Getting Around

BART, trails, driving, and navigating Lamorinda

Lamorinda is car-oriented but more connected than most East Bay suburbs. Two BART stations, excellent regional trails, and easy freeway access make getting around manageable.

BART

Two stations serve Lamorinda:

• Lafayette Station — Downtown adjacent, good parking
• Orinda Station — Theatre Square nearby, first stop east of tunnel

Both are on the Antioch (Yellow) line. About 25 minutes to downtown San Francisco.

Pro tip: Parking fills up on weekdays. Arrive early or consider drop-off/pickup.

Driving

The Caldecott Tunnel

Your gateway to Lamorinda from the west. Four bores carry Highway 24 through the hills. The fourth bore opened in 2013, adding much-needed capacity.

Local lore: The tunnel is named for Thomas E. Caldecott, who served on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and championed the original tunnel project in the 1930s. The first bore opened in 1937, the second in 1964, the third in 1986, and the fourth in 2013. Each expansion was controversial at the time — residents worried about increased traffic and development — but today the four-bore tunnel is simply how Bay Area life works. Over 160,000 vehicles pass through daily.

Traffic patterns:

• Morning: Heavy westbound (toward SF)
• Evening: Heavy eastbound (toward Lamorinda)
• Weekends: Generally smooth both directions

Key Routes

• Highway 24: Main artery, connects to I-680 and I-580
• Mt. Diablo Blvd: Lafayette’s main street
• Moraga Way: Connects Lafayette to Moraga
• Camino Pablo: North-south through Orinda

Trails (Non-Car Options)

• Lafayette-Moraga Trail — 7.6 miles, paved, connects the towns
• Connects to: BART stations, regional parks, downtown areas

For committed cyclists, it’s possible to bike-commute from Moraga to BART in Lafayette or Orinda.

Seasonal Note: Early April 2026

Peak trail season continues. The Lafayette-Moraga Trail remains the busiest corridor in Lamorinda — joggers, dog walkers, bike commuters, and evening strollers sharing the path. With sunset pushing past 7:40pm, after-work trail time is in full swing and the 6pm crowd rivals weekends.

Wildflowers along the trail are holding into early April — California poppies and lupine still brighten the hillside sections. By mid-month, expect the blooms to fade and grasses to start their transition to California gold.

Easter weekend (April 5): Trail traffic will spike. Plan early-morning or off-peak visits to avoid the crowds, especially near the reservoir.

BART parking tip: Spring weather and nice commuting conditions mean fuller lots. Arrive before 7:45am for guaranteed parking at Lafayette or Orinda stations. Bike-to-BART is genuinely pleasant this time of year — dry trails, comfortable temperatures.

The Reality

Most people drive. The towns are hilly, sprawling, and parking is easy. But for recreation, exercise, and occasional errands, the trails and BART make car-free trips possible.

Key Distances

• Lafayette to Moraga: ~4 miles
• Lafayette to Orinda: ~3 miles
• Lafayette BART to SF (Montgomery): ~25 minutes
• Caldecott Tunnel to downtown Oakland: ~10 minutes