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Moraga Real Estate:

Incorporated 1974, 16,290 residents
(2000 census) 9.54 sq. miles
Winter Climate: Average 30 to 60
degrees Summer: Average 50 to 80 degrees
Average Annual Rainfall: 26.86 inches
Annual Snowfall: 0.00 inches! (There
was an exception back in the 70's when there was measurable snow but for
that was 30+ years ago! PS We just had a "smidgen" of snow in 2010.
Enough to take a few pictures and it was gone within an hour. No need
for snow chains or snow shovels!)
"A pocket of serenity in the hubbub
of the Bay Area" (Shh! Keep it a secret!)
mall town,
old-fashioned, friendly Moraga is located about 18 miles south east of
San Francisco. Moraga incorporated in 1974 to attempt to keep Moraga a
quiet, peaceful community with limited growth. So far, they
have been mostly successful in achieving that goal.
There are currently (2008) plans proposing some growth in various parts
of town plus expansion of the Moraga shopping center.
A Town survey (1999) asking, “What are your favorite things about
Moraga?” showed the following results: (1) open space, country
feeling, scenic beauty, hills, cows; (2) safety, low crime rate, (3)
small town atmosphere, sense of community, friendliness, (4) good
schools.
Don't
laugh at the "cow" comments. There are many open hillsides in town where
cattle graze and horses are pastured. There is a semi-rural feeling yet
surrounding the open spaces are fine residential areas.
McCormack's Guide
comments, "Secluded bedroom town...school rankings among very highest
in the state...Considered one of the most prestigious cities in the
county...." McCormack's Guide to Contra Costa & Solano, '98.
At incorporation in 1974, Moragans chose to be called the “Town of
Moraga” rather than a being called a City. They felt it was more
befitting the ambience there.
Moraga is 4+ miles from Orinda, Hiway 24 and Orinda
BART. Commute times to BART vary, but average 10 minutes during the day
and 15 to 20+/- during peak traffic hours. There is also bus service to
Orinda and Lafayette, including Lafayette BART. Moraga is 11 miles
southeast of Oakland and 18 miles southeast of San Francisco.
MORAGA MAKES TOP 10 FAMILY
TOWNS LIST
in San Francisco Magazine's, Oct. 2005 issue. Moraga was #8 on the list,
beating out Orinda at #19, Lafayette #37 and Walnut Creek #80.
There were 107 communities surveyed. The rankings were based on
the concentration of kids, the crime rates, schools test scores and
"educational bang for the buck"-student performance relative to the
median home value.
| 1. Piedmont |
| 2. Monte Sereno |
| 3. Cupertino |
| 4. San Ramon |
| 5. Danville |
| 6. Pleasanton |
| 7. Fairfax |
| 8. Moraga |
| 9. Windsor |
| 10. Petaluma |
This is what the article said about Moraga:
"...There's no reason to pass through this small town set in a
cul-de-sac just over the Oakland hills, and many of the locals like
it that way: it's the closest thing to a hideout within 45 minutes
of San Francisco. Two little shopping centers serve as the hangs;
the arrival last month of an OSH drew gawking hardware-hungry
crowds. The stimulation here comes from the low-stress living,
endless hiking trails, swim meets, and homegrown school
productions."
SOME LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST
St. Mary’s
College of Moraga
Beautiful, picturesque liberal arts institution on 420
acres founded 1863 in San Francisco and moved to Moraga by the Christian
Brothers in 1927 is an integral part of the Moraga community. The
college now has an enrollment of over 2,000 undergrads and 1,300 grad
students and adult students. About 1,400 students live on campus. In the
winter, the white chapel against the lush green hills is so beautiful!
Moragans are often seen at college sporting and cultural events. St.
Mary's College is the major employer in town. It's quite a beautiful
campus and a real asset to Moraga.
Moraga
Commons Park
Wonderful
park with picnic areas, 20 acres, in the middle of this small town. Fun
for everyone. Community has a large 4th of July picnic each year,
including a pancake breakfast, pet parade, kids bike parade, musical
groups and fireworks in the evening. The park has two "tot lots" for
kids, basketball courts, sand volley ball courts, frisbee golf course,
horseshoe pits, and there is a proposed skaters park in the works.
Rancho Laguna is another large park in town. It is 8.5 acres and
includes a barbecue area, play fields, tot lot, play structures, and
adult exercise stations.
Moraga
Commons "Splash"
located at the Moraga Commons Park. Water spurts out of the ring above
at random times and directions. Should be squealing fun for kids.
Adjoins the Tot Lot area. Moms and Dads can relax in the shade. Our
summers are usually lovely. Temperatures average in the 70’s and low
80’s. Humidity? You won’t find much of that here! Our weather is
wonderful.

Brand new Tot Lot, 2008
Bye bye splinters! The years of wear and new
safety standards were the genesis of this new play area for the little
ones.

There's a second
group of play structures and swings for kids who are a little bit older.
Fun
for All:
There are basketball courts, sand volley ball courts.


Checkers Anyone?

Moraga SKATE PARK
After years of planning the new skate park went in several years ago at
the Commons Park and is a real hit.

Frisbee Golf???
It's been popular here for years. Just get the frisbee in
the elevated "bucket" and you are on your way.
Bocci
Ball!
There's two courts and lots of players who love this
game at the Commons.
Moraga
Commons Amphitheater:
Band concerts in the summer on Thursday evenings are very popular.
Seating is on the grass and adjoining hillside. Everyone brings a
blanket or lawn chairs, and snacks or a picnic dinner. Music ranges from
local rock groups to Sousa marches. Fun for all ages and interests.
Concerts start at 6:30 pm and end at 8:30 pm
On the 4th of July, many in town turn out for a pancake breakfast,
competitive run, dog parade, lots of music and a great place to watch
the yearly fireworks that originate over at Moraga Country Club.
Sample Schedule (This was from
2008.)
Rossmoor Big Band - Swing
Stonesoup - Rock & Roll
Motor Dude Zydeco - Cajun
The HouseRockers - Rock & Roll
Larry Lynch & the Lynch Mob- Rock & Roll
Boothill - Country Western
Dave Crimmen Band- 50's Music
Layce Baker & the Black Diamond Band - R & B
Dave Russell Band - Country & Western
Littledog2 - Rock & Roll
Madison Blues Band - Blues
La Ventana - Latin
Littledog2 (Rock) and Culann's Hounds (Celtic)
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Don't miss two other pages on Moraga:
MORAGA PART
2 and MORAGA PART 3
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