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Danville
Danville has been ranked the safest city in California, with violent and property crime rates well below state and national averages. It's a town where kids still bike to school and neighbors leave garage doors open.
Housing
As of early 2026, the median home price in Danville is approximately $1.7 to $1.9 million, with homes typically going under contract in 10 to 14 days. Condos and townhomes offer entry points from the $600,000s, while estate homes in Blackhawk and Westside Danville regularly list above $3 million.
Food, drink, and things to do
Danville Harvest is celebrated for its sustainably sourced farm-to-table menu and award-winning cocktail program. Cocina Hermanas offers modern Mexican slow food with over 80 tequilas and mezcals. Locanda Ravello is a Neapolitan pizza destination with an Amalfi Coast feel. The Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site at Tao House offers free guided tours of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright's ranch on 150 acres with beautiful gardens and walking trails — one of the area's most undervisited gems. Mount Diablo State Park, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, and the Iron Horse Regional Trail running through the center of town provide daily outdoor options for hiking, cycling, and family walks. The Saturday Farmers' Market on Hartz Avenue runs 52 weeks a year and is a beloved community ritual.
Neighborhoods
Downtown and Westside Danville offer the most walkability, historic homes, and proximity to Hartz Avenue dining and the Iron Horse Trail, with prices regularly exceeding $2 million. Tassajara, anchored by Diablo Vista Park, is one of the most community-oriented neighborhoods with sports fields, tennis courts, and neighborhood events. Sycamore Valley is a favorite for active families with community pools, tennis courts, and top-tier elementary schools. Blackhawk is a gated community on the east side known for luxury homes, two private golf courses, and resort-style amenities. Greenbrook is a classic family neighborhood with mid-century homes, walking paths, the Greenbrook Club with pools and tennis, and walkable access to schools and parks.
Getting around
Danville does not have a BART station. Most commuters drive or take a bus to the nearest BART stations in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, or Dublin/Pleasanton. Off-peak, San Francisco is about 35 to 45 minutes by car; rush-hour driving can exceed an hour. I-680 is the main artery. For remote and hybrid workers, this tradeoff is increasingly acceptable given Danville's lifestyle and space.
Schools
Danville is served by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. In 2026, Monte Vista High School ranks in the 98.2 percentile statewide, and San Ramon Valley High School ranks in the 95.5 percentile. Top elementary schools including Creekside, Sycamore Valley, and Greenbrook all hold A+ grades from Niche.
Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek's popularity stems from its blend of big-city convenience and entertainment without the drawbacks of traffic and noise. It's the East Bay's most complete suburban city: a vibrant downtown, excellent transit, and immediate access to open space.
Housing
The median home value in Walnut Creek is approximately $972,800, making it considerably more accessible than the Lamorinda towns while still offering excellent schools and lifestyle. Downtown condos represent the entry point, while Northgate and Walnut Heights single-family homes command the highest prices.
Food, drink, and things to do
The Lesher Center for the Arts hosts over 900 performances yearly across three theaters. The Gardens at Heather Farm features a rose garden, waterfall garden, butterfly garden, and children's play space. The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a widely known botanical garden with over 2,000 succulents, cacti, and drought-tolerant plants. Broadway Plaza anchors the downtown retail scene with both boutique and department store options. Community events include the Walnut Festival, an old-fashioned parade and carnival rooted in the area's agricultural history, and the Art and Wine Festival. The First Wednesday Street Fest showcases live music and local vendors monthly. For outdoors, Shell Ridge Open Space and the trails toward Mount Diablo are right on the doorstep.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Walnut Creek is known for its walkability, upscale shopping, fine dining, and a lively arts scene — ideal for professionals in condos and townhomes with easy BART access. Northgate is one of the most family-oriented neighborhoods, with spacious homes, large yards, parks like Arbolado, and access to Mount Diablo trails. Walnut Heights, nestled in the hills, features stunning views, mature trees, and top-rated Walnut Heights Elementary. Parkmead is a cozy family-focused neighborhood south of downtown with ranch-style homes and tree-lined streets. Saranap, between Walnut Creek and Lafayette, is notable because some streets fall within the Lafayette school district while the area feeds into Acalanes High School, making it attractive to buyers who want Lamorinda schools at slightly lower price points. Rossmoor is a well-known 55+ gated cooperative community spread over 1,800 acres with extensive amenities.
