Downtown Walnut Creek is known for its high-end shops, dining and nightlife. It’s a huge hot spot for students at Saint Mary’s––I mean, where else are we supposed to go when the only things in Moraga are Chinese restaurants and CVS? It’s a lovely place to gather with your homies or have a date night with your significant other, but there are some times where I can’t help but roll my eyes.

1. The parking

Do you have a dinner reservation at 5 p.m. on a Saturday night at the Cheesecake Factory? Hahaha. Good luck finding parking. Or how about that shirt you want to returning to Nordstrom on an exquisite Sunday afternoon? Plan on spending more time in your car looking for parking than the actual store. Frustrating, right?

2. The line at C.R.E.A.M

All I want is a delightful ice cream sandwich. I didn’t ask for the whole town to gather in a tiny parlor.

3. Middle Schoolers

These days, I can’t distinguish between a 20-year-old and a young adolescent. It’s only when I see a gaggle of them running around in Starbucks ordering frappuccinos do I realize they are too young to be walking around by themselves. Where are your parents anyway? Also, why are your pants more expensive than mine?

4. Forever 21 is the only affordable store.

Sometimes I just want a nice summer dress from Urban Outfitters or even nice leggings from Lululemon, but that just can’t happen ... Not with my financial situation. I just admire from afar by a window and complain about how poor I am.

Forever 21 it is.

5. Pedestrians

Yeah I know the pedestrians have the right of way. Blah blah blah. But how slow can one walk? I’m just trying to turn before the light turns red. Or how about pedestrians walking in groups of ten? I’m just trying to get around them but they keep meandering back and forth, making it impossible to pass them.

If you look past all the eye-rolling and sighs of frustration, I rate Downtown Walnut Creek 10/10 as a place people of all ages can go to and enjoy some leisure pleasure. Thanks Walnut Creek for keeping Saint Mary’s kids entertained. You rock!