Completely surrounded by cities that represent Silicon Valley’s most powerful players, Sunnyvale serves as a residential neighbor to Mountain View, Cupertino, and Santa Clara. To the north is the San Francisco Bay along with wildlife refuge of marches, salt ponds, and scenic trails. The close proximity of employment centers has encouraged such a steady stream of newcomers and development that Sunnyvale now ranks second only to San Jose as the most populous city in Santa Clara County.
Shifting from its former image of a bedroom community into a viable economic force within Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale is now home to hundreds of high-tech firms specializing in everything from semiconductors to bio-technology, global positioning equipment, and Lockheed Martin’s space satellites. Recreational and commercial amenities abound, including seventeen parks, major shopping centers, restaurants, and popular night spots for comedy and live entertainment.
