Walnut Creek, CA, is one of my favorite East Bay places to spend an afternoon. There’s plenty of shopping, good restaurants, and cute little spots to explore. Beyond the downtown boutiques and shopping centers, there are also some great thrift stores worth checking out.
What makes thrifting around Walnut Creek interesting is the variety. You’ll find everything from larger stores packed with clothing and household goods to smaller charity shops selling vintage pieces, books, furniture, and home decor. Some of the best places are tucked away in neighborhoods you might not expect.
Whether you’re looking for affordable clothes, secondhand furniture, or just enjoy seeing what turns up on the shelves, these Walnut Creek thrift stores and nearby favorites are worth adding to your list.
Savers
If you like a big thrift store with plenty of racks and shelves to dig through, Savers is a good place to start. This Walnut Creek location carries secondhand clothing, shoes, accessories, kitchenware, books, and home decor, with enough variety to make it worth browsing several departments.
One of the best things about larger thrift stores is that the selection changes constantly. You might find a nice jacket one week and a set of dishes or an interesting piece of home decor the next. Just check prices, since some items can be surprisingly close to what you’d pay new.
Goodwill Store & Donation Center
The Walnut Creek Goodwill is another good stop for everyday secondhand shopping. It carries clothing, shoes, books, accessories, and household goods, making it a convenient place to look for a little bit of everything.
Goodwill is always a bit of a treasure hunt, and this location is no exception. Some visits are better than others, but taking the time to browse the racks and shelves can turn up worthwhile finds.
Related: This Goodwill in Sacramento Charges by the Pound, Not the Price Tag
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
Located right in downtown Walnut Creek, the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is a smaller thrift store that’s fun to browse when you’re already out shopping or grabbing lunch nearby. It carries a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and household items, with an emphasis on gently used pieces.
Because the shop is smaller, you won’t find the endless rows of merchandise you’d see at Savers or Goodwill. But it’s worth popping in to see what’s new, and purchases help support the American Cancer Society.
The Garret Thrift Shop
The Garret Thrift Shop is a longtime community thrift store operated by volunteers supporting John Muir Health’s Walnut Creek Medical Center. It carries clothing, jewelry, antiques, furniture, collectibles, and a particularly good selection of books.
This store is worth visiting if you enjoy browsing older items and finding things you wouldn’t necessarily see at a larger thrift chain. Just plan your visit carefully. The Garret has limited hours.
Leftovers Thrift Shop
Leftovers Thrift Shop has served the local secondhand shopping community for decades. The store sells donated merchandise, and proceeds support the Contra Costa Crisis Center and its services for people in difficult situations.
It’s a great stop for anyone who prefers smaller, community-run thrift stores over large chains. You’ll always find something different to browse, and shopping here supports an organization doing important work in Contra Costa County.
Hospice East Bay Thrift Shoppe
The Hospice East Bay Thrift Shoppe is another worthwhile stop, particularly if you enjoy finding vintage items, jewelry, home decor, and quality secondhand clothing. The shop carries a mix of donated merchandise, including collectibles, artwork, books, and household goods.
The organization operates several thrift shops throughout Contra Costa County, with proceeds supporting hospice care. The Walnut Creek location is conveniently located near downtown, making it an easy addition to an afternoon of secondhand shopping.
Rescued Treasures
Rescued Treasures is a local thrift store that supports Community Concern for Cats, an organization helping homeless and abandoned cats throughout Contra Costa County. The shop carries furniture, clothing, jewelry, artwork, books, dishes, and other household items.
It’s a great place to find smaller home decor pieces, vintage items, and unexpected finds. And for animal lovers, purchases also help fund rescue efforts and veterinary care for cats in need.
