The City has consistently upgraded its City-owned and operated electric, water and sewer utilities. In the nine Bay area counties, the City of Santa Clara has the lowest combined water, sewer and electric service charges for its residents. The City's combined refuse rates remain the lowest in Santa Clara County. This affordable reliable service has encouraged the relocation of businesses to this community, thereby promoting a healthy and stable local economy.

The City's financial stability is further encouragement to local businesses. Low business taxes, moderate real estate prices, and low crime rates are also key components to economic prosperity. Santa Clara's fire defenses and physical conditions continue to receive the highest rating in Santa Clara County (Class 2 fire protection) reflecting a standard which benefits the business community through lower fire insurance premiums. Santa Clara's police fire, emergency medical, and 9-1-1 dispatch provide some of the fastest response times in the state.

Santa Clara is home to Santa Clara University. The Jesuit-run university is noted for its academic excellence. On the University property you will find Mission Santa Clara de Asis, founded in 1777, the eighth of California's missions. Mission College, a two-year public community college, provides extensive course schedules over extended hours to meet every student's needs. Two of the state's leading educational institutions are within an hour's drive: Stanford University in nearby Palo Alto and the University of California at Berkeley.

Outstanding local museums host world-class exhibits. The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University, the Triton Museum of Art across from City Hall, and Intel's Museum, are just a few examples.

Santa Clara has two sister-cities:
Coimbra, Portugal sister-city relationship established in 1972,
Izumo, Japan sister-city relationship established in 1986.


A City Commission, the International Exchange Commission provides advice and assistance to the City Council on its sister-city relationships and interactions with other cities throughout the world. The Santa Clara Sister Cities Association, an independent non-profit organization, works in conjunction with the Commission to help acquaint citizens of Santa Clara with diversity abroad.

From historical neighborhoods to high tech facilities, Santa Clara has it all. Excellent residential areas (for a wide range of family budgets), the city's award-winning Convention Center, Community Recreation Center, International Swim Center, Youth Activity Center, Senior Center, outstanding public library open extended hours, 38 municipal parks and playgrounds, home of the San Francisco 49ers World Champion football team and the championship Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club, and walking paths and bikeways that connect all parts of the City, are just a few of the reasons that residents love Santa Clara.