Visitors who choose Lafayette as a destination can focus on trails and scenery or on local history and theater. Lafayette Reservoir offers more than 10 miles of scenic hiking opportunities; the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail offers a different experience: a 7.65-mile linear park designed for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The area also features diverse park landscapes, seasonal wildflowers at Briones Regional Park, and programs offered by the Lafayette Historical Society.
Trails and practical information
Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area is a year-round park for day visits. Rowboats and pedal boats can be rented there on a first-come, first-served basis from the park’s opening until 4 p.m. Since operations may change, check whether rentals are available before your visit.
The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is wheelchair accessible. Its northern terminus is at a trailhead at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette. The trail’s layout is also worth considering: the Regional Trail is linear, while the Lamorinda Trail Loop forms a continuous 17.5-mile loop. It connects Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda. These details about length and layout offer a concrete comparison when deciding between a linear route and a loop.
For public transit directions, County Connection routes 106 and 206 are relevant: they travel to the Lafayette BART station. Check schedule information before your trip, as transit details may change.
Parks and outdoor activities
Lafayette Community Park covers 68 acres and is distinguished by its varied topography, wildlife and recreational opportunities. A natural trail runs throughout the park. The park landscape and a trail thus provide specific focal points for an outdoor visit.
In Lafayette, the Bear Creek Staging Area in Briones Regional Park is located at 1611 Bear Creek Road. The park offers seasonal displays of wildflowers, and birdwatching is also possible. These seasonal blooms and the opportunity for birdwatching offer a different experience from the designated trails and activities at the reservoir.
Local pétanque players offer lessons at Lafayette Community Park. Lesson availability may change; check before your visit.
Local history and culture
The Town Hall Theatre Company is the oldest continuously active theater company in Contra Costa County. The historic Town Hall building was completed in May 1914. Together, these details provide a concrete connection to Lafayette’s cultural history through a local theater company and a historic building.
The History Room of the Lafayette Historical Society is located in the Lafayette Library & Learning Center; its entrance is on Golden Gate Way. As of September 6, 2026, the History Room’s listed hours were 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Check the hours before your visit. The Historical Society’s local landmark tour includes pioneer buildings and sites as well as modern facilities, extending its scope beyond historic places.
Discover more destinations: San Ramon, San Pablo, Pacheco, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Danville, Walnut Creek.
For the broader travel overview: Contra Costa.
