Moraga is one of the best kept secrets of the East Bay.  Tucked in the hills behind Orinda and Lafayette, Moraga has no direct freeway access.  Yes, it takes a few extra minutes to get to the freeway, but residents are rewarded with slightly lower real estate prices than Orinda and Lafayette, very low crime, no freeway noise and a very strong sense of community.  Moraga is known for outstanding schools, pear orchards and beautiful rolling hills complete with grazing cattle.  Moraga was recently named one of the top 10 towns for families in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine.  

Moraga is home to commuters who travel through Orinda or Lafayette to BART or the freeway.  The more adventurous take the curvy back roads through Canyon to Oakland. 

The Rheem and Moraga shopping centers have many popular shops and restaurants.  The Rheem center also has a movie theater.  A weekly farmers market is held on Sundays at the Moraga Shopping Center.  Just around the corner from the Rheem Center, the historic Spanish Style Hacienda de las Flores Estate holds the town offices and is a favorite location for weddings.   

The centrally located Moraga Commons Park has something for everyone with kids play equipment, a skate park, Frisbee golf course, basketball and volleyball courts and more.  Free weekly concerts are held in the park over the summer as well as various events throughout the year including a pear festival, 4th of July celebration, annual Easter egg hunt and more.  The park is a great place to catch the Lafayette-Moraga Trail.  The scenic trail is a favorite for walkers, runners and bikers.  Other great hiking and walking trails around Moraga include Mulholland Ridge with its’ beautiful views and the wooded trails around Canyon on the South West end of Moraga.  

2500+ full time undergraduate students attend St. Mary’s college in Moraga.  The school also has a graduate program.  Moraga Residents appreciate the beautiful campus.  The college was founded in 1863 and moved to Moraga in 1928.  

Moraga Country Club is located just past the Orinda border.  The private club features an 18 hole golf course, 12 tennis courts, 25 meter swimming pool, club house and more.  Contact the country club for membership information. 

 Moraga School District

JM Named California Distinguished School

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced on Monday that Moraga’s Joaquin Moraga Intermediate (JM) is on the list of 171 California middle and high schools that have been selected as 2007 California Distinguished Schools, an annual award that recognizes some of the state's most exemplary public schools.

"These middle and high schools have shown they are able to meet the challenge of providing their students with the kind of rigorous education that is essential to their future success in the classroom and the workplace," said O’Connell.

JM Principal Catherine Mikes happily exclaimed, “We are so pleased! In fact, we are just tickled!”

The list of 76 middle schools and 95 high schools may be accessed online at Distinguished School Awards - California School Recognition Program. The schools will continue to be designated as a California Distinguished School until 2011. 

Wednesday, April 18, 2007, Lamorinda Weekly 

Related Links

Town of Moraga Official Website
Moraga Chamber of Commerce
Lafayette-Moraga Recreation Website
Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail
St. Mary's College Website
Moraga School District