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 are moving in the right direction, just very slowly. The average 30-year fixed fell to 6.65%, down from 6.69% two weeks earlier. That’s some relief for buyers, but probably not enough yet to dramatically change affordability.

There are a few signs buyers are responding. Pending sales nationally ticked up 0.4% week over week and mortgage applications increased 3%, although pending sales are still down 1.6% from last year. In other words, demand may be waking up a little, but buyers are still selective.

For sellers, that means the same thing it has all summer: price and presentation matter. Buyers are out there, but they’re not chasing everything that hits the market.

The local read

Mortgage rates continue to inch in the right direction, but we’re still waiting for the kind of move that would really change affordability.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.65% as of August 20, down from 6.67% the week before. It’s movement in the right direction, just not enough yet to dramatically change what buyers can afford.

Locally, that continues to make this a very property-specific market. Well-priced homes in desirable locations can still attract buyers quickly, while properties that miss on price, condition or presentation can sit.

That’s why I’m paying less attention to sweeping “the market is up” or “the market is down” headlines right now. What’s happening on your street, in your neighborhood and within your specific property type matters a lot more.

What I’d actually put on the calendar

Walnut Creek

Community Day: Lindsay Wildlife
Headlands Brewing | August 27 | 3–6 PM | Lindsay Wildlife brings animal ambassadors to the beer garden for a free, all-ages afternoon.

Crafternoons with I Heart Art
Walnut Creek Library | August 27 | 4:30–5:30 PM | Free hands-on arts and crafts program for kids.

Walnut Creek Chamber BASH
Convivia Work | August 27 | 5:30–7 PM | Monthly Walnut Creek Chamber mixer with local food, drinks and networking.

DESPECHO: Sing-Along Party of Latin Love Songs
Retro Junkie | August 27 | 6 PM–1 AM | Latin love songs, sing-alongs and dancing at a late-night downtown party.

Summer Nights: Sunset Abstractions
Shadelands Art Center | August 27 | 6–8 PM | Beginner-friendly acrylic painting workshop inspired by late-summer sunsets.

Trivia + Line Dancing
Bourbon Highway | August 27 | 6:30–11:30 PM | Thursday-night trivia followed by line dancing and music downtown.

Partial Lunar Eclipse
Visible throughout Walnut Creek | August 27 | Begins around 7:37 PM; maximum eclipse around 9:12 PM | Look up for a dramatic partial lunar eclipse visible across the Bay Area, weather permitting.

Ceramic Visiting Artist: Scott Jennings
Shadelands Art Center | August 28 | 10 AM–3 PM | Visiting ceramic artist Scott Jennings demonstrates his slab-building techniques.

Rusty Chains: Alice in Chains + Soundgarden Tribute
Retro Junkie | August 28 | Begins at 6 PM | Live tribute to two of the defining bands of the grunge era.

Salsa & Bachata Friday
Tip Top Ballroom | August 28 | 8 PM–midnight | Salsa, bachata and cha-cha lessons followed by an open Latin dance party.

Walnut Creek Model Railroad Show
Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society | August 28 | 8–10 PM | See the club’s elaborate Diablo Valley Lines HO-scale model railroad in operation.

Live Country Music + Line Dancing
Bourbon Highway | August 28 & 29 | 6:30 PM–1 AM | Live country music, line dancing and late-night entertainment downtown.

Ozzie’s Pound Puppies Adoption Day
Headlands Brewing | August 29 | Noon–2 PM | Meet adoptable dogs from local volunteer-run rescue Ozzie’s Pound Puppies.

End of Summer Fun at Tesla Walnut Creek
Broadway Plaza | August 29 | Noon–3 PM | Free family afternoon with kids activities and a school-supply drive benefiting local students.

Gypsy Dreams: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Retro Junkie | August 29 | Begins at 6 PM | Fleetwood Mac tribute show with additional favorites from The Pretenders and Sheryl Crow.

Mira Armij Gill + Francisco Salazar
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | August 29 | 7 PM | Classical concert featuring pianist Mira Armij Gill and violinist Francisco Salazar.

