A smart weekly look at the East Bay
through the lens of local life, housing, and development.
What the market is telling us
Mortgage rates have now moved lower for three straight weeks.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 7.24% on Oct. 29, down from 7.32% the week before and 7.40% in mid-October.
That’s still expensive money. But direction matters.
For a buyer borrowing $800,000, even a quarter-point move changes the monthly payment by roughly $130 before taxes and insurance. It isn’t enough to suddenly fix affordability, but it can absolutely change the math on an individual purchase.
The more interesting question now is whether rates keep drifting lower or whether this was simply a brief retreat after September’s jump.
The local read
The newest complete local numbers are still the three-month figures ending in September, and they continue to show something I think gets lost in national housing headlines:
There is no single East Bay housing market right now.
Walnut Creek’s median was about $848,000, down 2% year over year, with homes taking 33 days to sell.
Meanwhile:
Lafayette: $1.93M, up 1.9%
Moraga: $1.51M, up 4.4%
Orinda: $1.75M, down 3.4%
Pleasant Hill: $906,000, down 5.2%
Concord: $720,000, down 2.7%
Martinez: $820,000, up 5.1%
The most striking number may be speed.
Moraga homes were selling in about 13 days. Lafayette, 17. Walnut Creek, 33.
Same county. Very different markets. That’s why pricing a house based on a generic “Contra Costa market” number doesn’t tell you nearly enough.
Brendan’s 3 Picks
Nov. 7–8 | Lesher Center, Walnut Creek
California Symphony pairs Russian composers with American icons.
This is probably my cultural pick of the week.
Nov. 7–8 | Lesher Center, Walnut Creek
California Symphony pairs Russian composers with American icons.
This is probably my cultural pick of the week.
Nov. 8 | 5 PM | Orinda Theatre
A Tony Award-winning Broadway star performing inside one of the East Bay’s great historic theaters.
What I’d actually put on the calendar
Walnut Creek
Toddler Storytime & Play
Nov. 5 | 10:15–10:45 AM | Walnut Creek Library
Stories, songs, movement and play for little ones.
ESL Conversation Group
Nov. 5 | 2–3 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Drop-in English conversation practice for adults.
Kendra Gives Back for Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
Nov. 5 | 4 PM | Kendra Scott, Broadway Plaza
Shop-for-a-cause event benefiting Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.
Cocktails & Conversation at Bedford Gallery
Nov. 5 | 5:30–7 PM | Bedford Gallery
A curator-led tour of High Pile: Concepts in Tufting with drinks, bites and behind-the-scenes stories from the exhibition.
Trivia & Line Dancing
Nov. 5 & 12 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Bourbon Highway
Trivia downstairs followed by line dancing upstairs.
ØL Beer Cafe Comedy Night
Nov. 5 | 7:30–8:30 PM | ØL Beercafe
Local and touring comedians in an intimate downtown setting.
Free Everyday Strength & Mobility
Nov. 6 | 9–10 AM | Walnut Creek
Free class focused on strength, balance and healthy aging.
Balance & Mobility 55+
Nov. 6 | 10:30–11:15 AM | Walnut Creek
Gentle movement class designed around stability and confidence.
Live Country Music Friday
Nov. 6 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Bourbon Highway
Live music, line dancing and karaoke.
2026 Chili & Cornbread Cook-Off / Parkmead Annual Meeting
Nov. 7 | 2–5 PM | Steele Court
Parkmead’s annual neighborhood chili cook-off and block party.
From Tchaikovsky to Copland
Nov. 7–8 | Lesher Center for the Arts
California Symphony pairs Russian composers with American musical icons.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Jr.
Nov. 7–11 | Lesher Center for the Arts
Performing Arts Studio’s Pre-Teen Company takes on Roald Dahl’s candy-filled classic.
Live Country Music Saturday
Nov. 7 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Bourbon Highway
Saturday-night country music, dancing and karaoke.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Through Nov. 15 | Lesher Center for the Arts
A fast, irreverent comic take on Bram Stoker’s classic.
Steak Board Sunday
Nov. 8 | 4–10 PM | Fleming’s
Two-course Sunday steak-board special downtown.
$3 Servicemen & Industry Tuesday
Nov. 10 | Bourbon Highway
Discount food and drinks followed by karaoke and line dancing for military, first responders and industry workers.
Walnut Creek Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 11 | 11 AM–Noon | Lesher Center for the Arts
Free community observance with the Walnut Creek Concert Band, local remarks and the traditional ringing of 11 bells.
Boots & Bingo Wednesday
Nov. 11 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Bourbon Highway
Music bingo, karaoke, dance lessons and social dancing.
Drag Bingo
Nov. 12 | 7–10 PM | Barebottle Brewing Company
Thursday-night drag bingo.
