So you’ve decided to make the move to Santa Clarita! From the family-friendly atmosphere to the great southern California weather, we don’t blame you. Before you call your realtor or hire a moving company, though, it’s important to do your research. As longtime residents of the area ourselves, let the moving professionals at Affordable Quality Moving and Storage be your guides to your new home.
What To Do in Santa Clarita
The whole family will benefit from getting outside and exploring the neighborhoods of the Santa Clarita Valley. From horseback riding at one of the many ranches to skateboarding, cycling, or running, Santa Clarita is the perfect place to be active outdoors. Read more about outdoor activities in the SCV on the AQMS blog!
The Neighborhoods of the Santa Clarita Valley
Although the City of Santa Clarita just celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017, residents have several opportunities to enjoy the rich history of the area. In fact, did you know that the first gold found in California was discovered in Placerita Canyon near the Oak of the Golden Dream? This was a full 3 years before California became a state in 1850.
Until 1987, what would become present-day Santa Clarita was made up of four separate unincorporated areas:
- Valencia
- Canyon Country
- Newhall
- Saugus
Valencia may be among the better-known names in Santa Clarita, due to its proximity to the 5 freeway as well as being home to such attractions as the Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor theme parks and the Valencia Town Center mall.
Known as Solemint until 1968, Canyon Country is the largest community in Santa Clarita. This city can be found on the eastern side of the valley, running alongside the 14 freeway. Its 60,000 residents enjoy several parks, including Placerita Canyon Park, where the Oak of the Golden Dream resides.
Newhall was started in 1876 by Henry Mayo Newhall, who owned much of the land in the valley at the time. Newhall was once home to silent film cowboy star William S. Hart, one of the many Western stars honored on the Walk of the Western Stars in the Old Town Newhall development. Today, Newhall is a historic district intertwined with modern amenities and is continually updated and revitalized.
Named after Henry Mayo Newhall’s hometown in Massachusetts, Saugus is primarily made up of homes today, but residents can find plenty to do at Central Park, Santa Clarita Sports Complex (including a BMX and skate park!), and Saugus Speedway, one of southern California’s largest open-air markets. Saugus is also home to the oldest continually operating restaurant in Los Angeles County: Saugus Café.
The greater Santa Clarita Valley also includes additional communities, such as:
Among the more upscale neighborhoods in the area, Stevenson Ranch joined the roster of SCV towns in the late 1980s. Located just west of the 5 freeway, Stevenson Ranch residents have access to modern retail centers like Valencia Marketplace and historic sites like the ghost town of Mentryville, which once found fame as California’s first oil boomtown.
Castaic, known best for its proximity to Castaic Lake, has been a popular stop for travelers since 1915 with the opening of the Old Ridge Route. Today, tens of thousands of motorists travel on the 5 freeway to or from Los Angeles, passing through this quiet residential community just north of the City of Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita Is Family-Friendly
Looking for a fun, safe place to raise a family? Santa Clarita is the city for you! Whether your family loves theme parks, go-karting, flea markets, or outdoor concerts, our town has plenty to offer.
Visit the following family-friendly attractions the next time you want a day out with the kids:
- Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor: Theme parks with roller coasters and water rides
- MB2 Entertainment: A new attraction offering laser tag, rock climbing, duckpin bowling, go-karts, and more across seven acres of indoor and outdoor space
- Saugus Speedway: A free, outdoor market held every Tuesday and Sunday, hosting hundreds of vendors and thousands of shoppers
- Concerts in the Park: Free events during the summer featuring new and familiar performers in Central Park
Santa Clarita Has Excellent School Systems
The Santa Clarita area has prided itself on its school systems for more than 150 years. The first district in the region, Elizabeth Lake School District, was established in 1871, followed shortly after by Sulphur Springs School District in 1872. Since that time, the number of schools has increased to include at least 14 colleges, 10 high schools, 7 junior high schools, and 37 elementary schools. Our award-winning schools rank in the top 10% in California.
The five public school districts in the Santa Clarita area:
Santa Clarita lies just north of the border of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which is the largest public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. LAUSD was established in 1961, 90 years after the first school district in Santa Clarita.
Getting Around Santa Clarita
They say that “nobody walks in LA,” and while cars are by far the most popular way to get to work within and when commuting from Santa Clarita, residents have several transportation options for business and pleasure. The Santa Clarita Valley’s 35+ miles of “paseos,” or multi-use hiking and biking trails, are popular amongst cyclists, runners, and walkers alike. These trails are separate from roads by design to allow for safe use by all ages.
The three Metrolink stations in the city, too, allow for easy access to the city by train. With new homes being built in Santa Clarita every day, city planners have prioritized public transportation to ensure all residents can get around our city and into Los Angeles as smoothly as possible. One Canyon Country development, named Vista Canyon, is being constructed with a train station at its center, touting the option for residents to be “car-optional.”
Moving to Santa Clarita
Interested in learning more about making a move to Santa Clarita? Affordable Quality Moving and Storage's Santa Clarita movers specialize in local moves as well as long-distance moves, so whether you’d like to move to the suburbs from the city or relocate across the country, they can help make your dream a reality. Call them today!