Sunset to Moonrise on Mount Diablo
Mount Diablo | August 29 | 7–11 PM | Evening astronomy program featuring sunset, night-sky viewing and an almost-full moon rising over the mountain.

Sunday Sessions
1515 Restaurant & Lounge | August 30 | 3 PM | Sunday-afternoon live music in downtown Walnut Creek.

Plot & Pot: A Bookish Succulent Workshop
Walnut Creek Library | August 31 | 4–5 PM | Teens create a book-themed planter and take home their own succulent.

Walnut Creek City Council Candidate Forum
Walnut Creek Library | September 1 | 8–10 AM | Walnut Creek Chamber forum featuring the candidates for City Council and a conversation about the issues facing the city.

Rightsizing for Comfort and Safety
Saint Matthew | September 1 | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM | Free lunch-and-learn on adapting, organizing or downsizing a home for changing needs and aging in place.

SPININ’ ADAMS + Inner-State ’80s
Retro Junkie | September 3 | Begins at 6 PM | Bryan Adams tribute paired with a night of classic ’80s hits.

Viva Las Vegas: Walnut Creek Aquanuts Fall Show
Clarke Memorial Swim Center | September 3 | 8 PM | The Aquanuts kick off Labor Day weekend with their annual theatrical artistic-swimming spectacular featuring lights, costumes, props and more than 100 performers and volunteers.

Pleasant Hill

Staying Safe on the Road: Driving as an Older Adult
Pleasant Hill Senior Center | August 27 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Free workshop on maintaining driving skills, recognizing age-related changes and exploring transportation alternatives.

Storytime + Stay & Play
Pleasant Hill Library | August 27 | 11 AM–Noon | Free stories, songs and movement followed by playtime for young children and caregivers.

Fourth Friday Coffee
Latte Da Espresso & More | August 28 | 8–9:30 AM | Casual morning networking and conversation with members of the Pleasant Hill business community.

Pleasant Hill Farmers’ Market
Pleasant Hill City Hall | August 29 | 9 AM–1 PM | Saturday market featuring fresh produce, prepared foods and local vendors.

LEGO Builders Club
Pleasant Hill Library | August 29 | 2–4 PM | Free drop-in LEGO building for kids, families and builders of all abilities.

Sunset by the Lake: The Big Jangle
Pleasant Hill City Hall | August 30 | 6–8 PM | Free lakeside concert featuring Tom Petty tribute band The Big Jangle, with food trucks nearby.

Plan to Protect Your Children
Pleasant Hill Library | August 31 | 6:30–7:30 PM | Free legal workshop on creating a plan to protect children and prepare for unexpected family circumstances.

Gaming for Teens
Pleasant Hill Library | September 1 | 2:45–3:45 PM | After-school Nintendo Switch gaming and snacks for middle- and high-school students.

Pleasant Hill Young Professionals Networking Group
Hyatt House Pleasant Hill | September 1 | 5–7 PM | Casual Chamber networking event geared toward young professionals and emerging local leaders.

Family Movie Night: The Wild Robot
Pleasant Hill Library | September 1 | 6–7:30 PM | Free family screening of The Wild Robot at the library.

Home Safety: Fall & Injury Prevention Strategies
Pleasant Hill City Hall | September 2 | 10–11:30 AM | Free workshop covering fall prevention, home-safety improvements and strategies for staying active and independent.

Lamorinda

Lafayette Young Professionals at the Reservoir
Lafayette Reservoir | August 27 | 9–10 AM | Casual outdoor networking meetup for Lafayette’s young-professional community.

Meet Your Neighbors Cocktail Party
Roundup Saloon, Lafayette | August 27 | 6 PM | Community mixer with drinks, a raffle and karaoke afterward.

Sixteen Scandals: Concert in the Park
Orinda Community Park | August 27 | 6–8 PM | Free outdoor concert with food trucks as part of Orinda’s Thursday-night summer series.

Stewart Patrick Live
Canyon Club Brewery, Moraga | August 28 | 6 PM | Friday-night live music in the Canyon Club beer garden.

