Gated Single-Story Sanctuary on Nearly Half an Acre

The Mediterranean facade sets the tone immediately: white stucco, a terracotta tile roof, and a graceful covered entry portico framed by classic columns and a set of stately wooden double doors. Mature landscaping softens the approach, while a spacious paved driveway leads to an oversized two-car garage — practical elegance from the very first impression.

Inside, the architecture opens generously. Soaring ceilings amplify the sense of space throughout, while a series of signature arched windows — a recurring motif that gives the home its Mediterranean soul — draw natural light deep into every room. The living areas flow with an open, cohesive logic: a stone-clad fireplace anchors the main living room, where French doors dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior. An adjacent living space features a vaulted ceiling and a second fireplace with a carved stone surround, offering a more intimate setting for evening gatherings.

The kitchen is designed for both serious cooking and effortless entertaining. Warm wood cabinetry pairs with dark granite countertops, and a large central island with integrated seating serves as the natural gathering point. A Thermador professional range with a griddle sits beneath a stainless steel hood and a classic white tile backsplash — a setup that speaks equally to the weekend cook and the seasoned entertainer. Arched windows above the sink frame views of the garden, and an adjacent dining area connects to the patio through French doors, making indoor-outdoor flow feel entirely natural.

The primary suite is its own considered world. A fireplace with a deep green marble surround lends warmth and sophistication, while glass doors open directly to the outdoors — a rare luxury that makes waking up feel like an event. The walk-in closet is generous, and the primary bath is genuinely spa-like: green marble countertops, a large integrated soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower with gold fixtures, dual vanities, and high ceilings that make the entire space breathe. Secondary bedrooms are bright and well-proportioned, each thoughtfully finished. A dedicated office with custom built-in shelving and a separate den adjacent to the primary suite offer the kind of flexible space that modern households actually need.

Outside, nearly half an acre has been composed with the same attention to detail. A stone-tiled patio extends the living space into the open air, furnished for relaxed conversation and anchored by a built-in stainless steel grill station with a stone-topped island. Manicured turf provides a sweep of green, while mature trees create a canopy of privacy. And tucked into a corner of the garden, enclosed by a contemporary horizontal-slat fence, is the property's most charming amenity: a private bocce court, ready for after-dinner matches under the evening sky.

Lafayette occupies a particular place in the East Bay's geography and character — a small city of roughly 25,000 residents nestled in the Lamorinda corridor between the Briones Hills and the bustle of Interstate 680, where community life is genuinely local, the landscape is reliably golden, and the pace of life reflects a conscious choice to live well rather than simply live fast.

The Reliez Valley neighborhood sits on the northern edge of Lafayette, a quieter residential pocket that retains the rural ease of the surrounding hills while remaining remarkably well-connected to everything the city offers. Streets here are lined with mature trees, lots are generous, and the neighborhood carries the unhurried quality of a community that has never needed to announce itself. It is the kind of place where neighbors know one another, where children walk or bike to school, and where the evening light across the hills is reason enough to step outside.

Downtown Lafayette — a genuine small-town main street by any measure — is just minutes away. The Lafayette Farmer's Market draws a loyal local following, and the town's dining scene punches well above its size, with restaurants ranging from casual neighborhood bistros to destination-worthy tables. The Lafayette Library and Learning Center, a LEED Platinum-certified civic landmark, serves as a genuine community gathering place. The Lafayette Art Gallery and a rotating calendar of local events give the city a cultural texture that is rare in suburban communities of its scale.

For commuters and weekend travelers alike, the location is quietly exceptional. Lafayette BART connects residents directly to San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley — a commute that transforms what might otherwise feel like a trade-off into a genuine advantage. Highway 24 and Interstate 680 provide easy access to the broader Bay Area, while the proximity to Walnut Creek adds another layer of retail, dining, and cultural amenity within a ten-minute drive.

The Lafayette school system is among the most respected in Contra Costa County, with Lafayette Elementary, Stanley Middle School, and Acalanes High School consistently recognized for academic achievement. The area also sits within reach of a number of well-regarded private schools, giving families a range of excellent educational options.

The natural setting is, in many ways, Lafayette's most enduring asset. The Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area — with its 2.7-mile perimeter trail, open water, and commanding views — is a genuine destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Briones Regional Park, accessible from the northern edge of town, offers miles of open trails through oak woodland and rolling grassland. The surrounding hills ensure that the landscape never feels fully tamed, and the quality of light — particularly in the late afternoon, when the oak-covered ridges catch the sun — is the kind of thing that residents cite, almost apologetically, as one of the reasons they never left.

At 2 Reliez Manor Court, all of this is within easy reach, while remaining entirely invisible from behind the gate.