Don’t make weekend plans until you read this
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 moved a little higher again last week. Freddie Mac says the average 30-year fixed rate reached 6.71% as of September 3, up from 6.66% the week before.
At the same time, buyers are getting more to choose from. Redfin reports that new listings nationally rose 2.1% week over week in the four weeks ending August 30, reaching their highest level in four years. Active listings also ticked up, while pending sales were essentially flat.
My read: this continues to look less like a market where buyers need to chase everything and more like one where they can be selective. But that does not mean the good houses suddenly sit around. Locally, well-priced homes in strong locations are still moving considerably faster than the national picture might suggest.
The local read
The newest Redfin city data is still July 2026, and Central Contra Costa remains a pretty competitive place to buy a home.
Walnut Creek had a three-month median sale price of about $990,000, with homes selling in roughly 21 days. Pleasant Hill was just under $1 million and averaging about 17 days. Lamorinda is still operating in another price bracket entirely: Lafayette and Orinda were both around $2 million, while Moraga was about $1.72 million.
The interesting part to me isn't just price. It's the combination of more inventory nationally and continued speed locally. Buyers may have more leverage than they did a few years ago, but preparation still matters when the right house hits.
What I’d actually put on the calendar
Walnut Creek
Ruth Bancroft Garden Storytime
Ruth Bancroft Garden | September 10 | 9:30–10 AM | Storytime, songs and nature-inspired activities in the garden for young children and caregivers.
Gourmet Gallop
Downtown Walnut Creek | September 10 | 6–8:30 PM | Diablo Ballet’s annual downtown food-and-wine walk features small bites, desserts and wine pairings at restaurants throughout downtown.
Fall Bingo
Rooted Coffee Co | September 10 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Fall-themed bingo with prizes, Rooted treats and a casual community night downtown.
Trivia & Line Dancing Thursdays
Bourbon Highway | September 10 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Trivia downstairs followed by line-dancing lessons and social dancing upstairs.
Drag Bingo
Barebottle Brewing | September 10 | 7–10 PM | Thursday-night bingo, entertainment, beer and plenty of personality.
World Day of Prayer 2026
Unity of Walnut Creek | September 10 | 7–8 PM | Music, contemplation and prayer as part of Unity’s worldwide annual observance.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 10 | 7:30 PM | Center REP presents Tennessee Williams’ classic as part of its 2026–27 season.
Director Chat: The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 11 | 6:30–7 PM | Center REP Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow talks about the production before the evening performance.
Live Country Music Fridays
Bourbon Highway | September 11 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Live country music, line dancing, lessons, DJ and karaoke across two floors.
Grounding in the Good: A Late Summer Nervous System Reset
Rooted Coffee Co | September 11 | 7–9 PM | Guided wellness evening focused on slowing down, reconnecting and resetting as summer winds down.
Unity’s Bunco Night
Unity of Walnut Creek | September 11 | 7–9 PM | Fast-paced social dice game with instruction for newcomers and partners rotating each round.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 11 | 7:30 PM | Friday-night performance of Tennessee Williams’ family drama.
Van Halen + Ozzy/Dio Tribute Night
Retro Junkie | September 11 | Evening | Double tribute night celebrating Van Halen alongside the music of Ozzy Osbourne and Dio.
Little Lanterns Family Experience
Unity Center of Walnut Creek | September 12 | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM | Immersive family storybook festival with costumed characters, interactive storytelling, music, dancing, giant bubbles, crafts, games and a treasure hunt.
Live Music Saturdays: DJ C-Minus
Headlands Brewing | September 12 | 2–5 PM | Saturday-afternoon DJ set at the Walnut Creek beer garden.
Dungeons & Dragons: Teen Table
Walnut Creek Library | September 12 | 2–4 PM | Guided D&D adventure for ages 13–18 and all experience levels. Registration required.
Movies Under the Stars: How to Train Your Dragon
Civic Park | September 12 | 6–10 PM | Bring blankets and chairs for an outdoor family movie night in Civic Park.
Live Country Music Saturdays
Bourbon Highway | September 12 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Saturday-night live country music, dancing, lessons and karaoke downtown.
Are You Solar Powered? Public Astronomy Night
Mount Diablo Lower Summit | September 12 | 6:30 PM | Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society brings out telescopes for safe views of the Sun before sunset, then planets, moons and stars after dark. Program is free; park admission applies.