Eric Benét with Adrian Marcel
Siesta Valley Bowl, Orinda | August 28 | 8 PM | Grammy-nominated R&B singer Eric Benét performs outdoors with Adrian Marcel.

Orinda Farmers’ Market
Orinda Community Center | August 29 | 9 AM–1 PM | Saturday morning market with fresh produce, prepared foods and local vendors.

4th Annual Little Seeds Fair
Creekside Commons, Lafayette | August 29 | 10 AM–1 PM | Family fair for expecting and new parents featuring local resources, activities and community organizations.

World Studio Craft Series: Sámi Wool Tassels
Moraga Library | August 29 | 10–11 AM | Learn about Sámi crafting traditions while creating a wool tassel in this hands-on workshop.

Moraga Rib Throwdown 2026
Canyon Club Brewery | August 29 | 4–8 PM | Community barbecue competition with live music, games and proceeds benefiting the Moraga Education Foundation.

The Live Oaks
Canyon Club Brewery | August 29 | 6 PM | Saturday-night live music at Canyon Club.

Free Historic Orinda Theatre Tour
Orinda Theatre | August 30 | 11 AM–12:30 PM | Free guided tour through Orinda’s historic 1941 movie palace and its architectural history.

What Dreams May Come: Cinema Craft Series
Orinda Theatre | August 30 | 1 PM | Special screening of What Dreams May Come as part of the theatre’s Cinema Craft series.

Live Music Sundays
Headlands Brewing, Lafayette | August 30 | 1–4 PM | Free Sunday-afternoon live music in the beer garden.

Just For S & G
Vino di Lafayette | August 30 | 2–5 PM | Live duo playing throwback favorites in a relaxed Sunday-afternoon setting. 21+.

The Okay’s
Canyon Club Brewery | August 30 | 5:30 PM | Sunday-evening live music in Moraga.

Christian Eck Live
Headlands Brewing, Lafayette | September 1 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Free Tuesday-evening live music from local favorite Christian Eck.

LEGO Lounge
Moraga Library | September 3 | 4–5 PM | Free LEGO building, music and creative play for kids and families.

Mixed Nuts Band: Concert in the Park
Orinda Community Park | September 3 | 6–8 PM | Free outdoor concert with classic rock, pop favorites and food trucks.

Concord

Music & Market: Aja Vu
Todos Santos Plaza | August 27 | Concert at 6:30 PM | Free downtown concert featuring the music of Steely Dan and Chicago, alongside the Thursday farmers’ market.

Soul’d Out Band
The Old Hangout | August 28 | Evening | Live soul, funk and dance music at one of Concord’s local nightlife spots.

Tails California 2026
Hilton Concord | August 28–30 | Multi-day country swing dance convention with workshops, lessons and social dancing.

14th Annual Contra Costa African American Community Baby Shower
Lifepoint Academy | August 29 | 10 AM–2:30 PM | Free community event for expectant families featuring health resources, food, education, giveaways and support services.

Vinnie’s Open Mic Night
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill | August 31 | Evening | Weekly downtown open mic featuring local singers, musicians and performers.

Concord Farmers’ Market
Todos Santos Plaza | September 1 | 9 AM–2 PM | Year-round Tuesday market featuring fresh produce, prepared foods and local vendors.

Vinnie’s Country Night
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill | September 1 | Evening | Country music, dancing and free line-dancing lessons downtown.

Side Gate Trivia Night
Side Gate Brewery | September 2 | Evening | Weekly Geeks Who Drink team trivia with beer, food and prizes.

2026 Emergency Preparedness Fair
Todos Santos Plaza | September 3 | 5–8 PM | Free community fair with emergency-preparedness information, local agencies, resources and family activities.

Music & Market: Strange Daze
Todos Santos Plaza | September 3 | Concert at 6:30 PM | Free Doors tribute concert paired with Concord’s Thursday farmers’ market.

Martinez

Aire Libre Weekends
Downtown Martinez | August 28–30 | Downtown streets open up for outdoor dining, drinks and weekend gathering.

