EXHIBIT 23.8
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Form S-4 Registration
Statement of Westamerica Bancorporation pertaining to its proposed merger with
ValliCorp Holdings, Inc. of our report dated February 10, 1994, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements of Mineral King Bancorp, Inc. for the
year ended December 31, 1993 which appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of ValliCorp Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
/s/Price Waterhouse LLP
 
Price Waterhouse LLP
Los Angeles, California
December 3, 1996