Toys for Tots Donation Drive
Ongoing through Dec. 4 | Nuvision Credit Union, Walnut Creek
Holiday toy drive benefiting local children.
Pleasant Hill
Computer Help
Nov. 5 | 10 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Drop-in tech help from volunteer computer docents.
Storytime + Stay & Play
Nov. 5 | 11 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Stories and movement followed by open play.
DVC Piano Recital
Nov. 5 | 2:45–4:15 PM | Diablo Valley College
Free public recital featuring DVC piano students performing solo and collaborative works.
Sewing Studio Basics
Nov. 5 | 3–5 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Beginner sewing workshop for tweens and teens.
Pleasant Hill Night Market
Nov. 6 | Evening | Pleasant Hill
First-Friday night market with food, music, merchandise and activities.
Pleasant Hill Farmers Market
Nov. 7 | 9 AM–1 PM | City Hall
Weekly Saturday farmers market.
Men’s Basketball: DVC vs. West Hills College
Nov. 10 | 4:30–6:30 PM | Diablo Valley College
Local college basketball matchup.
680 Networking Group
Nov. 11 | Pleasant Hill
Local business networking gathering.
Pleasant Hill Chamber Business Mixer
Nov. 12 | Pleasant Hill
Chamber networking event for the local business community.
Monument Crisis Center Holiday Food Box Drive
Ongoing through Dec. 9 | Pleasant Hill area
Holiday food-box drive supporting local families.
Lamorinda
Lafayette
Ribbon Cutting at Strings & Keys Music Studio
Nov. 5 | 10 AM | Lafayette
Grand-opening celebration for a local music studio.
Storytime Junction
Nov. 5 | 10:30–11 AM | Lafayette Library
Stories and songs for young children.
3D Printing Studio
Nov. 5 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Lafayette Library
Hands-on introduction to Tinkercad and 3D printing.
Medicare Plan Changes: What You Need to Know
Nov. 5 | 6–7:45 PM | Lafayette Library
Open-enrollment session on plan changes, costs and providers.
Distinguished Speaker Series: Dorothy Lazard
Nov. 5 | 7 PM | Lafayette Library
The acclaimed Oakland librarian and public historian discusses Behind the Desk at the Main.
Nicholas Epley: A Little More Social
Nov. 6 | 7 PM | Lafayette Library
A talk on why connecting with other people is often easier and more rewarding than we expect
Contra Costa Vintage Market
Nov. 8 | 10 AM | Vintage Vida, Lafayette
Antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, vinyl and home décor.
Lafayette Chamber Board Meeting
Nov. 9 | Noon | Lafayette
Monthly Chamber board meeting.
Joyce Maynard
Nov. 10 | 7 PM | Lafayette Library
Lafayette’s own Joyce Maynard looks back at a writing career that began with national attention at age 18.
Lafayette Chamber Health & Wellness Alliance
Nov. 10 | 5:30 PM | Lafayette
Monthly gathering for local health and wellness professionals.
Ribbon Cutting for Lamorinda Pod
Nov. 11 | 5 PM | Lafayette
Ribbon cutting for a new local business.
Lafayette Business Women at Little Seeds
Nov. 12 | 5:15 PM | Lafayette
Local business networking gathering.
Moraga
My Life at Atari with Ron Appin
Nov. 5 | 5–6:30 PM | Saint Mary’s College
A former Atari researcher shares stories from the early days of video gaming, Pac-Man and Silicon Valley.
Bootcamp x Circuit
Nov. 5 | 6–7 PM | Saint Mary’s College
TRX, kettlebells, battle ropes and boxing stations.
Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda
Through Nov. 7 | Moraga Library
Community altar where residents can honor loved ones who have died.
Moraga Parks & Recreation Commission
Nov. 9 | Moraga
Regular Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
Orinda
Pat’s Book Club: The Things They Carried
Nov. 5 | 11 AM | Orinda Books
Discussion of Tim O’Brien’s Vietnam War classic.
Lamorinda Improv Theater Takes the Stage
Nov. 6 | 6 PM | Orinda Theatre
Adult and youth improv teams turn audience suggestions into a completely unscripted show.
Orinda Farmers’ Market
Nov. 7 | 9 AM–1 PM | Orinda Way
Saturday market in the Village District.
Jim Roethe: Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids
Nov. 7 | 1 PM | Orinda Books
Local author and illustrator event featuring a collection of bird-filled stories for children.
Nightmare Alley: Disney Restoration Series
Nov. 7 | Orinda Theatre
The restored 1947 noir classic on the big screen in Orinda’s historic auditorium.
Wide Screen Road Show: The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
Nov. 8 | 11 AM | Orinda Theatre
Film historian Matías Bombal presents the restored 1962 widescreen classic.
