Sunnyvale, California

Santa Clara County’s Sunnyvale is conveniently located just 12 miles from San Jose, the largest city in Northern California. Sunnyvale is also about 350 miles from Los Angeles, an ideal weekend getaway. Approximately 123,000 residents enjoy this proximity to two of the state’s most dynamic metropolitan areas. The city is about an hour from the white sand beaches of Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Carmel and Monterey.

Situated in the Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale experiences mild winters, warm summers and minimal precipitation – about 12 inches of rain annually. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is about eight miles away, providing convenient travels to the other side of the world. The Santa Clara Unified, Cupertino Union and Sunnyvale School Districts provide education to the city’s students at about 13 elementary, four middle and two high schools. Plenty of private and parochial schools provide educational alternatives to a variety of age groups. Post-secondary students can choose from several colleges and universities within just a few miles, including Stanford University.

Sunnyvale is home to recreational facilities including a tennis center, community center, senior center, two golf courses and more than 20 city parks. Residents also enjoy visiting Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and many county parks like Sanborn-Skyline County Park. The city’s real estate options consist primarily of single-family homes, many of which offer lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Some condos and townhouses can also be found. Sunnyvale’s favorable climate, prime location and exciting atmosphere lure individuals and families alike.

Sunnyvale is minutes away from the world-class excitement of San Jose. Amusement parks, professional sports games, museums, wineries and cultural arts events are just a few of San Jose’s many perks. Residents attend professional sports games such as those of the San Jose Giants, San Jose Sabercats and San Jose Sharks. Bonafonte Gardens Family Theme Park and Paramount’s Great America are favorite family destinations. San Jose’s many museums include Blackhawk Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Wings of History Air Museum. San Jose also offers plenty of symphony, dance and theatre performances.

Baylands Park, one of Sunnyvale’s parks, provides more than 70 acres of recreational fun in addition to 105 acres of preserved wetlands. Sunnyvale’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts a gamut of recreational classes including art, dance, music and sports. For even more recreational fun, locals journey to nearby Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the approximately 23,000-acre home of almost 300 bird species. The wildlife refuge is one of six in the San Francisco Bay area. A visitor center, an environmental education center, a fishing pier and hiking trails enhance the experience at the refuge. Hunting, hiking, canoeing and kayaking are favorite activities. The 3,600-acre Sanborn-Skyline County Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offers hiking and camping opportunities.

Sunnyvale’s major industries are manufacturing, engineering and high-tech. Its largest companies include Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Hewlett Packard and Yahoo, Inc. Stanford University, San Jose City College and Mission College are within 12 miles of Sunnyvale. Cogswell Polytechnical College is located right in town. Nearby Santa Clara University, San Jose State University and University of California at Santa Cruz provide additional higher education options.