Walnut Creek, California
Encyclopedia
Walnut Creek is an incorporated city located 16 miles (25.7 km) east of the city of Oakland. It lies in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area
. While not as large as neighboring Concord
, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa County
, due in part to its location at the junction of the highways from Sacramento
and San Jose
(I-680
) and San Francisco/Oakland (SR-24
), as well as its accessibility by BART. The city had a total population of 64,173 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Walnut Creek is the headquarters of the Pac-12 Conference.
Indians associated with early Walnut Creek: the Saclan, whose territory extended through the hills east of present day Oakland
, Rossmoor
, Lafayette
, Moraga
, and Walnut Creek; the Volvon (also spelled Bolbon, Wolwon, and Zuicun) at Mt. Diablo; and the Tactan at Danville
and Walnut Creek, on San Ramon Creek.
Today's Walnut Creek is located amidst the earlier site of four Mexican land grants. One of these land grants – measuring 18000 acres (72.8 km²) – belonged to Juana Sanchez de Pacheco, who deeded it to her two grandsons. Ygnacio Sibrian, one of the grandsons, created the first roofed home in the valley in about 1850. The grant was called Rancho Arroyo de Las Nueces y Bolbones
, named after the principal waterway, Arroyo de las Nueces (Walnut Creek) as well as for the local group of indigenous Americans (Bolbones). The Arroyo de los Nueces was named for the occurrence in the valley of the native species of walnut tree, the California Walnut.
With the coming of American settlers following the US-Mexico War, a small settlement called "The Corners" emerged, named because it was the place where roads from Pacheco and Lafayette met. The site of this first American settlement is found today at the intersection of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street. The first town settler was William Slusher, who built a dwelling on the bank of Walnut Creek, which was called "Nuts Creek" by the Americans in 1849. In the year 1855, Milo Hough of Lafayette built the hotel named "Walnut Creek House" in the corners. A blacksmith
shop and a store soon joined the hotel, and a year later, Hiram Penniman (who built Shadelands Ranch
) laid out the town site and realigned the Main Street of today. Two decades later, the community changed its name from The Corners to Walnut Creek.
In December 1862 a United States Post Office
was established, and the community was named "Walnut Creek". The downtown street patterns laid out in 1871–1872 by pioneer Homer Shuey on a portion of one of his family's large cattle ranches are still present today.
Walnut Creek began to grow with the arrival of Southern Pacific Railroad service in 1891. On October 21, 1914, the town and the surrounding area of 500 acres (2 km2), were incorporated as the 8th city in Contra Costa County.
A branch line of the Southern Pacific
railroad ran through Walnut Creek until the late 1970s. The East Bay Regional Park District
's Iron Horse Trail
, used by walkers, runners and bikers, runs over what was portions of that branch line. The mainline of the Sacramento Northern Railway passed through Walnut Creek. Both railroads had stations here. Today, the Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO Line line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit
(BART) serves Walnut Creek with a station
adjacent to Highway 680.
With the downtown opening of the Broadway Shopping Center (Now Broadway Plaza), Contra Costa County's first major retail center, in 1951, the city took off in a new direction, and its population more than tripled from 2,460 in 1950 to 9,903 in 1960.
Today, Walnut Creek, the actual waterway, has been routed underneath downtown through a series of tunnels starting at the southwest end of Macy's and ending just southwest of Maria Maria Restaurant and bar.
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 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2). 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2) of it is land and 0.06% is water.
(Köppen climate classification
Csa) with cool, moist winters and warm to hot dry summers. Average annual rainfall approximates 20 inches (508 mm), with slight variations occurring in microclimates based on elevation and topography. Winter daytime temperatures average in the mid 50s with little daily variation, while summer daytime temperatures average in the high 80s. 100 degree weather occurs numerous times during summer heatwaves, while occasional light frosts may occur during clear, calm winter nights. 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.
Walnut Creek owns more open space per capita than any other community in the state of California
. In 1974, Walnut Creek voters approved a $6.7 million bond measure that allowed the city to purchase 1,800 acres (7 km2) of undeveloped hillsides, ridge lines, and park sites. Walnut Creek owns parts of Lime Ridge Open Space, Shell Ridge Open Space, Acalanes Ridge Open Space, and Sugarloaf Open Space.
The East Bay Regional Park District operates Diablo Foothills Regional Park, and Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, in Walnut Creek.
was 3,246.2 people per square mile (1,253.4/km²). The racial makeup of Walnut Creek was 50,487 (78.7%) White, 1,035 (1.6%) African American, 155 (0.2%) Native American, 8,027 (12.5%) Asian, 125 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,624 (2.5%) from other races
, and 2,720 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,540 persons (8.6%).
The Census reported that 63,171 people (98.4% of the population) lived in households, 176 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 826 (1.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 30,443 households, out of which 6,363 (20.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,305 (43.7%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 2,071 (6.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 844 (2.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,286 (4.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 298 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 11,884 households (39.0%) were made up of individuals and 6,424 (21.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08. There were 16,220 families
(53.3% of all households); the average family size was 2.79.
The population was spread out with 10,719 people (16.7%) under the age of 18, 3,599 people (5.6%) aged 18 to 24, 15,137 people (23.6%) aged 25 to 44, 17,653 people (27.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 17,065 people (26.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.9 years. 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 1,653.2 per square mile (638.3/km²), of which 20,262 (66.6%) were owner-occupied, and 10,181 (33.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%. 43,079 people (67.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,092 people (31.3%) lived in rental housing units.
