Santa Clara County
Santa Clara
Mission-era history, Levi's Stadium and rail on both ends
01 — Welcome
Welcome to Santa Clara
Santa Clara sits in the center of the South Bay between San Jose and Sunnyvale, stretching from the bay lands near CA-237 south toward I-280. Its oldest area grew up around Mission Santa Clara de Asís and Santa Clara University, while the north side is home to Levi's Stadium, California's Great America and the convention center.
The Old Quad near the university has some of the city's oldest homes, including 19th- and early 20th-century houses. Much of central and western Santa Clara is made up of mid-century single-family ranch homes, and newer townhomes and condominiums are concentrated north of US-101, including the Rivermark planned community.
02 — Things to do
Around Santa Clara
- Mission Santa Clara de AsísThe mission church on the Santa Clara University campus, founded in 1777, open to visitors daily with gardens and mission-era artifacts.
- Triton Museum of ArtA free art museum on Warburton Avenue across from City Hall, focusing on contemporary and historical work by Bay Area artists.
- Central ParkThe city's 52-acre community park on Kiely Boulevard with open lawns, picnic areas, a playground, the George F. Haines International Swim Center and a tennis center.
- Ulistac Natural AreaForty acres of restored native habitat along the Guadalupe River off Lick Mill Boulevard.
- San Tomas Aquino Creek TrailA paved multi-use trail connecting the Bay Trail in north Santa Clara south through the city, passing near Levi's Stadium. The stretch by the stadium can close on event days.
- Levi's StadiumHome of the San Francisco 49ers since 2014, also used for concerts and major events, next to the Great America light rail station.
- California's Great AmericaAn amusement park on Great America Parkway in north Santa Clara. Six Flags has said it plans 2027 as the park's last season.
- Santa Clara Farmers' MarketA Saturday-morning market on Jackson Street at Homestead Road, by Franklin Square in downtown Santa Clara.
03 — Getting around
Commute & transit
Santa Clara has rail on several lines: Caltrain at the Santa Clara Transit Center near the university, ACE and Capitol Corridor trains at both the Transit Center and Santa Clara–Great America, and the VTA light rail in the north. Freeways and expressways connect it with every part of the South Bay.
- Caltrain: Santa Clara station (Santa Clara Transit Center); Lawrence station is on the Sunnyvale border
- ACE and Capitol Corridor: Santa Clara Transit Center and Santa Clara–Great America station
- VTA light rail: Old Ironsides, Great America and Lick Mill stations
City averages from Walk Score; scores for a specific address vary.
04 — Schools
Public school districts
- Santa Clara Unified School District · TK–12
- Cupertino Union School District · Elementary & middle (TK–8)
- Fremont Union High School District · High school (9–12)
- Campbell Union School District · Elementary & middle (TK–8)
- Campbell Union High School District · High school (9–12)
School assignments depend on the exact address and can change. Confirm with the district before you buy.
05 — Local resources
06 — Questions
Which school districts serve Santa Clara?
What is the Old Quad?
How does Levi's Stadium affect nearby neighborhoods?
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