Santa Clara, California

Old Quad

Historic downtown living — vintage homes on tree-lined streets steps from the Mission, the university and Franklin Street.

Explore the neighborhood Meet Simon

The neighborhood

Old Quad homes for sale where Santa Clara began.

The Old Quad is Santa Clara’s historic core — the original town grid around Franklin Street, the Mission and Santa Clara University. Its streets hold the city’s oldest homes: Victorians, craftsmans and 1920s bungalows under mature street trees, steps from the university campus and downtown’s shops.

Buyers choose the Old Quad for character and walkability unmatched elsewhere in Santa Clara: coffee on Franklin Street, Mission gardens on weekends, Caltrain at the Santa Clara station. The Santa Clara Unified School District serves local families, including Santa Clara High nearby. Sellers trade on historic charm in a city where most housing is far newer.

Historic core Victorians and craftsmans by the Mission

Walkable downtown Franklin Street shops and Caltrain

Santa Clara Unified Santa Clara High nearby

A sense of place

The city’s memory, still lived in.

The Old Quad feels like the Santa Clara that existed before Silicon Valley: porch swings, heritage trees, the Mission bells marking the hour. Students, professors and longtime families share the sidewalks, and Franklin Street’s shops give the neighborhood a small-town center most of the valley lost decades ago.

Architecture Victorians, craftsmans and 1920s bungalows — the city’s oldest housing stock.

Landscape Mature street trees and historic garden plantings.

Daily life Franklin Street errands, Mission gardens, university events.

01 / Education

Schools near Old Quad homes.

Public school placement is determined by the local districts and can change. Confirm the exact property address directly with the district before relying on an assignment.

Historic school building in Old Quad, Santa Clara

District resources

District and campus resources for Old Quad buyers.

The Old Quad is served by the Santa Clara Unified School District for kindergarten through twelfth grade, including Santa Clara High School nearby. Confirm the exact property address directly with the district.

Santa Clara Unified School District

Public K–12 serving Santa Clara

Official site

Santa Clara High School

3000 Benton Street · Santa Clara Unified

Official site

Santa Clara University

Private university · historic core

Official site

Mission Santa Clara de Asís

California’s 8th mission · founded 1777

Official site

02 / Parks

Central Park and Mission gardens.

Central Park’s 52 acres — lake, lawns and the International Swim Center — sit just south of the Old Quad, while the Mission’s historic gardens offer a quieter green. The San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail runs nearby.

Central Park

52 acres, lake and International Swim Center · 969 Kiely Blvd

Official site

Mission gardens

Historic rose gardens at the Mission · university

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail

Paved creek-side riding · nearby

Park hours and facility access can change. Review the official city listings before visiting.

Nearby outdoors

Creek trails & campus walks.

The Old Quad’s flat historic grid connects easily to creek trails and the university’s walking paths.

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail

North-south riding through the city’s core.

Guadalupe River Trail

East-side miles toward the bay.

University walks

Mission-area strolls through the historic campus.

Trail conditions, seasonal closures and access rules can change. Check the linked official resources before heading out.

03 / Local life

Franklin Street and the Mission.

Franklin Street’s historic shops, the university’s cultural calendar and the Mission’s gardens give the Old Quad a center of gravity rare in the South Bay.

Historic craftsman home in Old Quad, Santa Clara — Craftsman character downtown

1920s bungalow in Old Quad, Santa Clara — Vintage bungalow streets

Downtown

Franklin Street

The Old Quad’s historic commercial strip — shops, cafes and services in century-old buildings.

History

The Mission

California’s 8th mission, founded 1777, with gardens open to the public at the university’s heart.

Transit

Santa Clara Caltrain

The Santa Clara station puts San Francisco and San Jose commutes on the rails, steps from the neighborhood.

Map & getting around

Getting around the Old Quad.

The Old Quad sits at Santa Clara’s historic center around Franklin Street and the university. These are the everyday destinations residents reach most.

3 min

Santa Clara University

3 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

5 min

Santa Clara Caltrain Station

5 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

10 min

San Jose International Airport

10 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

10 min

Santana Row

10 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

10 min

Levi’s Stadium

10 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

15 min

Downtown San Jose

15 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

20 min

Stanford University

20 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. Tap Directions for live routing.

Market snapshot

Home values in Old Quad.

Old Quad’s historic homes trade on character and walkability — vintage craftsmans and bungalows steps from the Mission. Citywide figures give a quick read on the market around the neighborhood.

$151K

Median household income

Citywide approx. · U.S. Census data

$1.68M

Median home price

Citywide approx. · Realtor.com, Sept 2026

$2.2M+

High-end price point

Citywide approx. · recent luxury-tier sales

Figures are approximate as of Sept 2026. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.com market data.

Buyer guidance

Buying a home in Old Quad?

The Old Quad rewards buyers who love old houses honestly: pre-war construction means checking foundations, electrical, plumbing and seismic retrofits with a specialist. Walkability and the university setting carry real premiums — verify what you’re paying for with recent comparable sales.

Historic charm competes well here, but budgets should include renovation reserves. Verify school assignment by address and flood maps near the creek corridors.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Seller guidance

Selling your Old Quad home?

An Old Quad marketing plan should lead with history: original woodwork, vintage tile, porch living and the Mission-bells setting. Heritage photography — not generic staging — sells these homes.

Price from true historic comparable sales; the Old Quad trades in its own lane. Pre-inspections defuse the age question before it costs you a buyer.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Buyer & seller questions

Old Quad real estate FAQ.

What types of homes are in the Old Quad?

Santa Clara’s oldest housing stock: Victorians, craftsmans and 1920s bungalows on the original town grid, many with mature trees and historic details.

Is the Old Quad walkable?

Yes — Franklin Street shops, the university, the Mission gardens and the Santa Clara Caltrain station are all walkable, rare for the South Bay.

Which schools serve the Old Quad?

The Santa Clara Unified School District, including nearby Santa Clara High School. Confirm the exact address with the district.

How is the commute from the Old Quad?

The Santa Clara Caltrain station serves San Francisco and San Jose; SJC airport is about 10 minutes; most Silicon Valley campuses are within 20 minutes.

What should Old Quad sellers know?

Lead with the historic story and original details, price from true historic comps, and get pre-inspections — age questions answered upfront keep deals together.

Continue exploring

Explore more Santa Clara neighborhoods.

Local guidance

Explore Old Quad with Simon Sahi.

For a property-specific view of Old Quad homes, historic premiums, school placement and how each street relates to the Mission and the university, begin with the exact address and a thoughtful local conversation.

Visit SimonSahi.com (650) 274-1134 SIMON@SPSILICONVALLEY.COM CA DRE #01953287