A smart weekly look at the East Bay
through the lens of local life, housing, and development.
What the market is telling us
The market isn’t frozen. It’s just a lot more selective.
Mortgage rates stopped climbing this week, but they didn’t come back down.
The average 30-year fixed mortgage held at 7.40%, the same as last week. That’s still up sharply from 7.03% in late September.
Meanwhile, existing-home sales actually ticked higher nationally in September, even with rates elevated and affordability still stretched.
That tells me something important:
There are still buyers out there. They just need a reason to move.
For some, that’s the right house. For others, it’s a price reduction, seller credit or simply less competition than they were seeing a year or two ago.
The local read
We now have September numbers, and Walnut Creek softened a bit.
Over the three months ending September, the median sale price was about $848,000, down 2% year over year. Homes took a median 33 days to sell, compared with 26 days a year ago.
But there’s still plenty of competition for the right property.
About 35% of homes sold above asking, while roughly 31% had a price reduction.
That split keeps showing up.
The homes buyers really want can still move fast.
The ones they don’t?
They’re sitting longer, and sellers are adjusting.
That may be the best description of this market right now: slower overall, but still very competitive when a property checks the right boxes.
Walnut Creek
Toddler Storytime & Play
Oct. 22 | 10:15–10:45 AM | Walnut Creek Library
Stories, songs, movement and play for ages 0–3.
ESL Conversation Group
Oct. 22 | 2–3 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Casual English conversation practice for adults.
Crafternoons with I Heart Art
Oct. 22 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Walnut Creek Library
After-school art and crafting for ages 5–12.
Dine & Donate at Tomatina for Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
Oct. 22 | All day | Tomatina
A portion of eligible food and beverage sales benefits Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.
Sierra Health & Wellness Open House / Ribbon Cutting
Oct. 22 | 4–7 PM | Walnut Creek
Open house and ribbon cutting for a new local treatment program.
Trivia & Line Dancing Thursdays
Oct. 22 & 29 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Bourbon Highway
Trivia followed by line dancing downtown.
Walnut Creek Trunk or Treat
Oct. 23 | 3–6 PM | Civic Park
Games, candy, activities and a scavenger hunt. The first hour is a low-sensory experience.
Free Everyday Strength & Mobility
Oct. 23 | 9–10 AM | Walnut Creek
Free fitness session focused on strength and mobility.
Balance & Mobility 55+
Oct. 23 | 10:30–11:15 AM | Walnut Creek
Movement class focused on balance and mobility.
Live Country Music Fridays
Oct. 23 | Evening | Bourbon Highway
Live country music, line dancing and karaoke.
Nimesh Patel
Oct. 23 | Lesher Center for the Arts
Stand-up comedy from the Emmy-nominated writer and comedian.
Dungeons & Dragons
Oct. 24 | Walnut Creek Library
Teen D&D for ages 13–18.
Diwali Celebration Street Fair
Oct. 24 | Noon–5 PM | Downtown Walnut Creek
Music, arts, food and community programming celebrating Diwali.
Happy Halloween Kids Costume Contest
Oct. 24 | 4–6 PM | Duck Donuts
Costumes and Halloween fun for kids.
Music on Main
Oct. 24 | 5:30–8 PM | Downtown Walnut Creek
Saturday-evening live music downtown.
Travel Adventures Unlimited Showcase
Oct. 26 | 1–3 PM | Lesher Center for the Arts
A look at upcoming travel opportunities and group trips.
Howl-ooo-ween
Oct. 27 | Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Halloween fun with Lindsay Wildlife’s animal ambassadors.
Boots & Bingo Wednesdays
Oct. 28 | Evening | Bourbon Highway
Bingo followed by country entertainment.
Annual Cocktail Night at Benvenuti
Oct. 28–29 | 5–8:30 PM | Benvenuti Ristorante
Harry Potter-themed cocktail competition with original drinks and guest voting.
Halloween Storytime with My Lileigh Pad
Oct. 29 | 10:15–10:45 AM | Walnut Creek Library
Interactive Halloween storytime with sensory activities.
Baybayin Filipino Calligraphy Workshop
Oct. 29 | 4:30–6 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Learn the basics of Baybayin as part of Filipino American History Month.
Walnut Creek Chamber 100th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 29 | 5:30–8 PM | Calicraft Shadelands
The Chamber celebrates 100 years with food, drinks, entertainment and member awards.
