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Downtown Santa Clara

Downtown Santa Clara

$1,516,552 Average Value
$1,008 Average Price per Sq Ft
14 Homes For Sale

A rich history and a bright future

Downtown Santa Clara, sometimes called Old Quad by locals, is known for its historic homes, highly rated schools and Santa Clara University, the oldest university in California. “This part of San Jose is just inundated with history,” says Jessica Mills, a local resident and Realtor with Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. “You have that beautiful turn-of-the-century home design. It’s treelined and known for its landscape because it used to be an orchard.” Nearby houses of worship include Masjid Al-Noor and Mission Santa Clara de Asís, a Catholic church on Santa Clara University’s campus that was originally founded in 1777.

This area had a central commercial district in the early 20th century, but it was demolished in the 1960s. In 2023, the city council approved a plan to redevelop the original downtown, located around Lafayette and Benton Streets, with new housing and businesses. While there is no central downtown yet, residents have plenty of shopping and dining options throughout the neighborhood, and big tech employers, including Nvidia and Intel, are within 5 miles.
Explore historic architecture at Santa Clara University.
Explore historic architecture at Santa Clara University.
Admire modern sculptures set against peaceful surroundings, where art and tranquility blend.
Admire modern sculptures set against peaceful surroundings, where art and tranquility blend.
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Colorful Folk Victorian homes

Downtown Santa Clara's sidewalk-lined, gridded streets make it a popular area for dog walks and evening strolls. While the neighborhood isn't an official historic district, many buyers are drawn by the character and history of the neighborhood’s early 20th-century Folk Victorian, Queen Anne and Craftsman homes; these are often painted in bright colors and feature flower-filled gardens, mature trees and lush lawns. Homes here vary widely in size, from two-bedroom, 800-square-foot cottages to seven-bedroom, 3,800-square-foot renovated Queen Anne homes; prices typically range from $780,000 to $2.3 million, depending on size and renovation status.

The neighborhood's midcentury ranch-style and minimal traditional homes both have attached garages and a similar price range; a one-bedroom starts at $860,000, while a renovated four-bedroom can go up to $2.3 million. In the north and west, 21st-century two- and three-story townhouses typically have two or three bedrooms and cost between $900,000 and $1.6 million, plus homeowners association fees that go toward maintenance and landscaping.
Explore more Victorian homes—elegant designs with intricate details and timeless charm.
Explore more Victorian homes—elegant designs with intricate details and timeless charm.
Admire Victorian homes—classic architecture with timeless elegance and intricate details.
Admire Victorian homes—classic architecture with timeless elegance and intricate details.
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Unicorns and dragons at Fremont Park

There are several parks throughout the neighborhood. “Santa Clara does their parks really well,” Mills says. “Fremont Park is probably my daughter’s favorite.” Set in the north, this 7-acre park is popular with kids for its playground featuring unicorn and dragon sculptures. A little further north, the 10-acre Reed and Grant Sports Park is one of the area’s newest parks, with 10 soccer fields that host tournaments for kids and adults; next door is the 2-acre Reed Street Dog Park, with two enclosed areas where small and large dogs can run around off-leash. Art lovers can hang out at the Triton Museum of Art’s sculpture garden, attend regular art classes and join an art history-themed book club.
Explore a world of imagination with unicorns and dragons—where mythical creatures come to life.
Explore a world of imagination with unicorns and dragons—where mythical creatures come to life.
Admire the unicorn sculpture at the park—a whimsical touch that adds magic to the landscape.
Admire the unicorn sculpture at the park—a whimsical touch that adds magic to the landscape.
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Save room for dessert from Rocko’s Tacos

Residents can start their day at Voyager Craft Coffee, a bright and airy coffee shop serving locally roasted brews. Crepes Bistro is a popular neighborhood spot known for its large selection of vegetarian and vegan crepes. For dessert, Mills recommends the locally owned Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos, named for the founder’s dog. “Rocko’s Tacos, if you’re an ice cream fan, is heaven,” Mills says. “They custom make them. You can pick your ice cream, and they put it in a shell and freeze-dry it. They make them for dogs, too.” On Saturdays, the Santa Clara Farmers Market sells fresh produce in Franklin Square, and residents can complete their shopping at Santa Clara Town Centre, a shopping center with Target and Sprouts Farmers Market.

Central location for sports fans

Downtown Santa Clara is close to several major sports venues. In the fall, fans of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers can cheer on the team at Levi’s Stadium, located about 6 miles north. PayPal Park, home of Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes, is a 2-mile trip, and the SAP Center, which hosts the San Jose Sharks hockey team and has regular concerts, is 2 miles east.
Explore El Camino Real in Santa Clara—where history and modern life blend seamlessly.
Explore El Camino Real in Santa Clara—where history and modern life blend seamlessly.
Experience the lively atmosphere of downtown Santa Clara—where urban charm meets local flair.
Experience the lively atmosphere of downtown Santa Clara—where urban charm meets local flair.
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Join the Competitive Programming Club at Santa Clara High

Local kids can start school at Westwood Elementary, which earns an A from Niche, then attend Buchser Middle, which earns an A-minus. “I’ve had a lot of clients wanting to move here because of the high school,” Mills says. “When the 49ers moved to Santa Clara, they put a lot of resources in Santa Clara High, making it more sought after.” Students at the A-rated Santa Clara High can enroll in the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute, where they’ll have additional support and resources in science and math classes. Nearby private options include the A-plus-rated Bellarmine College Preparatory School for boys in Grades 9 through 12.

Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university on the neighborhood’s east side, enrolls over 9,000 students in almost 50 majors, including bioengineering, economics and religious studies. The school has 20 NCAA Division I sports teams, and attending games is a popular local pastime. The university also has kids’ summer camps, including the Bronco Kids All Sports Camp and the Young Scholars Program for high schoolers.
Santa Clara High School in California excels in academics, extracurriculars, and support.
Santa Clara High School in California excels in academics, extracurriculars, and support.
Buchser Middle School is one of the top middle schools in Santa Clara.
Buchser Middle School is one of the top middle schools in Santa Clara.
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Northwest of Interstate 880

Interstate 880 borders the neighborhood’s southeast, while El Camino Real passes through the northeast, leading 6 miles west to Sunnyvale, and 4 miles to downtown San Jose. Commuters can take Caltrain from the neighborhood's Santa Clara station to San Francisco, 45 miles away. Valley Transportation Authority buses stop throughout the area, and bike lanes and sidewalks make the area friendly for cyclists and pedestrians. O’Connor Hospital is 2 miles south, and San José Mineta International Airport is a 3-mile trip.
Travel along El Camino Real Road—connecting historic landmarks with vibrant local communities.
Travel along El Camino Real Road—connecting historic landmarks with vibrant local communities.
Experience the lively atmosphere of downtown Santa Clara—where urban charm meets local flair.
Experience the lively atmosphere of downtown Santa Clara—where urban charm meets local flair.
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The benefits of Silicon Valley Power

While most of San Jose and Silicon Valley rely on the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (commonly known as PG&E) for their electricity, residents in Santa Clara can use the city’s municipal electric utility, Silicon Valley Power. “Generally, they tend to be lower in cost compared to other areas where you’d have PG&E,” says Brett Weitzmann, a Realtor with The Agency who’s a lifelong resident of Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley Power is a smaller utility with fewer customers, so its grid isn’t as strained. “A couple of summers ago, when PG&E had rolling blackouts,” Weitzmann says, “Santa Clara residents still had their power on.”
Explore El Camino Real in Santa Clara—where history and modern life blend seamlessly.
Explore El Camino Real in Santa Clara—where history and modern life blend seamlessly.
Enjoy a visit to Voyager Coffee in Santa Clara for a perfect blend of flavor and local charm.
Enjoy a visit to Voyager Coffee in Santa Clara for a perfect blend of flavor and local charm.
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Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Michael Chen
Photography Contributed By
Michael Chen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mike Rezaee, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norman Y Mineta San Jose International

3 min drive

Bus

Lafayette & Market

Bus

El Camino & Lincoln

Bus

El Camino & Bellomy

Bus

Monroe & Santa Clara

Bus

Bellomy & Winchester

Bus

Monroe & El Camino

Bus

Market & Lincoln

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Santa Clara US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Santa Clara Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,398,000
Median Sale Price
$1,450,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,620,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,450,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$780,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
237
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,008

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,829
Number of Homes for Sale
14
Median Year Built
1954
Months of Supply
0.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,448
Significantly below the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,666
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,210
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
854
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Open Houses

  • Tuesday, Jul 22
    4 - 6pm

    907 Rancho Place, San Jose, CA 95126

    $1,199,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,667 Sq Ft
    • 907 Rancho Place
    • New 4 days ago

    Stunning home near Santa Clara University. The primary bedroom features a walk-in closet and bath with a double vanity, soaking tub and stall shower. The second bedroom also has a full bathroom. The half bath is on the main level. The open floor plan allows for seamless flow between the living room, dining area, and kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Large windows allow for natural

    Min Kew Kim Coldwell Banker Realty

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  • Saturday, Jul 26
    1:30 - 4:30pm

    1992 De la Pena Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050

    $2,349,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,390 Sq Ft
    • 1992 De la Pena Ave
    • New 12 days ago

    Elegantly and extensively remodeled, this 4 bed 2 bath house located in Santa Clara is a welcoming family home. The remodel extends to all new paint, floors, kitchen, bathrooms, and a permitted 4th bedroom. The entire outside has been cleaned up and thoughtfully landscaped including a sizeable fenced in area for children to enjoy playing or your pets to freely roam. Every detail of this remodel

    Ryan Hinn Sherman & Boone Realtors

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mike Rezaee, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
23,656
Median Age
33
Population Density
17 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.3%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$113,085
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$142,218

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.9%
College Graduates
56.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

91 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

84 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

55 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Santa Clara