PRESENTED BY
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There’s a very specific kind of Lamorinda weekend ahead: books in the Lafayette Library amphitheater, wine on patios, live music drifting out of breweries, and a restaurant stroll taking over downtown Tuesday night. Rita Moreno is in town Thursday, the Contra Costa Fair kicks off in Antioch, and the warm stretch ahead should make it a very good week to linger outside a little longer than planned. We also put together a new guide to our favorite outdoor bars, breweries, and patios around Lamorinda if you’re looking for a place to settle in this spring.
🏘️ PRESENTED BY BRIAN ROCHFORD | ROCHFORD REAL ESTATE
With more than 20 years of experience and ranking in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide, Brian Rochford is a trusted name in Lamorinda real estate. A Lafayette native and second-generation realtor, Brian offers unmatched local insight and a deep network that benefits both buyers and sellers at every stage.
Known for his integrity, strong work ethic, and strategic approach, Brian delivers a highly personalized experience tailored to each client’s goals. His attention to detail, calm presence under pressure, and proactive guidance ensure a smooth process and exceptional results—whether helping a first-time buyer or marketing a premier luxury property.
Rooted in the community he serves, Brian combines market expertise with a genuine commitment to his clients, making him a reliable resource and dedicated advocate in every transaction.
📰 DIGEST
Contra Costa moves to make home kitchen businesses permanent – Contra Costa County is moving toward permanently allowing qualifying home-based food businesses to operate under the county’s microenterprise kitchen program.
Key June election deadlines are approaching – Ballot drop boxes are now open, voter registration closes May 18, and June 2 is Election Day for Contra Costa voters.
New banners bring spring color to Moraga – Moraga’s newly installed downtown banners are adding a seasonal refresh to the town’s main corridors heading into summer.
🍷 LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
(Photo credit: Meaghan Evans)
Wine Thieves is entering a new chapter under locals Dan and Gennie Gorback, longtime customers who recently took over ownership of the neighborhood wine shop. The couple says they were drawn to the sense of community that had already formed around the patio, wine club, and staff, and plan to keep that atmosphere intact while introducing a few new touches this summer. That includes expanded patio events, Saturday Patio Pours and Tunes, and the continuation of Thirsty Thursdays with local musicians, food, and wine flights. More than anything, they describe Wine Thieves as a gathering place first, and a bottle shop second.
📅 WHAT’S HAPPENING
Thursday, May 14
Bike to Work/Wherever Day 2026 (Lafayette) — A community ride promoting cycling as a sustainable way to get around.
12 PM | Contra Costa County Fair (Antioch) — Four days of rides, food, live entertainment, wild animals, dinosaurs and rodeo action.
7 PM | An Evening with Rita Moreno (Lafayette Library) — Rita Moreno shares stories from her groundbreaking career in film, TV, and theater.
Friday, May 15
1:30 PM | Saint Mary's Instrumental Showcase Spring ’26: "Love is All Around" (Saint Mary's College of California) — Chamber Players and Concert Ensemble perform music inspired by love and beauty.
6 PM | Jimbo Trout (Canyon Club Brewery) — An evening of live music at the brewery.
Saturday, May 16
9 AM | The Great Lafayette Read-In (Lafayette Library) — A BYOB community read-in with book recommendations, coffee, crafts, and summer reading ideas.
10 AM | Livable Moraga Road Walking Tour — Walk the proposed Segment 3 route and weigh in on planned changes.
1 PM | Family Flow: Nervous System Tools for Parents and Kids (Creekside Commons) — Parent-child practices, movement, and a sound bath focused on calm and resilience.
2 PM | Vanessa Hua, Coyoteland (Orinda Books) — Celebrate the latest novel from local author Vanessa Hua.
5 PM | Teen Improv Party (Lamorinda Improv Theater) — Fast-paced improv games, big laughs, and pizza for ages 14–18.
Sunday, May 17
11 AM | Open House (Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center) — Explore the garden’s nature trail, labyrinth, Miwok Village area, and more.
1:30 PM | Homemaker's Swap (Orinda Community Center) — Trade homemade, homegrown, or handmade items in a community swap.
2 PM | Estate Tasting Event: A Journey Through the Vintages (Local Vines) — A vertical tasting of Castillo Vineyards wines showcasing how the vintages evolve.
4 PM | Sixtiesmania (Orinda Theatre) — A fast-paced multimedia tribute to the music and energy of the 1960s.
Monday, May 18
6:30 PM | Charlie Chaplin's Red Letter Days (Orinda Theatre) — Dan Kamin presents an interactive live stage-and-screen show on Charlie Chaplin.
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 PM | Taste of Lafayette Restaurant Stroll (Lafayette Plaza) — Tickets are sold out, but the Plaza is still open for live music, picnics, and drinks from the Plaza Bar from 5–7 PM.
6:30 PM | Trivia Night (Canyon Club Brewery) — Team-based trivia with rotating categories, prizes, and a relaxed brewery setting.
Wednesday, May 20
6:30 PM | Lamorinda Dinner Club (Moraga) — Small-group dinner meetup for locals looking to connect over a shared meal.
🍻 NEW GUIDE: BEST OUTDOOR BARS, BREWERIES, AND PATIOS IN LAMORINDA
Patio season is officially back. We put together a new guide to some of our favorite outdoor spots for drinks around Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda, including Canyon Club Brewery, Western Flyer Brewing, Wine Thieves, Fourth Bore, and more.
Whether you’re looking for live music, a casual beer outside, or a sunny patio to spend a few hours this spring and summer, this list has you covered.
🏡 HOUSE OF THE WEEK
145 Danefield Pl, Moraga – $2,695,000
Open Sat/Sun 1-4 PM
This reimagined Moraga home pairs modern design with serious backyard energy, including hillside views, an outdoor kitchen, bocce court, hot tub, and a 50-foot slide built into the landscaped yard. Inside, the 4-bedroom property features more than $400K in upgrades, a chef’s kitchen with a Wolf range, owned solar with Powerwall backup, and easy access to Moraga’s schools, parks, downtown, and farmers market.
🌤️ WEATHER
A warm, patio-friendly stretch is ahead, with cool mornings and sunny afternoons.
Thu: Partly sunny. High near 80° / Low near 53°. Great night for dinner outside.
Fri: Morning clouds, then clearing. High near 80° / Low near 52°. Good weather for patio drinks or live music.
Sat: Mild and sunny. High in the upper 70s / Low around 50°. Ideal for markets and outdoor events.
Sun: Mostly sunny. High near 80° / Low near 52°. Easy day for brunch or wine tasting.
Mon: Warm and sunny. High in the upper 80s / Low in the mid-50s°. The warmest day of the week.
Tue: Partly sunny. High in the low 80s / Low in the low-50s°. Comfortable evening weather around the Plaza.
Wed: Sunny. High near 80° / Low in the low-50s°. A mellow spring day to close out the week.
One quick question before you go: what’s your ideal Lamorinda Saturday right now?
Farmers market? Patio wine? Live music? Hiking? Reading outside? Kids’ sports chaos? Reply and let me know.
— Rajiv