Orinda in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Joaquin Moraga Adobe

1841

Moraga Adobe Markers image. Click for full size.

July 2024

1. Moraga Adobe Markers

Inscription.
Jose Joaquin Moraga - member of the Juan Bautista de Anza 1776 expedition, founder and first Commandante of the Presidio of San Francisco - was the grandfather of Don Joaquin Moraga who with his cousin Don Juan Bernal was awarded this grant in 1835 which they called Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados. In August 1941 this property was acquired and restoration made by Katharine Brown White Irvine of Oakland. Later ownership was bequeathed to her grandson William Thornton White III.
Contra Costa County Historical Society, 1954.
California State Registration Number 509.

Joaquin Moraga Adobe - 1841. Historic Landmark designated by the City of Orinda, March 7, 1995. Ordinance Number 95-01.

The original landmark plaques were stolen in 2010 and never recovered.
These reproductions were donated by Daughters of the American Revolution Acalanes Chapter.

Erected 1954 by Contra Costa County Historical Society; City of Orinda; Daughters of the American Revolution Acalanes Chapter; and The

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Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe. (Marker Number 509.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 37° 50.605′ N, 122° 9.233′ W. Marker is in Orinda, California, in Contra Costa County. It can be reached from Adobe Lane near Donna Maria Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 Adobe Ln, Orinda CA 94563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

courtesy Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe

2. Moraga Adobe Markers

3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willow Spring School II (approx. 1.4 miles away); Old Moraga Townsite (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moraga Barn (approx. 1.4 miles away); Moraga Train Station (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hacienda de las Flores (approx. 1.6 miles away); Buehler House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Joseph Joachin Moraga (approx. 1.7 miles away); Site of Blossom Rock Navigation Trees (approx. 2½ miles away).

More about this marker. Construction of new homes near the adobe began in 2020, and the Moraga Adobe was restored to its historic configuration. Replacement plaques were installed in 2024. The Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe began offering public tours in 2026.

Regarding The Joaquin Moraga Adobe.
The adobe was designated California Historical Landmark No. 509 in 1953, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and designated a City of Orinda Historic Landmark in 1995.

Also see . . . Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe. Website with history, photos, and tour info. (Submitted on October 20, 2020.)

Original Marker, now missing image. Click for full size.

courtesy Contra Costa County Historical Society

3. Original Marker, now missing

Moraga Adobe Marker image. Click for full size.

courtesy Contra Costa County Historical Society

4. Moraga Adobe Marker

Marker dedication ceremony, May 1954.

Moraga Adobe - 1954 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Contra Costa County Historical Society

5. Moraga Adobe - 1954

Newer additions were removed during restoration in 2020.

Moraga Adobe Restoration - 2021 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 19, 2021

6. Moraga Adobe Restoration - 2021

Moraga Adobe - 2024 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe

7. Moraga Adobe - 2024

Moraga Adobe - 1935 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Contra Costa County Historical Society

8. Moraga Adobe - 1935

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on September 19, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on April 16, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on October 20, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.