Southern California is widely known for its cutting edge practices in technology, business, manufacturing, tourism, communication, the arts, entertainment, and an overall high quality of living. Growth in Southern California has spread in all directions. One significant direction of growth is in Santa Clarita Valley--30 miles north of Los Angeles. Santa Clarita’s serene and attractive well-planned community of 165,000 is a model city containing all elements needed for well-balanced living and working conditions. Santa Clarita has consistently ranked in the top five safest cities in the USA and the unemployment rate continues to be under 3 percent. Santa Clarita's adult population over the age of 25 is highly educated. This setting of safety along with a highly qualified population continually attracts and retains world-class corporations.

Here are a few of Santa Clarita's highlights:

• Safest City in the nation for cities with a population over 150,000.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics, 2002
• One of the top 10 most business friendly cities in California.
- Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey®
• Ranked in the top 10 “Money Magazine's Hottest Towns” for Western Cities over 100,000 pop.
- CNNmoney
• Union Bank named Santa Clarita one of Los Angeles’ strongest economies

The City of Santa Clarita, which is made up of four communities, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall and Canyon Country, ranked as one of the most business friendly communities in the Los Angeles area according to the 1999 Kosmont Cost of Doing Business survey. Valencia Gateway, the largest master-planned center for business, technology and industry, encompasses more than 4,500 acres, 18.5 million square feet, 1,200 companies and 40,000 employees. The Centre Pointe Business Park, a 240 acre master plan under construction, consists of parcels ranging in size from 1 to 40 acres that can accommodate a building footprint from 10,000 to 80,000 square feet. Both offer room for new business and future growth.

Santa Clarita is also rich in history. It is the place of the first documented discovery of gold in California, at the historical landmark the Oak of the Golden Dream. Santa Clarita also boasts the world’s first oil refinery, along with the world’s third longest tunnel at the time it was built in 1876.

Major sources of activity in Santa Clarita are the many motion picture sound stages and back lots. There are over 10 studios in the area which are home to numerous movies, music videos and TV shows like JAG, Crime Scene Investigations, Navy NCIS, Deadwood, Carnivale, and Alias, to name a few. A highlight of the movie industry is the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio Western Back Lot that hosted movies like High Noon, Buffalo Bill, and TV shows Gunsmoke and the Dukes of Hazard.

Vacationers discover a plethora of activities and excitement in Santa Clarita Valley from the thrills of Six Flags Magic Mountain with the world’s largest and fastest roller coasters, to a more serene activity like golf. Santa Clarita offers 5 world-class golf courses—one being the Valencia Country Club, host of the annual SBC Classic PGA Champions Tour televised on The Golf Channel.

Just outside of the Santa Clarita City limits visit, one may tour the Aqua Dulce Winery or take a ride on-board a historic steam engine train in Fillmore. There are also plenty of nearby water sports and activities in five local lakes. A vacationer would find plenty of boating, water skiing, fishing, and plain relaxation just a short drive away.

Santa Clarita is a destination for vacationers, business, employment, comfortable living and innovation. It is the model for present day, and a bridge to the future. To find out more about business relocation and tourism in the City of Santa Clarita, contact the Economic Development Division at 661-255-4347