Eskrima Filipino Martial Arts Workshop
Oct. 29 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Walnut Creek Library
Introduction to Filipino martial arts and cultural history.
Pleasant Hill
Computer Help
Oct. 22 | 10 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Drop-in help with basic computer and technology questions.
United Against Hate Storytime
Oct. 22 | 11 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Special storytime presented with the Pleasant Hill Diversity Commission.
Sewing Studio Basics
Oct. 22 | 3–5 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Beginning sewing-machine workshop for tweens and teens.
Off the Grid
Oct. 22 & 29 | Evening | Pleasant Hill City Hall
Thursday-night food trucks.
Haunted Trail of Pleasant Hill Park
Oct. 23 | 5–7 PM | Pleasant Hill Park
Free family Halloween trail with themed booths, trick-or-treating and a monster freeze-dance competition.
Pleasant Hill Farmers Market
Oct. 24 | 9 AM–1 PM | City Hall
Saturday farmers market.
Lego Builders Club
Oct. 24 | 2–4 PM | Pleasant Hill Library
Drop-in LEGO building for all ages and abilities.
Storytime + Stay & Play
Oct. 29 | 11 AM–Noon | Pleasant Hill Library
Stories, songs and movement followed by open play.
Lamorinda
Lafayette
Storytime Junction
Oct. 22 & 29 | 10:30–11 AM | Lafayette Library
Stories, songs and early-literacy activities.
3D Printing Studio
Oct. 22 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Lafayette Library
Hands-on Tinkercad and 3D-printing workshop.
Sock Gnomes
Oct. 22 | 6–7 PM | Lafayette Library
Make a no-sew fall sock gnome.
Sweet Thursday with Vanessa Hua
Oct. 22 | 7 PM | Lafayette Library
Vanessa Hua discusses Coyoteland.
Día de los Muertos Picture Frame Craft
Oct. 24 | 10–11 AM | Lafayette Library
Kids learn about Día de los Muertos and create an ofrenda-inspired picture frame.
Tai Chi
Oct. 27 | 6–7 PM | Lafayette Library
Weekly low-impact Tai Chi.
Moraga
Friends Fall Book Sale
Oct. 24 | 9 AM–1 PM | Moraga Library
Books, CDs and DVDs at bargain prices, with a fill-a-bag sale at noon.
Goblin’s Grocery List
Throughout October | Moraga Library
Kids search the library for ingredients needed for a goblin’s spooky spell.
Moraga Library Storytime
Oct. 28 | 10:30–11 AM | Moraga Library
Stories and songs for young children.
The Great Pumpkin Challenge
Oct. 29 | 4–5 PM | Moraga Library
Pumpkin competition with prizes for biggest, smallest, cutest and weirdest.
Orinda
The Love Witch
Oct. 22 | 7:30 PM | Orinda Theatre
Screening of the cult film, with tarot-card readings in the lobby beforehand.
Cast Aside the Clouds Premiere
Oct. 23 | 7–9 PM | Orinda Theatre
Premiere screening followed by a discussion and audience Q&A.
Orinda Farmers’ Market
Oct. 24 | 9 AM–1 PM | Orinda Way
Saturday farmers market in the Village District.
The Little Shop of Horrors with Live Orchestra
Oct. 24 | 7 PM | Orinda Theatre
The classic movie accompanied by a live orchestra.
Cinema Craft Series: Dead of Night
Oct. 25 | 1 PM | Orinda Theatre
Monthly film series hosted by critic Matías Bombal.
Classic Movie Matinee: Frankenstein
Oct. 27 | 1 PM | Orinda Theatre
Classic horror matinee.
English Learners Conversation Group
Oct. 27 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Orinda Library
Casual English conversation practice for adults.
Stay & Play
Oct. 28 | 10–11 AM | Orinda Library
Gentle play for toddlers and preschoolers.
SAFE AT SCALE: Weathered
Oct. 29 | 7–9:30 PM | Orinda Theatre
Screening of Weathered: After the LA Firestorm followed by a panel on wildfire resilience.
Concord
Storytime at Concord Library
Oct. 22 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Concord Library
Stories, songs and movement for young children.
Read to a Dog
Oct. 22 | Concord Library
Kids practice reading aloud with a therapy dog.
Friday Night Karaoke at Bambino’s
Oct. 23 | Bambino’s Concord
Friday-night karaoke.
Storytime with AAC
Oct. 24 | 10:30 AM | Concord Library
Inclusive storytime incorporating augmentative and alternative communication.
