Silicon Valley Communities
Santa Clara
The Heart of Silicon Valley. Tech Giants. Levi’s Stadium. Historic Roots.
$1.42M
Median Home Price
11
Avg. Days on Market
8/10
GreatSchools Rating
500+
Major Employers
1852
Founded
Overview
Where Silicon Valley Was Born
Founded in 1852 around the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís — the eighth of California’s original Spanish missions — Santa Clara is one of the oldest and most strategically positioned cities in Silicon Valley. Today it sits at the geographic and economic center of the region, home to some of the world’s most recognizable technology companies and a residential fabric that spans quiet tree-lined neighborhoods, modern condominiums, and everything in between.
The city’s profile changed dramatically in 2014 when Levi’s Stadium opened — a 68,000-seat venue that hosts the San Francisco 49ers, major concerts, and world-class sporting events including Super Bowl 50. The stadium has become the focal point of a broader transformation of the city’s Great America district, drawing new development, dining, and visitors from across the Bay Area.
For buyers, Santa Clara offers the rare combination of genuine urban access and established neighborhood character. Intel’s global headquarters sits within city limits. So do the campuses of NVIDIA, ServiceNow, and hundreds of other tech firms. With strong schools, walkable neighborhoods near Santa Clara University, and home prices that undercut neighboring Sunnyvale and Cupertino, the city delivers outstanding value in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
Around Town
Local Favorites
Santa Clara punches above its weight on the dining front — from a nationally recognized steakhouse to enduring Italian and a classic fine-dining room that’s been a local institution for decades.
Dining
Mastro’s Steakhouse
A nationally acclaimed steakhouse on Stevens Creek Blvd — the highest-quality USDA Prime cuts, live entertainment, impeccable service, and one of Silicon Valley’s most celebratory dining rooms. An OpenTable Diners’ Choice award winner.
Il Fornaio
Award-winning Italian cuisine at Santa Clara Square — housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, grilled entrées, and al fresco dining in a warm, sophisticated setting that works as well for a business lunch as a special evening out.
Birk’s Restaurant
A Santa Clara classic on Freedom Circle — prime steaks, fresh seafood, and American fine dining in a handsome, club-like setting that has been a go-to for local executives and families celebrating milestones for years.
Shopping
Westfield Valley Fair
One of the highest-grossing malls in California — Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Apple, Louis Vuitton, and a full dining wing, right on the Santa Clara/San Jose border directly adjacent to Santana Row.
Santa Clara Square Marketplace
A modern open-air retail center near Intel’s headquarters with grocery, restaurants, fitness, and specialty shops — a well-used everyday destination for the city’s north side neighborhoods.
El Camino Real Corridor
A long stretch of retail connecting Santa Clara’s neighborhoods to Sunnyvale and beyond — national grocery anchors, specialty shops, and everyday services within a few minutes of virtually any address in the city.
Things to Do
Levi’s Stadium
Home of the San Francisco 49ers and one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world — also a premier venue for major concerts, college football championships, and international sporting events.
Mission Santa Clara de Asís & Santa Clara University
The historic mission and its adjoining university campus form one of the most beautiful and storied corners of Silicon Valley — open to the public and worth an afternoon of exploration.
Central Park & Recreation Center
Santa Clara’s largest park with sports fields, a library branch, a pool complex, and picnic grounds — a genuine community gathering place at the heart of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Life in Santa Clara
Sports & Entertainment
Levi’s Stadium brings the 49ers, international soccer, major concerts, and Super Bowls to Santa Clara’s front yard — one of the most modern venues in American sports.
Tech Hub Central
Home to Intel HQ, NVIDIA, ServiceNow, Palo Alto Networks, and hundreds of other firms — more Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here per square mile than almost anywhere on earth.
Strong Schools & University
Served by Santa Clara Unified School District, with Santa Clara University — one of the West Coast’s top Jesuit universities — bringing culture, athletics, and academic energy to the city.
Central Location
Positioned at the heart of the Bay Area freeway grid with direct access to US-101, I-280, and CA-237, plus Caltrain and VTA light rail for car-free commutes across the Valley.
Around Town
Local Favorites
From game-day energy near Levi’s Stadium to the quiet charm of neighborhoods surrounding Santa Clara University — a look at what makes this city worth calling home.
Dining
Birk’s Restaurant
An upscale American chophouse with a loyal following among Silicon Valley executives — known for its dry-aged steaks, craft cocktails, and polished atmosphere just minutes from downtown.
Bibo’s NY Pizza
A beloved Santa Clara institution bringing authentic New York–style pizza to the South Bay since 1996, with a loyal neighborhood following and a casual, no-frills atmosphere.
Pasta Prima
A cozy Italian restaurant near Santa Clara University with house-made pastas, a warm atmosphere, and the kind of neighborhood consistency that keeps locals coming back year after year.
Shopping
Westfield Valley Fair
One of the nation’s top-performing malls, with 250+ stores, a flagship Apple Store, luxury brands, and a food hall — all just minutes from Santa Clara’s core neighborhoods.
Rivermark Village
A convenient neighborhood shopping center anchored by a Safeway, local dining, and everyday essentials — the go-to for residents in the northern Santa Clara neighborhoods.
Santa Clara Farmers’ Market
A weekly outdoor market with fresh produce, artisan goods, and local food vendors, held in the heart of the city’s downtown corridor.
Things to Do
California’s Great America
A 112-acre theme park with roller coasters, family rides, and seasonal events — a South Bay institution that has drawn generations of families since 1976.
Intel Museum
A free museum inside Intel’s global headquarters that traces the history of the microchip and Silicon Valley’s technological evolution with engaging interactive exhibits.
Central Park & Sports Complex
Santa Clara’s premier green space with tennis courts, an aquatics center, lawn bowling, and acres of open parkland — the social hub of the city’s recreational life.
Find Your Way
Santa Clara on the Map
A look at Santa Clara and the surrounding area — including a few of the landmarks and local spots featured above.
Levi’s Stadium
Home of the SF 49ers
Intel Museum
Free museum at Intel HQ
California’s Great America
Theme park & family fun
Santa Clara University
Historic Jesuit university