Your East Bay Weekend Starts Here
A smart weekly look at the East Bay
through the lens of local life, housing, and development.
What the market is telling us
Rates moved. Buyers didn’t disappear.
Mortgage rates have moved back into the upper-6% range, which is enough to get buyers recalculating monthly payments again. At the same time, California home sales actually improved in June. Existing single-family sales were up 4.1% from May and 6.0% from a year earlier, while the statewide median price slipped 2.8% from May.
That is a pretty good description of the market right now. It is active, but it is not indiscriminate.
Buyers will move when the house, price and monthly payment all make sense. What they are less willing to do is stretch for something simply because it came on the market.
My read: sellers still have plenty of opportunity, but pricing correctly out of the gate matters more than trying to “test” the market. For buyers, the interesting opportunities are often the homes that make it through their first weekend without finding the right match.
The local read
The most recent consistent local numbers continue to show something interesting: despite enormous differences in price, homes across central Contra Costa are generally moving on a fairly similar timeline.
Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Moraga and Concord are all around a two-week median. Orinda has been even faster at 11 days, while Lafayette and Martinez are closer to 2½ weeks.
That does not mean every home is flying off the market.
It means the homes buyers perceive as the best combination of condition, location and price are still getting attention quickly. Once a listing gets beyond that first burst of activity, the negotiating dynamic can change pretty fast.
And now that school schedules are starting to replace vacation schedules, I would expect the difference between the “must-see” homes and everything else to become even more noticeable.
What I’d actually put on the calendar
Walnut Creek
Lego Break!
Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway | August 13 | 4:30 PM–5:30 PM | Free LEGO, KEVA plank and building activities for ages 5–12.
Broadway Plaza Summer Concert: The Bell Brothers
Broadway Plaza Street | August 13 | DJ and line dancing at 5:30 PM; concert at 7:00 PM | Free country concert.
Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive | August 13–16 | Multiple performances | Ticketed musical featuring songs from the Disney film.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Avenue | August 14 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Ages 21+; live music, beer, wine, animal encounters, games and a Western petting zoo.
Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main Street | August 14 | Begins at 6:00 PM | Ticketed tributes to The Cure and Echo & the Bunnymen.
Downtown Walnut Creek | August 15 | 10:00 AM–11:00 AM | Guided look at public art around downtown.
Joybound People & Pets, 2890 Mitchell Drive | August 15 | Begins at 11:00 AM | Free adult dog and cat adoptions.
Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive | August 15 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Family-friendly guided gallery experience.
Once Upon A Street: Books & Botanicals
Broadway Plaza | Saturday, August 15 | 11 AM–2 PM | A free back-to-school celebration with kids’ activities, crafts, live music, pet adoptions and more.
Once Upon a Street at Broadway Plaza
Broadway Plaza | August 15 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Family-friendly arts pop-up.
The Chelsea Ames Trio
Mike Hess Brewing, 2313 Oak Grove Road | August 15 | 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Live music featuring an eclectic mix of familiar favorites.
Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main Street | August 15 | Begins at 6:00 PM | Ticketed Linkin Park tribute show.
Locust Street between Cole and Lacassie | August 16 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free admission.
Tack Swap, Demonstration Rides & Art Auction
Equestrian Center of Walnut Creek at Heather Farm | August 16 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | More than 30 vendors, English and Western tack, demonstration rides and a silent art auction.
Junior Zookeeper Experience: Serpentologist for a Day
Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Avenue | August 16 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Hands-on snake program for ages 7–12; registration recommended.
Tiny Tuesday: Destination Desert
Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Avenue | August 18 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Special animal encounters, crafts, games and activities for ages 2–5.
Gypsy Stone Duo
Mike Hess Brewing, 2313 Oak Grove Road | August 16 | 4:00 PM–6:00 PM | Free Sunday-afternoon live music in the taproom.
Civic Affairs Forum: Meet Walnut Creek’s New Police Chief
Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway | August 18 | 8:00 AM–9:30 AM | Meet new Police Chief Ryan Hibbs and hear an update on crime, public safety and the Walnut Creek Business Watch program.
Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road | August 18 | 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Ticketed evening sound-bath experience in the garden.
Firewise Landscaping: Firescaping
Our Garden Demonstration Garden, N. Wiget Lane at Shadelands Drive | August 19 | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM | Free program on landscaping and reducing wildfire risk.
Exploring the Garden: Origins and Evolution of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
Online program | August 19 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Webinar exploring the history and evolution of the garden; registration required.
Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway | August 19 | 4:00 PM–5:30 PM | Free family game afternoon with video games, board games and puzzles.
