Saint Mary’s College brings a touch of classic California collegiate beauty to Moraga. The campus is open to visitors, and it’s worth a wander — Spanish Mission-style architecture, palm-lined walkways, and views of the surrounding hills.
What to See
The Chapel
The heart of campus, architecturally and spiritually. The Spanish Mission-style chapel is beautiful and typically open to visitors during the day.
The Grounds
Wander the palm-lined paths, admire the mission architecture, and enjoy views of the hills. It’s a peaceful escape, especially during summer when students are away.
De La Salle Hall
The main administrative building, an Instagram-worthy example of California mission architecture.
Gaels Athletics
Saint Mary’s competes in Division I athletics (West Coast Conference). Basketball is the big draw — the team has made multiple NCAA tournament appearances. Check the schedule for:
- Men’s and Women’s Basketball
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Tennis
Best Times to Visit
- This Week — May 21–22, 2026 (Commencement Days): The Class of 2026 graduates today and tomorrow — Graduate & Professional Studies tonight (Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m.) and Undergraduate Commencement (Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.). Both ceremonies are live-streamed and recorded. Expect heavy traffic on Saint Mary’s Road, full visitor lots, and temporary road closures around the main quad through Friday afternoon. If you’re not attending a ceremony, hold off until the weekend.
- Memorial Day Weekend (May 23–25) and Beyond — Post-Commencement Quiet: Once the caps and gowns clear out Friday, campus enters its quietest and arguably most beautiful stretch of the year. The hills are mid-transition from green to their classic California gold, the palm-lined walkways glow in the long evening light (sunset is past 8:20 p.m. now), and you’ll often have the main quad nearly to yourself. Memorial Day weekend is the first real taste of summer-quiet — weekday and weekend mornings both work. Bring a coffee; sit on the chapel steps; nobody will bother you. This window holds through mid-August.
- Mid-August Reset: The summer hush breaks when new students arrive for orientation. If you want the contemplative version of campus, mid-August is your last reliable window.
- September–October: Students return in full, campus energy rebuilds, and the weather is consistently in the 70s with crisp mornings. Football and soccer seasons get going.
- Basketball Season (November–March): Catch a Gaels game at McKeon Pavilion for local atmosphere. Men’s basketball draws the biggest crowds, especially when the West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga rolls through.
- March–April: Spring brings blooming flowers and lush green hills surrounding campus. The combination of California poppies, Spanish architecture, and palm trees is peak California beauty.
Local Lore
Saint Mary’s College has been in Moraga since 1928, but the institution itself dates to 1863 — making it one of California’s oldest colleges. Before settling in Moraga, the school moved multiple times: San Francisco, Oakland, and even a brief stint in Martinez. The Moraga campus was chosen for its isolation and beauty — the Christian Brothers who run the college wanted a contemplative setting away from urban distractions.
The campus’s distinctive palm-lined walkways weren’t just aesthetic choices. The palms were planted in the 1930s by students as part of campus beautification, and they’ve become one of the most photographed features of the grounds. The main quad, with its mission-style buildings and mountain backdrop, has appeared in films and commercials seeking “classic California college” scenery.
Fun fact: The campus sits in what was once the Moraga Rancho, a Mexican land grant from 1835. The Moraga family — descendants of José Joaquín Moraga, who led the expedition that founded San Francisco — owned these hills for generations before selling to developers and the college.
Good to Know
- Campus is open to visitors — just park in visitor areas
- The setting is beautiful — bring a camera
- Chapel is worth stepping inside
- Basketball games are fun local entertainment
- College town energy during the school year
Explore More in Lamorinda
- Moraga Guide � Full overview of the town this sits in
- All Things to Do � More Lamorinda outings, parks, and venues
- Real Estate in Lamorinda � Buying or selling in Moraga, Lafayette, Moraga, or Orinda