Homes in Lafayette, CA
Lafayette offers charming downtown, excellent schools, and beautiful hillside homes, making it a top choice for families seeking East Bay living.
Why Lafayette?
BART + Open Space
Lafayette Station puts Embarcadero 35 minutes away, yet the reservoir and Briones trailheads sit minutes from front doors. Residents can catch a morning train and still squeeze in sunset hikes or paddles.
Top Schools
Lafayette School District and Acalanes Union rank among California's best with AP courses, performing arts, and CIF-winning athletics. Parent foundations fund makerspaces, wellness centers, and language programs that keep campuses competitive.
Village Energy
Mount Diablo Boulevard blends independent boutiques, farm-to-table dining, and weekly festivals that feel like a European village. Outdoor patios, wine bars, and art walks keep downtown lively without big-city crowds.
Interactive Map
Neighborhoods in Lafayette
Discover the unique character and charm of Lafayette's diverse neighborhoods.
Downtown Lafayette & Mount Diablo Blvd
Bustling corridor of boutiques, farm-to-table dining, and the Lafayette Plaza Park.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Diablo Foods, Trader Joe's, and indie boutiques line Mount Diablo Blvd.
Steps to Lafayette BART and Iron Horse Trail.
Art & Wine Festival, Rock the Plaza, and Lafayette Jamboree anchor community life.
Burton Valley
Leafy neighborhood south of the reservoir with cul-de-sacs, swim trails, and top schools.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Feeds into Burton Valley Elementary and Stanley Middle.
Burton Valley Swim Club and trailheads to Lafayette Ridge keep residents active.
Mature oaks, creeks, and flat lots ideal for ADUs.
Happy Valley
Prestigious enclave of estate lots, private driveways, and quick freeway access.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Multi-acre parcels with guesthouses, tennis courts, and gated entries.
Ideal for commuters via Pleasant Hill Road to CA-24.
Quiet, tree-lined roads with minimal through traffic.
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Schools in Lafayette
Quality education is a cornerstone of Lafayette's appeal to families.
| School Name | Level | School Rating | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton Valley Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Happy Valley Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Lafayette Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Springhill Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| M. H. Stanley Middle School | Middle | ViewView Rating | |
| Acalanes High School | High | ViewView Rating |
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Note: Verify current ratings and boundaries with official district resources. School assignments may change based on enrollment and boundary adjustments.
Major Employment Hubs & Local Employers
Lafayette offers excellent access to major Bay Area job centers and is home to several major employers.
Major Employment Hubs Near Lafayette
San Francisco Financial District & SOMA - Finance, legal, and tech headquarters about 35 minutes away on BART.
Downtown Oakland / Lake Merritt - Kaiser Center, state agencies, and civic offices across the Caldecott Tunnel.
Walnut Creek Broadway Plaza / Kaiser - Healthcare, banking, and retail jobs ten minutes east on CA-24.
Top Employers in Lafayette
Lafayette School District
Operates four elementary campuses feeding Stanley Middle.
City of Lafayette
Municipal services, planning, and police.
Cooper Medical Building / John Muir Health
Healthcare offices anchoring Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Commute Times
Lafayette offers excellent connectivity to major job centers, airports, and regional destinations.
Commute to Major Job Centers
Airports
Regional Hotspots
Lifestyle & Amenities
Discover what makes Lafayette a special place to live.
Mornings begin with jogs around the Lafayette Reservoir or coffee runs along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, where boutique owners unlock shopfronts by 8 a.m. BART is only a few blocks away, so commuters can grab a latte and still catch an early train.
Families juggle Burton Valley swim team practices, Stanley Middle musicals, and Acalanes athletics. Parents lean on neighborhood carpools so they can split time between trail walks, work, and volunteer shifts at school gardens.
Outdoor living defines Lafayette: residents paddleboard on the reservoir, mountain bike through Acalanes Ridge, and connect to the Lafayette-Moraga Trail for car-free errands. Weekend hikes stretch into Briones or Las Trampas for bigger climbs.
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Weather & Climate
Quick-hit visuals that show how Lafayette feels throughout the year.