Story Time at the Ruth Bancroft Garden
Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road | August 20 | 9:30 AM–10:30 AM | Free storytime and crafts; RSVP requested.
Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road | August 20 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM | Free live music with food, drinks and late-night plant shopping.
Summer Night City: The ABBA Tribute
Broadway Plaza | Thursday, August 20 | 5:30–8:30 PM | Broadway Plaza closes out its summer concert series with an evening of ABBA favorites.
Broadway Plaza Summer Concert: Summer Night City
Broadway Plaza Street | August 20 | Concert at 7:00 PM | Free ABBA tribute concert.
Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill City Hall lawn, 100 Gregory Lane | August 13 and 20 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Free food-truck gathering with live music, drinks and lawn games.
Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane | August 15 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free admission.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 15 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM | Free; all ages and abilities welcome.
Sunset by the Lake: King Tritone
Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane | August 16 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Free outdoor concert with food and drink vendors.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 17 | 3:30 PM–5:00 PM | Free introductory macrame workshop; registration required.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 17 | 6:00 PM–7:45 PM | Free open makerspace for adults.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 18 | 6:00 PM–7:45 PM | Free; all skill levels welcome.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 18 | 6:30 PM–7:30 PM | Free family bingo, crafts and prizes.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 19 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free storytime and art activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Avenue | August 20 | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free stories, songs, movement and playtime.
Board Installation Dinner & Business Person of the Year Awards
Back Forty Texas BBQ | August 20 | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Ticketed Pleasant Hill Chamber community and business awards dinner.
Downtown Pleasant Hill Summer Concert: The Cheeseballs
Downtown Pleasant Hill | August 20 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | Free outdoor concert featuring high-energy funk, soul and dance music.
Lamorinda
HOW: How Orinda Works
Orinda | August 13 & 20 | 6:00 PM–8:30 PM | Free civic academy exploring how Orinda government works. August 13 covers local government and democracy; August 20 focuses on police, emergency management and the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. Space is limited.
Moraga Summer Concert: Dream Like Taylor + Cassie B
Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga | August 13 | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM | Free Taylor Swift tribute and pop concert.
Moraga Book Club: Fahrenheit 451
Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga | August 13 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Free adult book discussion.
Orinda Community Park Amphitheatre, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda | August 13–15 | Evening performances | Ticketed outdoor production of Noël Coward’s comedy.
New Families Mixer + Back to LPIE
Western Flyer Brewing, Lafayette | August 14 | 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Free gathering for Lafayette school families and the LPIE community.
Orinda Community Center area, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda | August 15 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free year-round Saturday market.
Throughout Lafayette | August 15 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Local shops and businesses offering special deals and sidewalk-sale finds.
Saint Mary’s College, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga | August 15 | 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Special program preceding the Summer Wine & Beer Fest.
Saint Mary’s Summer Wine & Beer Fest
Saint Mary’s College, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga | August 15 | 2:00 PM–5:00 PM | Ticketed wine, craft beer and food festival benefiting student scholarships.
Lamorinda Idol 2026 Finals
Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theatre Square | August 16 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM | More than 50 young singers and groups compete throughout the day in the annual Lamorinda Idol finals. Free.
Saint Mary’s vs. Fresno State Women’s Soccer
Saint Mary’s Stadium, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga | August 16 | 1:00 PM | Gaels home match against Fresno State.
Headlands Brewing, 3420 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette | August 16 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM | Live Sunday-afternoon music.
Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette | August 16 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | One-night improv class with drinks included.
Grand Re-Opening: Ware Designs Jewelers
Lafayette | August 19 | 11:00 AM | Grand reopening celebration.
After School Movie: Meet the Robinsons
Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga | August 20 | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM | Free family movie with popcorn.
Thursday Nights in Orinda: Despicable Me
Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda | August 20 | Food trucks 5:00 PM–8:00 PM; movie at dusk | Free outdoor movie.
FREE Movie Night: Thelma & Louise
Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda | August 20 | 6:30 PM | Free screening in the historic Orinda Theatre.
Moraga Summer Concert: Fleetwood Mask
Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga | August 20 | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM | Free Fleetwood Mac tribute concert.
Concord
Todos Santos Plaza | August 13 | Farmers’ market 4:00 PM–8:00 PM; concert at 6:30 PM | Free Latin-jazz concert.
Todos Santos Plaza | August 14 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Free night market with live music, food, artisan vendors and family activities.
311 & Dirty Heads: So Glad You Made It Tour
Toyota Pavilion at Concord, 2000 Kirker Pass Road | August 15 | 5:30 PM | Ticketed outdoor concert.
