What could be more of an ultimate Bay Area love story than meeting on BART? For Ryan and Kayte, that is exactly what happened on New Year’s Eve 2013. They were both heading into San Francisco from the Walnut Creek BART station with their own respective groups of friends planning for New Year’s celebrations in the
city. Ryan and Kayte ended up taking the whole BART ride and when it was eventually Ryan’s stop, he slid his business card through the closing doors….Kayte followed up by texting him the very next day. Their first official date was at Maria Maria in the Rose Garden (currently the Yellow Chilli) and immediately hit it off. After several years of dating and falling in love with the central coast when Ryan traveled for work, the two were married in October 2019 in Avila Beach.
Born in Hayward, Ryan’s family eventually moved to Pleasanton when his father joined the Pleasanton Police Department. He then attended Foothill High School and graduated in the class of 2007. Sticking close to home, Ryan left for San Jose State and received his degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sports and fitness. Since graduation, Ryan has been working in sales and marketing in the healthcare profession for over 10 years. The Danville based non-profit, Teen Esteem is also very lucky to have Ryan on their team. In recent years he has remained deeply involved with Teen Esteem, helping promote positive choices and outcomes that teenagers face in today’s world. Additionally, Ryan is the founder of East Bay Toddler Ruck Club (EBTRC), a community of adventurous parents who come together to explore the East Bay Hills trails in the Danville area (many times with a toddler on their backs!).
The Fontillas family enjoys being outdoors whenever possible and EBTRC has helped them “enjoy the beauty of nature, connect with like minded families, staying physically active, and create unforgettable memories with our little ones.” If any fellow Danville neighbors would like to learn more about EBTRC or join a future hike visit https://ebtrc.seanherrero.com/ for more information. Ryan also remains active in an independent professional wrestling scene (known as “Big Fonz”), which is equal parts fitness, storytelling and just having fun.
Just up highway 680, Kayte grew up in Walnut Creek, graduating from Carondelet High School in 2008. Coming from a family of Realtors, Kayte knew she would follow in those footsteps and become a fourth generation Realtor in the family one day…but first, Kaylte had plans to solidify her academic foundation. She attended the University of Arizona, majoring in Sociology and Psychology and knew her degrees would prepare her even further for her future goals. Kayte’s first job with Empire Realty as a marketing assistant which helped expose her to the behind the scene
operations in the real estate business as well as working directly with clients. Following a position at Paragon Real Estate as the Relocation Director, Kayte ultimately joined Compass Real Estate in 2018 and has been selling real estate full time “bringing with me a well-rounded understanding of both the strategic and operational side of the business.” It’s a family business at The Enea Group, as Kayte is proud to partner with her mother, who has more than 36 years experience in many highly regarded brokerages in the East Bay. “Being deeply connected to Danville
and the surrounding East Bay communities has played a significant role in shaping how I approach my business. I chose real estate because it sits at the intersection of people, community and strategy.” Kayte also loves being a local mom and resident, helping her community make practical and informed decisions on a major life investment that affects their daily life. Although she is quite busy with work and family life, Kayte makes a point to start her weekday mornings with a 6am reformer Pilates class at IM=X in the Livery. Her morning routine grounds her to get ready for her days juggling working full time, motherhood and family obligations. She also carves out time to hike and work on home projects, hoping to one day manage a full renovation of her own home or a future investment property.
Ryan and Kayte have a sweet daughter named Ryla who is a preschooler at Young Learners Academy. She loves biking with her Daddy on the Iron Horse Trail, playdates with friends, swimming in their neighborhood pool, or practicing Hula and Ori Tahiti dancing. This spring she will start playing T-Ball with Danville Little League, and Ryan is excited to coach her team, as “baseball has been a lifelong passion for him and he’s thrilled to share that love of the game with her.” The Fontillas household is also “full of animals and personalities,” complete with 2 rescue dogs (Girl and Griffey), 2 rescue cats (Loki and Maui), a Russian tortoise, and chickens! Although the chickens started out as a COVID hobby, they are here to stay… as “there’s nothing better than fresh eggs straight from the coop to share with friends, family and their community.”
One of the Fontillas family favorite vacation spots is traveling to Hawaii, exploring new beaches and fully embracing Hawaiian culture. They also love their annual trip to Zion National Park during Thanksgiving Week, spending several days hiking, unplugging and slowing down during a time of busy holiday hustle. “This past year Ryla completed her first hike entirely on her own and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch her love for nature and hiking grow each year.” The health and happiness of their family is always a priority for Kayte and Ryan. When Ryla was a toddler, the couple began to use the phrase “no big deal” and it has now become their family motto. Just a simple reminder to enjoy life, pause, and focus on what truly matters.
Finding their forever home in Danville, nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac “framed by sixteen towering redwood trees, it had the perfect layout for our growing family, and the backyard felt like a park.” They knew they had to see it and even though Kayte was nine months pregnant, their offer was accepted the same day. Moving in when Ryla was just 2 weeks old, they have loved making it their own for their family. The proximity to the Iron Horse Trial, downtown and biking to Osage park, makes it the perfect home. Kayte notes that “many of the original homeowners still live on our street, which is a true testament to how special the neighborhood is.” Their favorite part of the neighborhood is the mix of young families, life long residents grounded in a “sense of community.” Their neighbors look out for each other, take advantage of being outside, staying active and connecting with one another. Their message to their neighbors is one of simplicity; “take time and enjoy the little moments. Whether it’s a walk on the trail, a chat at the park, or a night out downtown. Life moves fast but it’s the connections with the people around us that truly make a neighborhood feel like home. Danville is such a special place to live… we’re grateful to be here and love seeing our community thrive.”
By Anne Angstenberger, Resident since 2006
Photos provided by the Fontillas Family