Neighborhood Guides

Lafayette

Lafayette, California, is a charming suburban city of 25,000 residents located 20 miles east of San Francisco. Known for its picturesque hills, upscale neighborhoods, and excellent schools, Lafayette offers a tranquil environment with abundant outdoor recreation areas like hiking trails and parks.

Insider Tip

While Lafayette was named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War, locals pronounce the name to rhyme with coffee-yet.

Along with Moraga and Orinda, Lafayette is part of a group of three similar towns that are nicknamed Lamorinda. Each are located just over the Berkeley Hills between the Caldecott Tunnel and Walnut Creek along Highway 24. Each shares similar characteristics as single family suburban communities that have some of the top public schools in all of California and their proximity to San Francisco tends to attract a more affluent population base. With a cluster of restaurants and generally high-end shops in its downtown, Lafayette is slightly larger and is considered the retail hub of the three towns.

  • Groceries
  • Pharmacies
  • Banks
  • Restaurants
  • Schools and infrastructure

Happy Valley

Arguably one of the most affluent neighborhoods in all of Lamorinda, Happy Valley sits just north of Highway 24 and extends all the way the foothills of Briones National Park to the north. It has some of the priciest real estate in Lafayette ranging from appealing single family farm style homes to multi-acre estates.

Notable streets

  • Upper Happy Valley Road
  • Happy Valley Road
  • Los Arabis Drive
  • Canyon Road
  • Rose Lane
  • St Francis Drive
  • Leroy Road
  • North & South Peardale
  • Glen Road

Notable schools

Notable amenities

  • Associated with Happy Valley Elementary
  • Via Baja
  • Via Roble
  • Via Oneg
  • Via Alta
  • Quail Ridge Road

Springhill Reliez Valley

Located east of Happy Valley and just North of Hwy 24, Springhill is the home of Acalanes High School and some of the most coveted blocks in Lafayette. Reliez Valley is further north of Springhill and is an adjacent community to Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. This area is loved for a more rural feel with larger lots.

Notable streets

  • Black Hawk Road
  • Reliez Valley Road
  • Springhill Road
  • Silver Dell

Notable schools

Notable amenities

  • Baywood Gated Community
  • Springbrook Swim Club

The Trails

Commonly known as “the flats” of Lafayette, The Trails is the neighborhood closest to Lafayette’s bustling downtown district and is characterized by tree lined streets with single story bungalow homes that create an ideal neighborhood vibe. All homes in The Trails have direct access to the Lafayette / Moraga trail which extends Saint Mary’s College.

Notable streets

  • Moraga Blvd
  • St. Mary’s Road
  • Las Huertas
  • Topper Lane
  • Beechwood
  • Victoria Avenue

Notable schools

Notable amenities

  • Springbrook Swim Club

Burton Valley

An extremely popular neighborhood for young families, Burton Valley is nestled further south of The Trails and is home to Burton Valley Elementary School, one of the largest elementary schools in all of Contra Costa County (it is also the only public elementary school with a GATE program).

Notable streets

  • Burton Drive
  • Somerset Drive
  • Silverado Drive
  • Merriewood Drive
  • Lucas Drive
  • Los Palos
  • Glenside Drive
  • Las Trampas Rd

Notable schools

Notable amenities

Lafayette Valley Estates

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Lafayette, Lafayette Valley Estates is a tightly knit neighborhood of smaller lot and single story homes located slightly west of Burton Valley.

Notable streets

  • Florence Drive
  • Helen Lane
  • Lucille Lane
  • Betty Lane
  • Helen Lane

Notable amenities

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