According to a 2008 United States Census Bureau
estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $81,297, and the median income for a family was $113,996. The per capita income
was $53,028. About 1.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line.
of 2000, there were 64,296 people, 30,301 households, and 16,544 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,246.9/km² (3,229.6/mi²). There were 31,425 housing units at an average density of 609.4/km² (1,578.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.89% White, 1.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 9.36% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races
, and 3.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 30,301 households out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
(K-12), the Acalanes Union High School District
(9–12), the San Ramon Valley Unified School District
(K-12), and the Lafayette School District (K-8).
The following public schools are within the city limits of Walnut Creek:
Walnut Creek School District
Acalanes Union High School District
Mount Diablo Unified School District
are located in Walnut Creek. The Ygnacio Valley Branch, which opened in 1975, is also known as the Thurman G. Casey Memorial Library.
On February 26, 2008, the city demolished the Walnut Creek Library, which 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 Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc., has 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) and an underground parking garage. Construction was completed in 2010 and the library was officially opened on July 17, 2010.
Fundraising and other support is provided by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation
, Central Garden & Pet (makers of AvoDerm
, Amdro
,Kaytee
, among others), American Reprographics Company
, and the PMI Group
.
, and Banana Republic
, and is part of the upscale downtown retail and restaurant district.
The California Symphony
(notable for its commitment to the performance of music by American composers) has been based in Walnut Creek since its inception in 1986.
Center Repertory Company
The Center Repertory Company is the in-house theater company for the Lesher Center for the Arts. It stages six productions a year, including the annual production of A Christmas Carol.
Civic Arts Program
The city organizes education in graphic arts, sculpture, pottery, and performance arts such as dancing for various age groups is actively supported and encouraged by the Civic Arts Program.
Clay Arts Guild
Clay Arts Guild (CAG) is a non-profit volunteer organization supporting ceramics arts education under the Civic Arts Program of Walnut Creek.
The organization is notable for its long history in the region (established in 1964) and the numerous sculptors and potters who have practiced, taught classes, and/or given masters seminars through its offices.
Activities supported by CAG include:
The Lesher Center for the Arts
Several performance spaces (The Knight Stage 3, The Hoffman, and The Margaret Lesher theatres) and the Bedford Gallery are included in this modern building. The Center is named for Dean Lesher
, newspaper publisher and founder of the Contra Costa Times
), just north of the city limits, named for the neighboring city). BART provides regional access in and out of Walnut Creek to most of the Bay Area.
A free shuttle operates between the central district and Walnut Creek BART station. Other areas of Walnut Creek may be accessed at modest cost by using the buses of the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority
.
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 the many bike lanes in the city make bicycle transportation very feasible for recreation or for an alternative commute.
, Italy Siófok
, Hungary
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. While not as large as neighboring Concord
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County, California
Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...
, due in part to its location at the junction of the highways from Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
(I-680
Interstate 680 (California)
Interstate 680 is a north–south Interstate Highway in Northern California. It curves around the eastern cities of the San Francisco Bay Area from San Jose to Interstate 80 at Cordelia, bypassing cities along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay such as Oakland and Richmond while serving...
) and San Francisco/Oakland (SR-24
California State Route 24
State Route 24 in the U.S. state of California is a heavily-traveled east–west freeway in the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay Area of northern California that runs from the Interstate 580/Interstate 980 interchange in Oakland to the Interstate 680 junction in Walnut Creek...
), as well as its accessibility by BART. The city had a total population of 64,173 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Walnut Creek is the headquarters of the Pac-12 Conference.
History
There are three bands of Bay MiwokBay Miwok
The Bay Miwok were a cultural and linguistic group of Miwok, a Native American people in Northern California who lived in Contra Costa County. They joined the Franciscan mission system during the early nineteenth century, suffered a devastating population decline, and lost their language as they...
Indians associated with early Walnut Creek: the Saclan, whose territory extended through the hills east of present day Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, Rossmoor
Rossmoor, California
Rossmoor is an affluent planned census-designated place located in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total population of 10,244, down from 10,298 at the 2000 census...
, Lafayette
Lafayette, California
Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 23,893. It was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War...
, Moraga
Moraga, California
Moraga is a suburban incorporated town located in Contra Costa County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is named in honor of Joaquin Moraga, whose grandfather was José Joaquin Moraga, second in command to Juan Bautista de Anza...
, and Walnut Creek; the Volvon (also spelled Bolbon, Wolwon, and Zuicun) at Mt. Diablo; and the Tactan at Danville
Danville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
and Walnut Creek, on San Ramon Creek.
Today's Walnut Creek is located amidst the earlier site of four Mexican land grants. One of these land grants – measuring 18000 acres (72.8 km²) – belonged to Juana Sanchez de Pacheco, who deeded it to her two grandsons. Ygnacio Sibrian, one of the grandsons, created the first roofed home in the valley in about 1850. The grant was called Rancho Arroyo de Las Nueces y Bolbones
Rancho Arroyo de Las Nueces y Bolbones
Rancho Arroyo de Las Nueces y Bolbones was a Mexican land grant in present day Contra Costa County, California given in 1834 by Governor José Figueroa to Juana Sanchez de Pacheco. The grant was named after the principal waterway, Arroyo de los Nueces and for the local group of indigenous...
