A smart weekly look at the East Bay
through the lens of local life, housing, and development.
What the market is telling us
Finally, a little movement in the right direction.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage dipped to 7.32%, down from 7.40% the week before. It’s the first real relief buyers have seen after a pretty rough run higher this fall.
It’s not enough to suddenly make homes affordable again.
But it does matter.
At this point, buyers are doing the math on monthly payment, not just purchase price. Even a small rate move can be the difference between stretching for a house and deciding to wait.
The interesting part is that buyers haven’t disappeared.
They’ve just gotten much more selective.
The local read
September’s numbers show just how different these local markets are behaving.
Walnut Creek’s three-month median slipped to about $848,000, down 2% from a year ago, with homes taking 33 days to sell. Pleasant Hill was down about 5% year over year.
But Lafayette was up 1.9%, Moraga was up 4.4%, and Martinez was up 5.1%.
Same region. Same mortgage rates. Very different results.
That’s why I keep coming back to the same idea:
There really isn’t one East Bay housing market right now.
Neighborhood, price point, condition and the individual house matter more than the headline.
What I’d actually put on the calendar
Walnut Creek
Community Ofrenda
Oct. 29–Nov. 5 | Walnut Creek Library
Add a photo or written memory of a loved one to the library’s Día de los Muertos community altar.
Gentle Yoga
Oct. 29 | 6:30–7:20 AM | Walnut Creek
Morning Vinyasa flow focused on flexibility, balance and strength.
CPR and First-Aid Class
Oct. 29 | 9–10 AM | Walnut Creek
Introductory emergency-response training.
Halloween Storytime with My Lileigh Pad
Oct. 29 | 10:15–10:45 AM | Walnut Creek Library
Interactive Halloween storytime and sensory activities.
Baybayin Filipino Calligraphy Workshop
Oct. 29 | 4:30–6 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Learn the basics of Baybayin in celebration of Filipino American History Month.
Sip, Shop & Sparkle
Oct. 29 | 5–8 PM | Wish Walnut Creek
Local shopping and give-back event.
Walnut Creek Chamber 100th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 29 | 5:30–8 PM | Calicraft Shadelands
The Chamber marks 100 years with food, drinks, entertainment and member awards.
Annual Cocktail Night at Benvenuti
Oct. 29 | 5–8:30 PM | Benvenuti Ristorante
Final night of the Harry Potter-themed cocktail competition.
Eskrima Filipino Martial Arts Workshop
Oct. 29 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Introduction to Filipino martial arts and cultural history.
Trivia & Line Dancing
Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Bourbon Highway
Trivia downstairs followed by line dancing upstairs.
Free Everyday Strength & Mobility
Oct. 30 | 9–10 AM | Walnut Creek
Free fitness class focused on longevity, strength and endurance.
Balance & Mobility 55+
Oct. 30 | 10:30–11:15 AM | Walnut Creek
Gentle class focused on stability and movement.
Live Country Music Friday
Oct. 30 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Bourbon Highway
Live country music, line dancing and karaoke.
Duck Donuts Halloween Costume Event
Oct. 31 | 5 AM–6 PM | Duck Donuts
Halloween costume promotion and family fun.
Live Country Music Saturday
Oct. 31 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Bourbon Highway
Country music, line dancing and karaoke.
FRANKENFEST
Oct. 31 | 6 PM–2 AM | Retro Junkie
Halloween night with Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine tribute bands.
Halloween Party at Gibson’s Irish Pub
Oct. 31 | 9 PM–Midnight | Gibson’s
Dueling pianos, costume contest and Halloween cocktails.
Steak Board Sunday
Nov. 1 | 4–10 PM | Fleming’s
Two-course Sunday steak-board special.
Election Night Party
Nov. 3 | 7 PM | Gibson’s Irish Pub
Community gathering to watch local, statewide and national results come in.
Read to a Dog
Nov. 4 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Kids practice reading with a therapy dog.
Karaoke Night
Nov. 4 | Evening | Retro Junkie
Wednesday-night karaoke.
Toddler Storytime & Play
Nov. 5 | 10:15–10:45 AM | Walnut Creek Library
Songs, stories, movement and play.
ØL Beer Cafe Comedy Night
Nov. 5 | 7:30–8:30 PM | ØL Beer Cafe
Thursday-night stand-up downtown.
Pleasant Hill
Storytime + Stay & Play
Oct. 29 | 11 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Stories, songs and movement followed by open play.
Sewing Studio Basics
Oct. 29 | 3–5 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Beginner sewing-machine workshop for ages 9–18.
Off the Grid — Final Night of the Season
Oct. 29 | Evening | Pleasant Hill City Hall
Final Thursday food-truck gathering of the 2026 season.
