Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek, CA
At a glance
Acalanes Ridge is ranked #10 of 30 neighborhoods in Walnut Creek with an overall score of 3.9/5. Its standout factors are schools (4.6/5, 3rd of 30 in Walnut Creek) and safety (4.0/5), at a median home price of $1.37M, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $67,000. The trade-off is nearby merchants (1.6/5), though prices run about 10% below the Walnut Creek median.
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Acalanes Ridge sits up against its namesake open space on the northwest edge of Walnut Creek, above the spot where Highway 24 meets Interstate 680. The draw here is the hillside and the dirt: the Acalanes Ridge trailhead opens onto roughly four miles of trail and a climb to wide views of Mount Diablo and central Contra Costa. Homes are a mix of midcentury single-levels and updated contemporaries on larger lots, and the pocket is small enough that people recognize their neighbors' cars. What you trade for the quiet and the views is convenience. There is no walkable retail to speak of, parking at the open space is genuinely limited, and you will drive for nearly every errand, with downtown Walnut Creek and Lafayette each a short hop away. The schools pull buyers in from both the Walnut Creek and Lafayette sides, which is part of why homes here rarely sit. If you want trail access out your door and don't mind a car-first daily routine, Acalanes Ridge delivers exactly that, with little pretense beyond it.
Top Neighborhoods in Walnut Creek, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants1.6
Public Spaces3.6
Curb Appeal3.8
Overall Amenities score: 3.3
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springhill Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Buena Vista Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| M. H. Stanley Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Walnut Creek Intermediate | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Acalanes High | High | 9-12 | |
| Las Lomas High | High | 9-12 |
Click links for school listing
info at GreatSchools.org
Houseberry School Score Data
from CA Dept. of Education
Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.
Median Price
Acalanes Ridge FAQs10 answers
Is Acalanes Ridge a good place to live?
Acalanes Ridge ranks 10th of 30 neighborhoods in Walnut Creek with an overall Houseberry score of 3.9 out of 5. Its strongest factors are schools (4.6/5) and safety (4.0/5). The trade-off is nearby merchants (1.6/5).
Is Acalanes Ridge safe?
Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek scores 4.0 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 10th of 30 neighborhoods in Walnut Creek.
What do homes in Acalanes Ridge cost?
The median home price in Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek is $1.37M, compared with $1.53M for Walnut Creek as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $67,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Acalanes Ridge rising or falling?
The median home price in Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek is down about 4.7% over the past 12 months, from $1.44M to $1.37M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Acalanes Ridge?
Schools serving Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek include Springhill Elementary (5.0/5), Buena Vista Elementary (4.5/5), M. H. Stanley Middle (4.7/5), Walnut Creek Intermediate (4.0/5) and Acalanes High (5.0/5). 1 more school is listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in Acalanes Ridge?
Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek receives 80% of its possible sunshine, 29th of 30 in Walnut Creek. Summer days run 55° to 82°F and winter days 41° to 58°F, July is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 24 inches a year.
Is Acalanes Ridge walkable to shops and restaurants?
Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek scores 1.6 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.6 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.3 out of 5, 18th of 30 in Walnut Creek.
What is Acalanes Ridge known for?
Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek is associated with Ridge Trails, Hillside Homes and Diablo Views. Its highest-scoring factors are schools (4.6/5) and safety (4.0/5).
How does Acalanes Ridge compare to other Walnut Creek neighborhoods?
Acalanes Ridge ranks 10th of 30 neighborhoods in Walnut Creek. It ranks 3rd of 30 in Walnut Creek for schools (4.6/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.6/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Walnut Creek are Diablo Shadows and Rudgear Estates.
What are the downsides of living in Acalanes Ridge?
Acalanes Ridge, Walnut Creek scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.6/5).
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