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Santa Clarita Travel Guide, California

Santa Clarita, the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, has been the setting of many Hollywood movies and television series. The opening scene of “Ocean’s Thirteen” (in which Brad Pitt and crew attempt to rob a "Toys R Us") was filmed in Valencia. This is just one of the numerous occasions when Santa Clarita has been the backdrop either doubling for another place or featuring as itself.

Nevertheless, it would be denying the place recognition/acceptance as a popular vacation-destination if we do not talk of the other merits of the city. Santa Clarita has been rated the sixth safest city in the US by the FBI. Besides, there is a plethora of activities for all age-groups – go sightseeing or shopping, play golf, visit the parks or watch a show at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at the College of the Canyons.

Statistics

Area: 123.9 sq km

Population: 177,045

Language: English

Currency: USD

Architectural Heritage

Santa Clarita perfectly blends the charm of small-town with the sophistication of a big urban center. Although Santa Clarita is a perfect modern city, here you will not come across many high-rises and towering structures; there are open areas and single-family dwellings amidst sprawling greens.

Paseos or pedestrian bridges are a remarkable feature of Santa Clarita. Running a little higher to the normal roads, the paseos keep pedestrians and bike-riders at a safe distance from road-traffic.

Among the notables structures in the city are the different studios like Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, The Walt Disney Co. Studio, etc.

Economy and Infrastructure

As has been already established, Santa Clarita has been a hot-favorite with Hollywood producers and many films, TV series and commercials have been shot here. This preference has been an economic boom for this US edge-city and created scope for more jobs as well as businesses. The film and Television industries have contributed an estimated $8.4 million to Santa Clarita’s economy in the first quarter of the Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

Santa Clarita tourism has contributed immensely to the economic development of the city and this has largely been due to the city’s excellent infrastructure.

The place is well-connected by rail and road network. Bus services within and to/from the city are provided by the City of Santa Clarita. Transit Passenger train service is provided by Metrolink, with the trains touching 3 city stations namely, NewHall Station, Princessa Station and Santa Clarita Station. Train-services are available 7 days a week. With excellent bike trails and walking paths, touring the area on foot or bicycle is a pleasant option.

People and Culture

Although Santa Clarita is a relatively new city, the area has been inhabited for a long time. White people mostly descendants of European settlers far outnumber people of other races; however, people of Asian origin, African Americans, Native Americans and even Pacific Islanders can be spotted.

The city’s culture is a rich blend of various cultural influences. Apart from religious festivities, the city-dwellers take part in many cultural events and fests. Some important events are Santa Clarita Marathon, Holiday Parade, Cowboy Festival and Fireworks Celebration. Third Friday, Fine Crafts Show and Concerts in the Park are some of the noted art-related events.

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