Max Cortes Quartet
Del Cielo Brewing | August 28 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Friday-night live music featuring salsa and Latin jazz.

Martinez Sesquicentennial Festival
Martinez Marina & Waterfront Park | August 29 | 11 AM–7 PM | Huge free waterfront celebration marking Martinez’s 150th anniversary with live music, family activities, food, kayaking and community performances.

Bay Area Craft Beer Festival
Martinez Waterfront | August 29 | 1–6 PM | Ticketed craft beer festival featuring dozens of breweries and tastings alongside the city’s 150th anniversary celebration.

4th Annual Mediterranean Food & Music Festival
Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church | August 29–30 | Noon–9 PM | Two-day festival with Mediterranean food, desserts, live music, dancing, vendors and kids activities.

Delta Deuce
Five Suns Brewing | August 29 | 6–8:30 PM | Live classic rock and blues covering favorites from the ’70s and beyond.

Fire Peach
Del Cielo Brewing | August 29 | 6:30–9:30 PM | Saturday-night live music featuring ’90s rock favorites.

Downtown Martinez Farmers’ Market
Main Street | August 30 | 9 AM–1 PM | Sunday morning market with fresh produce, prepared foods and local vendors.

100-Year Anniversary Worship and BBQ
First Baptist Church | August 30 | 10:30 AM–2 PM | Community celebration marking 100 years of First Baptist Church in Martinez.

Trombetta Brothers
Five Suns Brewing | August 30 | 2–4:30 PM | Sunday-afternoon patio performance spanning classic favorites and original music.

King Trivia
Del Cielo Brewing | September 1 | 6:30–8:30 PM | Weekly team trivia with drinks, food and prizes.

Meetings that matter

Pleasant Hill
A light civic week for development and land-use items.

Concord
Design Review Board | August 27 | 5:30 PM
This is Concord’s main development and design meeting in the window.

Martinez

City Council | September 2 | 7 PM
The agenda is the one to watch as it gets posted closer to the meeting.

The scoreboard

Latest available local snapshot, three months ending June 2026:

Walnut Creek, including Rossmoor: $997,457 median sale price | 287 homes sold | 18 days on market | +19.1% YoY
Pleasant Hill: $948,484 | 105 homes sold | 14 days | +5.4% YoY
Lafayette: $1,998,912 | 85 homes sold | 18 days | -8.1% YoY
Moraga: $1,780,281 | 57 homes sold | 14 days | +4.7% YoY
Orinda: $2,012,905 | 68 homes sold | 12 days | +4.4% YoY
Concord: $799,565 | 299 homes sold | 17 days | +3.8% YoY
Martinez: $804,562 | 110 homes sold | 16 days | -1.0% YoY

One reminder with these numbers: a citywide median can move quite a bit based on the mix of homes that happened to sell. I’d use them as a temperature check, not a valuation tool.

5 Star Sold Properties

**102 Providence Pl**

5 beds | 4 baths | 3,338 sqft
$2,348,000

**1655 N California Blvd #156**

3 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,673 sqft
$1,100,000

**1874 Bonanza St, #10**

2 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,448 sqft
$1,050,000

**24 Jocelyn Pl**

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

5 Star Pending Properties

**3130 La Playa Ct**

4 beds | 3 baths | 2,416 sqft
$1,600,000

**640 Michele Dr**

3 beds | 1 bath | 959 sqft
$579,000

5 Star Just Listed Property

**3183 Wayside Plz, #311**

1 bed | 1 bath | 726 sqft
$435,000

**One smart add-on**

Apparently Walnut Creek has a new nickname, and not everyone is thrilled about it.
KRON4 came to town to investigate **“The Nut”**, the nickname that’s been popping up on social media and, increasingly, on hats and shirts around downtown. Even Mayor Kevin Wilk weighed in after noticing the trend around town.
Some people love it. Some would very much like us to remain Walnut Creek.
I’m mostly enjoying the fact that this has somehow become a local controversy.
**The Creek? Dub C? The Nut?**
**I’ll let you decide.**

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

This is the week you’ll want to get out