$2,756,638Average Value$851Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Rural, upscale living in the East Bay hills
Notched into the rural landscape of Contra Costa County, Happy Valley offers luxury living in an exclusive yet surprisingly convenient neighborhood. “It’s a highly desirable neighborhood, especially for those who value a sense of community in a picturesque setting with easy access to Highway 24,” says Mandy Kilpatrick, a top-producing Realtor with Compass specializing in luxury homes in the Bay Area. “It’s the perfect balance of rural beauty and proximity to the rest of the East Bay.” The neighborhood is in “Lamorinda,” a portmanteau of the area’s three towns, Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, about 13 miles east of Oakland.
Take a stroll through Downtown Lafayette
Although residents are surrounded by rural landscapes and the space to maintain their privacy and the neighborhood’s appealing exclusivity, the amenities of modern life are only a short drive away. “Downtown Lafayette is definitely a draw,” says Kilpatrick of the buzzy retail district adjacent to the neighborhood along Highway 24. “You have really fantastic restaurants and local boutique shops. It’s the place to go for coffee, dining and shopping. There are four grocery stores and places for Pilates and jujitsu.” Dining options include a Michelin-rated establishment created by chef Paul Magu-Lecugy. “Reve Bistro is a little French restaurant known for its steak frites. It’s fantastic,” says Dana Green, a Realtor with Compass who grew up in nearby Burton Valley and lives in downtown Lafayette. Postino, which serves up Italian-style California cuisine, is another popular favorite. A full-service Whole Foods is the anchor of the district’s grocery stores.
La Châtaigne is a popular spot for breakfast near Happy Valley in Lafayette.
Downtown Lafayette is a hopping area and easily accessible for Happy Valley residents.
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Hike at Briones Regional Park
Getting some exercise outdoors can be as easy as taking a stroll through the neighborhood. It’s not uncommon to see neighbors making their way around Happy Valley, either walking along its quiet streets or hiking its hilly terrain. It’s bordered at its northern edge by Briones Regional Park, a 6,100-acre park where trails wind through hilly meadows, dense forests and colorful wildflower blooms. It’s a popular spot for hiking, biking and camping all year round. Residents also can access the Lafayette/Moraga Regional Trail just south of downtown. The paved path that follows an old railroad line for more than 7 miles is where walkers and cyclists like to go .
Happy Valley is surrounded by beautiful golden Hills and nature trails.
Lafayette Reservoir is close to Happy Valley and offers miles of hiking trails.
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High-end homes in the hills
Happy Valley is known for its luxury homes and elegant architecture. “It’s probably the highest-end neighborhood in Lafayette, maybe even in the East Bay. It’s where tech CEOs live. You won’t find a home under $3 million,” says Realtor Soraya Golesorkhi of Coldwell Banker, a longtime Lamorinda resident. Along its winding streets are Craftsman-inspired homes, midcentury-modern designs, contemporary custom homes and Mediterranean Revival estates. Prices are steep here: homes list anywhere from $3 million to more than $10 million.
Mediterranean style homes are common in Happy Valley.
Happy Valley has several multi-million dollar homes on the hillside of the area.
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Highly rated East Bay schools
The neighborhood is home to Happy Valley Elementary, which earns an A rating from Niche. Older students can attend A-rated Stanley Middle School before moving on to Acalanes High School, which earns and A-plus. The high school features a College & Career Center designed to facilitate students’ transition to post-high school life and can be tailored to their choices. “Most people who live here have families, and many choose to live here for the highly rated public schools,” Kilpatrick says.
Acalanes High School in Lafayette is a huge school with 1300 students.
M. H. Stanley Middle is ranked #93 in California Middle Schools.
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Getting around the East Bay and beyond
State Road 24, which runs along the southern edge of Happy Valley, offers a direct route to Oakland, less than 15 miles away, making it a viable option for commuters. Residents are also less than a mile from the Lafayette BART station, which takes passengers all across the Bay Area, from the East Bay to the San Francisco Peninsula and North San Jose. The San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport is 20 miles away.
The Lafayette BART station is on the border of Happy Valley and offers easy commuting options.
The streets of Happy Valley are wide, calm and extremely peaceful.
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Increased wildfire risk
Like much of the rural East Bay, the neighborhood is at risk for wildfires. The Bay Area and the surrounding region have seen an increase in the size and duration of wildfires in recent years due to the impacts of global warming and climate change.
Happy Valley is also home to several ranch style houses along the streets.