Galindo Home, 1721 Amador Avenue | August 16 | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM | Community afternoon at Concord’s historic Galindo Home.
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo Street | August 17 | 8:30 PM–12:30 AM | Recurring Monday-night open mic.
Todos Santos Plaza | August 18 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Free admission.
Vinnie’s Bar & Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo Street | August 18 | 8:00 PM–11:00 PM | Free admission and country line-dancing lessons.
Luna Movie Night: The Godfather
Luna Restaurant, 2118 Willow Pass Road | August 18 | Evening | Ticketed screening of The Godfather.
Side Gate Trivia Night with Geeks Who Drink
Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden, 1822 Grant Street | August 19 | Sign-ups at 6:30 PM; trivia at 7:00 PM | Weekly team trivia.
Music & Market: The 3 Queens of Motown
Todos Santos Plaza | August 20 | Farmers’ market 4:00 PM–8:00 PM; concert at 6:30 PM | Free tribute to Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.
Concord Library, 2900 Salvio Street | August 20 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Free stories, songs, movement and stay-and-play time.
Martinez
Main Street | August 13 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Free evening car show downtown.
Escobar Street outside Del Cielo Brewing | August 14, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; August 15, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM; August 16, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Outdoor downtown gathering.
Friday & Saturday Night Out at Nu-Rays
Nu-Rays Bar, 709 Ferry Street | August 14 and 15 | 6:00 PM–10:00 PM | Recurring downtown weekend gathering.
Del Cielo Brewing Co., 701 Escobar Street, Suite A | August 14 | 6:30 PM | Latin hits and dance music.
Roxx on Main, 627 Main Street | August 14 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | Live Americana-style music.
Sesquicentennial Hike: Martinez Waterfront
Martinez Waterfront | August 15 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Community hike celebrating Martinez’s 150th anniversary.
Martinez Yacht Club | August 15 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Saturday car show on the waterfront.
Del Cielo Brewing Co., 701 Escobar Street, Suite A | August 15 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM | Saturday beer celebration at Del Cielo.
JT’s Grab Bag featuring Paul Cotruvo
Roxx on Main, 627 Main Street | August 15 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | Live Saturday-night music.
Del Cielo Brewing Co., 701 Escobar Street, Suite A | August 15 | During Lúpulo Fest | Live ’80s rock.
Downtown Martinez Farmers’ Market
Downtown Martinez | August 16 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free weekly market.
Martinez | August 16 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Annual community arts event.
Del Cielo Brewing Co., 701 Escobar Street, Suite A | August 18 | Evening | ’80s pop-culture and movie trivia.
Meetings that matter
Walnut Creek
Planning Commission | August 13 | 6:00 PM
Design Review Commission | August 19 | 6:00 PM
Planning will consider ADU, zoning and parking updates, plus a tree-removal appeal.
Pleasant Hill
Budget Committee | August 13 | 3:30 PM
City Council | August 17 | 7:00 PM
Architectural Review Commission | August 20 | 5:00 PM
Budget will discuss potential new city revenue options.
Lamorinda
Lafayette Planning + Transportation | August 17 | 7:00 PM
Creeks Committee | August 19 | 7:00 PM
Zoning Administrator | August 20 | 4:00 PM
Orinda City Council | August 18 | 7:00 PM
The August 17 Lafayette meetings are the ones to watch for land-use and mobility issues.
Concord
Planning Commission | August 19 | CANCELED
Martinez
Diversity and Cultural Commission | August 13 | 6:00 PM
Parks, Recreation, Marina and Arts Commission | August 18 | 7:00 PM
City Council | August 19 | 7:00 PM
City Council is the main meeting to watch this week.
The scoreboard
Walnut Creek, including Rossmoor:
$949,432 median sale price | 282 homes sold | 14 days on market.
Pleasant Hill:
$943,935 median sale price | 90 homes sold | 14 days on market.
Lamorinda:
Lafayette : $2,115,534 | 75 homes sold | 18 days;
Moraga: $1,576,557 | 49 homes sold | 14 days;
Orinda: $2,006,799 | 60 homes sold | 11 days.
Concord:
$754,548 median sale price | 296 homes sold | 14 days on market.
Martinez:
$798,522 median sale price | 97 homes sold | 16 days on market.
5 Star Pending Property
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
5 Star Just Listed Properties
1 bed | 1 bath | 726 sqft
$435,000
One smart add-on
It’s officially official!
I filed papers for Walnut Creek City Council.
Thanks for all the support. It’s on!
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
