Santa Clara, California

University District

Campus-adjacent living — Spanish-style homes and duplexes around Santa Clara University and the 1777 Mission.

The neighborhood

University District homes for sale by the Mission.

The University District wraps around Santa Clara University and Mission Santa Clara de Asís — California’s 8th mission, founded 1777. Its streets mix Spanish-style homes, charming duplexes and student-friendly rentals under mature trees, all within walking distance of the campus, the Mission gardens and the Old Quad’s Franklin Street.

Buyers choose the district for the university setting: cultural events, beautiful grounds and a walkable pocket of Santa Clara with genuine character. Investors prize the perennial rental demand from students and staff. The Santa Clara Unified School District serves families here.

Campus adjacent SCU and the 1777 Mission at the center

Spanish character Tile roofs and arched windows

Rental demand Perennial SCU student and staff market

A sense of place

College town inside the city.

The University District has Santa Clara’s most distinctive rhythm: students biking to class past the Mission bells, professors walking to Franklin Street coffee, game-day crowds a few times each fall. It’s the closest thing to a college town the South Bay offers.

Architecture Spanish-style homes, duplexes and vintage apartments near campus.

Landscape Palm-lined campus edges and mature neighborhood trees.

Daily life Campus events, Mission gardens, Franklin Street dining.

01 / Education

Schools near University District 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.

Spanish colonial university building, Santa Clara

District resources

District and campus resources for University District buyers.

The University District is served by the Santa Clara Unified School District for kindergarten through twelfth grade. Santa Clara University itself anchors the neighborhood. Confirm the exact property address directly with the district.

Santa Clara Unified School District

Public K–12 serving Santa Clara

Official site

Santa Clara University

Private university · California’s oldest operating

Official site

Mission Santa Clara de Asís

California’s 8th mission · founded 1777

Official site

Wilcox High School

3250 Monroe Street · Santa Clara Unified

Official site

02 / Parks

Mission gardens and Central Park.

The Mission’s historic rose gardens sit at the district’s heart; Central Park’s 52 acres lie just south; the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail runs nearby.

Mission gardens

Historic rose gardens · open to the public

Official site

Central Park

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

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

Campus paths & creek trails.

The district’s flat streets connect campus walking paths with the city’s creek trail network.

University walks

Mission-area strolls through the historic campus.

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail

North-south riding through the city’s core.

Guadalupe River Trail

East-side miles toward the bay.

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

03 / Local life

Campus culture and Franklin Street.

SCU’s concerts, lectures and athletics plus Franklin Street’s shops give the district a cultural calendar few neighborhoods match.

Spanish-style home in University District, Santa Clara — Spanish character near campus

Duplex with arched windows in University District, Santa Clara — College-area charm

Culture

Santa Clara University

Concerts, lectures, athletics and beautiful grounds — the neighborhood’s backyard.

History

The Mission

Gardens, adobe walls and 250 years of California history, open to the public.

Dining

Franklin Street

The Old Quad’s historic commercial strip, walkable from most of the district.

Map & getting around

Getting around the University District.

The University District centers on the SCU campus at El Camino Real and The Alameda. These are the everyday destinations residents reach most.

2 min

Santa Clara University

2 min drive · Santa Clara area

Directions

5 min

Franklin Street

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 University District.

University District homes trade on campus proximity — Spanish-style houses and income-producing duplexes steps from SCU. 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 University District?

The University District rewards buyers who underwrite both lifestyle and income: duplexes and multi-units pencil with SCU rental demand, while single-family homes trade on irreplaceable location. Verify rents, leases and zoning for any income property.

Student-adjacent streets mean turnover and energy — visit at different hours before committing. Verify school assignment by address with Santa Clara Unified.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Seller guidance

Selling your University District home?

A University District marketing plan should speak two languages: the romance of Mission-adjacent living for owner-occupants, and the numbers — rents, occupancy, cap context — for investors.

Price from district-specific comps; campus proximity creates its own micro-market. Highlight walkability to SCU explicitly — it’s the premium.

Call (650) 274-1134 Email Simon

Buyer & seller questions

University District real estate FAQ.

What types of homes are in the University District?

Spanish-style single-family homes, charming duplexes and vintage apartments around the SCU campus — many with rental history serving students and staff.

Is the University District good for investment?

Perennial SCU rental demand makes it one of Santa Clara’s strongest rental markets. Verify zoning, rents and leases, and run the numbers with local property-management costs.

Which schools serve the University District?

The Santa Clara Unified School District, with Santa Clara High and Wilcox High for high school. Confirm the exact address with the district.

Can you walk to the Mission?

Yes — Mission Santa Clara de Asís and its gardens sit at the district’s center, walkable from most streets, along with Franklin Street shops.

What should University District sellers know?

Market to both buyers and investors: lead with the campus story for occupants and the income story for investors, priced from district-specific comps.

Continue exploring

Explore more Santa Clara neighborhoods.

Local guidance

Explore University District with Simon Sahi.

For a property-specific view of University District homes, rental math, school placement and how each street relates to the campus and the Mission, begin with the exact address and a thoughtful local conversation.

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