Temperature Story
Quick look at the seasonal swing in Lafayette
Winter Comfort Band
40–45°F
Typical overnight lows from December through February.
Summer Warmth Band
84–92°F
Afternoon highs during peak summer months.
Climate Type
Inland Valley Mediterranean
Overall pattern
Days of Sunshine
255 days
Bright days/year
Annual Rainfall
23 inches
Nov–Mar showers
Warmest of Lamorinda with occasional marine breezes in the evenings.
Dry summers ideal for pool life; rainy winters fill the reservoir.
Year-round hiking and al fresco dining; shade structures recommended for south-facing decks.
Parks & Recreation in Lafayette
Lafayette maintains over 6 parks and recreational facilities, from neighborhood parks to large regional parks.
Lafayette Reservoir
Regional Park
3-mile paved loop, paddle boats, and picnic tables.
Lafayette Community Park
Sports Park
Soccer fields, playground, and baseball diamonds along St. Mary's Road.
Acalanes Ridge Open Space
Open Space
Oak woodlands and sweeping Diablo views accessible from Baywood.
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Natural Hazards & Fault Lines
Important information about seismic activity, flood zones, and fire hazards in Lafayette.
Major Fault Lines Near Lafayette
Hayward Fault
8 miles southwest
Type: Strike-slip
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
High
CalFire Classification
Seismic Hazard Zones
Liquefaction Zones
Low except near creeks.
Landslide Zones
Moderate risk on Happy Valley and Reliez Valley slopes.
FEMA Flood Zones
Zone Type
AE along Lafayette Creek
Flood Risk Notes
Town improved levees, but some downtown parcels still require flood insurance.
Additional Notes
Police and MOFD enforce vegetation clearance and evacuation route readiness.
What Locals Say
Hear from residents about living in Lafayette.
"We bike to BART, commute to the city, and are home in time for reservoir sunsets."
— Downtown Resident
"Burton Valley feels like an outdoor camp with kids running between swim club, trails, and friends' houses all summer."
— Burton Valley Parent
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Local Favorites
Discover recommended restaurants and dining spots in Lafayette.
Social Bird
Rotisserie chicken, sherry-forward cocktails, and a lively bar make this Mt. Diablo Boulevard bistro a downtown anchor. Seasonal vegetable sides keep the menu fresh.
Batch and Brine
Chef-driven burgers, house pickles, and over 20 craft beers on tap draw both families and late-night crowds. Weekend brunch features stuffed French toast and live DJs.
Sideboard Lafayette
Farmhouse pastries, cappuccinos, and chicken-and-biscuits keep this Plaza Drive patio busy from dawn through lunch. Remote workers treat it as an outdoor office.
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What Makes Lafayette Special
Discover unique features, historical facts, and notable highlights of Lafayette.
Town Hall Theatre
Nonprofit performing arts venue hosting plays and concerts.
Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
One of the East Bay’s largest street fairs each September.
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
Luxury resort offering staycations, spa services, and fine dining.
Lafayette Reservoir Overlook
Iconic photo spot with sweeping views of Mt. Diablo and the dam walkway.
Creekside Adventure Playground
Natural play structures and water features near the Community Park, perfect for younger kids.
Lafayette Station Murals
BART underpass murals painted by local artists and students brighten the commute.
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Insider Tips
What to know and what to be aware of when considering Lafayette.
What to Know
Parking Enforcement
Downtown residential streets have permit zones; register vehicles shortly after moving.
Reservoir Lifestyle
Hot summers drive demand for shade sails, ceiling fans, and water-wise landscaping.
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What to Avoid
Driving Pleasant Hill Rd at School Dismissal
Use Reliez Valley or First Street to avoid gridlock.
Letting Brush Grow
Fire code inspections target hillside lots each spring.
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Homes for Sale in Lafayette
Active listings coming soon. Contact us for current availability.
Coming Soon
We're working on bringing you real-time listings for Lafayette. In the meantime, contact us to get personalized information about available homes in this area.
Nearby Cities
Explore other areas we serve in the Contra Costa County region.
Questions About Lafayette
Common questions about living and buying in Lafayette.
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