The historic Orinda Theater is a quick drive from Happy Valley and has all the newest releases.
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Low crime score
Happy Valley holds a very low 2-out-of-10 crime score from the CAP Index; the national average is 4.
Downtown Lafayette is a hopping area and easily accessible for Happy Valley residents.
Lafayette Public House in downtown has a cozy, intimate interior serving delicious nibbles.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Happy Valley neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Happy Valley
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Happy Valley Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Happy Valley, Lafayette sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Happy Valley, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $2,800,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
2462 sf, 4 BR, 2.5 BA located on .51 ac in North Orinda, built 1977. Nestled within nature and Oak trees, with privacy and unique gardens, offering multiple entertainment decks and a flat outdoor yard to enjoy. Light pours into the living spaces with huge Cathedral ceilings in the living room that extend up to the kitchen and dining room. A wood burning fireplace anchors the spacious living room
Tucked away on a private and secluded 1.91 acre lot in Lafayette’s sought after upper Happy Valley area near Olympic Oaks, 1059 Lizann Drive offers breathtaking views, exceptional privacy, and a rare sense of serenity while remaining just minutes from downtown Lafayette, BART, Highway 24, and Lafayette’s highly regarded schools. This beautifully reimagined 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home spans
Delightful! Orinda Country Club charmer on a peaceful hilltop lane. Single story, low maintenance. Updated kitchen and baths, hardwood floors, recessed lights, and al fresco dining in the gardens. Just a 2-minute drive to the freeway, and 10 minutes from the fun of Lafayette, but a million miles away from it all. Updated kitchen and baths were design-firm done for the owners, no skimping. Come
Timeless East Coast–inspired architecture meets California living at 3 Honey Hill Court. This home spans approx. 4,354 sq.ft. with 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Five bedrooms are located upstairs, including a spacious primary suite with sitting room and walk-in closet, plus four additional bedrooms. An en-suite office or guest room on the main level offers ideal flexibility for working from home,
It’s a Lifestyle... offering privacy, breathtaking views, and direct access to Briones Regional Park with 6,200+ acres of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, all in a prime Happy Valley location. Designed for effortless everyday living, entertaining, and relaxation, this home captures the essence of indoor-outdoor California living. The chef’s kitchen features top-of-the-line
One of a kind 15 acre plus estate lot in the coveted Happy Valley Glen neighborhood; private gated entry with winding road leading to this once in a lifetime opportunity to build your dream home; views of the tree studded rolling hills and the Lafayette reservoir; access to the popular Lafayette Ridge Trail, approximately 6.6 miles long, in Briones Regional Park and its approximate 6,255 acres;
Spectacular 7.64 acre estate lot in the coveted Happy Valley Glen neighborhood with panoramic views and bordering Briones Regional Park, which is dedicated for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; featuring a private gated entry with a road leading to the lot. This property provides privacy and serenity; there are approved plans for a 7,243 square foot estate with 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, office,
NEW PRICE! Gorgeous, private oak studded lot in the desirable Charles Hill Road area. Envision the possibilities on this stunning 1/2 acre lot and enjoy the Orinda lifestyle with top-rated schools, a vibrant downtown with great restaurants, shops and a movie theater, a weekly farmer's market, hiking trails, summer concerts in the park, and fantastic proximity to Hwy 24 and BART.
HUGE Price Drop! Totally flat Happy Valley Lafayette lot. Build Your Dream Home with ADU! Surrounded by multi-million dollar homes, just minutes to popular Downtown Lafayette. Lafayette Reservoir, BART, and Hwy 24 freeway. 2 approved addresses (Contact City of Lafayette to get 2nd address, they will designate 2nd address #). Build your dream Home with ADU or 1 DUPLEX (Buyer and Buyer Agent to
Seize the golden opportunity! This parcel boasts over an acre of land with full APPROVALS from the City of Lafayette Planning Commission. Picture your executive-style 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home with impressive 13' high ceilings on the main floor and 10' high ceilings on the upper floor. Plus, envision 2000 sq ft of deck space (660 sq ft on the main and 1300 sq ft on the upper) to enjoy the views.
Edit- A brief walk to BART, restaurants, Trader Joe, Whole Foods, Lafayette trails, library, excellent schools.- Furnished or not - individual thermostats in each roomLots of storageTiny kitchenette only (full fridge, microwave, mini oven, cooktop)Huge bathroom with jacuzzi bath, shower, 2 sinks, beautiful pink graniteSpacious, quiet, green outdoor patio for
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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