Lafayette

Downtown dining, the reservoir, and small-town charm with easy BART access

Lafayette is the commercial heart of Lamorinda. With a walkable downtown, dozens of restaurants along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, and its own BART station, it offers the best of suburban living with urban conveniences.

The Essentials

• Population: ~26,000
• BART Access: Yes — Lafayette Station
• Vibe: Upscale suburb with a real downtown

Visiting in March? This is Lafayette at its best. The hills are impossibly green, the reservoir is full from winter rains, and wildflowers are starting to appear along the trails. Take a golden-hour stroll around the reservoir loop — the evening light on the water with green hills behind is quintessential California.

Downtown Lafayette

The stretch of Mt. Diablo Boulevard through town is what makes Lafayette special. Unlike many suburbs where retail scatters across strip malls, Lafayette has a genuine “there” there:

• Restaurant Row — Dozens of dining options from casual to upscale
• Local shops — Boutiques, bookstores, services
• La Fiesta Square — Shopping center with restaurants and shops
• Walkable — Park once, stroll between spots

Outdoors

• Lafayette Reservoir — The crown jewel. 2.7-mile loop, kayaks, fishing, picnics.
• Lafayette-Moraga Trail — Paved path south to Moraga
• Briones Regional Park — Trailhead access for serious hikers

Getting Here

• BART: Lafayette Station (Antioch line)
• Car: Highway 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel
• Bike: Connected via regional trail system

Local Lore: The Name

Yes, that Lafayette. The town is named for the Marquis de Lafayette — the French aristocrat who fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolution. In the 1850s, when early settler Elam Brown established a settlement here, the name honored America’s favorite Frenchman. You’ll find Lafayettes scattered across America (there are over 40 U.S. places with the name), but this one has perhaps the most pleasant setting: rolling California hills, oak-studded valleys, and that golden light the East Bay does so well.

Neighborhoods

Lafayette offers the widest variety of neighborhoods in Lamorinda:

• Downtown — Walkable, urban village feel
• Burton Valley — Family heartland, flat streets
• Happy Valley — Prestigious hillside estates
• Trail/Reliez Valley — Active lifestyle, trail access

Explore all Lafayette neighborhoods →

Schools

Lafayette’s schools are a major draw for families:

• Acalanes High School (top-rated)
• Stanley Middle School
• Multiple excellent elementary schools

For more, explore the restaurants, neighborhoods, and things to do sections.