Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara is close to San Francisco and San Jose. Established as a farming community, Santa Clara is now the home to 1.7 million people and 15 different cities, and is a prime location for becoming involved in a wide variety of opportunities and experiences. From a day at the beach to a night in the big city, employees and residents have access to an endless variety of culture, dining, entertainment, sports, nightlife and outdoor activities. Sites, such as downtown San Francisco, downtown San Jose, Monterey, Carmel, Alcatraz, San Jose Tech Museum and more, provide countless opportunities for shopping, dining, socializing and sightseeing.

Diversity plays a large part in the culture and communities of Santa Clara and the Bay Area. From the people and streets of Haight-Ashbury to the downtown shops, restaurants and theaters, the Bay Area is a testing ground for new ways of thinking and experiencing life. This area, which includes Silicon Valley, is also home to many of the world's most successful Internet, e-Commerce and high-tech companies. Centrally located in the Bay Area, Santa Clara offers a wide variety of neighborhoods in which to live.

A vast amount of leisure time in the Santa Clara area is spent in the outdoors, with activities ranging from hiking, biking and walking, to boating, diving and fishing, to skiing, surfing and swimming. The Santa Clara area is also home to many sporting events, including the San Jose Sharks*, the 2001 MLS* Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes* and the SaberCats*, the San Francisco 49ers* and Giants*, and the Oakland Raiders* and the A's*. Santa Clara is also within a short distance of many popular spots that are perfect for weekend getaways, including Napa Valley, Monterey, Lake Tahoe and Carmel.

Interested in finding out more about Santa Clara? Visit the Silicon Valley Gateway to find everything you need, including weather, recreation, housing, finances, community information and more.