Happy Valley
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.
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Anne Kohler
Video By
Austin Lewis
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Glenn Macayan
Glenn Macayan
Responds QuicklyMy Local Realty Services, Inc
(925) 940-5705
116 Total Sales
1 in Happy Valley
$1,625,000 Price
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Andy Read
Andy Read
Corcoran Icon Properties
(925) 940-3953
49 Total Sales
1 in Happy Valley
$2,500,000 Price
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Soraya Golesorkhi
Soraya Golesorkhi
Coldwell Banker
(925) 326-6671
59 Total Sales
3 in Happy Valley
$1.2M - $3M Price Range
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Kelly Crawford
Kelly Crawford
Vanguard Properties
(925) 396-7158
219 Total Sales
7 in Happy Valley
$1M - $3.7M Price Range
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Jennifer Griessel
Jennifer Griessel
Responds QuicklyBhhs Drysdale Properties
(925) 799-2180
108 Total Sales
1 in Happy Valley
$3,300,000 Price
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David Schurhoff
David Schurhoff
Responds QuicklyCompass
(925) 396-4461
14 Total Sales
1 in Happy Valley
$3,450,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Brook Street Park
Lafayette Ridge Staging Area
Leigh Creekside Park
Lafayette Reservoir Playground
Orinda Community Park
Dalewood Park
- Basketball
- Playground
Transit
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 | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Happy Valley Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Happy Valley, Lafayette sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Happy Valley, Lafayette over the last 12 months is $615,000, up 35% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$575,000
Median Sale Price
$615,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$513,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$340,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$815,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
7%
Last 12 months Home Sales
42
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
35%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$532
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,596
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1957
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,110
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,165
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
25,700
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,624
Median Age
48
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$256,370
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$248,141
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.4%
College Graduates
82.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
35.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
3
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Downtown Lafayette
Charming main street community with a small-town feel in the Greater Bay Area
Lafayette
A small town with great schools in the East Bay woodlands
Tanglewood
Leafy lots with acreage, privacy and views of Downtown Lafayette
Sleepy Hollow-Orinda
Luxury estates, old oak trees and winding country lanes
Campolindo
Moraga neighborhood surrounded by tranquil hiking trails and top-rated schools
Orinda Woods
A walkable and tree-filled neighborhood in Orinda
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