Getting Around

BART, trails, driving, and navigating Lamorinda

Lamorinda is car-oriented but more connected than most East Bay suburbs. Two BART stations, excellent regional trails, and easy freeway access make getting around manageable.

BART

Two stations serve Lamorinda:

  • Lafayette Station — Downtown adjacent, good parking
  • Orinda Station — Theatre Square nearby, first stop east of tunnel

Both are on the Antioch (Yellow) line. About 25 minutes to downtown San Francisco.

Pro tip: Parking fills up on weekdays. Arrive early or consider drop-off/pickup.

Driving

The Caldecott Tunnel

Your gateway to Lamorinda from the west. Four bores carry Highway 24 through the hills. The fourth bore opened in 2013, adding much-needed capacity.

Traffic patterns:

  • Morning: Heavy westbound (toward SF)
  • Evening: Heavy eastbound (toward Lamorinda)
  • Weekends: Generally smooth both directions

Key Routes

  • Highway 24: Main artery, connects to I-680 and I-580
  • Mt. Diablo Blvd: Lafayette’s main street
  • Moraga Way: Connects Lafayette to Moraga
  • Camino Pablo: North-south through Orinda

Trails (Non-Car Options)

  • Lafayette-Moraga Trail — 7.6 miles, paved, connects the towns
  • Connects to: BART stations, regional parks, downtown areas

For committed cyclists, it’s possible to bike-commute from Moraga to BART in Lafayette or Orinda.

The Reality

Most people drive. The towns are hilly, sprawling, and parking is easy. But for recreation, exercise, and occasional errands, the trails and BART make car-free trips possible.

Key Distances

  • Lafayette to Moraga: ~4 miles
  • Lafayette to Orinda: ~3 miles
  • Lafayette BART to SF (Montgomery): ~25 minutes
  • Caldecott Tunnel to downtown Oakland: ~10 minutes