There’s a certain picture a lot of my downsizing clients describe when I ask what they want next. A nice dinner downtown. A show afterward. A short walk home instead of a long drive and a hunt for parking.
In Walnut Creek, that picture is very real, and the Lesher Center for the Arts is right in the middle of it.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive opened in 1990 and is owned and operated by the City of Walnut Creek. It has three theaters, the Hofmann, the Margaret Lesher and the Vukasin, plus the Bedford Gallery, and it’s home to Center REPertory Company. It sits about four blocks from Walnut Creek BART, with a parking garage next door and the free downtown trolley nearby.
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What's Inside
The Hofmann Theatre is the largest, with roughly 785 seats, and hosts bigger productions, concerts and touring shows.
The Margaret Lesher Theatre is a mid-sized space of about 300 seats.
The Vukasin Theatre is the most intimate, with about 133 seats, perfect for smaller plays and performances.
The Bedford Gallery, on the first floor, is a 3,500-square-foot contemporary art space with rotating exhibitions. It also sponsors public art walking tours in the warmer months.
Center REPertory Company is the professional theater company in residence, so there’s a full season of plays to look forward to.
Making a Night of It
The best part is everything around it. Downtown Walnut Creek is full of restaurants within walking distance, so dinner before the show is easy. The Locust Street garage is right next to the building, and the box office is at (925) 943-7469.
If you’d rather not drive at all, BART is about four blocks away, and County Connection’s free Route 4 Downtown Trolley loops between BART, downtown and Broadway Plaza.
What Downtown Living Can Look Like
Empty nesters often put it this way: "We don’t need four bedrooms. We need to be closer to the fun." For some people, moving from a big house in the hills to a condo or townhome near downtown is the perfect kind of rightsizing.
It’s not for everyone. You’ll trade some space, privacy and yard for walkability. You’ll want to look closely at HOA dues, parking and noise. But if your ideal week includes theater, restaurants and fewer car trips, it’s worth exploring.
For Homeowners Near Downtown
If you already live within walking distance of the Lesher Center, that’s a feature worth highlighting when you sell. Buyers who want this lifestyle will pay attention to how many minutes it takes to walk to dinner and a show.
STILL READING?
Wondering whether a downtown condo or townhome could be your next home? My free Home Buyer Guide walks you through what to look for and how the process works.
“Carrie was an incredible resource for me as I navigated the process of selling my home. She was there throughout the process with thoughtful advice, a clear perspective, and a willingness to help whenever I had questions.
She is incredibly responsive, an excellent communicator, and someone I could count on to give me straightforward, practical guidance. Selling a home can be stressful and there are so many decisions along the way, and I really appreciated having someone with Carrie’s experience to turn to.
She genuinely cares about the people she works with, and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, responsive, and trustworthy real estate professional.”
Final Thoughts
The Lesher Center is one of those places that makes Walnut Creek feel special. It’s culture without the commute.
If more evenings like that sound good to you, you don’t have to look far.
With you in every chapter, Carrie
Carrie LaShell
Realtor, eXp Realty • DRE #02149436
I'm not here to sell houses. I guide, advise, and simplify, so Walnut Creek and East Bay homeowners can move through life's biggest transitions with a lot more clarity and a lot less stress.
925-478-0084
FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS
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The Lesher Center for the Arts is at 1601 Civic Drive in downtown Walnut Creek, about four blocks from the Walnut Creek BART station.
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Three: the Hofmann Theatre, the Margaret Lesher Theatre and the Vukasin Theatre, plus the Bedford Gallery.
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The Locust Street garage is next to the building. You can also take BART and walk about four blocks.
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Yes. County Connection’s free Route 4 Downtown Trolley loops between Walnut Creek BART, downtown and Broadway Plaza.
Wherever you are in your next chapter
Thinking about selling? Request a no-pressure home valuation and see what your home could make possible.
Worried about Mom or Dad? Ask for my free Is Mom or Dad Still Safe at Home? checklist.
Ready to downsize or rightsize? Grab my free Downsizing Guide, or let’s book a coffee conversation.
Request a home valuation or call:
925-478-0084
Some of the best parts of a next chapter are right outside your door.
Carrie LaShell
East Bay Realtor | eXp Realty
Carrie LaShell is a Walnut Creek Realtor with eXp Realty who helps people navigate the life transition inside a move: rightsizing, retirement, caring for aging parents, loss, relocation and all the new beginnings in between. She believes the best real estate decisions are made when people feel supported, informed and genuinely cared for.
925-478-0084 | carrielashell.com
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