Fall Neon Scorpion Hike
Mitchell Canyon | September 12 | 6:45–8:45 PM | Lindsay Wildlife naturalists lead a nighttime search for local scorpions glowing under ultraviolet lights. Ages 6+.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 12 | 7:30 PM | Saturday-night performance at the Lesher Center.
Sublime + No Doubt Tribute Night
Retro Junkie | September 12 | Evening | Garden Groove and Hella Doubt bring Sublime and No Doubt tribute sets downtown.
Botanical Bash: A Celebration of Plants and People
Ruth Bancroft Garden | September 13 | 10 AM–4 PM | Free garden admission, vendors, talks, kids crafts, educational organizations, a cactus petting zoo and exhibits on the garden’s history and ethnobotany.
Joybound Around Town on Broadway
Broadway Plaza | September 13 | 11 AM–3 PM | Pet-friendly downtown celebration with the Paw-rade, live music, adoptable animals, wellness resources and a pet costume contest.
Family Fun Day for Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
CaliCraft Brewing | September 13 | 1–3 PM | Mobile mini golf, Kona Ice and a family fundraiser supporting Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.
Purple Light Sound Healing
Behavioral Fitness | September 13 | 2–3:15 PM | Guided sound-bath experience using singing bowls, gongs, chimes and other instruments.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 13 | 2:30 PM | Sunday matinee.
CALeidoscope: Evolving Reflections of California
Bedford Gallery | Through September 13 | Final day | Last chance to see the Bedford Gallery’s California-focused exhibition.
College Planning
Walnut Creek Library | September 14 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Free session for students and families covering college costs, financial aid, scholarships, savings strategies and preparing for applications.
Food Security Briefing: SNAP and Medicare Cuts
Walnut Creek | September 14 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Local experts discuss how changes to food assistance and healthcare funding are affecting Contra Costa residents and community organizations.
$3 Servicemen & Industry Tuesdays
Bourbon Highway | September 15 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Tuesday specials followed by karaoke, DJs and line dancing.
Women in Wine: Cava Edition
Fizz Walnut Creek | September 15 | Evening | Marta Delfa of Spain’s Parés Baltà leads a tasting and discussion of Cava, organic viticulture and biodynamic winemaking.
Ethnobotany Interpretive Signage in the Garden
Ruth Bancroft Garden | Begins September 16 | 9 AM–4 PM | Temporary interpretive installation exploring relationships between plants and people, running through September 20.
Garden Buds
Ruth Bancroft Garden | September 16 | 9:30–10:15 AM | Nature-focused garden program for little ones.
Free Garden Talk: Exotic Beauty, Proteas & Southern Hemisphere Plants
Shadelands | September 16 | 10–11:30 AM | Troy McGregor presents a free talk focused on proteas and other distinctive plants from the Southern Hemisphere.
Wild Wednesday Preschool: Hissing
Lindsay Wildlife Experience | September 16 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Preschoolers explore why snakes hiss and how animals use sound to communicate. Ages 3–5 with a caregiver.
LGBTQ+ Manga Club
Walnut Creek Library | September 16 | 4–5 PM | Teen club discussing and sharing manga with LGBTQ+ themes, plus a community sketchbook.
Games Galore
Walnut Creek Library | September 16 | 4–5:30 PM | Free afternoon of video games, board games and puzzles for families and kids ages 5+. No registration required.
Boots & Bingo Wednesdays
Bourbon Highway | September 16 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Music bingo and karaoke downstairs, with swing and line-dancing lessons upstairs.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 16 | 7:30 PM | Midweek performance of Center REP’s season opener.
Ruth Bancroft Garden Storytime
Ruth Bancroft Garden | September 17 | 9:30–10 AM | Thursday-morning stories, songs and nature-inspired fun in the garden.
Trivia & Line Dancing Thursdays
Bourbon Highway | September 17 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Trivia downstairs followed by line-dancing lessons and social dancing upstairs.
Sound Bath + Cacao Ceremony
Rooted Coffee Co | September 17 | 7–8:30 PM | Guided sound-bath and cacao experience downtown.
The Glass Menagerie
Lesher Center for the Arts | September 17 | 7:30 PM | Thursday-night performance.
Pleasant Hill
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 10 | 9 AM–4 PM | Faculty and staff from DVC’s art and digital-media programs exhibit their own work in a show open to the community.
