Walnut Creek, California
is located in Contra Costa County less than 20 miles from Oakland in the East Bay San Francisco.
The bustling city that promotes family living is considered a great place to
reside in the Bay Area and has enough for tourists to do, making it worth a
stop on your Northern California trip. With great shops, a freeway-close
location, healthy job base and lots of activities and things to do, it's
easy to see why Walnut Creek is such a busy place.
Named for settlers who planted walnut trees that grew close to a
small creek, it was first called The Corners, for the location where two roads leading
from Pacheco and Lafayette converged. That particular intersection is
currently the intersection of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street.
Walnut Creek was later adopted as the official city name as the city enjoyed
incorporation in 1914.
Where to stay when
visiting Walnut Creek: Some prefer the
Embassy Suites when traveling. The complimentary breakfasts are
convenient, save tourists and business travelers time and money.
Walnut Creek is quite popular for its retail and restaurant offerings
in a downtown shopping area with shady streets, stores such as Crate and
Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble and delightful
restaurants, some with outdoor dining. Walnut Creek and its next door
neighbor, Concord, attract residents from smaller cities such as Lafayette
and Orinda who seek a greater selection of clothing and gifts than their
cities provide.
Served by Interstate 680 and
Highway 24, Walnut Creek features shopping, hotels, a performing and visual
arts center, a wildlife museum, ranch guests can visit to get a glimpse into
the native California wildlife and natural history and even a BART (Bay Area
Regional Transportation) station that takes to you other locations,
including San Francisco.
The greatest asset of Walnut
Creek is its geographic setting. The rolling hills and small range of
mountains that frame the city plus shade trees that line many of the streets
and shopping areas make Walnut Creek one of those places you'd love to paint
on canvas. The city is proud of its parks and open spaces and most of
its attractions are tied to that theme of outdoor recreation. From the
city-owned equestrian center opened to the public to the skate park
supported by community sponsorship to the many historic houses and huge
parks with playgrounds and trails for hiking, Walnut Creek offers room to
roam. In contrast to Berkeley and San Francisco with large populations in
small spaces, Walnut Creek has spacious expanses that its residents prefer.
Some things to do in Walnut
Creek include:
Seasonal events have
included Ice Skating in Walnut Creek. The community comes out and officials
cut the ribbon on this fun event that features outdoor skating in a city
that rarely sees ice and snow. What a treat to go after work or on a
weekend, put on a pair of ice skates and glide on ice.
The Bedford Gallery, a program of the City of Walnut Creek, receives
funding from Diablo Regional Arts Association. It is located on the first level of the Dean Lesher
Regional Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive (at Locust Street), Walnut
Creek, CA 94596.
Phone: 925-295-1417.
Dean Lesher Regional Center
for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive. The City's performing and visual arts
center houses the
800-seat Hofmann Theatre, the 300-seat Margaret Lesher Theatre, the 130-seat
Knight Foundation Stage 3 theatre and the Bedford Gallery. bedfordgallery.org
Lindsay Wildlife Museum,
1931 First Avenue. This wildlife rehabilitation and educational center
includes non-releasable native wildlife treating more than 6,000 injured and
orphaned wild animals each year with focus on native California wildlife and
natural history. Founded in 1955, the museum is one of the oldest and
largest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. wildlife-museum.org
Old Borges Ranch, 1035
Castle Rock Road. The 100+ year old ranch of early Walnut Creek pioneer Frank Borges
includes a blacksmith shop, outbuildings, farm equipment displays, a barn
and covered trellis available for group reservations. Listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, the Borges home was built in 1901 and includes
historical displays of the early 1900’s. Walnut Creek's Shell Ridge Open Space
is located at Old Borges Ranch.
Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, (925)
935-7871. Built by early Walnut Creek pioneer Hiram Penniman, this 1903
redwood-framed house is a showcase for numerous historical artifacts, many
of which belonged to the Pennimans. It also houses an archive of Contra
Costa and Walnut Creek history. The museum is on the National Register of
Historic Places and belongs to the City, but is operated by the Walnut Creek
Historical Society.
Mount Diablo State Park dominates the landscape for most of central and eastern
Contra Costa County. A small museum and observation post at the summit
provides panoramic views of San Fransisco and the Central Valley.
Broadway Plaza is an
open-air mall that includes many community events such as jazz concerts and
special programs. For those visiting the area, be sure to include shopping
at Broadway Plaza in your itinerary. With the many name brand stores and an
energy boost from Starbucks Coffee, you'll be on your way to enjoying one of
America's favorite travel past-times, shopping. Location: 1275 Broadway
Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. broadwayplaza.com
Clothing, gifts and services include - Aerosoles (925) 274-1132;
After Hours Formalwear (925) 935-3516; American Express Travel (925)
938-0800; Ann Taylor (925) 937-0606; Aveda (925) 932-1220; Baby Gap (925)
946-0171; Banana Republic Men (925) 932-6826; Banana Republic Women (925)
256-7538; Bang & Olufsen (925) 947-1605; Bath & Body Works (925) 946-1993;
Bose (925) 287-8922; Charmed (925) 287-9268; Cingular Wireless (925)
974-1180; Claire's Etc. (925) 937-7405; Clark's Shoes; Coach (925) 938-2772;
Coldwater Creek (925) 945-1113; Concierge at Broadway Plaza (925) 933-6589;
Crabtree & Evelyn (925) 944-3319; Crate & Barrel (925) 947-3500;Discovery
Channel Store (925) 935-9556; Gap (925) 937-0292;Gap Kids (925) 946-0171;
GNC (925) 274-1110; Gymboree (925) 935-6820; Macy's Men & Juniors (925)
279-3333; Macy's Women & Home (925) 279-3333; Nextel (925) 932-2057;
Nordstrom (925) 930-7959; Pure Beauty (925) 937-1722; Sephora (925)
933-3433; Sharper Image, The (925) 947-0444; Sterling Works (925) 930-9950;
Steve's Hallmark (925) 937-3731.
Food & Restaurants -
California Pizza Kitchen (925) 938-0720; Cathy
Jean (925) 280-8019; Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop & Cafe (925) 933-4995;
P.F.
Chang's China Bistro (925) 979-9070; See's Candies (925) 934-8922; Starbucks
Coffee (925) 937-1377
