Discover Lafayette: Trails, Parks, and Cultural History

Lafayette offers options for different kinds of day plans: hiking at the reservoir, trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, parks, and local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lafayette, you can start by choosing a destination based on the activities you want to shape your stay. The places below differ in route type, landscape, and cultural theme.

Hiking at the Reservoir and on the Trails

The Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area is a year-round park for day visits and offers more than 10 miles of scenic hiking opportunities. Rowboats and pedal boats can be rented at the reservoir; rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the time the park opens until 4:00 p.m. Since operations may change, check on boat rentals before your visit.

The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is a 7.65-mile linear park for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and is wheelchair accessible. At its northern end, a trailhead is located at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette. The 7.65 miles refers to the length of this linear trail; by contrast, the more than 10 miles at the reservoir refers to hiking opportunities there. The figures therefore describe different things: a specific linear route and hiking options in the reservoir area.

The Lamorinda Trail Loop offers another type of route: the continuous loop is 17.5 miles long and connects Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. The route comparison therefore includes a linear trail and a loop that connects three cities.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

The Bear Creek Staging Area of Briones Regional Park is located in Lafayette at 1611 Bear Creek Road. The park has seasonal carpets of wildflowers; birdwatching is also possible. The seasonal nature of the blooms and the opportunity for birdwatching offer different highlights for a park visit.

Lafayette Community Park covers 68 acres and offers varied topography, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. A natural trail runs through the entire park. Local pétanque players offer lessons there. Lesson availability may change, so check before your visit.

Cultural History and Local Insights

Local History

Lafayette was first settled in 1848. The historic Town Hall building was completed in May 1914.

Theater and Historical Society

The Town Hall Theatre Company is the oldest continuously active theater company in Contra Costa County. 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 was listed as open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Confirm before your visit whether these hours are still current.

The Lafayette Historical Society’s local landmarks tour includes pioneer buildings and sites as well as modern facilities. The tour’s subject matter therefore ranges from historic places to facilities from the modern era.

Getting There

County Connection routes 106 and 206 serve the Lafayette BART station. If you plan to use this service for your trip, check the schedule details before traveling, as transit details may change.

Explore more destinations: Brentwood, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Oakley, El Cerrito, Rodeo, San Ramon, Pinole.

For the regional travel overview: Contra Costa.