SOUTH BAY · CITY GUIDE

Santa Clara

Santa Clara sits at the center of the South Bay, wrapped around Santa Clara University and home to Levi's Stadium, with a largely flat street grid and a wide mix of housing.

At a glance

  • Where it is: central Santa Clara County, between Sunnyvale and San Jose.
  • Known for: Santa Clara University and Mission Santa Clara, Levi's Stadium and the Great America area, and its city-owned electric utility.
  • The environment: suburban and flat, with older neighborhoods near the university and newer development on the north side.
  • What sets it apart: Silicon Valley Power, the municipal utility, generally makes electricity rates lower than in surrounding cities.

Housing character

  • Post-war single-family homes across much of the city.
  • Older homes near the university and the Old Quad.
  • Condominiums and townhomes, including large newer developments on the north side.
  • Apartment and mixed-use buildings near Great America and the stadium.
  • Generally a broader range of price points than the cities immediately west.

Places within Santa Clara

Old Quad
The oldest part of the city, beside Santa Clara University, with period homes.
Forest Park
Established central neighborhood with post-war single-family homes.
Rivermark
Newer planned community on the north side with townhomes, condos, and a village center.
Killarney Farms
Northern neighborhood near the Sunnyvale border.
Ponderosa Park
Central residential neighborhood near Homeridge Park.
Bowers / Central Park
Neighborhoods near Central Park and the Caltrain corridor.

Around town

  • Santa Clara University campus and Mission Santa Clara de Asís.
  • Levi's Stadium and California's Great America.
  • Central Park, the International Swim Center, and the Community Recreation Center.
  • Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair just across the San Jose line.
  • Ulistac Natural Area and the Guadalupe River Trail.

Getting around

  • Santa Clara Caltrain station near the university, plus Lawrence station to the west.
  • VTA light rail on the north side serving Great America and the employment corridor.
  • US-101, Interstate 880, State Route 237, and the Lawrence and San Tomas expressways.
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport is in the area; travel time varies.

What to check

  • Aircraft noise from San Jose Mineta International Airport affects parts of the city.
  • Event traffic around Levi's Stadium and Great America on game and concert days is significant.
  • Some neighborhoods sit near US-101, Interstate 880, or the expressways.
  • HOA dues in newer north-side communities vary — review the budget and reserves.
  • Older housing stock in the central neighborhoods.
  • Verify current transportation service, school assignment, permit requirements, hazard information, and total housing costs for the specific address.

Nearby guides

SunnyvaleCentral South Bay city with varied housing types and a downtown district next to Caltrain.San JoseNorthern California's largest city — better understood as dozens of distinct neighborhoods than as one market.CupertinoWestern valley city against the foothills, primarily residential, with nearby open-space trails.CampbellSmall city with a walkable historic downtown, light rail access, and a central position in the west valley.MilpitasBART and light rail meet here at the South Bay–East Bay seam, with a large supply of newer townhomes and condos.