Welcome To Santa Clara County

The County of Santa Clara and the greater Bay Area are one of the most popular travel destinations for visitors from across the country and around the world. With our truly diverse culture, natural beauty and attractions that rival most states, we offer the perfect vacation and living spot for you and your family.

There are 15 cities ranging from Palo Alto in the north to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of over 900,000, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland.

The County of Santa Clara has a culture rich in its history, ethnic diversity (over 100 languages and dialects are spoken), artistic endeavors, sports venues and academic institutions. The County is home to three major universities - Stanford University, Santa Clara University and San Jose State University - as well as excellent community colleges. In sports and recreation San Jose is home to teams for professional soccer- the Earthquakes; minor league baseball- the San Jose Giants; and the San Jose Sharks- the only professional ice hockey team in Northern California. Numerous public and private golf courses are located throughout the County. In addition to these recreational outlets the County of Santa Clara operates 27 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams and miles of hiking and biking trails.

In addition to the wide variety of business, educational, cultural and recreational opportunities within the County, a short hour's drive can bring residents or visitors to the famous Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, the hills of San Francisco or any number of white sand beaches along the Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay to Monterey and Carmel. And wineries aren't just for Napa and Sonoma – there are many wineries located in the heart of our County.

Today the County is a major employment center for the region providing more than a quarter of all jobs in the Bay Area. It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the World.

The County's population of nearly 1.7 million is one of the largest in the state, following Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties, and is the largest of the nine Bay Area counties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. The County of Santa Clara is made up of people from diverse cultures, nationalities and racial groups. The County, with its diverse population, high standard of living and strong economic vitality has attracted people from all over the world.

Today the County of Santa Clara is known as "Silicon Valley," the birthplace of the high technology revolution. The County of Santa Clara is also unique because of its combination of physical attractiveness and economic diversity. With its numerous natural amenities and one of the highest standards of living in the country, the County has long been considered one of the best areas in the United States in which to live and work. (..back..)

City Information

Campbell www.ci.campbell.ca.us

Campbell is the 'heart' in the 'Valley of Heart's Delight'. Set in the Southwest corner of the Silicon Valley, Campbell is an ideal location for homes, schools and businesses. Although it is part of a major metropolitan area, the city has been able to retain a small town feeling and offer personal attention to approximately 38,000 residents.

Reacting to the growth in Silicon Valley, Campbell has become a community with a thriving business sector. With convenient freeway and mass transportation access, impressive new office complexes, low property tax and business license fees, Campbell is a perfect site for new businesses looking for a winning combination of location and visibility.

Campbell's location is very convenient. Its proximity to shopping, special services and recreational opportunities is ideal for the resident or employee who wants to run a quick errand, take a morning jog down the Los Gatos Creek Trail or go for a delicious business lunch in one of its numerous fine restaurants. (..back..)

Cupertino www.cupertino.org

Alive with energy and rich in diversity, Cupertino is an amazing mix of imagination and cooperation. Home to such high tech firms as Apple Computer and Hewlett-Packard, Cupertino boasts a vibrant economy, beautiful surroundings and a population full of spirit and optimism. Cupertino is known as “The Heart of the Valley.” Cupertino has something for the business and holiday traveler alike. A booming community in its own right, Cupertino lies at the center of Silicon Valley's compass.

Within the borders you'll find a thriving business community that's home to some of the greatest innovators in technology. Along with one of the friendliest climates in the United States, Cupertino boasts one of the most diverse and engaged communities in Northern California. For outdoor recreation Cupertino offers more than 150 acres of parkland including Blackberry Farm with its 9-hole golf course - one of the most affordable urban golf courses around. For indoor recreation the Cupertino Sports Center and Cupertino Senior Center offer a range of activities while the library presents events and activities for both kids and adults. Restaurants in Cupertino reflect the rich and ethnically diverse population bringing cuisine from around the world to help you enjoy your stay. (..back..)

Gilroy www.ci.gilroy.ca.us

Gilroy gives visitors a friendly, small town character with affordable places to stay, great restaurants, wineries, breweries, world class shopping, attractions and recreational opportunities for the whole family. Gilroy is located in the southern-most tip of Santa Clara/Silicon Valley and easily accessible from Highway 101 and Highway 152 which makes it a convenient stop for business and leisure travelers. But whether you live in Gilroy or are just visiting, as the “Gateway to the Central Coast”, there is much to do and see.

