Santa Clara, California

The city of Santa Clara, at the center of Silicon Valley, is in a strategic regional location convenient to freeways, airports, railroads, expressways, light rail and other public transportation. The city has a population of 102,895, and is located approximately 45 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County. Housing in the city has seen substantial appreciation over the past several years due to the strong employment base and job growth. Prices range from $400,000 to $5 million and more for hilltop estates or ranch properties. From historical neighborhoods to high-tech facilities, Santa Clara has it all.

Excellent residential areas (for a wide range of family budgets), the city's award-winning Convention Center, Community Recreation Center, International Swim Center, Youth Activity Center, Senior Citizens Center, outstanding public library open extended hours, 34 municipal parks and playgrounds, the championship Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club, and walking paths and bikeways that connect all parts of the city, are just a few of the reasons that residents love Santa Clara. The city is home to thousands of well-educated, highly skilled workers. The employment base is 150,000. With 19.3 square miles of tree-lined neighborhoods and thriving commercial/industrial centers, the city of Santa Clara is an ideal location for new, relocating, or expanding businesses.

The county's retail market is the second strongest of the nine San Francisco Bay area counties. Santa Clara has a long tradition of quality public services and a highly maintained infrastructure. The city has consistently upgraded its city-owned and operated electric, water and sewer utilities. In the nine Bay area counties, the city of Santa Clara has the lowest combined water, sewer and electric service charges for its residents. The city's combined refuse rates remain the lowest in Santa Clara County. This affordable reliable service has encouraged the relocation of businesses to this community, thereby promoting a healthy and stable local economy. The city's financial stability is further encouragement to local businesses. Low business taxes, moderate real estate prices, and low crime rates are also key components to economic prosperity. Santa Clara's fire defenses and physical conditions continue to receive the highest rating in Santa Clara County reflecting a standard which benefits the business community through lower fire insurance premiums. Santa Clara's police fire, emergency medical, and 9-1-1 dispatch provide some of the fastest response times in the state.

Santa Clara is home to Santa Clara University. The Jesuit-run university is noted for its academic excellence. On the University property you will find Mission Santa Clara de Asis, founded in 1777, the eighth of California's missions. Mission College, a two-year public community college, provides extensive course schedules over extended hours to meet every student's needs. Two of the state's leading educational institutions are within an hour's drive: Stanford University in nearby Palo Alto and the University of California at Berkeley. Outstanding local museums host world-class exhibits. The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University, the Triton Museum of Art across from City Hall, and Intel's Museum, are just a few examples.

Thanks to its central location, Santa Clara has always been a key transportation hub. The Santa Clara passenger depot was originally constructed by the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company in late 1863 and was the oldest continuously operating railroad depot in the State of California until May 1997. It was placed in the National Register of Historical Places in 1985. The depot was one of two "way depots" built between San Francisco and San Jose. The original 24'X50' portion of the depot was constructed on the east side of the railroad tracks, adjacent to the south side of Brokaw Road. The political influence exerted on the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company by the Santa Clara University board of trustees, who were stockholders, was a decisive factor in having a "way depot" built only three miles from the railroad terminus in San Jose. The first regular through passenger service to San Francisco started January 17, 1864.