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Santa Clara, California

Located in Santa Clara County, California, Santa Clara was founded in 1777. Santa Clara University is the oldest higher education institution in California, founded in 1851. Levi's Stadium, home of the 49ers, hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Founded 1777 | Population 135,395 | Peak 135,395 (2024) | County Santa Clara County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Santa Clara, California

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1777Mission Santa Clara Founded: Spanish mission established; oldest in Santa Clara Valley.

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1851Santa Clara University Founded: Oldest higher ed institution in California.

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1956Silicon Valley Origins: Tech companies begin clustering in Santa Clara.

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1985Great America Theme Park: Paramount's (now California's) Great America.

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2002Intel HQ Nearby: Intel and other tech giants anchor the economy.

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2014Levi's Stadium Opens: San Francisco 49ers' $1.3B stadium opens in Santa Clara.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1777 Culture

Mission Santa Clara Founded

1851 Culture

Santa Clara University Founded

1956 Business

Silicon Valley Origins

1985 Culture

Great America Theme Park

2002 Business

Intel HQ Nearby

2014 Sports

Levi's Stadium Opens

Did You Know?

Santa Clara University is the oldest higher education institution in California, founded in 1851.

Levi's Stadium, home of the 49ers, hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Intel's headquarters is in Santa Clara, at the heart of Silicon Valley.

Santa Clara is located in Santa Clara County, California.

Santa Clara was founded in 1777.

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