Getting around
Walnut Creek has excellent transit. The Walnut Creek BART station provides strong options to Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, and a free Route 4 downtown trolley links BART with Broadway Plaza and cultural venues. I-680 and Highway 24 intersect nearby, giving easy freeway access in every direction.
Schools
The Acalanes Union High School District and Walnut Creek School District are both highly regarded in California, with schools like Las Lomas High and Walnut Creek Heights Elementary drawing families from across the Bay Area. Northgate High School is particularly well-regarded for families in the northern part of the city.
Orinda
This hillside community feels worlds away from the bustle of the Bay Area, yet with BART and the Caldecott Tunnel, San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley are almost within arms-reach.
Housing
Home prices in Orinda typically range from the high $1 million mark to over $2.5 million for more luxurious properties. The Wilder development on the eastern edge of town has brought newer construction and more contemporary architecture to the area.
Food, drink, and things to do
Village Inn Cafe is a beloved Sunday brunch institution where families in soccer uniforms and couples reading the paper fill the tables. Europa Hofbrau has been a local counter-service staple for over 25 years. Cafe Teatro near the Orinda Theatre is the spot for remote workers and regulars to gather. Casa Orinda has been serving the area for over 84 years, famous for its fried chicken, prime beef, and scratch Italian dishes in a room filled with Western art and an antique gun collection. The historic Orinda Theatre, built in 1941, anchors Theater Square, which features coffee shops, casual dining, and local businesses. The Orinda Country Club, established in 1924, offers golf, swimming, tennis, and fitness. The Wagner Ranch Nature Area provides hands-on nature education to local school children. Tilden Regional Park is just over the hill with stunning bay views and botanical gardens. The Orinda Farmers' Market runs every Saturday year-round, and Summer Concerts in the Park happen Thursday evenings.
Neighborhoods
Sleepy Hollow has winding roads through shady hills with a wide range of home styles and is one of Orinda's most upscale neighborhoods, bordering the Orinda Country Club. Orinda Downs features mostly flat lots with some of the largest homes in the area. Glorietta, south of Highway 24, has flatter lots near Glorietta Elementary and a strong community vibe. Orinda Woods offers natural wood-shingle homes in a more open, accessible setting. Del Rey, the southernmost neighborhood adjacent to Moraga, is home to Orinda Intermediate and Miramonte High School.
Getting around
Orinda has its own BART station, making it the most commuter-friendly of the Lamorinda towns. A quick ride on BART gets you to San Francisco in about 30 minutes. Highway 24 runs through the town, providing easy freeway access east and west.
Schools
The Orinda Union School District is one of the highest-performing districts in California, comprised of California Distinguished Schools with high parent involvement and a wide variety of extracurriculars. Elementary schools include Del Rey, Sleepy Hollow, Wagner Ranch, and Glorietta. All students attend Orinda Intermediate School before moving to Miramonte High School. Orinda Union boasts the highest academic performance index rating in the state of California.
Moraga
Moraga's unique sense of community and friendliness feels special and distinct from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. It's the most tucked-away of the Lamorinda three, which is exactly its appeal.
Housing
The Rheem Valley area has homes ranging from $1 million to $2.5 million, with condos near town center from $450,000 to $800,000. Saint Mary's neighborhood townhomes and condos range from $600,000 to $1.2 million. Hillside homes in the southwest of Moraga can reach $3 million. Moraga generally offers slightly more value per square foot than Lafayette or Orinda.
