Moraga

Quieter, greener, and home to Saint Mary's College

Moraga is the quietest of the three Lamorinda towns — more residential, more spread out, and a little more rural in feel. It’s home to Saint Mary’s College and some of the area’s most scenic neighborhoods.

The Essentials

• Population: ~17,000
• BART Access: No (closest: Orinda or Lafayette)
• Vibe: Quiet, family-oriented, tucked away

What Makes Moraga Different

Where Lafayette has a walkable downtown and Orinda has Theatre Square, Moraga has… space. The hills are greener, the lots are larger, and the pace is slower. This is intentional — residents like it this way.

Visiting in March or April? You’ll see Moraga at its most beautiful. The surrounding hills turn a vivid emerald green after winter rains, and wildflowers start dotting the ridgelines. It’s when the “greener hills” claim really delivers.

The Town Center(s)

Dining and shopping split between two centers:

• Moraga Shopping Center — Safeway, local restaurants
• Rheem Shopping Center — More shops and eateries

It’s not walkable between them, but parking is easy and the pace is relaxed.

Saint Mary’s College

The college brings energy, athletics, and one of the most beautiful campuses in the East Bay. Worth visiting even if you’re not a student.

Outdoors

• Moraga Commons Park — Summer concerts, playground, community gathering
• Lafayette-Moraga Trail — Connects north to Lafayette
• Rancho Laguna Park — Equestrian area and open space
• Moraga Country Club — Golf and community hub
• Surrounding hills — Scenic drives and hiking access

Local Lore: The Name

Moraga carries the legacy of one of California’s founding families. José Joaquín Moraga was a Spanish soldier who led the expedition that founded San Francisco’s Presidio in 1776 — he’s literally one of the people who started San Francisco. His descendants received a massive land grant from the Mexican government in 1835: Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, covering much of what’s now Moraga and parts of Orinda. The Moraga Adobe, built in 1841 and still standing in Orinda, is the oldest building in the entire East Bay. When the area developed in the 20th century, the town took the family’s name. So yes, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School is named after a genuine California pioneer.

Neighborhoods

Moraga’s neighborhoods offer more space and green than the rest of Lamorinda:

• Campolindo — Family-focused, high school hub
• Moraga Country Club — Golf course living, accessible entry
• Sanders Ranch — Gated, prestigious, custom estates
• Rheem Valley — Convenient, walkable to shopping

Explore all Moraga neighborhoods →

Schools

• Campolindo High School (excellent reputation)
• Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School
• Strong elementary options

For more, explore the restaurants, neighborhoods, and things to do sections.