, named after the principal waterway, Arroyo de las Nueces (Walnut Creek) as well as for the local group of indigenous Americans (Bolbones). The Arroyo de los Nueces was named for the occurrence in the valley of the native species of walnut tree, the California Walnut.
With the coming of American settlers following the US-Mexico War, a small settlement called "The Corners" emerged, named because it was the place where roads from Pacheco and Lafayette met. The site of this first American settlement is found today at the intersection of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street. The first town settler was William Slusher, who built a dwelling on the bank of Walnut Creek, which was called "Nuts Creek" by the Americans in 1849. In the year 1855, Milo Hough of Lafayette built the hotel named "Walnut Creek House" in the corners. A blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop and a store soon joined the hotel, and a year later, Hiram Penniman (who built Shadelands Ranch
Shadelands Ranch
Shadelands Ranch was established by Hiram Penniman, an early American settler of California in 1856 as one of the first and largest farms in California's Ygnacio Valley....
) laid out the town site and realigned the Main Street of today. Two decades later, the community changed its name from The Corners to Walnut Creek.
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established, and the community was named "Walnut Creek". The downtown street patterns laid out in 1871–1872 by pioneer Homer Shuey on a portion of one of his family's large cattle ranches are still present today.
Walnut Creek began to grow with the arrival of Southern Pacific Railroad service in 1891. On October 21, 1914, the town and the surrounding area of 500 acres (2 km2), were incorporated as the 8th city in Contra Costa County.
A branch line of the Southern Pacific
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
railroad ran through Walnut Creek until the late 1970s. The East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District is a special district operating in Alameda County and Contra Costa County, California, within the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay Area...
's Iron Horse Trail
Iron Horse Regional Trail
The Iron Horse Regional Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle rail trail in the East San Francisco Bay Area in California.This trail is located in inland central Alameda and Contra Costa counties, mostly following a Southern Pacific Railroad right of way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1977...
, used by walkers, runners and bikers, runs over what was portions of that branch line. The mainline of the Sacramento Northern Railway passed through Walnut Creek. Both railroads had stations here. Today, the Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO Line line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties...
(BART) serves Walnut Creek with a station
Walnut Creek (BART station)
Walnut Creek is an elevated subway station in Walnut Creek, California, on the Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO/Millbrae line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system.-Location:...
adjacent to Highway 680.
With the downtown opening of the Broadway Shopping Center (Now Broadway Plaza), Contra Costa County's first major retail center, in 1951, the city took off in a new direction, and its population more than tripled from 2,460 in 1950 to 9,903 in 1960.
Today, Walnut Creek, the actual waterway, has been routed underneath downtown through a series of tunnels starting at the southwest end of Macy's and ending just southwest of Maria Maria Restaurant and bar.
Geography and climate
Walnut Creek is located at 37°54′23"N 122°03′54"W. Portions lie in both the San Ramon ValleySan Ramon Valley
The San Ramon Valley is a region in Contra Costa County and Alameda County, California, east of Oakland. The cities of San Ramon, Danville and Alamo as well as the southern edge of Walnut Creek are located in the valley. Interstate 680 serves as the primary transportation route for the...
and the Ygnacio Valley below the western slopes of Mount Diablo.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2). 19.8 square miles (51.2 km2) of it is land and 0.06% is water.
Climate
The area is characterized by a warm summer Mediterranean climateMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Csa) with cool, moist winters and warm to hot dry summers. Average annual rainfall approximates 20 inches (508 mm), with slight variations occurring in microclimates based on elevation and topography. Winter daytime temperatures average in the mid 50s with little daily variation, while summer daytime temperatures average in the high 80s. 100 degree weather occurs numerous times during summer heatwaves, while occasional light frosts may occur during clear, calm winter nights. 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
Ruth Bancroft Garden
The Ruth Bancroft Garden 2.5 acres is a dry botanical garden containing more than 2,000 cactus, succulents, trees, and shrubs native to Africa, Australia, California, Chile, and Mexico...
is a renowned botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
that showcases the diversity of plants that can be successfully grown.
Open space
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 1974, Walnut Creek voters approved a $6.7 million bond measure that allowed the city to purchase 1,800 acres (7 km2) of undeveloped hillsides, ridge lines, and park sites. Walnut Creek owns parts of Lime Ridge Open Space, Shell Ridge Open Space, Acalanes Ridge Open Space, and Sugarloaf Open Space.
The East Bay Regional Park District operates Diablo Foothills Regional Park, and Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area, in Walnut Creek.
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Walnut Creek had a population of 64,173. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,246.2 people per square mile (1,253.4/km²). The racial makeup of Walnut Creek was 50,487 (78.7%) White, 1,035 (1.6%) African American, 155 (0.2%) Native American, 8,027 (12.5%) Asian, 125 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,624 (2.5%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2,720 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,540 persons (8.6%).
The Census reported that 63,171 people (98.4% of the population) lived in households, 176 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 826 (1.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 30,443 households, out of which 6,363 (20.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,305 (43.7%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2,071 (6.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 844 (2.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,286 (4.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 298 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 11,884 households (39.0%) were made up of individuals and 6,424 (21.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08. There were 16,220 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(53.3% of all households); the average family size was 2.79.
The population was spread out with 10,719 people (16.7%) under the age of 18, 3,599 people (5.6%) aged 18 to 24, 15,137 people (23.6%) aged 25 to 44, 17,653 people (27.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 17,065 people (26.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.9 years. 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 1,653.2 per square mile (638.3/km²), of which 20,262 (66.6%) were owner-occupied, and 10,181 (33.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%. 43,079 people (67.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 20,092 people (31.3%) lived in rental housing units.
2008
At the 2008 census the Ancestry was:- GermanGermansThe Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
18.3% - EnglishEnglish peopleThe English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
17.2% - IrishIrish peopleThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
13.0% - Italian 7.6%
- RussianRussiansThe Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
4.5% - ScottishScottish peopleThe Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
4.1% - FrenchFrench peopleThe French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
3.8% - Swedish 2.9%
- PolishPolesthumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
2.8% - NorwegianNorwegiansNorwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
2.5% - Scottish-Irish 2.0%
- DutchDutch peopleThe Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
1.9% - AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
1.8% - PortuguesePortuguese peopleThe Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
1.7% - Danish 1.2%
According to a 2008 United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $81,297, and the median income for a family was $113,996. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $53,028. About 1.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 64,296 people, 30,301 households, and 16,544 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,246.9/km² (3,229.6/mi²). There were 31,425 housing units at an average density of 609.4/km² (1,578.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.89% White, 1.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 9.36% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
Public K-12
Walnut Creek residents attend schools in 5 public school districts. The Walnut Creek School District (K-8) has 5 elementary schools and one middle school in the city. Some residents are served by schools from the Mount Diablo Unified School DistrictMount Diablo Unified School District
The Mount Diablo Unified School District is a public school district in Contra Costa County, California. It currently operates 32 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and six high schools, with 13 alternative school programs and an adult education program. Mt...
(K-12), the Acalanes Union High School District
Acalanes Union High School District
Acalanes Union High School District is a public high school district in southwest/central Contra Costa County in California. It currently has four schools: Acalanes High School in Lafayette, Campolindo High School in Moraga, Las Lomas High School in...
(9–12), the San Ramon Valley Unified School District
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
Creekside Elementary School is one of the 22 elementary schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Creekside is the newest elementary school in SRVUSD and is located in the Alamo Creek neighborhood in Danville, California. The school opened to students in August 2009 with...
(K-12), and the Lafayette School District (K-8).
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 IntermediateWalnut Creek IntermediateWalnut Creek Intermediate is the sole middle school in the Walnut Creek School District in Walnut Creek, California. The part of Walnut Creek served by the Mount Diablo Unified School District attends Foothill Middle School. The school has approximately 1145 students with around 75 staff...
Acalanes Union High School District
- Las Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High School was founded in 1951 by Acalanes Union High School District, and the new school opened its doors in the fall of 1952 to its first graduating class. Las Lomas was the second of five schools built within the Acalanes Union High School District...
- Acalanes Center for Independent Study (alternative program with a flexible schedule)
- Del Oro High (continuation school)
Mount Diablo Unified School District
- Eagle Peak Montessori (charter elementary)
- Bancroft Elementary
- Valle Verde Elementary
- Walnut Acres Elementary
- Foothill Middle
- Northgate High SchoolNorthgate High School (Walnut Creek, California)Northgate High School is located in the affluent North Gate community of Walnut Creek, California, and is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Opened in 1974, its name derives from its location at the north entrance of Mount Diablo State Park.- History :The movie The Principal was...
Private K-12
Walnut Creek is home to several private K-12 schools, including- Berean Christian High SchoolBerean Christian High School (Walnut Creek, California)Berean Christian High School is a private, Christian coeducational high school in Walnut Creek, California, serving grades nine through twelve. Berean Christian's name comes from the Bereans in Acts . Berean Christian has served the East Bay since 1969, having moved to its current Walnut Creek...
(Grades: 9 – 12) - Contra Costa Christian Schools (Grades: PK – 12)
- The Dorris-Eaton School (Grades: PK – 8)
- Garden Gate Montessori School (Grades: PK – K)
- North Creek Academy & Preschool (Grades: PK – 8)
- Palmer School (Grades: K – 8)
- St. Mary of the Immacualte Conception School (Grades: K – 8)
- Seven Hills School (Grades: PK – 8)
- Springfield Montessori School (Grades: PK – K)
- Walnut Creek Christian Academy (Grades: K – 8)
Public libraries
The Walnut Creek Library and the Ygnacio Valley Library of the Contra Costa County LibraryContra Costa County Library
Contra Costa County Library is a public library that is part of Contra Costa County, California, United States. There are 26 community libraries, access to electronic information via a website, over 455,000 cardholders and more than 7 million items borrowed annually...
are located in Walnut Creek. The Ygnacio Valley Branch, which opened in 1975, is also known as the Thurman G. Casey Memorial Library.
On February 26, 2008, the city demolished the Walnut Creek Library, which 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 Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc., has 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) and an underground parking garage. Construction was completed in 2010 and the library was officially opened on July 17, 2010.
Fundraising and other support is provided by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation
Economy
Companies based in Walnut Creek include Carollo EngineersCarollo engineers
Carollo Engineers is an environmental engineering firm specializingin the planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater...
, Central Garden & Pet (makers of AvoDerm
AvoDerm
AvoDerm is a line of natural dog and cat food manufactured by Breeder's Choice, Inc., of Irwindale, California. The company was founded by Harold Taylor in 1947....
, Amdro
Amdro
Amdro is a trade name for a hydramethylnon-based hydrazone insecticide, commonly used in the southern United States for fire ant control. Amdro was patented in 1978 by the American Cyanamid company, now Ambrands, and was conditionally approved for use by the United States Environmental Protection...
