Overview
Lafayette is a city of 25,000 (2020) in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It is primarily a residential town located in the hills between Berkeley and Walnut Creek, although it does offer shopping and dining, and the Lafayette Reservoir is popular with hikers.
Lafayette is home to the wealthy set. The median age is 45, and the singles scene is non-existent. Nevertheless, Lafayette attracts a variety of people for a variety of reasons. Most people come for the quiet, private atmosphere.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lafayette
Lafayette Reservoir
This is an awesome little park, with plenty of outdoor activities. You can walk the three mile paved trail that closely follows the shore of the lake, or you can brave the six mile dirt trail that climbs up and down the …
Briones Regional Park
Some hiking trails are reachable by foot from Lafayette's northern neighborhoods.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Concord)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 8 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
You can reach Lafayette from other parts of the Bay Area by BART. The BART station is located at 3601 Deer Hill Road. County Connection buses connect Lafayette to Moraga.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lafayette Reservoir
- Lunch Tutu's
- Afternoon Briones Regional Park
- Evening Round Up Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
You can reach Lafayette from other parts of the Bay Area by BART. The BART station is located at 3601 Deer Hill Road. County Connection buses connect Lafayette to Moraga.
See
See Lafayette Reservoir
This is an awesome little park, with plenty of outdoor activities. You can walk the three mile paved trail that closely follows the shore of the lake, or you can brave the six mile dirt trail that climbs up and down the hills which form a bowl around the reservoir. Although swimming is not permitted, there is a place to rent paddleboats, which can hold four people, and are a great way to chase the ducks around! The reservoir is also a great place to spend a nice afternoon fishing or having a picnic -- there are plenty of tables, and even some great little secluded ones! Be aware, however, that at times it feels like everyone in the East Bay has decided to get their nature fix at the same time. Parking is metered and closely monitored, so bring quarters.
Do
Eat
Eat Tutu's
Farmers market and cafe.
Drink
Drink Round Up Saloon
Lafayette's oldest bar packs a surprising amount of attitude given its suburban surroundings. Pool, shuffleboard, and drink specials make this a popular spot in the evenings. It is also high(est) on Lafayette PD's places to look for DWIs, so be careful, especially late at night
Sleep
Stay Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
Definitely not the place for a budget traveler, this hotel is rated the only five star diamond lodging in the Bay Area, offering luxury accommodation for those not wanting or needing to be too near the area's major tourist destinations. Rates start at $249 per night, with suites costing as much as $499 an evening.
Go next
- Walnut Creek - Downtown Walnut Creek is perhaps Contra Costa County's best option for restaurants and bars. Shopaholics will also be more than satisfied with the variety of downtown boutiques.
- Orinda - A mostly residential city, Orinda does offer a movie theater that is a throwback to the golden years of cinema.
Nearby
Orinda
City / town · 8 listings · 3 mi away
Moraga
City / town · 3 listings · 4 mi away
Walnut Creek
City / town · 32 listings · 4 mi away
Pleasant Hill
City / town · 16 listings · 5 mi away
Concord
City / town · 30 listings · 9 mi away
Martinez
City / town · 27 listings · 9 mi away
Berkeley
City / town · 94 listings · 10 mi away
Albany
City / town · 13 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
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