Cities & Towns in Santa Clara County, CA

Known as the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County boasts some of the most innovative and technologically advanced cities in the world. But beyond the tech campuses and startups, these communities also offer unique cultures and a high quality of life. Some of the most prominent cities in Santa Clara County include San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Mountain View.

If you’re looking for a diverse, dynamic and prosperous place to live, work or visit, you might want to consider Santa Clara County, CA. This county is home to 15 cities and towns, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Whether you’re into culture, nature, history or innovation, you’ll find something to suit your interests in Santa Clara County.

San Jose

San Jose is the county seat and the largest city in Santa Clara County, with a population of over 1 million people. It’s also the 10th-most populous city in the United States and the third-most populous in California. San Jose is known as the capital of Silicon Valley, the global hub of high-tech industry and innovation. Some of the world’s most famous tech companies are based or have offices in San Jose, such as Adobe, Cisco, eBay, PayPal and Zoom.

But San Jose is not just about technology. It’s also a vibrant and diverse city with a rich cultural heritage and a lively arts and entertainment scene. You can explore the history of San Jose at the Peralta Adobe and Fallon House Historic Site, the oldest buildings in the city. You can also visit the San Jose Museum of Art, the Tech Interactive, the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. For some outdoor fun, you can check out the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Alum Rock Park or the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens.

Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale is the second-largest city in Santa Clara County, with a population of about 152,000 people. It’s located in the heart of Silicon Valley, along the historic El Camino Real. Sunnyvale is home to many tech companies, such as Yahoo!, LinkedIn, Juniper Networks and NetApp. It’s also known for its aerospace and defense industry, as Lockheed Martin has a major facility in Sunnyvale.

Sunnyvale is a sunny and friendly city with a high quality of life. It has many parks, trails and recreational facilities for residents and visitors to enjoy. You can visit the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum, which showcases the history of Sunnyvale from its agricultural roots to its technological achievements. You can also catch a show at the Sunnyvale Theatre or shop at the Sunnyvale Farmers’ Market.

Santa Clara

Santa Clara is the third-largest city in Santa Clara County, with a population of about 131,000 people. It’s located at the center of Silicon Valley, surrounded by San Jose, Sunnyvale and Cupertino. Santa Clara is home to several tech companies, such as Intel, Nvidia, McAfee and Applied Materials. It’s also home to Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher learning in California.

Santa Clara is a historic and cultural city with many attractions for visitors. You can visit the Mission Santa Clara de Asís, which was founded in 1777 by Spanish missionaries. You can also visit the de Saisset Museum, which features art and history exhibits from Santa Clara University and the region. For some entertainment and excitement, you can visit the California’s Great America theme park or watch a game at Levi’s Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers play.

Mountain View

Mountain View is the fourth-largest city in Santa Clara County, with a population of about 80,000 people. It’s located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, near Stanford University campus and the Computer History Museum.">Palo Alto and Los Altos. Mountain View is famous for being the headquarters of Google, one of the most influential tech companies in the world. It’s also home to other tech companies, such as Intuit, Mozilla and Symantec.

Mountain View is a scenic and lively city with a lot to offer visitors. You can visit the Computer History Museum, which displays the evolution of computing from ancient times to today. You can also visit the NASA Ames Research Center, which conducts research on space exploration and aviation. For some outdoor fun, you can visit Shoreline Park or Rengstorff Park.

Beyond these major hubs, Santa Clara County also contains academic towns like Palo Alto, suburban enclaves like Saratoga, and peaceful spots like Los Gatos tucked into the Santa Cruz mountains. Each city provides endless inspiration with its diversity of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes - from manicured corporate campuses to bustling downtowns to peaceful nature trails. More than just technology, the communities of Santa Clara County represent the unique allure of Northern California.