Food, drink, and things to do
Amoroma is a cozy Italian bistro that has been a routine comfort among locals for two decades, hosting wine tastings and lively weekend brunches. The Rheem Theater, first constructed in 1957, is a six-screen cinema beloved by residents. Noodle Theory serves Pan-Asian fare, and Chef Chao Restaurant is a family-run Chinese spot that's been in Moraga for over 35 years. Moraga Commons Park spans over 40 acres with all-abilities playgrounds, sand volleyball, a skate park, a bandshell, and a splash pad, and the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail passes right through it. The Moraga Farmers' Market runs every Sunday with over 40 local vendors. Hacienda de las Flores hosts Hacienda Nights each summer, and the Summer Concert Series runs Thursday evenings from May to August. Saint Mary's College adds a college-town energy on the north side of town.
Neighborhoods
Rheem and Rheem Valley Manor on the eastern side of town offer a mix of residential and commercial spaces with ranch-style homes and local charm. The Campolindo and Carroll Ranch areas border Lafayette and Orinda with more modern, upscale homes. Sanders Ranch, Larch, and School Tree in the southern part of the city are known for wide suburban streets and stately homes. The Moraga Country Club area contains 521 private residences alongside an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, and resort amenities.
Getting around
There is no BART station in Moraga itself. Most residents drive to the Lafayette or Orinda BART stations. County Connection buses serve the area, but Moraga is not a dense transit-first downtown — plan on at least one car for daily convenience. Highway 24 is accessible via Lafayette or Orinda.
Schools
Moraga is served by the Moraga School District for elementary and middle schools, and the Acalanes Union High School District for high school. Neighborhood schools include Los Perales Elementary, Moraga Valley Elementary, Rheem Middle School, and Campolindo High School, all known for strong academics, extracurricular opportunities, and active parent involvement. The Moraga School District is graded A by Niche, and Campolindo High School is graded A-plus and was ranked 27th in California by U.S. News.
Lafayette
The retail and dining hub of the Lamorinda trio. Small-town charm with the best walkability of the three, a vibrant restaurant row, and a resort-like downtown that draws young professionals and families alike.
Housing
The median home value in Lafayette is approximately $1.9 million. You'll find everything from classic ranch-style homes and Craftsman bungalows in The Trails to custom hillside estates in Happy Valley.
Food, drink, and things to do
The Hideout Kitchen serves seasonal comfort cuisine, and Postino is a farm-to-table Italian restaurant in a historic building. Diablo Foods is a beloved family-owned grocer with locally sourced products. For outdoor recreation, the Lafayette Reservoir offers hiking, fishing, boating, and picnicking, while the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail stretches over seven miles of paved, tree-lined pathway. Briones Regional Park offers more rugged hiking nearby. Community events include the Lafayette Art and Wine Festival each summer.
Neighborhoods
Happy Valley sits just north of Highway 24 and is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in all of Lamorinda, ranging from appealing farmhouse-style homes to multi-acre estates. Burton Valley is an extremely popular neighborhood for young families, home to Burton Valley Elementary School, one of the largest elementary schools in Contra Costa County and the only public elementary school with a GATE program. The Trails, closest to downtown Lafayette, is characterized by tree-lined streets with single-story bungalow homes, and all homes have direct access to the Lafayette-Moraga Trail. Reliez Valley, further north, offers a more rural feel with larger lots.
Getting around
Lafayette has a BART station connecting residents with the greater Bay Area. The County Connection also offers bus services, including the Lamorinda School Bus and Senior Spirit Van. Highway 24 puts San Francisco about 30 minutes away on a good day.
Schools
Lafayette's schools form a strong educational foundation: the Lafayette Elementary School District serves kindergarten through 5th grade, with each campus receiving an "A" rating from Niche.com. Stanley Middle School is one of Contra Costa County's best middle schools. Acalanes High School has been placed within the top three percent of California public high schools by Niche.com. Private options include St. Perpetua School.