Discover Lafayette
Sitting right between Orinda and Walnut Creek in the East Bay, Lafayette, CA, offers a great mix of quiet neighborhoods and a really lively downtown area. As part of the Lamorinda area, it's known for its great schools and the popular Lafayette Reservoir, where you can hike, boat, and fish. Its busy downtown is known as the main spot for shopping and eating in Lamorinda. It has its own BART station, making commuting easy, and features different kinds of neighborhoods – with homes ranging from cute bungalows near the Lafayette-Moraga trail to big houses up in the hills. All this makes Lafayette a really popular place to live for both families and commuters.
Lafayette Quick Facts:
Location: Contra Costa County, East Bay (Between Orinda & Walnut Creek)
Population: ~25,500 (Approx. estimate)
Median Home Price: ~$2.0M - $2.3M (Early 2025 estimate - market varies)
Known For: Top-rated schools, Lafayette Reservoir, vibrant downtown, Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, family-friendly community.
Transportation: Lafayette BART Station, Highway 24 access.
Official City Website: www.lovelafayette.org and www.experiencelafayetteca.org
Explore Lafayette’s Distinctive Neighborhoods
Lafayette has several different areas, each with its own personality. Whether you want to be close to downtown, prefer woodsy hills, or need a flat street for kids' bikes, there's likely a spot for you. If you’d like help finding the right neighborhood for you, contact me for a neighborhood tour.
Downtown / The Trails
Vibe: Lively and convenient, this area is closest to the action downtown. Think tree-lined streets, charming older homes, and easy access to shops, restaurants, and the BART station. The popular Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail runs right through here.
Highlights: Close to downtown, BART access, Lafayette Elementary, Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail access.
Schools: Often zoned for Lafayette Elementary.
Typical Homes: Charming bungalows, mid-century ranches, some newer builds, generally smaller lots than hillside areas.
Burton Valley
Vibe: Very popular welcoming suburb. Tucked away from the freeway, it has lots of ranch-style homes, swim clubs, parks, and a highly-rated elementary school. Great for kids riding bikes and playing outside.
Highlights: Burton Valley Elementary, Las Trampas & Rancho Colorados Swim Clubs, Lafayette Community Park & Center nearby, Silverado Park, access to trails.
Schools: Burton Valley Elementary.
Typical Homes: Sprawling ranch homes, traditionals, many with pools, generally on larger, flatter lots.
Happy Valley
Vibe: Prestigious and often private, located north of Hwy 24 up into the hills towards Briones Park. Known for its beautiful, often larger homes, stunning views (some of Mt. Diablo), and serene settings. Home to Happy Valley Elementary.
Highlights: Happy Valley Elementary, luxury homes, privacy, views, proximity to Briones Regional Park trails.
Schools: Happy Valley Elementary.
Typical Homes: Larger custom homes, luxury estates, contemporary styles, often on bigger, hillside lots.
Reliez Valley / Springhill
Vibe: Offers a more semi-rural feel with larger lots and more space, bordering Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. You'll find rolling hills, oak trees, and a mix of home styles, including some beautifully restored farmhouses alongside contemporaries. Home to Acalanes High School.
Highlights: Springhill Elementary, Acalanes High School, larger lots, more rural ambiance, easy access to Walnut Creek amenities.
Schools: Springhill Elementary.
Typical Homes: Ranch homes, contemporary, farmhouses, often on larger parcels of land.
Lafayette Valley Estates
Vibe: One of Lafayette's older neighborhoods, west of Burton Valley. It's a close-knit area generally featuring smaller, single-story homes on manageable lots. Offers good access to the Community Center and trails.
Highlights: Lafayette Community Park & Center, trail access, established neighborhood feel.
Schools: Zoned within Lafayette School District (check specific addresses).
Typical Homes: Primarily single-story ranch homes, often on smaller lots compared to other areas.
Top-Rated Lafayette Schools
Lafayette is well-known for its excellent public schools, consistently ranking among the best in California. Strong parent involvement and community support are hallmarks of the local education system.
Lafayette School District (LSD) - Grades K-8
Overview: This highly-rated district serves Lafayette's elementary and middle school students. Known for strong academics (around 84% proficient in reading, 79% in math per Niche.com) and a supportive learning environment.
Website: www.lafsd.org
Elementary Schools (K-5):
Burton Valley Elementary: Serving the Burton Valley area.
Happy Valley Elementary: Serving the Happy Valley area.
Lafayette Elementary: Serving the downtown/trails area.
Springhill Elementary: Serving the Springhill/Reliez Valley area.
Middle School (6-8):
M.H. Stanley Middle School: All LSD elementary schools feed into Stanley.
Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) - Grades 9-12
Overview: Lafayette students attend Acalanes High School, part of the highly acclaimed AUHSD which includes schools in Orinda, Moraga, and Walnut Creek.
Website: www.acalanes.k12.ca.us
Acalanes High School:
Located right in Lafayette (Springhill area).
Consistently receives high marks for academics, college prep, athletics, and school spirit.
Offers a wide range of AP courses and extracurricular activities.
NOTE: School attendance zones can sometimes change. It's always best to confirm eligibility directly with the school districts.
Living in Lafayette means enjoying great weather, lots of outdoor options, a fun downtown, and a strong community spirit.
Eating Out
Lafayette's downtown has tons of great food options:
The Hideout Kitchen: Popular spot for Californian comfort food, great for brunch.
Barranco: Modern Peruvian food (ceviche, tapas) from Chef Carlos Altamirano.
Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen: Casual spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee.
Roam Artisan Burgers: Tasty burgers with sustainable ingredients.
Tutu's Food & Drink: Organic restaurant and market with diverse influences.
Locanda Positano: Trendy Italian with Neapolitan flatbreads.
Rancho Cantina: Rustic spot for wood-grilled Spanish and Mexican food.
Uncle Yu’s: Traditional Sichuan specialties from a family-owned area chain.
Pizza: Sliver Pizzeria, Round Table Pizza, Pizza Antica.
Casual & Quick: Batch & Brine, Vitality Bowls, Johnny's Donuts, Local Kitchens.
Coffee & Treats: Peet's Coffee, Starbucks, La Chataigne (bakery), Zoonie's Candy & Gelato.
Shopping
Downtown Lafayette: Features lots of local boutiques alongside everyday necessities. Check out:
Venture Quality Goods (clothing)
Luck (clothing boutique)
Indigo and Poppy (home goods)
Zahra Boutique Salon (hair salon & clothing boutique)
Integrated Kitchens (complete kitchen design & remodeling)
Hank & Frank Bicycles (bicycles & accessories)
Groceries: Whole Foods Market, Diablo Foods, Safeway.
Nearby: Very close to major shopping centers in Walnut Creek (Broadway Plaza).
Arts & Local Culture
Lafayette Library and Learning Center: More than just books! It's a community hub with events, classes, and art exhibits.
Town Hall Theatre Company: Local theatre group often producing plays and musicals (check current schedule/status).
Public Art: Look for sculptures and murals around town.
Community Events: Lots of local spirit shines through annual events. See Lafayette’s city event calendar.
Getting Outdoors & Staying Active
This is a big part of Lafayette life:
Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area: The crown jewel! Perfect for:
Walking/Jogging: Paved Lakeside Trail (2.7 miles) & unpaved Rim Trail (4.7 miles).
Boating: Rent rowboats or pedal boats; bring your own kayak/canoe (no gas motors).
Fishing: Stocked with trout seasonally (permit required).
Picnicking: Reservable group areas and individual tables.
Playground for kids
See more details about hours, parking passes, trail maps, and rentals.
Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail: Paved trail great for biking, walking, and jogging, running right through town.
Lafayette Community Park: Offers sports fields, playgrounds, and trails.
Briones Regional Park: Access points nearby for extensive hiking in beautiful open space.
Neighborhood Parks & Trails: Many smaller parks and pathways weave through residential areas.
Community Vibe
Annual Events: Taste of Lafayette, Rock the Plaza summer concerts, Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, Res Run for Education, Trick or Treat Street, and more.
Swim Clubs: Several popular neighborhood swim clubs (Las Trampas, Rancho Colorados, Sun Valley, Oakwood Athletic Club).
Strong School Support: Parent participation and fundraising are very active.
What to do in Lafayette
Lafayette Real Estate
The Lafayette housing market is highly desirable, driven by its excellent schools, appealing downtown, easy commute, and overall quality of life. It's generally a competitive market with strong home values.
Market Feel: Often favors sellers due to high demand, but market conditions can shift. Inventory can be tight, especially for certain home types or locations.
Why People Buy Here: Top schools, commute convenience (BART/Hwy 24), downtown amenities, access to outdoor recreation, safe community feel.
Home Variety: You'll find a wide range - charming 1940s-50s bungalows and ranchers near downtown and in Burton Valley, larger traditional and contemporary homes, and luxurious estates in areas like Happy Valley.
Lot Sizes: Vary greatly, from smaller, flat lots in "The Trails" to multi-acre properties in Reliez Valley or Happy Valley.
Having an agent who truly knows Lafayette's different neighborhoods and market trends is key to finding the right home or getting the best value when selling.
