Lafayette

The city of Lafayette is located within a gorgeous stretch of rolling hillsides between Berkeley and Walnut Creek in California’s Contra Costa County. Named after the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, Lafayette blossomed from a pastoral village into a prosperous commuter town during the mid-1900s. Today’s Lafayette is a haven of exquisite homes nestled among peaceful wooded communities. With an upscale small-town commercial district and oak-studded surrounding hillsides, this small city of 25,000 residents is as attractive as it is convenient.

 

Defined by Mediterranean, English, and French Country architecture, Lafayette’s real estate includes incredibly crafted properties hidden along private driveways on multi-acre wooded lots. Luxury housing enclaves such as Hidden Oaks feature stunning contemporary properties with classic elegance. Gorgeous custom-built homes are a delight to discover, as breathtaking masterpieces blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, offering unparalleled panoramic views.

 

What to Love

• Incredibly-crafted homes
• Majestic landscape
• Thriving downtown
• Abundant outdoor recreation spaces
• Strong sense of community
• Excellent local sports facilities
  
  

People & Lifestyle

Famed for its peaceful atmosphere and bucolic landscape, Lafayette is beloved by those seeking to balance privacy and seclusion with easy access to the Bay Area’s major metropolitan areas. This refined setting is home to affluent families who value Lafayette’s tranquility. There is a strong sense of community within Lafayette, with many residents partaking in the plentiful local sports clubs and arts programs. Lafayette’s BART station and Highway 24 access mean Berkeley and Oakland can be reached within thirty minutes. Downtown San Francisco is within an hour’s drive as well.

 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Lafayette’s thriving dining & shopping scene is centered along Mount Diablo Boulevard. Restaurants here range from authentic New York-style pizza and bagel places to cozy French bistros and contemporary New American-style eateries. Chow Restaurant, The Hideout Café, REVE Bistro, Bonehead’s Texas BBQ, Millie’s, Artisan Bistro, and Metro Lafayette are just a few of the highlights. Along with hip restaurants, Mt. Diablo Blvd is home to the upscale boutiques of La Fiesta Square. There are also numerous charming locally-run businesses, such as Friends Corner Bookshop. Diablo Foods Market and Whole Foods provide a diverse and rich food shopping experience featuring plenty of organic and natural choices.

 

Things to Do

Local sports facilities are abundant, including swimming pools, tennis clubs, and golf courses. There are also some fantastic open spaces. The 7.65-mile Lafayette-Moraga trail is open to hikers, joggers, and equestrians. More hiking trails can be found within the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area, and Lafayette Reservoir is open year-round for boating, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. The 6,117-acre Briones Regional Park is full of gorgeous rolling hillsides and majestic viewpoints, as well as a plethora of wildlife. Smaller parks are dotted throughout the community.

 

Schools

Lafayette is zoned to the Lafayette Elementary and Acalanes Union High School Districts.

 

• Happy Valley Elementary: Grades K-5, Public (ranked in top 1% of California elementary schools)
• Burton Valley Elementary: Grades K-5, Public (ranked in top 1% of California elementary schools)
• Spring Hill Elementary: Grades K-5, Public (ranked in top 1% of California elementary schools)
• M.H. Stanley Middle: Grades 6-8, Public (ranked in top 1.5% of California middle schools)
• Acalanes High: Grades 9-12, Public (over 95% of students go on to further education)