Quality of Life

Walnut Creek’s historic, character-filled downtown is packed with vibrant restaurants, wine bars, and boutiques. Residents, visitors, and employees of the Walnut Creek’s diverse businesses enjoy grabbing a bite with friends and savoring the city’s inviting outdoor dining options, the perfect way to soak up Walnut Creek’s plentiful sunny days.

Walnut Creek has one of the few downtowns with both a traditional, walkable area with tree-lined streets and local eateries, with walking distance to high-end, outdoor shopping plaza with national brands and department stores.

Over the years, Walnut Creek has developed a well-earned reputation as an upscale, regional retail destination where shoppers can discover the hottest trends and test-drive the latest luxury vehicles. Walnut Creek’s downtown promenade is bookended by two prestigious, open-air shopping centers, Broadway Plaza and Plaza Escuela. In Walnut Creek, it’s easy to find something for everyone, including luxury goods, everyday items, and tasty treats that make life in Walnut Creek even sweeter.

Over on Auto Row, car shoppers can find 20 dealerships and get behind the wheel of a wide range of vehicles, from a trusty Subaru to a sporty Maserati. Learn more. 

The Walnut Creek community enjoys dozens of arts and cultural programs and events throughout the year. The Lesher Center for the Arts is Contra Costa County’s premier arts and cultural center where patrons can catch a play, watch a ballet performance, enjoy top artists, including Fleetwood Mac and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, or even experience Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights musical.

Art lovers can also experience exhibitions at the Bedford Gallery, and enjoy the Center for Community Arts program offerings.

Learn more about arts and culture in Walnut Creek. 

Walnut Creek residents and their children enjoy excellent schools, including 21 elementary schools, middle/intermediate schools, and high schools spread across five school districts. In addition, the city offers convenient access to many colleges and universities. In fact, 71.5% of Walnut Creek residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The ability to live an active, outdoor lifestyle is a huge draw in Walnut Creek. The city boasts the most open space per capita in California, totaling 2,704 acres. Walnut Creek is also home to an extensive system of 22 city parks spread across 250 acres. 

On any given day, residents are walking their dogs, chatting with neighbors outdoors, hiking in open space, or biking the 32-mile Iron Horse Regional Trail. Another top attraction is Heather Farm Park. This central, regional draw is situated on 102 acres and includes the Gardens at Heather Farm, an equestrian center, skate park, swim center, all-abilities playground, sports fields, dog park, fishing pond, nature area, lake, and more.

Walnut Creek residents stay healthy with easy access to state-of-the-art medical facilities, including three major hospitals, two cancer centers, and numerous medical offices.

Learn more about the industries and companies in Walnut Creek.