Santa Clarita is a suburban city in northwestern Los Angeles County, California, located about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. With a population of over 228,000, it is the third-most populous city in LA County and the 17th-largest in California. The city was incorporated on December 15, 1987, through the merger of four communities: Saugus, Newhall, Canyon Country, and Valencia. Named after the Santa Clara River, Santa Clarita is a classic example of an American “edge city” — a planned suburban community that has grown into a major urban center.
Valencia: A Master-Planned Community
Valencia is the most well-known community within Santa Clarita. Developed by the Newhall Land and Farming Company beginning in the 1960s, Valencia was one of the first master-planned communities in the United States. It features village-style neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, community parks, paseos (walking paths), and the Valencia Town Center shopping and entertainment complex. The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), one of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools, is located in Valencia.
History and Heritage
The Santa Clarita Valley was originally inhabited by the Chumash and Tataviam peoples for thousands of years. After Spanish colonization, the area became part of Rancho San Francisco. In 1875, Henry Mayo Newhall purchased the ranch and established the towns of Saugus and Newhall. The discovery of oil in the valley in the late 19th century and the arrival of the railroad spurred early development. The city of Santa Clarita was created in 1987 when voters approved the merger of the four communities.
Six Flags Magic Mountain and Entertainment
Santa Clarita is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain, one of the most popular theme parks in the United States. The park features over 100 rides and attractions, including some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world. Magic Mountain is a major tourist destination and a significant employer in the region. The city also hosts the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, celebrating its Western heritage.
Climate and Geography
Santa Clarita sits at 1,207 feet above sea level in the Santa Clarita Valley, surrounded by the Santa Susana Mountains to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city covers 70.75 square miles — making it one of the largest cities by land area in LA County — and enjoys over 280 days of sunshine per year. The Santa Clara River flows through the valley.
From Chumash villages to oil fields to a master-planned city of nearly 230,000, Santa Clarita’s story is one of planned growth and community identity — a city that was designed from the ground up and has become one of the most desirable places to live in Southern California.
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