The 10 best apartment complexes in downtown Walnut Creek, CA
2026 rankings
Downtown Walnut Creek has become one of the most desirable places to live in the East Bay. With walkable shopping districts, access to Bay Area Rapid Transit, proximity to Mount Diablo views, and an expanding restaurant scene, it’s no surprise renters and buyers are looking for the best apartments in Walnut Creek.
At Aube Living, we rate residential communities using a 5-star community rating system designed specifically for gated home communities and apartment living. Our ratings look beyond amenities and consider factors like building design, resident reviews, location walkability, management quality, and overall living experience.
Below are Aube Living’s top 10 rated apartment communities in downtown Walnut Creek, CA, with honest pros and cons to help renters and buyers find the right fit.
1. The Windsor Apartments
| Score: 69.86%
Located near downtown Walnut Creek, The Windsor blends apartment living with hotel-style perks thanks to its partnership with the neighboring Marriott hotel.
Highlights
- Two rooftop lounges with BBQ grills
- Complimentary access to the Marriott outdoor pool
- 24-hour fitness center plus access to the Marriott fitness center
- Dog park and pet stations
- Reserved gated parking
- Bike storage and repair station
- Reservable rooftop terrace for private events
- Residents receive 25% off food and beverages at the Marriott
- EV charging stations
Apartment features
- Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops
- Double bathroom sinks in select units
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Walk-in closets in most floor plans
- 9-foot ceilings
- Private patios or balconies
- Views of Mount Diablo and the surrounding valley
- CORT furniture rental available
Pros
- Hotel-style perks such as dry cleaning pick-up and drop-off, and resident discounts
- Strong resident satisfaction
- Event-friendly rooftop spaces
- Extra amenities through the adjacent hotel
Cons
- Walk Score is lower than other downtown buildings: 47
- No dedicated resident lounge (shared with hotel)
- No hot tub
2. The Arroyo Residences
| Score: 67.12%
The Arroyo Residences offer a more tranquil living environment in downtown Walnut Creek with lush landscaping and Zen-inspired outdoor spaces.
Highlights
- Zen garden courtyard with waterfalls and streams
- Rooftop deck with fireplace and lounge seating
- Pool with lounge cabanas
- Cedar-lined dry sauna
- Fitness center with Matrix equipment
- Clubroom with kitchen and dining area
- Co-working lounge
- Laundry storage lockers available
- Walk Score: 93 (very walkable)
Apartment features
- Quartz countertops and stainless appliances
- GROHE™ bathroom fixtures
- Kitchen islands in select units
- Raised ceilings in select homes
- Select homes with fireplaces
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Views of Mount Diablo and Bollinger Canyon
Pros
- Beautiful landscaping and peaceful outdoor spaces
- Flexible move-out policies and payment options
- Wine storage available for residents
Cons
- Occasional trash chute clogs reported
- A few parking garage theft complaints
- No on-site pet amenities
3. The 1960
| Score: 67.12%
The 1960 focuses on lifestyle programming and community engagement, making it a favorite among renters who enjoy social events.
Highlights
- Rooftop lounge with grilling stations
- Heated pool
- 24/7 fitness center with Peloton and FluidRower equipment
- Dog park and pet relief area
- Private meeting room
- EV charging stations
- Monthly resident events and wellness classes
- Compost program
- Walk Score: 92
Apartment features
- Views of Mount Diablo
- Modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Smart resident app for rent, maintenance, and services
Pros
- Highly rated by residents
- Active community events
- EV charging infrastructure
- Strong maintenance guarantees
- Dry cleaning services
- Package lockers with delivery to the tenant’s door upon request and away-from-home services
Cons
- Parking garage is not gated
- No hot tub
4. Brio
| Score: 65.75%
Brio is a large, amenity-rich property operated by Essex that offers plenty of shared social spaces.
Highlights
- Outdoor fireplaces and BBQ areas
- Pet spa and dog park
- Clubroom with catering kitchen
- Recreation room with pool table
- Wine lounge and wine bottle storage
- Co-working lounge
- Bike storage
- Pool and hot tub
- EV charging stations
Apartment features
- Quartz countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Smart thermostat controls
- Double bathroom sinks in select units
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Mount Diablo views
Pros
- Extensive shared amenities
- Keyless smart-home features
- Dedicated temperature-controlled wine storage
- Valet trash
Cons
- Fire alarm complaints reported by residents
- Some pet waste issues reported on walking paths
- Lower Walk Score: 83
5. NoMa Apartments
| Score: 64.38%
NoMa Apartments offers modern design and strong walkability, located close to shopping and restaurants in downtown Walnut Creek.
Highlights
Rooftop deck with fireplace and city views
Pool and hot tub
Pet washing station
EV charging stations
Smart-home technology package
LEED-certified building design
6,500 square feet of ground-floor retail
Apartment features
- Quartz countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Keyless entry
- Leak detection smart sensors
- Walk-in closets in select units
- In-unit washer and dryer
Pros
- Walk Score: 94
- Modern smart-home systems
- Furnished apartments available through CORT
Cons
- No reservable spaces (conference rooms, catering kitchen)
6. Vaya
| Score: 64.38%
Vaya is a lifestyle-focused apartment community known for its modern amenities and artistic design.