Pleasant Hill Chamber Business Mixer
Travis Credit Union | September 10 | 5–7 PM | September Chamber mixer bringing together local businesses and community members.
Off the Grid Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill City Hall | September 10 | 5–9 PM | Thursday food-truck gathering with rotating vendors, drinks and outdoor seating.
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 11 | 9 AM–1 PM | Friday viewing hours for DVC’s faculty art exhibition.
Friday Book Club: Heartwood
Pleasant Hill Library | September 11 | 1–2:30 PM | Adult book discussion featuring Amity Gaige’s Heartwood.
Pleasant Hill Farmers Market
Pleasant Hill City Hall | September 12 | 9 AM–1 PM | Saturday market with fresh produce, artisan foods and local vendors.
LEGO Builders Club
Pleasant Hill Library | September 12 | 2–4 PM | Free drop-in LEGO building for all ages and abilities.
Bike Family Fest 2026
DVC Overflow Lot | September 13 | 10 AM–2 PM | Free family bike festival with riding courses, bike demos, tune-ups, helmet fittings, skills stations, food and a BMX stunt show.
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 14 | 9 AM–4 PM | DVC’s faculty art show continues.
Monday Book Club: The Buddha in the Attic
Pleasant Hill Library | September 14 | 1–2:30 PM | Monthly adult discussion featuring Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic.
Drop-In Shop for Adults
Pleasant Hill Library | September 14 | 6–7:45 PM | Open maker-space evening for artists, crafters and DIY projects, with volunteers available to help.
2026 Elections: A Changing Landscape
Pleasant Hill Library | September 14 | 6:30–7:30 PM | The League of Women Voters examines changes in voting access, election law and election administration ahead of November.
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 15 | 9 AM–4 PM | Community viewing hours.
Gaming for Teens
Pleasant Hill Library | September 15 | 2:45–3:45 PM | Nintendo Switch gaming and snacks for students in grades 6–12.
Drop-In Knitting & Sewing
Pleasant Hill Library | September 15 | 6–7:45 PM | Open makerspace session for crafters, with volunteers available to help with library sewing machines.
Capoeira: Cultural Empowerment Through Arts, Movement & Storytelling
Pleasant Hill Library | September 15 | 6:30–7:30 PM | All-ages program combining Afro-Brazilian martial arts, storytelling, mindfulness and visual arts.
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 16 | 9 AM–4 PM | DVC faculty exhibition continues.
I Heart Toddler Art
Pleasant Hill Library | September 16 | 11 AM–Noon | Storytime plus a hands-on art activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
Re-inspired: A Faculty Art Show
DVC Art Gallery | September 17 | 9 AM–4 PM | Final newsletter-window viewing day for the faculty exhibition.
Storytime + Stay & Play
Pleasant Hill Library | September 17 | 11 AM–Noon | Stories, songs and movement followed by open play for young children and caregivers.
U.S. Constitution Day: Whose Freedom? 250 Years of Struggle & Resistance
Diablo Valley College | September 17 | 12:45–2:10 PM | Free community program examining 250 years of debate and struggle over the meaning of freedom and constitutional rights.
Off the Grid Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill City Hall | September 17 | 5–9 PM | Thursday food trucks, drinks and outdoor seating.
Planetarium Family Event: Live Night-Sky Tour & Search for Life
Diablo Valley College | September 17 | 6:30–8 PM | Family planetarium program combining a live night-sky tour with a look at the search for life beyond Earth.
Downtown Pleasant Hill Summer Concert: Foreverland
Downtown Pleasant Hill | September 17 | 7–9 PM | Free outdoor concert featuring Foreverland, a Michael Jackson tribute band.
Lamorinda
September Moraga Book Club
Moraga Library | September 10 | 1–2 PM | Monthly adult discussion featuring Mick Herron’s Clown Town.
Dracula — Pay What You Can
Orinda Community Park Amphitheatre | September 10 | 8–10 PM | Orinda Starlight Village Players presents Bram Stoker’s Dracula using live performance, video projections and a deliberately black-and-white visual design. Sept. 10 is pay-what-you-can.
Dracula
Orinda Community Park Amphitheatre | September 11 | 8:30–10:30 PM | Friday-night performance of the multimedia adaptation.
Orinda Farmers’ Market
Orinda Community Center | September 12 | 9 AM–1 PM | Saturday market along Orinda Way with produce and local vendors.
