Peninsula Living: Unique Communities of the Silicon Valley

Peninsula Living: Unique Communities of the Silicon Valley

With the introduction of the iPad and the phenomenal success of the iPhone, much has been heard lately of Apple Computer, headquartered in Cupertino, California

Before this region became known as the Silicon Valley, it was an agriculture area, home to many fruit orchards, and dubbed “The Valley of the Heart’s Delight.” Although few orchards remain, the various Santa Clara County towns in the Silicon Valley, each with its own flavor and unique lifestyle, still make living here a delight—there’s a place here for everyone!

 Cupertino
A growing community near the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay and only 10 miles from San Jose International Airport, Cupertino is the home of De Anza College and Apple Computers, illustrating the Silicon Valley's educational and technological values.  Cupertino School District.

 Los Altos
Located on the West side of the Bay, about 40 miles south of San Francisco, you'll find the tree-lined streets of Los Altos. The city is only 7 miles wide, but the schools and local businesses are thriving in this close-knit community.  Los Altos School District.

 Los Altos Hills
Located on the western border of Silicon Valley, Los Altos Hills is characterized by rolling green hills and open space for horseback riding, hiking, or bicycling. The students and faculty of Foothill College enjoy this beautiful landscape on a daily basis.  Los Altos Hills School District.

Mountain View
About 10 miles north of San Jose International Airport, you'll find the city of Mountain View sitting in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Four major freeways (101, 280, 237, 85) are just minutes away - a definite bonus on your daily commute. Mountain View is home of Shoreline Amphitheater, NASA Ames Research Center and Museum, Shoreline Golf Links 18-hole course, and more.  Mountain View School District.

Palo Alto
Palo Alto is centrally located along the west side of the Bay, with San Francisco to the north, San Jose to the south, and the Dumbarton Bridge providing a shortcut across the water into Fremont, Oakland, and other East Bay communities. It is the home of Stanford University and Medical Center, Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, and Palo Alto Airport (KPAO) which provides aircraft rental and flight training services.  Palo Alto School District.

Santa Clara
Located between Sunnyvale and San Jose, this is where the semiconductor industry began, and the city of Santa Clara is still the center of the Silicon Valley today. Here you’ll find tech giants Applied Materials, Sun Microsystems, Google, and Intel, Santa Clara University, Paramount Great America amusement park, and the practice facilities of the San Francisco 49ers.  Santa Clara School District.

Saratoga
Tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Saratoga is a lovely residential community with a small-town feel. The City is well known for its excellent schools, fine dining, unique shops, and distinctive cultural institutions. Saratoga offers a high quality of life to its residents and a chance to escape the hustle of Silicon Valley. Saratoga Union School District

Sunnyvale
Neighboring the cities of Cupertino and Mountain View, this town was named by settlers who "saw the sunshine." Industry leaders such as Yahoo!, Sandisk, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin are located in Sunnyvale, and the community continues to grow without losing any of its charm.  Sunnyvale School District.