Things to Do

Lamorinda’s outdoor spaces are a major reason people move here. Rolling hills, reservoirs, miles of trails, and weather that lets you enjoy them year-round. Here’s how to make the most of it.

The Must-Dos

• Lafayette Reservoir — The crown jewel. Walk, jog, kayak, or just sit by the water.
• Lafayette-Moraga Trail — Paved path connecting two towns. Great for bikes, strollers, and morning runs.
• Orinda Theatre — Catch a film in an 80-year-old Art Deco landmark.

Parks & Recreation

Lafayette

• Lafayette Reservoir — 2.7-mile paved loop, kayaks, picnics
• Lafayette Community Park — playground, sports fields, dog park
• Briones Regional Park (trailhead access from Bear Creek Road)
• Lafayette Community Center & pool

Moraga

• Moraga Commons Park — concerts, playground, bandshell
• Rancho Laguna Park — quieter alternative, good for small kids
• Campolindo trails — open to the public outside school hours
• Saint Mary’s College campus — walking paths and historic chapel

Orinda

• Orinda Oaks Park — playground and picnic areas
• Wagner Ranch Nature Area — educational trails, demonstration gardens
• Siesta Valley — quiet hiking with Mt. Diablo views
• San Pablo Dam Road scenic routes — for cyclists and Sunday drives
• Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (accessible via Skyline)

Trails

The East Bay Regional Park District and local trail systems offer everything from paved paths to serious hikes:

• Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail — 7.6 miles, paved, flat, perfect for bikes and strollers
• Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail — Connects regional parks, more serious hiking
• Reservoir rim trails — Both paved (2.7 mi) and unpaved (5+ mi) options
• Ohlone Point Trail — Climbs from the reservoir to Mt. Diablo views
• EBMUD trails — Permit required; quieter, more remote terrain

Dogs are welcome on leash on most paved Lamorinda trails. Always check trailhead signage.

Entertainment

• Orinda Theatre — First-run and independent films
• Summer concerts at Moraga Commons
• Farmers markets (seasonal, check locations)

Sports & Active Recreation

• Pickleball in Lamorinda — Court locations, drop-in hours, and etiquette across Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda
• Tennis — Public courts at Orinda Community Center, Moraga Commons, and Lafayette Community Park
• Cycling — The Lafayette-Moraga Trail and Tunnel Road climbs are the regional favorites

Seasonal Note: Late May 2026

The two-tone hills are here. The classic Lamorinda watercolor moment is happening right now — ridges shifting from emerald to gold in patchwork, a look that only lasts a couple of weeks before the dry season takes over completely. Best photographed from the Lafayette Reservoir rim trail or any high point on the Lafayette-Moraga Trail.

Long evenings, late light. Sunsets are stretching past 8:15pm. Post-dinner trail walks are firmly in season, and the reservoir loop after 6:30pm is one of the best uses of an hour you’ll find in the East Bay. Bring a light layer — the canyon cool comes in fast once the sun drops behind the ridge.

Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25): Expect peak crowds at the reservoir, Moraga Commons, and downtown patios. Arrive at popular trailheads before 9am for parking, or come after 4pm when the morning rush has cleared. Read more in our Memorial Day soft launch post.

Graduation weekends ahead. Saint Mary’s College commencement (late May) and local high school graduations (Acalanes, Campolindo, Miramonte) push traffic and parking pressure into the first week of June, especially around Moraga and downtown Lafayette. Plan ahead.

This week’s tip: Mornings start in the upper 50s, afternoons crest into the low 80s, and the air is crisp-dry. The Moraga Commons summer concert series doesn’t fire up until June 11, so the bandshell lawn is wide open for impromptu picnics this week. Pool clubs around the area opened over the past weekend.

Looking ahead: June brings the Moraga Commons concerts (Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm), the first 90°+ heat waves, and the start of the summer farmers market peak. Pack sunscreen and start hydrating now.

The Lifestyle

Living here means integrating outdoors into your routine. Morning walks at the reservoir, bike commutes on the trail, post-dinner strolls through downtown. The infrastructure makes it easy.