Coffee with a Councilmember
Oct. 24 | 2–3 PM | Concord Library
Informal coffee and conversation with Councilmember Carlyn Obringer.
5th Annual Concord Police Department Trunk or Treat
Oct. 24 | 3–6 PM | Concord Police Department
Free family event with treats, games and prizes.
BYOC Movie Night
Oct. 26 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Concord Library
Bring your own chair, beanbag, pillow or blanket. Popcorn provided.
Art Therapy
Oct. 26 | 1–2 PM | Concord Library
Guided art program focused on creativity and stress relief.
Vinnie’s Open Mic Night
Oct. 26 | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Monday-night open mic.
Todos Santos Farmers’ Market
Oct. 27 | 10 AM–2 PM | Todos Santos Plaza
Tuesday farmers market downtown.
Kiddo Crafternoons
Oct. 27 | 4:30–6 PM | Concord Library
Hands-on after-school arts and crafts.
Vinnie’s Country Night
Oct. 27 | Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
Tuesday-night country music.
Bryson Tiller Presents: The Neo Trapsoul Tour
Oct. 27 | 7:30 PM | Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Bryson Tiller brings the Neo Trapsoul Tour to Concord.
Sidegate Trivia Night with Geeks Who Drink
Oct. 28 | Side Gate Brewery
Wednesday-night team trivia.
Spooktacular Halloween Story Time & Parade
Oct. 29 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Concord Library
Halloween storytime followed by a kids costume parade around the City Offices.
Martinez
Martinez Library Halloween Happenings
Through Oct. 31 | Martinez Library
Halloween crafts and activities throughout the month.
Computer Docent Help
Oct. 22 & 29 | 10 AM–Noon | Martinez Library
Basic computer, printing and copying help.
DJ Night: Bobby Raw
Oct. 23 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Friday-night DJ set.
Aire Libre Weekend
Oct. 23–25 | Downtown Martinez
Outdoor dining and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Friday Night Magic
Oct. 23 | Downtown Martinez
Magic: The Gathering and community game night.
Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 24 | 11 AM–2 PM | Downtown Martinez
Trunk-or-treat, downtown trick-or-treating, crafts and games.
Día de los Muertos Nicho Workshop
Oct. 24 | 1–3 PM | Martinez Library
Create a traditional folk-art shadow box honoring a loved one.
Live Music: Don Gato Band
Oct. 24 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Saturday-night Latin live music.
Martinez Farmers’ Market
Oct. 25 | 9 AM–1 PM | Main Street
Sunday downtown farmers market.
Martinez Library Book Club
Oct. 27 | 6–7 PM | Martinez Library
October’s selection is Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw.
Trivia Night
Oct. 27 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Tuesday team trivia.
Karaoke Night: Boos & Bangers
Oct. 28 | 6–9 PM | Del Cielo Brewing
Halloween karaoke with costumes and spooky song choices.
Meetings that matter
Walnut Creek
I’d watch the city agenda postings closely this week, especially as late-October council and commission business starts stacking up. The City posts final agendas shortly before each meeting.
Pleasant Hill
Zoning Administrator | Oct. 22 | 5 PM
Budget Committee | Oct. 27 | 3:30 PM
Planning Commission | Oct. 27 | 6:30 PM
Lafayette
City Council | Oct. 26
Design Review Commission | Oct. 26 | 7 PM
Crime Prevention Commission | Oct. 27 | 6 PM
Concord
City Council | Oct. 27 | 6:30 PM
Martinez
Planning Commission | Oct. 27 | 7 PM
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
There was some movement this month.
Walnut Creek’s median slipped below $850,000 and days on market moved higher. Pleasant Hill also moved lower. Moraga remained the quickest-moving market on this list, while Lafayette continues to sell relatively fast at the upper end.
It’s another reminder that price alone doesn’t tell you how competitive a market feels.
5 Star For Sale Property
One smart add-on
The Walnut Creek Chamber is turning 100.
That’s a pretty remarkable milestone.
The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 100th anniversary on Oct. 29, which means the organization dates back to 1926, long before Walnut Creek became the city we know today.
Over that century, Walnut Creek went from a small agricultural community to one of the East Bay’s major retail, employment and cultural centers.
The Chamber has obviously changed along with it.
The anniversary celebration is being held at Calicraft Shadelands from 5:30–8 PM, with a look back at the Chamber’s past, present and future, followed by its annual member awards.
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