,Kaytee
Kaytee
Kaytee is a company based in Chilton, Wisconsin, United States. It is a national supplier of bird seed.-History:Kaytee was formed in 1866 by William N. Knauf and Frank Tesch as a feed mill supplying seed to farmers. In 1920, the company became a national supplier of peas to be used for pigeons...
, among others), American Reprographics Company
American Reprographics Company
American Reprographics Company is the largest reprographics company in the United States, providing business-to-business document management services to the architectural, engineering and construction industry. It also provides these services to companies in other industries that require...
, and the PMI Group
PMI Group
The PMI Group is a holding company whose primary subsidiary is the PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. .PMI has a 50% equity ownership in CMG Mortgage Insurance Company and CMG Mortgage Assurance Company , a provider of private mortgage insurance to the credit union industry.The company was founded in 1972...
.
Top employers
According to Walnut Creek's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Muir Health John Muir Health John Muir Health is a health care service headquartered in Walnut Creek, California and serving Contra Costa County, California and surrounding communities. It was formed in 1997 from the merger of John Muir Medical Center and Mt... |
4,604 |
| 2 | Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield... |
2,300 |
| 3 | Safeway Safeway Inc. Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern... |
1,275 |
| 4 | Nordstrom Nordstrom Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings... |
570 |
| 5 | IHC | 500 |
| 6 | United States Postal Service United States Postal Service The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States... |
409 |
| 7 | Aetna Aetna Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company, providing a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical management... |
400 |
| 8 | Macy's Macy's Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States... |
400 |
| 9 | City of Walnut Creek | 364 |
| 10 | HCR Manor Care HCR Manor Care Manor Care, Inc., through its operating group HCR Manor Care, is a major provider in the United States of both short-term post-acute and long-term care. As of 2007, it had more than 500 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and... |
360 |
Broadway Plaza
The Broadway Plaza shopping center has anchor tenants Nordstrom's, Macy'sMacy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and Banana Republic
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is an American clothing brand founded by Mel and Patricia Ziegler in 1978 as a travel-themed clothing company; it has subsequently largely eliminated this tropical or travel-related theme. The company was bought by Gap in 1983...
, and is part of the upscale downtown retail and restaurant district.
Culture
California SymphonyThe California Symphony
California Symphony
The California Symphony is an American orchestra based in Walnut Creek, California, in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is notable for being the only American orchestra that performs at least one work by an American composer on every one of its programs.The orchestra was...
(notable for its commitment to the performance of music by American composers) has been based in Walnut Creek since its inception in 1986.
Center Repertory Company
The Center Repertory Company is the in-house theater company for the Lesher Center for the Arts. It stages six productions a year, including the annual production of A Christmas Carol.
Civic Arts Program
The city organizes education in graphic arts, sculpture, pottery, and performance arts such as dancing for various age groups is actively supported and encouraged by the Civic Arts Program.
Clay Arts Guild
Clay Arts Guild (CAG) is a non-profit volunteer organization supporting ceramics arts education under the Civic Arts Program of Walnut Creek.
The organization is notable for its long history in the region (established in 1964) and the numerous sculptors and potters who have practiced, taught classes, and/or given masters seminars through its offices.
Activities supported by CAG include:
- Open studio monitoring for students enrolled in Civic Arts Classes
- Purchase of equipment for studio use
- Fundraising via direct sales of donated crafted goods and commission on sales of artist's goods
- Direct support of students through merit scholarships to Civic Arts Program classes
- Organization of master level seminars presented by innovative and famous artisans.
- All work produced using Civic Arts equipment can only be sold through CAG sales.
The Lesher Center for the Arts
Several performance spaces (The Knight Stage 3, The Hoffman, and The Margaret Lesher theatres) and the Bedford Gallery are included in this modern building. The Center is named for Dean Lesher
Dean Lesher
Dean Stanley Lesher was an American newspaper publisher, founder of the Contra Costa Times and the Contra Costa Newspapers chain. He was also a well-known philanthropist in the San Francisco Bay Area.-Early life:...
, newspaper publisher and founder of the Contra Costa Times
Contra Costa Times
The Contra Costa Times is a daily newspaper based in Walnut Creek, California, U.S.. The paper serves Contra Costa and eastern Alameda counties, in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area...
Public transit
The city hosts two BART stations, the Walnut Creek station and the Pleasant Hill station (in the unincorporated area known as Contra Costa Centre Transit Village and the census-designated area called WaldonWaldon, California
Waldon is a former census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 5,133 at the 2000 census. The Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO Line line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system serves the surrounding area using the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre Station...
), just north of the city limits, named for the neighboring city). BART provides regional access in and out of Walnut Creek to most of the Bay Area.
A free shuttle operates between the central district and Walnut Creek BART station. Other areas of Walnut Creek may be accessed at modest cost by using the buses of the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority
County Connection
The County Connection is a Concord-based public transit agency operating fixed-route bus and ADA paratransit service in and around central Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area...
.
Walnut Creek is transected by the Iron Horse Trail
Iron Horse Regional Trail
The Iron Horse Regional Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle rail trail in the East San Francisco Bay Area in California.This trail is located in inland central Alameda and Contra Costa counties, mostly following a Southern Pacific Railroad right of way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1977...
