Downtown Pizza Shakeup: Pizza My Heart Has Closed
A thread on r/walnutcreek this week confirmed what sharp-eyed locals already noticed: Pizza My Heart has closed its downtown Walnut Creek location. The California-born pizza chain, known for its surf-culture branding and by-the-slice service, was a go-to for a quick, affordable slice within walking distance of Broadway Plaza.
The closure leaves a gap in the downtown pizza landscape — but it also opens the door to explore what else Walnut Creek has to offer. We rounded up the best alternative pizza spots, from wood-fired Neapolitan to deep-dish and everything in between.
5 Downtown Pizza Alternatives Staff Picks
All of these are within walking distance of the former Pizza My Heart location at the edge of downtown.
| Spot | Style | Vibe | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipolini’s Pizza | Family-style / Deep | Legendary local institution, family-friendly, full bar | $$ |
| Semifreddi’s | NY-style / Thin | East Bay artisan bakery, grab-and-go slices | $ |
| Melos Pizza & Pasta | Italian / Wood-fired | Neighborhood Italian, cozy sit-down, pasta too | $$ |
| Extreme Pizza | California / Creative | Bold topping combos, delivery + takeout focus | $$ |
| Pizza Antica (Lafayette) | Neapolitan / Thin | Upscale thin-crust, worth the 10-min drive south | $$$ |
What Made Pizza My Heart Special
For the uninitiated: Pizza My Heart was a Northern California chain founded in Santa Cruz in 1981, with a cult following built on fresh ingredients, surfer vibes, and a straightforward menu. Their by-the-slice model made them a rare affordable lunch option in downtown WC.
The chain still operates over 20 locations across the Bay Area — the nearest remaining one is in Pleasant Hill, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Walnut Creek. So if you’re really craving that specific slice, you haven’t lost it entirely.
The Silver Lining
Downtown Walnut Creek’s restaurant turnover is a fact of life — but the upside is that closures create space for new concepts. The downtown retail vacancy rate has remained low, and the Walnut Creek Downtown Association actively works to keep the mix fresh.
In the meantime, Skipolini’s — a Walnut Creek institution since 1974 — remains the heavyweight champion of local pizza. If you haven’t been, the closure of a chain pizzeria is as good a reason as any to finally try the legendary “Prego” pizza (yes, it has pepperoni, sausage, and about six other things).
