Welcome to Lafayette
Thriving and robust, this family-friendly community is a quick BART ride to San Francisco.
Lafayette is part of Lamorinda, an area within Contra Costa County named for the combination of the three cities that make up the region: Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. This area sits east of the Berkeley Hills between the Caldecott Tunnel and Walnut Creek. With a population of more than 25,000 residents, Lafayette is the largest city in the region, best defined as a suburban bedroom community to nearby San Francisco and Oakland.
Located on 15 square miles in the San Francisco Bay Area, the city, named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War, was incorporated in 1968, although settlement of the area began in 1848.
Also referred to as part of the "Highway 24" corridor, referring to the state highway that is the primary thoroughfare in the region, Lafayette offers a low crime rate, a posh downtown district, and many oak tree-studded hills. Near to both Berkeley and Walnut Creek, Lafayette has its own Bay Area Rapid Transit station (BART) and is only a 25 minute BART ride from San Francisco.
Considered wealthy and affluent, Lafayette has been lauded for its excellent school districts, and California residents travel both near and far for its high-end retail. The city’s cluster of downtown shops makes it a true shopping destination.
What to Love
- A suburban bedroom community to nearby San Francisco and Oakland
- Offers many top-rated schools
- Considered wealthy and affluent
Local Lifestyle
Both families and young professionals gravitate to Lafayette both for its quiet seclusion and close proximity to two of California’s major cities. The commute is excellent here and the quality of life is high — homes are spacious and green space is abundant.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
There are a number of great restaurants and breweries in Lafayette. Local favorites include Tutu's, The Cooperage American Grille, Postino, Pizza Antica, Sideboard, and Brew Garden. The area’s bustling downtown also offers many charming boutiques, and great grocery stores like Diablo Foods and Trader Joe’s are also located within Lafayette’s borders.
For health and wellness enthusiasts, the Oakwood Athletic Club offers over 100 group fitness classes each week, plus youth and family programming, personal training, aquatics programming, court sports, amenity-filled locker rooms, and restorative services such as massage, spa, sauna, steam, hot tub and more.
Residents also enjoy traversing The Lafayette Reservoir, which offers paved and unpaved hiking and jogging trails, as well as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Things to Do
In addition to Lafayette’s popular downtown with fabulous coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques, residents also visit the Lafayette Library, which is home to the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium, a partnership with the region’s leading arts, culture, and educational institutions.
The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, hosted each September, is considered the largest annual festival in Contra Costa County and attracts upwards of 85,000 people with its booths of art and handmade crafts. Guests to this event also enjoy foods from local restaurants, vendors, and trucks as well as quality wines and microbrews.Schools
Lafayette’s schools are highly rated. Some of the area’s top choices include:
