The Creek Beat: Traffic On Saturday?

Is it just me or does there seem to be a lot of traffic in Walnut Creek on Saturdays?

I went out to cover the Third Annual Community Service Day early Saturday and found myself on some surprisingly clogged roads for a weekend morning.

One of those moments came when I tried to turn right from Wiget Lane onto Ygnacio Valley Road. I had to wait until the light turned green to be able to swing out onto the busy boulevard.

At midday, I was sitting on Oak Grove Road at the Ygnacio Valley Road light watching a stream of cars hurtling through that intersection.

Later that evening, my wife and I went to dinner in downtown Walnut Creek. We got to the parking garage near Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Main Street about 4:30 p.m. and found plenty of spots on the top floor.

However, when we returned after an evening of dining and shopping, there were no spaces available in that parking structure. A man in a van stopped abruptly and waited when he saw us getting into our vehicle. He seemed happy to find a space.

The ride home along Main Street was equally congested. I finally turned right so I could take Broadway.

Am I complaining? Not really.

Traffic on Saturdays, I think, shows how vibrant our city is.

It's why more than 1,200 people turned out for that Community Service Day.

It's also why so many businesses, especially those downtown, can stay in business.

Walnut Creek is a popular destination. And that's why on a Saturday, you may find yourself in a traffic jam or two.