(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 the many bike lanes in the city make bicycle transportation very feasible for recreation or for an alternative commute.
Points of interest
- Castle Rock ParkCastle Rock ParkCastle Rock Park is a regional park part of the East Bay Regional Park District. The park lies in a scenic sandstone canyon close to Mount Diablo in the Diablo Foothills...
- Heather Farm Park, including swimming at the Clarke Swim Center, tennis, picnic areas, community center, equestrian center, skate park, off-leash dog park, bike paths, playgrounds, sand volleyball court, fishing pond, nature pond, six athletic fields.
- Gardens at Heather FarmGardens at Heather FarmThe Gardens at Heather Farm 6 acres are a relatively new set of gardens located in Walnut Creek, California, USA, with sweeping view of Mount Diablo, and open to the public 7 days a week during daylight hours...
- Mount Diablo
- Lesher Center for the Arts
- Ruth Bancroft GardenRuth Bancroft GardenThe Ruth Bancroft Garden 2.5 acres is a dry botanical garden containing more than 2,000 cactus, succulents, trees, and shrubs native to Africa, Australia, California, Chile, and Mexico...
- Shadelands RanchShadelands RanchShadelands Ranch was established by Hiram Penniman, an early American settler of California in 1856 as one of the first and largest farms in California's Ygnacio Valley....
Museum - Old Borges Ranch, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
- Howe Homestead Park, 1920's era farm homestead, hosts the Howe Homestead Community garden and provides access to the Shell Ridge Open Space
- Boundary Oak Golf Course
- Broadway Plaza shopping center
- Diablo Valley Lines (Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society)
- Lindsay Wildlife MuseumLindsay Wildlife MuseumLindsay Wildlife Museum is a family museum and wildlife rehabilitation center in Walnut Creek, California. The museum is one of the oldest wildlife rehab centers in the United States, and a popular family museum in the San Francisco East Bay Area...
- Animal Rescue FoundationAnimal Rescue FoundationTony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation is a "No-Kill" animal shelter based in Walnut Creek, California. ARF saves abandoned and injured animals, as well as running programs to bring dog and cat visits to abused children, hospital patients, seniors and shut-ins.The catalyst for ARF came in May...
- The Carpenter GothicCarpenter GothicCarpenter Gothic, also sometimes called Carpenter's Gothic, and Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an application of Gothic Revival architectural detailing and picturesque massing applied to wooden structures built by house-carpenters...
chapel of St. Paul's Episcopal Church - The San Francisco CreamerySan Francisco CreameryThe San Francisco Creamery is a restaurant and ice cream shop in Walnut Creek, California, known for its "kitchen sink sundae", an ice cream dish featured on season 2 of Man v. Food. Ingredients include three bananas, eight scoops of ice cream, eight servings of toppings, whipped cream, almonds and...
- Ottavio
Notable residents
- Steve AlexakosSteve AlexakosSteven Theodore Alexakos is a former American Pro Football player.Listed at 6'-2" and 250 lbs, Alexakos was drafted in the 9th round by the 1969 Boston Patriots, but played Guard for the 1970 Denver Broncos and the 1971 New York Giants...
, pro-football player - Matt AngerMatt AngerMatt Anger is a former tennis player from the United States, who won one singles and two doubles titles during his career....
, former tennis player - Tom CandiottiTom CandiottiThomas Caesar Candiotti is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was known for his knuckleball. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, MLB player for the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. - Richard CarlsonRichard Carlson (author)Richard Carlson Ph.D. was an American author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker, who rose to fame with the success of his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff , which became one of the fastest-selling books of all time and made publishing history as USA Todays...
, psychotherapist and famous writer of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and 30 other motivational books - Sonja Christopher, Contestant on Survivor: BorneoSurvivor: BorneoSurvivor: Borneo is the first season of the United States reality show Survivor. It was originally broadcast under the name Survivor but its official title was changed to Survivor: Pulau Tiga to distinguish it from subsequent installments of the series, and then changed again to Survivor: Borneo to...
- Corey DuffelCorey DuffelCorey Duffel is a skater from Walnut Creek, California. He was born on April 11, 1984 as William Corey Duffel to Steve and Sharon. He is known for his fast-paced skating style, skating big gaps, rails, stairs, riding big wall ride gaps, and any large obstacles like the freeway gap in Cataclysmic...
, professional skateboarder, was born in Walnut Creek, and still lives there. - Kyle GassKyle GassKyle Richard Gass , also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D , Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy...
, guitar player in Jack BlackJack BlackJack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
's band Tenacious DTenacious DTenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
, grew up in Walnut Creek and attended Las Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High School was founded in 1951 by Acalanes Union High School District, and the new school opened its doors in the fall of 1952 to its first graduating class. Las Lomas was the second of five schools built within the Acalanes Union High School District...
. - Lee GoldbergLee GoldbergLee Goldberg is an American author, screenwriter and producer, known for his work on several different TV crime series, including Diagnosis: Murder, A Nero Wolfe Mystery, Hunter, Spenser: For Hire, Martial Law, She-Wolf of London, SeaQuest, 1-800-Missing, The Glades and Monk...
, television writer/producer (Diagnosis: MurderDiagnosis: MurderDiagnosis: Murder is a mystery/medical/crime drama television series starring Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son, a homicide detective played by his real-life son Barry Van Dyke. The series began as a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman...
