Living in Saranap

The secret is out (but please don’t tell anyone else)!!!  Driving from Lafayette into downtown Walnut Creek, you can easily miss what people call the Saranap neighborhood. This quaint, little unincorporated neighborhood bordered by Lafayette to the north/west and Walnut Creek towards the south/east has been named the No. 2 “Hot Hood” to move to in the Bay Area by Diablo Magazine.

Saranap has just a little over 5,200 residents and is filled with a diverse and eclectic group of homes,  from the '50s rancher with wood beam ceilings to the two-story modern charmer. There is even a home with its very own grape vineyard!

So what’s all the buzz about this tiny little residential area of Walnut Creek?

Saranap comes as a surprise to many. This diverse little 'hood, within walking distance to trails and downtown Walnut Creek, is a happy blend of longtime residents who remember the days of walnut orchards and young families with kids running from house to house.

You'll see your neighbors (a.k.a Saranapans) taking relaxed evening strolls, and you'll probably get invited to spontaneous socials and holiday block parties. Today, you have a few fun spots in the Saranap neighborhood aside from the 7-11 slurpees such as Florali, Wish, Just Be Yoga , Dewing pool, Morucci’s, Walnut Creek Produce and Pizza Olivia. Many residents are hoping they can one day walk to the proposed Saranap Village by Hall Equities Group.

Saranap was named after Sarah Naphtaly, who owned the majority of the land in the area during the early 1900’s. At that time, Saranap was a destination for those coming from San Francisco by train to escape the fog and go to the Walnut Festivals and summer homes. Today, Saranap is home to those wanting more land, warmer weather and laid back eclectic charm, all while having easy access to Lafayette, downtown Walnut Creek and Highways 24 and 680.

Oh yeah, schools are great too! Unlike the rest of Walnut Creek, part of Saranap goes to Lafayette Schools and the other half falls within the Acalanes School District. Don’t miss the private, yet affordable The Meher Schools.

Over the last couple of years, the little neighborhood of Saranap has been getting a lot of attention with the expansion of the Sufism Reoriented sanctuary, the proposed Saranap Village and annexing the Walnut Creek portion of Saranap into Lafayette. In our opinion, this adds to the Saranap charm showing a genuine interest in improving Saranap, creating walkability, yet striving to keep its original rural integrity that us Saranapans love.

- Linnette Edwards and Beth Anne Gardner