$1,786,392Average Value$721Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Mount Diablo views Backyard beauty in Northgate homes.
Backyard views of Mount Diablo in Walnut Creek
At the base of Mount Diablo, Northgate is a suburb with mighty mountainous views on the horizon. The Walnut Creek neighborhood gets its name from Mount Diablo State Park’s northern entrance, which is located on the south side. Residents are minutes from world-class hiking and biking trails, but Realtor Zack Torrey says it’s the schools people come for. “The schools are the glue of the community, and they’re why a lot of people move back to Northgate,” he says. “We have a lot of second- and third-generation Northgaters. People come back to give their kids the childhood that they had.” Torrey grew up in the neighborhood. He and his sister worked with his late father, Pete Torrey, who started the Torrey Team in 1977. “If you walk through the neighborhood, you got people on sidewalks waving and saying hi, there’s kids hopping out of minivans, someone’s walking their dog… It’s almost cliche, but it’s totally that type of community.”
Suburban harmony Rows of homes lining Northgate streets.
Roomy midcentury modern homes
Northgate is in one of Walnut Creek’s most expensive zip codes. Its wide streets are lined by mature walnut trees and spacious houses, most built before the turn of the 21st century. Midcentury modern ranch-style homes are popular, but a smattering of two-story and split-level houses can also be found around the community. Some residences even display unique styles like Craftsman or Mediterranean Revival. Lot sizes average just over a quarter of an acre, but larger properties can be found on the south side. “There are a lot of horse properties at the base of the mountain,” Torrey says. List prices range from around $1 million to $3 million. Townhouses are also available, but sales information is limited, with only three units sold in the last year. Roughly, these units list between $950,000 and $2 million.
Community and arts at Northgate High's Jack De Rieux Little Theater.
Friday Night Lights in California
Northgate is served by the Mount Diablo Unified School District, which includes California Distinguished School Walnut Acres Elementary. It has an A-minus on Niche and rich performing and visual arts programs. Right next door is Foothill Middle, also rated A-minus. Built in 1974, Northgate High has won acclaim for its distinctive Brutalist architecture. It’s ranked among the top 200 high schools in California, rated A on Niche and has the No. 10 spot on Niche’s list of Contra Costa County’s best high schools. The high school has a robust performing arts program that operates out of its recently remodeled theater and a popular biliteracy program. It also has plenty of community-backed athletic programs. Torrey coaches the school's softball and football teams. “We have a really good crowd for the football games,” he says. “Even though we’re in California and not Texas, it’s an event. People with no skin in the game are in the stands. Basketball is big, too.”
Mount Diablo State Park
The northern entrance to Mount Diablo State Park is on the south side of Northgate, right on North Gate Road. The scenic, 20,000-acre mountain preserve has 160 miles of trails, and the mountain's peak is the highest point in the Bay area, standing at almost 4,000 feet. Visitors can explore beautiful rock formations and wind caves in the historic Rock City or enjoy the ambiance of cascading waterfalls in the oak woodlands below.
Other recreational avenues around Northgate
The expansive Arbolado Park has all the traditional amenities, including playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field and barbecue pits. It also features an almost 7-acre walnut grove for locals to walk through. Diablo Shadows Park is a smaller park with a playground and trail access.
Tranquil trek Woman hiking through Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Soccer time Grandfather and grandson at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Swinging joy Children at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Tennis action Community games at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
Sky-high fun Father and son fly a kite at Arbolado Park, Northgate.
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Encina Grande and The Orchards at Walnut Creek
Encina Grande is a shopping center in Northgate where neighbors are sure to run into one another. The strip has convenient stores like Whole Foods Market and Walgreens. It also features a couple of restaurants, including Rocco’s, an old-school Italian joint, and Toyo Sushi, a casual spot for Japanese cuisine. Across the street, The Orchards at Walnut Creek has more stores and restaurants. There’s Safeway for grocery shopping and Mike Hess Brewing for happy hour. Torrey says the brewery is a Friday afternoon hangout for Northgate High alums. “Hess is a Northgate kid,” Torrey says. “He was out of the area for college, got into the world of brewing and beer, and came right back. Everyone comes back.” Northgate is also just about 4 miles from Walnut Creek’s lively downtown district, a shopping and dining hub in a walkable, small-town setting.
Daily life Residents exiting Safeway in Northgate.
Whole Foods Northgate's choice for organic and fresh.
Craft beer journey at Mike Hess Brewing, a Northgate favorite.
Inside Sourdough & Co Northgate's cozy sandwich retreat.
Sourdough & Co Northgate's spot for sandwich delights.
Toyo Sushi's chicken teriyaki Northgate's taste of Japan.
Toyo Sushi interior Northgate's gateway to Japanese cuisine.
Inviting facade of Toyo Sushi in the bustling Northgate.
Rocco's Pizzeria in Northgate is a popular dinner location for locals.
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Bay Area traffic and John Muir Health
Ygnacio Valley Road runs right through the neighborhood, and the Walnut Creek BART station is just a few miles away. “Getting places from Northgate is like anywhere else in the Bay Area,” Torrey says. “It’s a crowded area, and I mean, let’s be honest, you got a lot of people going a lot of places. It rivals Los Angeles, but it is what it is.” Northgate is about 20 miles from Oakland and less than 30 miles from downtown San Francisco. The closest hospital is John Muir Health, less than 5 miles away. The hospital has many accolades, including the No. 2 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of San Francisco’s best regional hospitals.
San Francisco's majestic skyline, easily reachable from Walnut Creek's Northgate.
Oakland's skyline, a short journey from Northgate, Walnut Creek's tranquility.
It's a quick BART ride from Northgate to San Francisco and Oakland
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Northgate, Walnut Creek sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Northgate, Walnut Creek over the last 12 months is $1,650,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream home Northgate Estate located in an exclusive area! This incredible home features vaulted ceilings, new light fixtures, areas of fresh paint & new carpet. Stylish dining room complete w/crown molding, tray ceiling, new chandelier & french doors. The spacious kitchen features stainless steel appliances, brand new elegant quartz counters, ample cabinetry, large windows that
Discover this rare Claude Oakland-designed gallery model super Eichler in Walnut Creek’s desirable Northgate neighborhood. Built in 1969, this mid-century modern 4BD/2BA home offers 2,308 SF (per tax records) of thoughtfully upgraded living space. The iconic atrium entry sets the tone for the open floor plan, featuring radiant-heated polished concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, & a
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