Friends of the Lafayette Library Half-Price Book Sale
Lafayette Library | September 12 | 10 AM–4 PM | Every book in the Friends Corner Book Shop is 50% off, with proceeds supporting library programs and collections.
Orinda Classic Car Show
Orinda Village | September 12 | 10 AM–2 PM | The 22nd annual show brings roughly 200 classic and exotic cars, food, music and special displays to downtown Orinda. Free to spectators.
Mid-Autumn Mandarin Storytime
Lafayette Library | September 12 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Free bilingual Mandarin-English celebration with stories tied to the Mid-Autumn tradition. All ages welcome.
San Francisco Comedy Competition
Orinda Theatre | September 12 | 2 PM | The 50th annual San Francisco Comedy Competition returns for its second Orinda preliminary show with a different group of comedians.
Beats Antique + Roni Kaspi
Siesta Valley Bowl | September 12 | 8 PM | Beats Antique brings its mix of electronic music, global sounds and theatrical performance to Orinda with drummer Roni Kaspi.
Dracula
Orinda Community Park Amphitheatre | September 12 | 8:30–10:30 PM | Saturday-night performance of the Starlight Village Players production.
Cult Movie Night: Petey Wheatstraw
Orinda Theatre | September 12 | 9 PM | The theatre’s cult-film series screens the 1977 Rudy Ray Moore comedy.
Contra Costa Vintage Market
Downtown Lafayette | September 13 | 10 AM–3 PM | Free vintage market with about 30 vendors, live musicians, a beer garden and a family game room.
Wide Screen Road Show: Camelot
Orinda Theatre | September 13 | 11 AM | The historic theatre puts the 1967 musical Camelot back on the big screen.
Live Music Sundays: The Smokin’ J’s
Headlands Brewing, Lafayette | September 13 | 1–4 PM | Free Sunday-afternoon beer-garden performance by The Smokin’ J’s.
Art Embraces Poetry
Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette | September 13 | 2–4 PM | Free Lamorinda Arts Council program pairing original works by local visual artists with poems inspired by those pieces.
Fall Equinox Spell Jar Take & Make
Moraga Library | September 15–19 | All day while supplies last | Seasonal take-home craft celebrating the approaching fall equinox.
Read to a Dog
Lafayette Library | September 15 | Afternoon | Kids ages 6+ can practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog. Registration required.
Cinemaniacs: Teen Movie Night
Lafayette Library | September 15 | 5–7 PM | Movie and snacks for students in grades 6–12.
Lamorinda CERT Fall Training Begins
Lafayette Community Center | September 15 | 6:30–9:30 PM | The fall Community Emergency Response Team series begins with disaster preparedness, first aid, communications and search-and-rescue training.
Saint Mary’s Volleyball vs. CSU Bakersfield
University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga | September 15 | Time TBA | Saint Mary’s hosts CSU Bakersfield in another home volleyball match.
Read to a Dog
Lafayette Library | September 16 | 2:15–3:15 PM | Kids ages 6+ can practice reading during a 15-minute session with a certified therapy dog. Registration required.
Muñeca Lelé Doll Craft
Moraga Library | September 17 | 4–5 PM | Hispanic Heritage Month program where kids decorate paper versions of Mexico’s traditional Muñeca Lelé doll.
Thursday Nights in Orinda: Tom and the Broken Hearts
Orinda Community Center Park | September 17 | 6–8 PM | Free outdoor concert featuring Tom and the Broken Hearts, with food trucks from 5–8 PM.
Saint Mary’s Women’s Volleyball vs. New Mexico
University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga | September 17 | 6:30 PM | Saint Mary’s hosts New Mexico as part of the Saint Mary’s Invitational.
Free Movie Night: The Misfits
Orinda Theatre | September 17 | 6:30 PM | Free screening of the 1961 classic starring Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift.
Concord
Storytime at Concord Library
Concord Library | September 10 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Stories, songs and movement aimed at developing early-literacy and social skills.
Read to a Dog
Concord Library | September 10 | 4–5 PM | Kids get individual reading time with a gentle Joybound therapy dog to build confidence in a low-pressure environment.
Music & Market
Todos Santos Plaza | September 10 | Market 4–8 PM; concert 6:30 PM | Free downtown farmers market and outdoor concert.