Halloween Baby Bash!
Oct. 30 | 11 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Costumes, reading and dancing for young children.
Pleasant Hill Farmers Market
Oct. 31 | 9 AM–1 PM | City Hall
Weekly Saturday market.
Lego Builders Club
Oct. 31 | 2–4 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Drop-in LEGO building for all ages.
Drop-In Knitting & Sewing
Nov. 3 | 6–7:45 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Bring your own project or use the makerspace equipment.
Astro Everywhere
Nov. 3 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Portable telescopes and a family-friendly look at the night sky.
Lamorinda
Lafayette
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals Volunteer Event
Oct. 29 | 5:30 PM | Lafayette
Community volunteer gathering for young professionals.
Trick or Treat Street
Oct. 30 | 4–6 PM | Downtown Lafayette
Kids can trick-or-treat at participating businesses along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette Circle and La Fiesta Square.
Tech Help
Oct. 31 | Lafayette Library
One-on-one help with phones, tablets and computers.
Guessing Jar Game
Begins Nov. 2 | Lafayette Library
Kids guess the number of corn kernels in the November guessing jar.
Read to a Dog
Nov. 3 | 3–4 PM | Lafayette Library
Kids ages 6+ read with a certified therapy dog.
Tai Chi
Nov. 3 | 6–7 PM | Lafayette Library
Weekly low-impact Tai Chi class.
Sing Me a Storytime
Nov. 4 | 10:30–11 AM | Lafayette Library
Stories, songs, fingerplays and movement.
Ribbon Cutting at Strings & Keys Music Studio
Nov. 5 | 10 AM | Lafayette
Lafayette Chamber ribbon cutting.
Storytime Junction
Nov. 5 | 10:30–11 AM | Lafayette Library
Stories, songs and early-literacy activities.
3D Printing Studio
Nov. 5 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Lafayette Library
Hands-on Tinkercad and 3D-printing workshop.
Medicare Plan Changes: What You Need to Know
Nov. 5 | 6–7:45 PM | Lafayette Library
Open-enrollment session covering costs, coverage and provider changes.
Distinguished Speaker Series: Dorothy Lazard
Nov. 5 | 7 PM | Lafayette Library
Oakland librarian and public historian Dorothy Lazard discusses Behind the Desk at the Main.
Moraga
Halloween Costume Contest & Staff Forum
Oct. 29 | 11 AM–1 PM | Saint Mary’s College
Campus Halloween celebration and costume contest.
The Great Pumpkin Challenge
Oct. 29 | 4–5 PM | Moraga Library
Pumpkin contest with prizes for biggest, smallest, cutest and weirdest.
Bootcamp x Circuit
Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 | 6–7 PM | Saint Mary’s College
TRX, kettlebells, battle ropes, boxing and circuit stations.
The Moors
Oct. 29–Nov. 1 | Saint Mary’s College
Dark, surreal comedy inspired by Gothic literature and the Brontë sisters.
All Saints Day Mass
Nov. 1 | 8 PM | Saint Mary’s College Chapel
Student-led All Saints Day Mass.
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Blessing
Nov. 2 | 1 PM | Saint Mary’s College
Community blessing of the campus ofrenda.
Sci-Fi Sorcery: Shakespeare’s The Tempest & Forbidden Planet
Nov. 2 | 5 PM | Saint Mary’s College
Discussion of The Tempest and science fiction followed by a screening of Forbidden Planet.
Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda
Through Nov. 5 | Moraga Library
Community altar honoring loved ones.
Celebrate Diwali Hidden Image Search
Nov. 3–5 | Moraga Library
Kid-friendly scavenger hunt celebrating the Festival of Lights.
Internships in STEM Panel
Nov. 3 | 5:30–6:30 PM | Saint Mary’s College
Students discuss how they found and navigated STEM internships.
Kings vs. Lakers Watch Party
Nov. 4 | 7–9 PM | Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Pub
Basketball watch party with food vouchers for early arrivals.
My Life at Atari with Ron Appin
Nov. 5 | 5–6:30 PM | Saint Mary’s College
A former Atari researcher shares stories about early video games, Pac-Man and Silicon Valley.
Orinda
SAFE AT SCALE: Weathered
Oct. 29 | 6 PM | Orinda Theatre
Screening and expert panel on wildfire resilience.
Adam Plantinga: Dark Country
Oct. 30 | 6 PM | Orinda Books
Author event for the latest Kurt Argento thriller.
Orinda Farmers’ Market
Oct. 31 | 9 AM–1 PM | Orinda Way
Saturday market in the Village District.
Joyce Carol Oates Prize Winner Erika Krouse
Oct. 31 | 3 PM | Orinda Books
Author conversation with the 2026 prize winner.
