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Silicon Valley

The county of Santa Clara, also referred to as “Silicon Valley,” is 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.

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1312 square miles. The fertile Santa Clara Valley runs the entire length of the county from north to south, ringed by the rolling hills of the Diablo Range on the east, and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the west. Salt marshes and wetlands lie in the northwestern part of the county, adjacent to the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Known at one time as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” Santa Clara Valley once overflowed with abundant agricultural riches. Before the cultivation of this beautiful valley, the land itself provided richly for its original Native American inhabitants, the Ohlone. The County of Santa Clara celebrated its 150th birthday in February 2000.

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. There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale, ranging from Palo Alto in the north to Gilroy in the south. A significant portion of the county’s land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

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.

Santa Clara County has 36 school districts, 239 elementary schools, and 51 high schools, plus numerous private elementary and high schools. There are also seven community colleges, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University and Stanford University.

Bay Area Weather

The Mediterranean climate of the region remains temperate year round due to the area’s geography and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The Diablo Range on the east protects the area from California’s hot interior and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the west shield it from ocean breezes.

The area is warm and dry much of the year. Rarely is the humidity uncomfortable, and the thermometer seldom drops below freezing. Rain generally confines itself to the winter and snow to the tops of the local mountains, the Mt. Hamilton Range lining the eastern border of the County and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west. Temperatures vary from an average of 50 degrees in winter to an average of 80 degrees in summer. Santa Clara County boasts an average of more than 300 sunny days per year.

Precipitation in Santa Clara County occurs primarily between November and March, with the wettest months being December and January. San Jose averages 14.1 inches per year, while Los Gatos, which is closer to the Santa Cruz Mountains, averages 25.2 inches per year.

Things to Do

Santa Clara County is replete with museums, theater and musical groups, shopping, event centers, sports facilities, and golf courses. It also boasts a total of twenty-seven parks and reservoirs encompassing over 45,000 acres and wide range of activities. For more information on all of the county parks, visit the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department at www.parkhere.org. In addition, here is a list of other local activities:

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
3050 Hecker Pass Road
Gilroy, CA
408.840.7100

Children’s Discovery Museum
180 Woz Way
San Jose, CA
408.298.5437

Hakone Gardens
21000 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, CA
408.741.4994

Happy Hallow Park and Zoo
1300 Senter Rd.
San Jose, CA
408.794.6400

Lick Observatory
Mount Hamilton Rd.
San Jose, CA
408.274.5061

Mission Santa Clara
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA
408.554.4023

Paramount’s Great America
2401 Agnew Rd.
Santa Clara, CA
408.988.1776

Prusch Farm Park
647 S. King Rd.
San Jose, CA
408.264.9654/408.794.6262

Raging Waters
2333 S. White Rd.
San Jose, CA
408.238.9900

Shoreline Aquatic Sailing Park
3160 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA
650.965.7474

Tech Museum of Innovation/IMAX Theater
201 S. Market St.
San Jose, CA
408.294.8324

Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA
408.247.2101

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