, A Nero Wolfe MysteryA Nero Wolfe MysteryA Nero Wolfe Mystery is a television series adapted from Rex Stout's classic series of detective stories that aired for two seasons on the A&E Network. Set in New York City in the early 1950s, the stylized period drama stars Maury Chaykin as Nero Wolfe and Timothy Hutton as Archie Goodwin...
, etc.) and novelist (the MonkMonk (TV series)Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...
novels, etc.) grew up in Walnut Creek, graduated from Northgate High SchoolNorthgate High School (Walnut Creek, California)Northgate High School is located in the affluent North Gate community of Walnut Creek, California, and is part of the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Opened in 1974, its name derives from its location at the north entrance of Mount Diablo State Park.- History :The movie The Principal was...
in 1980, and wrote for the Contra Costa Times. - Alice GreczynAlice Greczyn-Personal life:Greczyn was born in Walnut Creek, California and lives in Hollywood, California. She was home-schooled and started taking classes at Front Range Community College when she was 15. Informed that she had to be 18 to study nursing, she decided to try modeling and relocated to California...
, actress, was born in Walnut Creek. - Dan HarenDan HarenDaniel John Haren is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.- High-school and college career :...
, pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, lives in Walnut Creek. - Marya HornbacherMarya HornbacherMarya Justine Hornbacher is an American author and freelance journalist. Her book Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia, is an autobiographical account of her struggle with eating disorders, written when she was twenty-two. It has been translated into fourteen languages and sold over a million...
U.S.A. Author - Kristian IpsenKristian IpsenKristian Ipsen is an American diver, who has been diving competitvely in 1998. Diving alongside Troy Dumais together, they took the silver medal in the synchronized 3 meter springboard at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome, Italy.-Championships:At the 2011 US National Championships in...
U.S diver - Bessilyn JohnsonBessilyn JohnsonBessilyn Johnson , known also as Bessie Johnson and Mabel, was the wife of Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson, a man who was variously partner, friend, and dupe of famed Old West figure Death Valley Scotty...
, daughter of Hiram Penniman and resident of Scotty's CastleScotty's CastleScotty's Castle is a two-story Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival style villa located in the Grapevine Mountains of northern Death Valley in Death Valley National Park, California, U.S.. It is also known as Death Valley Ranch...
. - Randy Johnson, professional baseball player, was born in Walnut Creek.
- Joshua KorsJoshua KorsJoshua Kors is an investigative reporter for The Nation. He covers military and veterans' issues.-Life:Kors is from Walnut Creek, California, where he attended Las Lomas High School...
, award-winning investigative reporter, grew up in Walnut Creek, graduated from Las Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High SchoolLas Lomas High School was founded in 1951 by Acalanes Union High School District, and the new school opened its doors in the fall of 1952 to its first graduating class. Las Lomas was the second of five schools built within the Acalanes Union High School District...
and wrote for the Contra Costa TimesContra Costa TimesThe Contra Costa Times is a daily newspaper based in Walnut Creek, California, U.S.. The paper serves Contra Costa and eastern Alameda counties, in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area...
. - Jenny LynnJenny LynnJenny Lynn is a retired IFBB professional figure competitor.It has been nearly 10 years since she first began competing and is now one of the most famous athletes in her sport....
, IFBBInternational Federation of BodyBuildersThe International Federation of BodyBuilders is a competitive bodybuilding organization founded in 1946 by brothers Ben and Joe Weider and is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world. Currently, the IFBB consists of seven different sub-divisions for different competitors ,...
Professional figure competitorFitness and figure competitionFitness and Figure competition is a class of physique-exhibition events for women. While bearing a close resemblance to female bodybuilding, they emphasizes muscle tone over muscle size.-Overview:...
, and winner of the 2008 and 2007 Figure OlympiaFigure OlympiaThe Figure Olympia is an annual women's figure competition sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness. The contest was first held in 2003. Davana Medina has won the most titles, with three.-Winners:-Notes:...
. - Mark "Mad Dog" MadsenMark MadsenMark Ellsworth "Mad Dog" Madsen is an American assistant coach and former professional basketball player.Madsen played NCAA basketball at Stanford, where he finished his career ranked in the school's career top 10 in blocks and rebounds. In addition, Madsen helped the Cardinal to four NCAA...
, professional basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, was born in Walnut Creek. - John A. NejedlyJohn A. NejedlyJohn A. Nejedly was a Republican State Senator who represented Contra Costa County, California from 1969 to 1980.-Early life:...
(1914–2006), former state senator, lived in Walnut Creek for most of his life. - Jason NewstedJason NewstedJason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
, former bassistBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for the heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bands: VoivodVoivod (band)Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and Flotsam & Jetsam, lives in Walnut Creek. - Aaron PoredaAaron PoredaAaron Andermon Poreda is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball....
, major league baseball pitcher - Markie PostMarkie PostMarjorie Armstrong "Markie" Post is an American actress, best known for her roles as bail bondswoman Terri Michaels in The Fall Guy on ABC from 1982 to 1985, as public defender Christine Sullivan on the NBC sitcom Night Court from 1985 to 1992, and as Georgie Anne Lahti Hartman on the CBS sitcom...
, actress, grew up in Walnut Creek. - Jeff RichardsJeff Richards (comedian)Jeffrey Hanson "Jeff" Richards is an American actor, stand-up comedian and impressionist. Richards was the first actor to have been a cast member on both Saturday Night Live and MADtv...