Gilroy's claim to fame is being the "Garlic Capital of the World" where each year Gilroy plays host to over 125,000 visitors at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Shopping is world-class with the Gilroy Premium Outlets - a 145-store factory outlet center with famous name brands. Bonfante Gardens Theme Park entertains people of all ages with its acclaimed Circus Trees, a 1927 Ilion’s carousel, waterfalls, topiaries - all set within its 600-acre preserve. For the connoisseur of fine wines, family-owned wineries are abundant and many offer picnic areas, tours, seasonal events and gift shops.

Gilroy is a "Tree City U.S.A." The city has a total of 440 acres of parkland and has won more park design awards from the California Park and Recreation Society than any other city in California. In addition to its extensive city park system, within a 15 minute drive from the center of Gilroy is Mt. Madonna Park, a 3,200-acre park with some of California's finest Coastal redwoods; Henry Coe Park, the second largest state park in California with 80,000+ acres; and the Adams-Chitactac Park, an original site of the Ohlone Indians. Gilroy is also surrounded by reservoirs, which provide a full complement of water-related sports and recreational activities.

Gilroy has developed from a rural, agricultural community to the fastest growing city in the Silicon Valley. Growth has centered on high-tech software and support industries as well as a number of manufacturing and production industries. Thousands of jobs are filled in Gilroy from tourism, retail, manufacturing and research and development. Gilroy is proud of its growth and its ability to provide a high quality of life to residents. (..back..)

Los Altos www.ci.los-altos.ca.us

Tree lined streets and a small village atmosphere characterize Los Altos, which is located in the heart of world-famous Silicon Valley. The seven square mile city is developed with small businesses, schools, libraries and churches. Incorporated in 1952, Los Altos is a general law city with five elected council members who serve four-year terms. City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Appointed commissions and committees assist the Council in an advisory capacity. The Council appointed city manager is responsible for financial and operational management of the city's employees.

Los Altos has international sister cities ties with Bendigo, Australia; Skytyvkar, Russia; and Shih Lin, Taiwan. Over 200 volunteers a year assist in providing city government services to the community. In 1982 Los Altos became a leader in recycling programs when it began curbside residential collection of bottles, cans and newspapers. Since then motor oil, yard waste and mixed paper have been added. City Council and Planning Commission meetings are televised live on the city's cable television government access channel 18. In addition, this channel carries a 24-hour video bulletin board on city services, activities and events. (..back..)

Los Altos Hills www.losaltoshills.ca.gov

The Town of Los Altos Hills is a premier Silicon Valley residential community located adjacent to the City of Los Altos. Numerous Silicon Valley executives are residents of Los Altos Hills where the market value for unimproved building sites is currently estimated at $2M per acre. The minimum lot size is one acre. Many homes are large with such amenities as pools, sports courts and secondary units. The primarily residential community of Los Altos Hills is 8.4 square miles in area. The Town is distinctive because of its rolling hills and picturesque valleys. Numerous creeks and densely wooded areas provide pleasant visual diversity. The Town's location contributes to a mild climate with only rare extremes of temperature. Elevations above sea level rise from 200 to 1,300 feet, making Los Altos Hills a natural buffer between the more heavily developed urban Bay Area and the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains. Los Altos Hills became the 14th city in Santa Clara County on January 27, 1956 with a population then numbering 2,500. Today there are more than triple that number of residents living in the Town. Zoning has remained the same since its inception - a single "residential-agricultural" zone with additional permitted uses such as public and private schools, churches and synagogues, recreational clubs and other facilities compatible with noncommercial communities. (..back..)

Los Gatos www.los-gatos.ca.us

Located just moments from the high-tech heart of Silicon Valley, Los Gatos is a captivating jewel that flourishes in its blend of yesterday's charm and today's modern lifestyles. Tucked against the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos more than lives up to its name as the "Gem of the Foothills." Quaint merchant buildings house lively restaurants, coffeehouses, galleries and boutiques while resplendent Victorians surround downtown's historic center. Miles of nature trails beckon walkers, hikers and bikers while perfectly shaped benches invite visitors to sit a spell and watch the activities of a farmer's market, children's parade or the everyday goings on of a remarkable little town.

As transportation improved and more travelers discovered Los Gatos inevitably more people would grow to love the town and its environs. In 1915 Sunset magazine published a Los Gatos pamphlet, saying, "To see Los Gatos is to love the town. To enjoy the privilege of a few days' or weeks' stay within the gates of that beautiful city of 3,500 souls is to wish to come again. And to become a permanent resident there is to lie in paradise, if such there be on this earth." While the town has grown many fold since those days its beauty and charm still abound at every turn. (..back..)