Pat’s Book Club: The Things They Carried
Nov. 5 | 11 AM | Orinda Books
Discussion of Tim O’Brien’s classic collection.
Imperfect Circles Discussion Group
Nov. 5 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Orinda Library
Community discussion group for adults.
Concord
Spooktacular Halloween Story Time & Parade
Oct. 29 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Concord Library
Halloween storytime followed by a kids costume parade.
Fantasías Halloween Party
Oct. 31 | 9 PM–2 AM | El Billar Nightclub
Reggaeton, Latin EDM, hip-hop and Halloween production.
Contra Costa Halloween Con
Nov. 1 | 10 AM–4 PM | Hilton Concord
Horror convention with artists, vendors, collectibles, props and guest meet-and-greets.
Vinnie’s Open Mic Night
Nov. 2 | 8:30 PM–12:30 AM | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Monday-night open mic.
Todos Santos Farmers’ Market
Nov. 3 | 9 AM–2 PM | Todos Santos Plaza
Weekly downtown farmers market.
Vinnie’s Country Night
Nov. 3 | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Tuesday-night country music.
Pen & Ink Society
Nov. 3 | 4–5 PM | Concord Library
Relaxed creative writing and illustration gathering.
Building Trades Parents Night
Nov. 4 | Concord
Information session listed on Visit Concord’s current calendar.
Sidegate Trivia Night with Geeks Who Drink
Nov. 4 | Side Gate Brewery
Wednesday team trivia.
Miles & Coltrane Centennial Concert
Through Nov. 8 | Concord
Centennial musical celebration.
Martinez
Computer Docent Help
Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 | 10 AM–Noon | Martinez Library
Help with basic computer skills, printing, email and Google tools.
Martinez Library Halloween Happenings
Through Oct. 31 | Martinez Library
Final days of Halloween crafts and activities.
DJ Night: Valmonster
Oct. 30 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Dance-ready DJ set for Halloween weekend.
Live Music: The Dream Tellers Halloween Bash
Oct. 31 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Costumes and live ’70s rock.
Trivia Night
Nov. 3 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Tuesday-night team trivia.
Tarot Social Meetup
Nov. 3 | 6–7 PM | Martinez Library
Discussion, practice readings and tarot spreads for adults.
Meetings that matter
This is an unusual civic week because Election Day falls Tuesday, Nov. 3.
In Walnut Creek, voters are choosing two City Councilmembers and deciding Measures T and U. The City’s election page also lists Brendan Moran and Cherise Khaund as the two qualified council candidates.
Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission | Nov. 5 | 5 PM
Regular architectural review meeting at City Hall.
Concord has an unusually light land-use week immediately after Election Day.
The scoreboard
Latest available three-month snapshot, ending September 2026:
Walnut Creek, including Rossmoor: $847,596 median | 287 sold | 33 days
Pleasant Hill: $905,569 median | 91 sold | 21 days
Lafayette: $1,926,583 median | 67 sold | 17 days
Moraga: $1,514,279 median | 40 sold | 13 days
Orinda: $1,749,167 median | 58 sold | 23 days
Concord: $719,657 median | 265 sold | 28 days
Martinez: $819,610 median | 89 sold | 26 days
One thing jumps out immediately:
Moraga is still moving incredibly fast at 13 days, while Walnut Creek is now at 33.
And yet Walnut Creek still has 35% of homes selling above asking.
That’s why “days on market” and “median price” only tell part of the story. The best homes are still getting attention. Buyers are just much less forgiving of everything else.
5 Star For Sale Property
1 bed | 1 bath | 726 sqft
$435,000
One smart add-on
Why don’t we vote for Walnut Creek’s mayor?
With Election Day next week, here’s a local-government quirk that surprises a lot of people.
Walnut Creek voters elect City Councilmembers, but we do not directly elect a mayor.
Instead, the Council chooses one of its own members to serve as mayor each year. The mayor runs meetings and represents the City ceremonially, but still has the same one vote as every other councilmember.
So when you vote for City Council, you’re really choosing the group of five people who will collectively govern the city, and who will rotate through the mayor’s chair over time.
It’s a different model from cities with a directly elected “strong mayor,” and it’s one of those little pieces of local government that’s easy to miss until an election rolls around.
Election Night Party with Cherise Khaund
Tuesday, November 3rd at 7 PM
Gibson's Irish Pub, Downtown Walnut Creek
We'd love to have you join us to celebrate and watch the election results come in!
You can find the details and RSVP here:
If there’s an East Bay neighborhood, local issue, development project, event or housing question you want me to cover next week, just hit reply.
– Brendan
