Santa Clara County, Administrative county in San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Santa Clara County is an administrative district in California stretching between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east. The city of San Jose forms the central urban area of the region, while smaller towns and sprawling suburbs spread across the flatter parts of the valley.
The county was established in 1850 when California became a state and takes its name from Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded by Spanish missionaries in the late 18th century. During the second half of the 20th century, the landscape shifted from orchards to technology firms and research facilities.
The area is often called the birthplace of modern technology, and this reputation shows in the many research centers and company campuses scattered among residential neighborhoods. Visitors frequently see signs of this innovation culture in the form of corporate logos, modern buildings, and parks named after industry pioneers.
Travelers reach the region through San Jose airport, and the public light rail system connects several towns along the main valley corridors. A personal vehicle makes trips to neighboring communities or into the mountains easier, since distances between individual points can be quite large.
The original name of the mission was Santa Clara de Thamien and referred to a nearby Ohlone village, a detail rarely mentioned in official records. Before the technology boom, the valley was known mainly for its plums and apricots, earning it the nickname Valley of Heart's Delight for many years.
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