Milpitas www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov

Milpitas is known as the “Gateway to Silicon Valley.” Milpitas is home to an ethnically diverse group of residents and to a broad range of small and large businesses and industries. Business, industry and people are attracted to Milpitas by its location, fine school district, attractive residential neighborhoods, churches of different faiths, access to major freeways, parks and recreation facilities, health facilities, shopping centers, fine restaurants and major hotels with banquet facilities.

The City of Milpitas is poised to move forward with new opportunities for growth in its economy and in its diverse community. New ventures in information technology have made this city a prime location to start new businesses to be part of this changing community. Like their predecessors before, looking to settle in a new country, Milpitas will be seen again as a leader setting new standards in an ever-changing and smaller world. (..back..)

Monte Sereno www.montesereno.org

Monte Sereno is Santa Clara Valley's smallest and most exclusive community with 3,483 residents living in 1,211 homes, nearly all of them worth at least a million dollars. Monte Sereno has no downtown, no strip malls, in fact no shops at all. Monte Sereno's low profile, however, is no problem for its residents, who live on half-acre lots without sidewalks, streetlights or much government at all for that matter. Past city clerks have doubled as postmaster and city managers also clocked in as municipal engineers and dogcatchers. Residents can keep chickens in their backyards, but few do. Tennis courts are common. Monte Sereno real estate is among the most expensive anywhere, but well worth it to those who can afford it. Where else can you find a rural mountain paradise a stone's throw from bustling Silicon Valley?

Monte Sereno is one of the Santa Clara Valley's most desirable residential communities. It boasts great weather, excellent schools, breathtaking mountain views and a quiet village atmosphere. Just a short drive from the Santa Cruz beaches, Silicon Valley workplaces and the cultural attractions of San Jose and San Francisco, Monte Sereno offers the best of all worlds.

The City of Monte Sereno was incorporated on May 14, 1957 and it relies on the surrounding cities of Saratoga and Los Gatos for most of its resources. The Los Gatos Police Department helps patrol the Monte Sereno area. Monte Sereno’s claim to fame is that John Steinbeck wrote his famous novel “Of Mice and Men” while living in Monte Sereno. (..back..)

Morgan Hill www.morgan-hill.ca.gov

Morgan Hill is located in southern Santa Clara Valley. Parks and open spaces abound making Morgan Hill one of the last communities in the region with a charming, small town atmosphere. Morgan Hill is on the way to everywhere and has something for everyone to enjoy. For tourists and visitors Morgan Hill offers excellent restaurants and accommodations, golf courses, spas, wineries, microbreweries, outdoor recreation (e.g.: hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, boating); a quaint, yet vital downtown, hot air ballooning, shopping and more! Visit the “Countryside of Silicon Valley” to see why so many consider Morgan Hill a place to build their dreams.

Morgan Hill prides itself as a family community and is home to festivals and celebrations such as the Taste of Morgan Hill; Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival; December Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony; California's oldest 4th of July Parade and Festivities; Friday Night Music Series; Certified Farmers Market; Downtown Safe Halloween program and many more. Check out the annual "Calendar of Events" to plan for the many festivities. Morgan Hill offers great golf courses, lakes, outstanding country, state and national parks for camping, hiking, horseback riding, water recreations and mountain biking. (..back..)

Mountain View www.mtnview.ca.us

Mountain View is located in the heart of Silicon Valley bordered by Palo Alto, Los Altos and Sunnyvale. Neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, quality education and convenient shopping make Mountain View an attractive community. The city maintains a strong and diversified local economy and has nearly two million square feet of commercial development in the city. Numerous high technology electronics companies, including several in the Fortune 500, as well as bio-technology firms are located in Mountain View. With only 4% of Santa Clara County's population Mountain View is home to 11% of the county's top firms. Mountain View enjoys a lively mix of retail stores, executive offices, research and development firms and professional services. (..back..)

Palo Alto www.city.palo-alto.ca.us

More than 100 years old, Palo Alto is named for a majestic 250-year-old coastal redwood tree along San Francisquito Creek where early Spanish explorers settled. The blend of business and residential areas anchored by a vibrant downtown defines Palo Alto’s unique character. A charming mixture of old and new, Palo Alto’s tree-lined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage. At the same time Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technological development. Palo Alto is known as “Birthplace of the Silicon Valley” and has an abundance of local pride and numerous neighborhood organizations contribute to Palo Alto’s charming historic and upscale commercial and residential areas.

