Lafayette is a city located in Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay region. Sitting loftily on the rolling hills between Berkeley and Walnut Creek, the city occupies a total area of about 15 square miles. According to the latest population estimates, upscale Lafayette is currently home to approximately 26,000 residents. The city is part of the Lamorinda region.
Lafayette is home to excellent public schools, a thriving central business district, and a downtown neighborhood worth exploring. With a BART station situated in Lafayette’s town center, residents can easily commute to San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland.
Lafayette is also beloved among local outdoor enthusiasts – the community is surrounded by several regional parks, preserves, and recreation areas. Right near the heart of the city is Lafayette Reservoir and the surrounding Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area.
Moraga and Orinda (part of the Lamorinda region), as well as Alamo and Danville are all a short drive from Lafayette.
History
Like much of the East Bay area, Lafayette was inhabited by Miwok and Ohlone peoples before the region was colonized by Spain. According to historical records, the earliest European explorers first made contact with Lafayette’s indigenous inhabitants in the late 18th century, when Catholic missions were started. Eventually, the native population was conquered by the Spanish.
Much of the land occupied by Lafayette today was once a Mexican land grant called Rancho Acalanes, which was awarded to Candelario Valencia. It was only in the mid-19th century when American settlement started in the area, with Elam Brown purchasing Rancho Acalanes. The community grew, thanks to the settlement’s proximity to San Francisco.
Brown’s town had no official name prior to 1857 – it went by different names, such as Brown’s Corner, Brown’s Mill, and even Dog Town. It was only in 1857 when the name “Lafayette” was suggested by resident Benjamin Shreve as a name for the local post office. Lafayette was incorporated as a city in 1968.
Real estate and property types in Lafayette
Lafayette real estate has a variety of property types and homes for sale, scattered across the city’s different neighborhoods. Single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, and luxury properties are to be found in the local housing market.
To best explore real estate opportunities in Lafayette, one needs to look at the neighborhoods that make Lafayette. The Reliez Valley neighborhood in northeast Lafayette boasts large traditional homes, estates, and townhomes in a country setting.
Happy Valley, located adjacent to Reliez Valley, is often considered Lafayette’s most prestigious neighborhood. Homes for sale in the area range from custom luxury homes and hilltop estates. Architectural styles prevalent in Happy Valley include contemporary, Craftsman, and ranch.
Downtown Lafayette features diverse housing options, from spacious single-family homes to modern condos and apartments. Lastly, Burton Valley in the southeast area boasts ranch homes, California single-level residences, and remodeled properties. Most of the homes here are old, with just a sprinkling of new construction.
Living in Lafayette
• Topnotch academic opportunities – Lafayette’s public schools are highly regarded in the Lamorinda region as some of the best. There are also a couple of private schools located within the city boundaries. For higher learning, UC Berkeley is a short distance from Lafayette.
• Filled to the brim with recreation and entertainment – Whether you’re in the mood to shop and dine or to hit the trails, Lafayette is bursting at the seams with a large variety of recreation and entertainment opportunities. Options for outdoor recreation are especially plentiful in Lafayette, with Lafayette Reservoir located in the city and many other regional parks surrounding the community.
Find your dream home in Lafayette
If you’re looking for Bay Area homes for sale and luxury homes in the Bay Area, Lafayette certainly has plenty to offer. Browse our website today to learn more about Lafayette real estate and homes for sale.
You can also get in touch with us today at 925 389 8920 or Zach@TheKnappTeam.com. Our team is composed of some of the best Bay Area real estate agents and we look forward to helping you.
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