, writer and featured performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live, 2001–04. - Lester RodneyLester RodneyLester Rodney was an American journalist who helped break down the color barrier in baseball as sports writer for the Daily Worker.-Early life:...
, journalist who played a role in breaking down baseball's color barrier. - Katharine RossKatharine RossKatharine Juliet Ross is an American film and stage actress. Trained at the San Francisco Workshop, she is perhaps best known for her role as Elaine Robinson in the 1967 film The Graduate, opposite Dustin Hoffman, which won her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and her role...
, actress, graduated from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek (1957). - Justin SpeierJustin SpeierJustin James Speier is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He attended Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. Upon graduation from Brophy Prep, Speier attended the University of San Francisco where he played catcher for the Dons. He also attended...
, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher was born in Walnut Creek. - Joe StarkeyJoe StarkeyJoe Starkey is an American sportscaster who has served as the radio play-by-play announcer of California Golden Bears football since 1975...
, California Golden Bears and former San Francisco 49ers Play by Play Announcer, lives in Walnut Creek - Greg SesteroGreg SesteroGreg Sestero is a French-American actor and model. He is best known for his role as Mark in the 2003 cult film The Room.-Personal life:...
, actor, was born in Walnut Creek. - Shoshannah SternShoshannah Stern-Life:She was born in Walnut Creek, California into an observant Jewish and fourth-generation deaf family. One of her grandmothers is a Holocaust survivor. Her hometown is Fremont, California, where she attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont....
, actress, was born in Walnut Creek. - Christy TurlingtonChristy TurlingtonChristy Turlington Burns is an American model best known for representing Calvin Klein from 1987 to 2007. She has worked on dozens of modeling contracts with companies including Maybelline Cosmetics and Versace. Turlington starred in her fashion documentary Catwalk and Isaac Mizrahi's Unzipped...
, model, was born in Walnut Creek. - Terrence WheatleyTerrence WheatleyTerrence Wheatley is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. - Luke WhiteheadLuke WhiteheadLuke Edward Whitehead is an American basketball player. He played forward for the University of Louisville...
, a basketball player for the Gold Coast BlazeGold Coast BlazeThe Gold Coast Blaze is an Australian professional basketball team which competes in the National Basketball League . The Blaze competed in their inaugural season in 2007/08. The club is based on the Gold Coast and joins two other NBL clubs competing from Queensland...
. - Mandy Mason, Country Music Internet Super Star and Record Label Owner (Fancy Ass Records) was born in Walnut Creek, CA
In popular culture
- The 2009 Lifetime television movie Prayers for BobbyPrayers for BobbyPrayers for Bobby is a 2009 television film that premiered on the Lifetime network on January 24, 2009. It is based on the book, Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son, by Leroy F...
is based in Walnut Creek. - The town is the setting of the 1954 Philip K. DickPhilip K. DickPhilip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
short story "The Golden ManThe Golden Man"The Golden Man" is an 11600-word science fiction novelette by Philip K. Dick. It was received by the Scott Meredith Literary Agency on June 24, 1953, and first published in the April 1954 issue of If magazine. The story was illustrated by Kelly Freas in its original publication...
" - In the PC video games SimCity 3000SimCity 3000SimCity 3000 is a city building simulation personal computer game and the third major installment in the SimCity series. It was published by Electronic Arts and developed by series creator Maxis, a wholly owned subsidiary of EA...
and Sim City 4, the California Plaza in Walnut Creek is one of the purchasable landmarks that can be placed in the games. The developer Maxis had its first office in the building. - The town is mentioned in the Rick RiordanRick RiordanRichard Russell "Rick" Riordan, Jr. is an American author best known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. He also wrote the Tres Navarre mystery series for adults and helped to edit Demigods and Monsters, a collection of essays on the topic of his Percy Jackson series...
book The Lost HeroThe Lost HeroThe Lost Hero is a 2010 fantasy-adventure novel written by Rick Riordan and is based on Greek and Roman mythology. It is the first book in the series The Heroes of Olympus, the next series about Camp Half-Blood. It was preceded by the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, which focused solely on...
as the site where the characters land after escaping the Pike's Peak headquarters of the wind god AeolusAeolusAeolus was the ruler of the winds in Greek mythology. In fact this name was shared by three mythic characters. These three personages are often difficult to tell apart, and even the ancient mythographers appear to have been perplexed about which Aeolus was which...
. - In the book Paisley Hanover Acts Out by Cameron Tuttle, the characters go to the Walnut Festival which is said to take place in Walnut Creek. Tuttle herself lives in San Francisco and grew up in the Walnut Creek area.
Sister Cities
Walnut Creek has an active Sister Cities International program with two sister cities. NocetoNoceto
Noceto is a comune in the province of Parma in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 100 km northwest of Bologna and about 12 km west of Parma...
, Italy Siófok
Siófok
Siófok is a city in Hungary on the southern bank of Lake Balaton in Somogy County. The city is one of Hungary's most popular holiday destinations, famous for its beaches and nightlife. Siófok is one of the richest municipalities of Hungary due to tourism...
, Hungary
Further reading
- The Miwok – Mount Diablo's Earliest Inhabitants
- Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) website
External links
- City of Walnut Creek official web page
- Walnut Creek wikispot
- Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
- Transit Village Construction Virtual Tour
- Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area
- Diablo Foothills Regional Park
- Acalanes Union High School District
- Walnut Creek School District
- Mount Diablo Unified School District
- Walnut Creek Local Portal