Characteristic of Palo Alto is the care taken to protect open space and parkland. Palo Alto has a remarkable number of City-owned parks for its size (34 at last count) and nearly one-third of its 26 square miles is open space. Palo Alto’s San Francisco Bay location and natural environment offer the opportunity to enjoy bird and aquatic life in a natural habitat. Proximity to Stanford University with its cultural and educational offerings adds to the vibrance, innate charm and beauty of Palo Alto. Distinctive in every way Palo Alto offers its business community a diverse and exciting environment in which to work and live. (..back..)

San Jose www.ci.san-jose.ca.us

San Jose is the third largest city in the state, following Los Angeles and San Diego, and the 11th largest city in the United States (soon to be 10th). San Jose is rich in ethnic diversity and has a beautiful climate. As the hub of Silicon Valley, San Jose is also the safest large city (500,000+) in the U.S. Sunset magazine described the downtown as an "eminently walkable area with level streets, balmy weather and well-marked attractions." "California casual" is appropriate for daytime and most evening outings. A sweater or light jacket is suggested for evenings with coats advisable for November through March.

San José has become a popular destination for tourists and business travelers. Visitors find many amenities in the City's revitalized downtown area including fine accommodations, world-class restaurants and shops. Whether you're looking for world-class cultural arts, nightlife, professional sports (including the NHL's San Jose Sharks), theme parks, wineries, shopping, and of course, great hotels and restaurants, San Jose is a great place to be. (..back..)

Santa Clara www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us

The mission of the City of Santa Clara is to promote a living and working environment that allows for the best quality of life by serving the community with resourceful, efficient, progressive and professional leadership. Santa Clara is known as the “Mission City” and is the third largest city in Santa Clara County. Santa Clara is home to the famous Santa Clara University, home of the Broncos. Santa Clara has about 30 parks and playgrounds, one city golf course and a nine-hole course. The city offers an International Swim Center famous for training Olympic winners. Also, the San Francisco 49ers train in Santa Clara during the football season. (..back..)

Saratoga www.saratoga.ca.us

Saratoga is located in Santa Clara County 26 miles east of the Pacific Coast, ten miles southwest of San Jose and fifty miles south of San Francisco. The city is situated in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains at an elevation of 500 feet. Saratoga is at the entrance to a historic pass in the redwood-forested Santa Cruz Mountains. Artifacts have been found along Saratoga Creek where the Ohlone Indians camped while on their way through the pass to the ocean beyond. Today the City of Saratoga, with a population of around 30,000, strives to maintain the elements of its natural beauty and colorful past through careful zoning policies and historic preservation. Today it retains that close-knit and quiet feel, and has settled comfortably into a well-placed residential community. (..back..)

Sunnyvale www.ci.sunnyvale.ca.us

Known as the "Heart of Silicon Valley," the city of Sunnyvale is located about 10 miles west of San Jose and 50 miles south of San Francisco. Founded in 1912 Sunnyvale became a charter city in 1949. Plenty of work in the high-tech field is found in Sunnyvale, which has been recognized as one of America's best managed cities. Sunnyvale's primary attractions are museums like the Lace Museum and the Sunnyvale Historical Museum. Sometimes the tech geeks who populate Sunnyvale get tired of tinkering, semiconductoring and solving math problems. And when that happens they can just sit back and watch the ducks or they can punk out at the skate park, check out some local history at the museum and modern houses in the neighborhoods or explore their repressed literary sides in the social environs of the library, all for free. (..back..)

Phone Numbers for Emergency Call 911

City	City Hall	Fire emergency	Police emergency
Campbell	408-866-2101	408-378-4010	408-866-2121
Cupertino	408-777-3200	408-378-4010	408-299-3233
Gilroy	408-846-0400	408-848-0370	408-846-0300
Hollister	831-636-4300	831-636-4325	831-636-4330
Los Altos	650-948-1491	408-378-4010	650-948-8223
Los Altos Hills	650-941-7222	408-378-4010	408-299-3233
Los Gatos	408-354-6834	408-378-4010	408-354-5257
Milpitas	408-586-3000	408-586-2800	408-942-4200
Monte Sereno	408-354-7635	408-378-4010	408-354-5257
Morgan Hill	408-779-7271	408-378-4010	408-779-7316
Mountain View	650-903-6300	650-903-6365	650-903-6350
Palo Alto	650-329-2100	650-329-2184	650-329-2406
San Jose	408-277-4000	408-277-4444	408-277-8900 for 311 408-277-8911 for 911
Santa Clara	408-615-2200	408-615-4900	408-984-3194