Highlights
- Rooftop sky deck
- Heated resort-style pool and hot tub
- Zen fountain courtyard
- Outdoor game lounge with table tennis and foosball
- Yoga studio and fitness center
- Pet park and pet wash station
- Co-working lounge with Wi-Fi
- Valet trash (for a fee)
- Build It Green certified
- Strong walkability (Walk Score: 92)
Apartment features
- Whirlpool stainless steel appliance package
- Quartz countertops
- 9-foot ceilings in penthouse units
- Wine fridges in select homes
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Mount Diablo views
Pros
- Resort-style pool and social spaces
- Bike storage and repair station
- Art installation by sculptor Shayne Dark
Cons
- No EV charging stations
- Older complaints about parking gate issues
7. 1716 Lofts
| Score: 58.90%
1716 Lofts is a smaller boutique building with standout rooftop amenities and an ultra-walkable location.
Highlights
Rooftop spa
Rooftop BBQ area
Lounge with TV
Dog wash station
EV charging stations
Apartment features
- Views of Mount Diablo
- Modern interiors
- In-unit washer and dryer
Pros
- Excellent Walk Score: 97
- Boutique building feel
- Solid resident satisfaction
- Refrigerated package lockers
Cons
- Limited shared amenities compared to larger complexes: no pool, no fitness center, no co-working spaces
8. The Rise Walnut Creek
| Score: 58.90%
The Rise Walnut Creek blends modern architecture with community-focused amenities and a highly walkable downtown location.
Highlights
- Landscaped rooftop deck with firepit and BBQs
- Custom lobby artwork from Bay Area artist
- Secure bicycle storage and repair station
- EV charging stations by Xeal
- Furnished guest suites for visitors
- Popcorn maker available in the rooftop lounge
- Designed for CAL GREEN Silver certification
Apartment features
- Quartz Caesarstone countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Soft-close cabinetry and illuminated mirrors
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Smart resident app for payments, maintenance, and event RSVPs
Pros
- Walk Score: 97
- Guest suites for visitors
- Bike-friendly amenities
Cons
- Some units do not include microwaves
- Smaller lounge kitchen area
- No pool or hot tub
- No pet-friendly amenities or co-working spaces
9. The Waymark
| Score: 58.90%
Located near transit and downtown dining, The Waymark offers a large amenity package but has experienced mixed reviews from residents.
Highlights
- Rooftop deck with outdoor movie lawn
- Outdoor kitchen, fire pits, and patio games
- Two-story fitness center with yoga studio
- Pet spa and dog run
- Pool and hot tub
- Bike club with repair station and gear lockers
- Lounge with TV and pool table
- Co-working areas and conference rooms
- Valet trash (for a fee)
- EV charging stations
Apartment features
- Nest thermostats
- LG stainless appliances
- Quartz countertops and tile backsplash
- Moen bathroom hardware
- Full-size washer and dryer
Pros
- Close to BART and downtown
- Large amenity package
- Kids area
- Multiple work-from-home spaces
- Reservable private dining room with catering kitchen
Cons
- Thin wall complaints from residents
- Elevator and maintenance issues reported
- Management turnover complaints
10. Lyric
| Score: 57.53%
Lyric Walnut Creek emphasizes community engagement with social events and local partnerships.
Highlights
- Monthly cocktail hours and yoga classes
- Partnerships with local businesses
- EV charging stations
- Package locker system
Apartment features
- Mount Diablo views
- High ceilings advertised in some units
Pros
- Excellent Walk Score: 97
- Strong resident reviews
- Active community programming
Cons
- Limited amenities compared with newer buildings: no pool, hot tub, dedicated work spaces, or pet amenities
Final thoughts: choosing the best apartment in Walnut Creek
Downtown Walnut Creek offers a wide variety of apartments, from boutique loft buildings to full luxury communities with resort-style amenities. With walkable shopping districts, proximity to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and views of Mount Diablo, it’s easy to see why so many renters are searching for the best apartments in Walnut Creek.
If you’re considering a move, some communities stand out depending on your lifestyle priorities:
- Hotel-style perks: The Windsor
- Peaceful landscaping and courtyard spaces: The Arroyo Residences
- Community events and lifestyle programming: The 1960
- Smart-home technology and modern design: NoMa
- Resort-style amenities: Vaya
So far, across the Walnut Creek communities we’ve evaluated, we have not yet identified a residential community that meets the criteria for a 4-star or 5-star Aube Living rating. While many properties offer excellent amenities and strong locations, our ratings are designed to measure the full residential experience, including management quality, resident satisfaction, building design, amenities, and long-term livability.
As more communities are evaluated and standards evolve, we look forward to recognizing the first 4-star and 5-star residential communities that truly set the benchmark for apartment living in Walnut Creek, CA.
If you manage an apartment complex or residential community and would like it evaluated by Aube Living, we welcome submissions. Our evaluation process is completely free and comes at no cost to property managers or ownership groups. Our goal is to create more transparency in the rental housing industry while helping communities understand how they compare and where improvements can enhance the resident experience.
You can request a free evaluation through our contact form.
Looking for more apartment reviews and rankings? Browse other Aube Living-rated communities to discover the best apartments across the Bay Area and beyond.