Free Drive-In Movie Night
West Wind Solano Drive-In | September 10 | Gates 6 PM; movies 8 PM | Free drive-in movie night with multiple films, music and family activities.
Next Stop Comedy
Luna Restaurant | September 10 | 8 PM | Touring stand-up comedy comes to downtown Concord.
2026 Concord Taco Trail Challenge Kickoff Party
Las Montañas Supermarket | September 11 | 5–7 PM | Free tacos, live mariachi music and the kickoff of this year’s Concord Taco Trail Challenge.
Concord AANHPI Night Market
Todos Santos Plaza | September 11 | 5–9 PM | Cultural night market featuring performers, artisans, food vendors and live entertainment.
Side Gate Brewery Oktoberfest
Side Gate Brewery | September 12 | Noon–10 PM | German-style beer, German-inspired food, steins and an all-day Oktoberfest celebration downtown.
Art Therapy
Concord Library | September 14 | 1–2 PM | Free creative-expression and de-stressing session led by the Library Wellness Team.
Vinnie’s Open Mic Night
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill | September 14 | 8:30 PM–12:30 AM | Weekly downtown open mic for local musicians and performers.
Concord Farmers’ Market
Todos Santos Plaza | September 15 | 9 AM–2 PM | Tuesday market with produce, prepared foods and local vendors.
Concord Taco Trail Challenge Begins
Concord | September 15–October 15 | Citywide | The month-long Taco Trail Challenge officially gets underway at participating Concord restaurants.
Vinnie’s Country Night
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill | September 15 | 8–11 PM | Free admission, free lessons and country line dancing downtown.
Side Gate Trivia with Geeks Who Drink
Side Gate Brewery | September 16 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Weekly team trivia with signups at 6:30 and the quiz beginning at 7.
Storytime at Concord Library
Concord Library | September 17 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Stories, songs and movement aimed at developing early-literacy and social skills.
Music & Market
Todos Santos Plaza | September 17 | Market 4–8 PM; concert 6:30 PM | Another free Thursday night of live music alongside the downtown farmers market.
Martinez
Downtown Martinez Car Show
Main Street | September 10 | 6–8 PM | Free Thursday-evening car show downtown.
Soft Pretzel Making Workshop
Five Suns Brewing | September 10 | 6:30–8 PM | Hands-on workshop making soft pretzels from spent-grain dough.
Aire Libre Weekend
Escobar Street | September 11 | 5–10 PM | Downtown street space opens for outdoor dining, drinks and gathering.
DJ Night: DJ 888Thieves
Del Cielo Brewing | September 11 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Friday-night DJ set mixing party anthems and current hits.
Strange Ladies
Campbell Theater | September 11 | 7:30 PM | B8 Theatre Company opens a play about radical suffragists fighting for voting rights as the United States enters World War I.
Ed Sias Cross Country Invitational
Martinez | September 12 | 6 AM–4 PM | Large local cross-country invitational.
MUSD Community Garden Fall Refresh
Martinez | September 12 | 9–11 AM | Community workday giving the Martinez Unified School District garden a fall refresh.
Martinez Library Storytime
Martinez Library | September 12 | 10–10:30 AM | Stories, songs and fingerplays followed by Stay & Play for young children and families.
Aire Libre Weekend
Escobar Street | September 12 | 10 AM–10 PM | Outdoor downtown dining and gathering continues Saturday.
Del Cielo Cornhole Tournament
Del Cielo Brewing | September 12 | 1–4 PM | Saturday-afternoon cornhole tournament at the taproom.
Martinez Library Mending Workshop
Martinez Library | September 12 | 2–4 PM | Learn basic clothing repair including replacing buttons and sewing patches.
Live Music: Inverness 95
Del Cielo Brewing | September 12 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Alt-rock nostalgia and familiar high-energy covers.
Mark Ziegenfuss Live
Roxx on Main | September 12 | 7–9 PM | Veteran Bay Area guitarist Mark Ziegenfuss performs downtown, mixing rock, blues and roots influences.
Strange Ladies
Campbell Theater | September 12 | 7:30 PM | Saturday-night performance of the suffrage-era drama.
Downtown Martinez Farmers’ Market
Main Street | September 13 | 9 AM–1 PM | Sunday-morning produce, prepared foods and local vendors.
