Home to some of the largest and best-known internet and computer companies in the world, including HP (Palo Alto), Google (Mountain View) and Apple (Cupertino), Santa Clara County is known for being the hub of the inventive and entrepreneurial side of Silicon Valley. It includes Stanford University, as well as the offices of many major venture capitol firms.
With so many leading companies now based in the area, the region has undergone a transformation in recent years. Today, its towns' quaint main streets often include sophisticated dining establishments and high-end stores. However, much of the county's rural small-town character remains thanks to the area’s strong commitment to preserving open spaces for recreation, and its commitment to local farmer’s markets and community events. To give just one example, the county has 40 county-certified farmers markets happening every week.
Los Altos, in the heart of Santa Clara County, was ranked as the best place to live in California by AreaVibes, a website that scores the livability of more than 20,000 cities and neighborhoods across America.
Population: 1,781,642
Cities: The county encompasses 15 incorporated cities, the largest of which is San Jose.
Schools: The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) serves the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The graduation rate for the county is 81.1 percent.
The county also is home to seven colleges and universities, including world-famous Stanford University.
Housing: Median value of a total of 342,955 owner occupied houses in Santa Clara County was $639,400 based on 2010 data.
Transportation: The county has consolidated its transportation services into the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, which operates a rapidly expanding light rail system, a large system of bus routes, and a bicycle path network. PAMF’s Palo Alto Center is also served by the free Stanford University shuttle bus. The main airport is Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC).
Parks and Recreation: The county includes an extensive network of 28 regional parks encompassing nearly 45,000 acres of land, as well as open space preserves and state parks. In addition, a favorite of many staff and physicians is “The Dish” hiking area, an open space recreational area maintained by Stanford University.
Parents will appreciate the county’s two children’s museums, the San Jose Children’s museum and the Palo Alto Junior Zoo and Museum, many playgrounds and the beautiful gardens of Stanford University.
Fun fact: Yes, there is a real Palo Alto (tall tree) that gives its name to the city of Palo Alto and, by proxy, our medical group. This majestic 1,000-year-old coastal redwood tree sits along San Francisquito Creek in Palo Alto and is only a short walk from our Palo Alto Center.
Additional information: Santa Clara County official website