Lafayette CA Real Estate:

Incorporated in  1968, Population 23,908 (2000 Census)  12.89 sq. miles

Annual Rainfall: about 28 inches,  Average Annual Snowfall: 0.00"

Average Temperature: Summer about 80+/- degrees, Average in winter: 45-50 degrees

Quiet sophistication, rural atmosphere, acres of recreational parks and trails, highly rated schools and strong community support for schools.

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ou'll find Lafayette to be a prestigious, lovely, small town, suburban community somewhat similar to neighboring Orinda and Moraga in many ways. Lafayette is the largest of the three communities with population around 24,000. Orinda and Moraga each have about 16,000 residents.  Lafayette is close to the freeway, a decent commute to San Francisco and Lafayette has very good access to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).

Most home buyers come for the high ranking schools, proximity to San Francisco, sense of safety, prestigious address and the pleasant ambience here with lovely rolling hills and native oaks. Lafayette is blessed with many recreational areas including the 925 acre Lafayette Reservoir area to the other East Bay Regional Park District lands in Contra Costa County and neighboring Alameda County. There are 46 regional parks with 600,000 acres, 500 miles of internal trails. and 100 miles of interconnecting trails.

East Bay Regional Park site gives more details.

Lafayette History: The statue to the left is of the Marquis de La Fayette, French statesman and officer in the American Army during the Revolutionary War. The town leaders originally requested the name of “Centerville” for the town, but it was already taken in California so the name became La Fayette. Later the spelling was changed to Lafayette. 

Lafayette Reservoir: Owned by the East Bay Municipal Utility District, a wonderful 925 acre recreation site for Lafayette and surrounding communities. Just minutes from downtown Lafayette. The 2.7 mile Lakeside Trail is a favorite spot for local residents. Walkers and joggers are out daily for exercise in a beautiful, peaceful setting.

The Reservoir is just off Mt. Diablo Blvd. in western Lafayette. Boating (rowboats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats), fishing (trout, bluegill, black bass, black crappie and catfish) acres of picnic facilities plus the very popular walking/jogging trails that circle the reservoir. No swimming is allowed. The reservoir was finished in 1931 and was built to bring  water to the East Bay. It’s currently a backup water system for the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). Everyone loves the "Res."

 
Postino: Postino Restaurant, was Lafayette’s best upscale restaurant  but now there's competition. Metro Lafayette opened in 2007 and has set a high standard. The Postino building was originally built about 1940 and designed by Carr Jones of Orinda. It was supposed to be the prototype for other Lafayette commercial buildings. Unfortunately, the rest of the buildings didn't follow this fine example. It was first a real estate and insurance office and then a barber shop in town.

 www.postinorestaurant.com

Chow Restaurant-it's a hit: Located in La Fiesta Square shopping area.  Enjoyable, casual restaurant in Lafayette. Chow opened a couple years ago and now has quite a following. The casual atmosphere, reasonable prices and very good food draw lots of visitors at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Outside tables fill up fast. There used to be a long wait but it's much better now. Peak hours can still be very busy. 925-962-2469

Other new restaurants: Lafayette is  becoming quite a restaurant town. Artisan Bistro was new in 2008, and in 2007 there was Pizza Antica, Metro Lafayette, and Yankee Pier.

Yankee Pier, Lafayette, my new favorite in Lafayette, opened in Jan. 08. If you like seafood, this is the place. My favorites are their lobster rolls, shrimp and chips, salmon sandwich, tunamelt, brunch omelette.  Friendly, prompt service, lots of choices on the menu. Often busy so go on-line and make a reservation at www.opentable.com or call, 925-283-4100.

Outdoor seating also. Yankee Pier is located in the new Lafayette Mercantile building on Mt. Diablo, the main downtown street in Lafayette.

 

Another hit in Lafayette is Chevalier Restaurant at 960  Moraga Road. It's in a small shopping complex next to the yellow Old Firehouse Preschool. There's a large outside patio area for warm evenings. Chevalier opened summer 08 and appears to be a hit. Our first visit was a pleasant surprise. La Salade Maraichere et Chevre Chaud was outstanding, as were the mussels, Les Moules Marinieres.  Saumon Atlantique d'Ecosse a la Nicoise was also especially good.  Excellent early bird menu Tues.-Thursday. Go to www.opentable.com for reservations. www.chevalierrestaurant.com
 

A.G. Ferrari Deli: Lafayette has recently revitalized the La Fiesta Square shopping area and it is very pleasant. This new deli features a wonderful large selection of Italian foods both classic and hard-to-find imported food. There's take-out or eat there. It's been a Bay Area institution since 1919 and has  many other locations.

Voted by Diablo Magazine readers in 1999 as "The Best Place to Pretend You're in Italy."

Don't miss two other pages on Lafayette:

Lafayette Part 2 and Lafayette Part 3

Express Your Opinion

Lafayette Restaurant You Go To Most Often Duck Club Postinos Uncle Yu's Squirrel's Millie's Kaffe Barbara Pasta Pertutti La Finestra Miraku Rising Loafer Amarin Thai Baja Fresh Panda Express Freddie's RoundTable Celia's Other

7/06: This poll appeared for over 4 years. Here's a summary of the results.
The poll is now closed.

Express Your Opinion

Lafayette Restaurant You Go To Most Often Duck Club 2% Postinos 19% Uncle Yu's 3% Squirrel's 9% Millie's 6% Kaffe Barbara 5% Pasta Pertutti 4% La Finestra 1% Miraku 2% Rising Loafer 3% Amarin Thai 5% Baja Fresh 11% Panda Express 2% Chow 15% RoundTable 1% Celia's 2% Other 10%