Ask A Local About Santa Clara
How long have you lived in Santa Clara? I have lived in Santa Clara for ten years. My parents really loved the neighborhood so our second home was actually only two blocks away from the last.
What do you like best about Santa Clara? Besides the people, Santa Clara is very centralized in the bay so your commute never kills you. There’s a nice mix of city and suburban life as well, with plenty of restaurants and museums to check out. The city’s very green and even owns its own utilities so that makes them fairly cheap. For lovers of roller coasters there’s Great America. And the cherry on top is the city’s incredibly active Parks and Recreation Department. There are about forty public parks you can go to with your family, friends, or pets. And more likely than not, there’s at least one event being held at each one.
What do you like least about Santa Clara? There’s no centralized downtown. Everything is massive and sprawling, so a car or public transportation is a must here!
How has it changed in the last fifty years? My grandparents like to tell me about when they first moved to Santa Clara. It was a quiet agricultural valley packed full of orchards and small towns. Pretty rapidly though people began to flood in and the land soon turned into an economic and technological powerhouse full of cultural crossroads. It’s pretty amazing how quickly things changed. I wonder what it will look like in the next fifty years.
What's the neighborhood housing stock like? Santa Clara’s location is in high demand. With a host of tech companies nearby and San Jose bordering it, there just aren’t enough homes to go around.
Better for buyers or renters? With Apple and Google’s expansions, I’d say it’s better to buy. Your home price is likely to keep on climbing while they’re nearby.
What’s the public transportation situation like? For the massive size of the city, public transportation is pretty heavily used by young professionals. Like I said before, it’s pretty green so most commuters will take the bus to reduce air pollution and congestion on highways.
Tell us something we don't know about the neighborhood: Santa Clara is home to the internationally recognized, world champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. And Santa Clara has three sister cities from Portugal, Japan, and Ireland!
Any hidden gems? If you’re looking the best happy hour deals in the South Bay, La Paloma is it! You can get a huge plate of nachos for $5 and dollar off top shelf margaritas. Plus kids eat free on Mondays! Doesn’t matter the day, this place is always packed.
Nearest grocery store? Your friendly, neighborhood Safeway. It’s a pretty standard store, but I really love it because it’s right down the street from the Pruneridge Golf Club. Nothing works up an appetite quite like perfecting your stroke.
Good for kids? Absolutely! The school district gave my family lifetime friendships and allowed my parents to become active members within our community. They were involved in running numerous events at my schools, such as California History day and the school’s Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser. Overall the city is suburban, safe, and very clean.
Notable Residents born in Santa Clara: From the NBA we have Matt Barnes and from the NFL is Joe Montana’s son, Nate.
Best bakery? Stan's Donuts serves some of the best donuts I’ve ever had in my life! It’s a quaint little shop that looks like it’s straight out of the 1950s. They keep it classic and simple. Their glazed donut melts in your mouth, leaving you with a feeling of culinary nirvana.
Best park? Henry Schmidt Park, a.k.a. “The Train Park,” is by far my favorite. There’s something for everyone here. You can have a BBQ with your friends, let the kids play on the train-themed playground, catch a game of tennis or basketball, and even take the dogs around for a walk.
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend? I love heading over to the Pruneridge Golf Club first thing in the morning. It’s a 9 hole course for $24. It’s a great way to start your weekend off right.
Stereotypical residents? Santa Clara is a white-collar city. Overall, it’s a city of professionals, managers, sales, and office workers.
Piece of neighborhood lore: The crucifix at Mission Santa Clara de Asís is said to have animated, leaning forward, to embrace and commend Magin Catalá while he was preaching.
How would you describe Santa Clara to an outsider: It’s a city that is a harmonious hometown for both working professionals and families. And though housing prices may be rising, education and markets have never been an issue. All around, it’s a very wholesome and friendly city.
Describe your 'hood in one sentence: Living in Santa Clara literally puts you in the center of what’s possible.