Living in Lafayette’s Reliez Valley

The Reliez Valley neighborhood in northeastern Lafayette has a sweeping, rural character. Yet no amenity is too far away.

Many of the homes here, nestled in the hills or along the valley floor, are still walking distance from highly acclaimed public schools. And Downtown Lafayette is just a short drive or bike ride away.

Reliez Valley’s residential community includes a mix of traditional neighborhoods and suburban courts, sought-after gated developments such as Baywood (built against the Briones Regional Park open space), and large estates with room for horses to roam and vineyards to grow.

Reliez Valley is a reminder of Lafayette's history as a fertile farming community that started in the 1850s with grain, orchards, and livestock.

Of course, Reliez Valley is just one of several coveted areas.

If you are eyeing homes for sale in Lafayette, CA, check out these other neighborhoods:

Downtown Lafayette

The obvious draw to Downtown Lafayette is its proximity to chic boutiques, bistros, services, farmers market, and events like the Art & Wine Festival.

It’s a thriving commercial district with small-town charm. Attractions and conveniences include the Lafayette BART station, library, bike trails, playgrounds, creeks, excellent grocery options such as Whole Foods and Diablo Foods, and the nearby Lafayette Reservoir with 550-acres of oak woodland.

The Downtown residential neighborhood features diverse housing options, from condos and apartments to large custom homes. Many of the homes built in the 1940s-1960s on the market today have been gorgeously remodeled with high-end upgrades.

And we have to mention the schools again. Lafayette Elementary serves the downtown neighborhood and scored a 9 out of 10 by GreatSchools.org.

Trailside

Next door to Downtown Lafayette is the Trailside neighborhood.

As its name promises, Trailside runs parallel to the bucolic Lafayette-Moraga Trail.

In Trailside, you still live close to everything that Downtown offers, and also have easy access to walk, bike, or ride horses along a 7.65-mile trail with a rich history. It was once used by mule trains to carry redwood from Oakland to Sacramento until steam trains took over.

Today, the trail connects to several schools, including St. Mary's College, local parks, and downtown Moraga. You typically find ranch-style homes in quiet cul-de-sacs along the trail.

Burton Valley

Burton Valley in southeastern Lafayette is the peaceful Mayberry of Lafayette – a neighborhood full of kids on bikes, grassy parks, creek walks, a top-rated elementary school and swim clubs.

Tucked in the "back" of Lafayette away from the bustle of the freeway and downtown, it is a quiet and coveted neighborhood once filled with pear and walnut orchards.

Now Burton Valley is known for large ranch and traditional homes built between 1937 and 2016, with lawns and oaks in front and swimming pools in back.

We have a lot more to say about Burton Valley, so read on here.

Happy Valley

Happy Valley lives up to its name!

This neighborhood is home to some of Lafayette’s most enviable custom estates – houses with 4,000+ square feet on hilltops with views, private grounds behind gated entries, swimming pools, guest cottages, game rooms, and dream kitchens.

Although this area in western Lafayette might seem a world away, it is near everything you want. Happy Valley is only about a mile from Downtown, BART, the freeway, and trail systems.