Exhibit 5.1









                                                        May 9, 1997



Chevron Corporation
575 Market Street
San Francisco, CA  94105


               Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     With reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by the
Chevron Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, relating to 50,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Company's
Restricted Stock Plan for Non-employee Directors (the "Plan"), it is our opinion
that such shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Plan, will be
legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ PILLSBURY MADISON & SUTRO LLP

                                        PILLSBURY MADISON & SUTRO LLP

[E-01788]


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