Beth Leavel Live at Orinda
Nov. 8 | 5 PM | Orinda Theatre
Tony Award winner Beth Leavel returns to the Bay Area for a live concert.
Second Wednesday Book Club: The Art Spy
Nov. 11 | 3 PM | Orinda Books
Discussion of Michelle Young’s World War II story The Art Spy.
Concord
Miles & Coltrane Centennial Concert
Nov. 8 | 5:30 & 7:30 PM | Vineyard Concord
The Muse Jazz Collective celebrates the 100th birthdays of Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
Vinnie’s Open Mic Night
Nov. 9 | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Monday-night open mic downtown.
Todos Santos Farmers Market
Nov. 10 | 9 AM–2 PM | Todos Santos Plaza
Weekly downtown market.
Vinnie’s Country Night
Nov. 10 | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Tuesday-night country music.
Sidegate Trivia Night with Geeks Who Drink
Nov. 11 | Side Gate Brewery
Wednesday-night team trivia.
East Bay Trails Challenge
Ongoing | East Bay
Regional trail challenge running through the end of the year.
Martinez
Bay Area SunShares Informational Webinar
Nov. 5 | 6–7 PM | Online
Learn about rooftop solar, battery storage and discounted clean-energy purchasing opportunities.
Aire Libre Weekend
Nov. 6–8 | Downtown Martinez
Outdoor dining and pedestrian-friendly streets return for the weekend.
First Fridays
Nov. 6 | 6–9 PM | Downtown Martinez
Downtown shops, restaurants and businesses stay open late.
Día de los Muertos
Nov. 6 | 6–9 PM | Downtown Martinez
Community Día de los Muertos celebration downtown.
Dia De Los Muertos Drag Show
Nov. 6 | 6–9 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Drag performances, Catrina costume contest, face painting, pan de muerto and DJ Valmonster.
Diablo Athletic League Cross Country Championships
Nov. 7 | 8 AM–5 PM | Martinez
League championship races.
Live Music: Inner State 80s
Nov. 7 | 6–9 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Live ’80s rock and throwback hits.
Downtown Martinez Farmers’ Market
Nov. 8 | 9 AM–1 PM | Downtown Martinez
Sunday farmers market.
Joybound Adoption Drive
Nov. 8 | 11 AM–2 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Pet adoption event with Joybound People & Pets.
Trivia Night
Nov. 10 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Tuesday-night team trivia.
Veterans Day Ceremony at Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery
Nov. 11 | 10–11 AM | Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery
Martinez’s first Veterans Day observance of the morning.
Veterans Day Ceremony at Ignacio Plaza
Nov. 11 | 11 AM–Noon | Ignacio Plaza
Community ceremony honoring those who served.
AAWC Group Art Exhibition Reception
Nov. 12 | 2–4 PM | Contra Costa County Administration Building
Free reception featuring work from 10 Asian Artists Walnut Creek members.
Meetings that matter
Walnut Creek
Planning Commission | Nov. 12 | 6 PM
The Planning Commission normally meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Check the posted agenda before the meeting for the specific items being heard.
Pleasant Hill
Architectural Review Commission | Nov. 5
Zoning Administrator | Nov. 12
Lafayette
Zoning Administrator | Nov. 5 | 4 PM
City Council | Nov. 9
Moraga
Parks & Recreation Commission | Nov. 9
Martinez
Planning Commission | Nov. 10 | 7 PM
The scoreboard
Latest available three-month snapshot, ending September 2026:
Walnut Creek, including Rossmoor: $847,596 median | 287 sold | 33 DOM
Pleasant Hill: $905,569 | 91 | 21
Lafayette: $1,926,583 | 67 | 17
Moraga: $1,514,279 | 40 | 13
Orinda: $1,749,167 | 58 | 23
Concord: $719,657 | 265 | 28
Martinez: $819,610 | 89 | 26
One number I keep coming back to:
13 days vs. 33 days.
That’s the difference between Moraga and Walnut Creek right now.
It’s a good reminder that even neighboring cities can be behaving very differently.
5 Star For Sale Property
Election night isn’t actually the end of the election
One thing worth remembering this week: the numbers you saw Tuesday night are not the final vote count.
Contra Costa County’s first election-night report includes ballots already processed plus in-person voting. But mailed ballots, provisional ballots and ballots needing signature verification continue to be processed afterward.
The County’s first post-election update is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, followed by additional updates twice a week.
Final Contra Costa certification is scheduled for Dec. 3.
So if you’re watching a close race or ballot measure, don’t assume election-night margins are the final answer.
One question for you
Here’s something new I’m trying.
What’s one local issue, project, restaurant, business, neighborhood or question you think I should dig into for a future newsletter?
Just hit reply.
I read them.
– Brendan