Mayor’s Ride to Bike Family Fest
Martinez | September 13 | 9:30–10 AM | Community bike ride leading toward the Bike Family Fest in Pleasant Hill.
Aire Libre Weekend
Escobar Street | September 13 | Daytime | Final day of the weekend outdoor dining and gathering series.
Live Music: Mini Flyer
Five Suns Brewing | September 13 | 2–4:30 PM | Sunday-afternoon live music at Five Suns.
Nu-Rays Bike Show
Nu-Rays | September 13 | 2–6 PM | Sunday-afternoon downtown bike show.
Family Bingo
Del Cielo Brewing | September 13 | 4–5:30 PM | Family-friendly bingo with prizes, food and drinks.
Campbell Theater Open Mic
Campbell Theater | September 13 | 6–9 PM | Inclusive open-mic night for first-time and experienced performers.
Beer-Themed Trivia Night
Del Cielo Brewing | September 15 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Oktoberfest-themed trivia covering brewing, beer history and German festival traditions.
Bay Area SunShares Informational Webinar
Online | September 16 | 6–7 PM | Information session on Bay Area SunShares and residential clean-energy options.
Strange Ladies
Campbell Theater | September 17 | 7:30 PM | Discount Thursday performance of the suffrage-era drama.
Meetings that matter
Walnut Creek City Council | September 15 | 6 PM
One item worth watching is a proposed amendment directing an additional $210,000 in federal CDBG funding toward ADA accessibility improvements on downtown sidewalks. That is a pretty tangible example of a government meeting connecting directly to how downtown actually functions.Pleasant Hill Diversity Commission | September 15 | 6:30 PM
Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission | September 17 | 5 PM
The Architectural Review meeting is the one I’d watch most closely if you care about how new projects actually look and fit into the city.Lamorinda
Lafayette City Council | September 14
Orinda City Council | September 15
Both cities are scheduled to review draft permit-ready prototype ADU plans, part of a joint Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda effort intended to make adding certain accessory dwelling units simpler and faster.Concord
Design Review Board | September 10 | 5:30 PM
A relatively light land-use week in Concord, with Design Review being the main development checkpoint.Martinez
Zoning Administrator | September 10 | 4 PM
Parks, Recreation, Marina and Arts Commission | September 15 | 7 PM
City Council | September 16 | 7 PM
Martinez has one of the fuller civic calendars this week, including the Wednesday City Council meeting.
The scoreboard
Latest available local snapshot: July 2026
Walnut Creek, including Rossmoor: $990,000 median sale price | 303 homes sold | 21 days on market
Pleasant Hill: $999,499 median sale price | 111 homes sold | 17 days on market
Lafayette: $2,011,493 median sale price | 86 homes sold | 13 days on market
Moraga: $1,716,640 median sale price | 53 homes sold | 13 days on market
Orinda: $2,011,493 median sale price | 70 homes sold | 12 days on market
Concord: $799,600 median sale price | 300 homes sold | 22 days on market
Martinez: about $801,000 median sale price | 116 homes sold | 17 days on market
The number I keep coming back to is still days on market. Even with mortgage rates back above 6.7% and more inventory showing up nationally, most of these local markets are still moving in two to three weeks.
5 Star Sold Properties
5 beds | 4 baths | 3,338 sqft
$2,348,000
3 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,673 sqft
$1,100,000
2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,448 sqft
$1,050,000
3 beds | 3 baths | 1,899 sqft
$1,410,000
1655 N California Blvd Apt 351
2 beds | 1 bath | 1,400 sqft
$965,000
3 beds | 1 bath | 959 sqft
$579,000
5 Star Just Listed Property
One smart add-on
Ygnacio Valley Library is officially closed for renovations.
If you use the Ygnacio Valley Library, this is the week the change becomes real.
The branch closed September 9 and is expected to remain closed until roughly the end of May 2027 while Contra Costa County replaces the roof and HVAC system and upgrades the building’s electrical infrastructure and lighting.
The book drop and parking lot are also closed during construction. Existing holds that were not picked up by September 8 are being moved to the downtown Walnut Creek Library, which expanded its hours earlier this summer partly in anticipation of the closure.
It is a long closure, but these are substantial upgrades to a building that has been serving that side of Walnut Creek for decades.
If there’s an East Bay neighborhood, project, local issue, event, or market question you want me to cover in a future edition, hit reply and send it my way.
– Brendan