Nestled alongside the metropolis of San Jose, the city of Santa Clara is often regarded as merely a suburb of its neighbor, yet history will tell you it is far more than that. Diverse amenities and a strong position as one of the most populated communities in the Bay Area have allowed the city to become an economic power player in its own right.

A Storied Past

Foreign explorer Jose Francisco Ortega was the first European to navigate the land that would eventually hold Santa Clara. His discovery in 1769 led to the founding of Mission Santa Clara in 1777 by Franciscan priests. Nearly eighty years passed before the area around the mission began to grow, populated by settlers drawn to the vicinity in the wake of the Gold Rush. Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 shortly before Santa Clara incorporated into a town, underscoring the residents’ intentions to become a successful, established community.

Economic Transitions

Settlers soon learned to capitalize on the area’s temperate climate and incredibly fertile soil. Agriculture became the dominant industry, and for many, many years Santa Clara was home to prolific farms and orchards whose fruits and seeds were shipped all over the world. Not until the advent of the semiconductor chip in the 1950s did the local economy start to shift into the burgeoning electronics industry. By the dawn of the new millennium, Santa Clara had shed its agrarian roots altogether, allowing its luxuriant setting to play host to some of the greatest forces in Silicon Valley.

Prime Accessibility

Modern residents are drawn to Santa Clara because of its many features, not least of which is strategic access to employers. Tech-oriented companies like Applied Materials, Intel, Marvell, McAfee, Nvidia, and OmniVision all hold offices within the city, making a short commute for employees living in and around Santa Clara. Public transportation is available to residents via Amtrak, Caltrain, and Light Rail, and the city adjoins Mineta San Jose International Airport to provide easy long-distance travel. Additionally, the city’s residents have access to power generated by the local not-for-profit company Silicon Valley Power, which means electricity is significantly cheaper than in surrounding areas.

Recreation For Everyone

Opportunity for recreation abounds in this city—arguably at a greater scale than many of its neighbors. California’s Great America, a famous amusement park, is located near Santa Clara Convention Center, one of the most prominent venues in Silicon Valley, and Levi’s Stadium, which hosted the 2016 Super Bowl and features performances by popular artists throughout the year. Though the city has a diminutive downtown area, plans for revitalization are in the works, and a sprawling mixed-use development has been proposed within the northern sector of the city.

Fine Learning Opportunities

Families in Santa Clara may send their children to well-regarded public schools, or enroll them in any of the many private academies located nearby. Several college campuses are also situated within the city, including prestigious Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher learning in California.

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Built on land rich with both history and potential, Santa Clara forms a convenient option for many because of its abundant potential. As tech innovation continues and local building developments increase, the city is poised to propel forward in both appreciation and desirability.

Notable Residents—Past and Present

Matt Barnes, NBA player

Polina Edmunds, Olympic figure skater

Steve Harwell, lead singer of Smash Mouth

Adrian Ross, NFL player

Natalie Skyy, model, actress, and dancer

Eric Thames, MLB player

Troy Tulowitzki, MLB player