quiet bedroom community of San Francisco, becoming a regional business and retail center of the East Bay. Downtown Walnut Creek has become a destination center for quality restaurants and shopping, while the surrounding community is filled with parks and recreational areas for families. The City’s vibrant downtown neighborhood also features hundred-year-old buildings and extensive high-end retail establishments, restaurants and entertainment venues.