Schools in this city rank middle to high. Some Sunnyvale neighborhoods are in the nationally renowned Cupertino School District while others are served by Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Fremont School Districts. Parental support for education in this city is excellent.

Once a city of orchards, Sunnyvale is now home to hundreds of high-tech and bio-tech firms. There are many shopping centers and plenty of restaurants. A 70-acre Bay lands Park opened in 1993 and there are seventeen other parks across the city. School facilities including gyms, swimming pools and playing fields are open the public. Two theater groups and a dance company serve the city's cultural interests.

Weather is typical of the Santa Clara Valley with temperatures rarely very hot or cold. Winter lows average 50 and summer averages around 80.

Sunnyvale has a wide range of housing. Forty-two percent of the homes are three bedrooms, 25% are two bedroom and 22 percent are four bedroom. Only 5% of homes have five or more bedrooms.

Sunnyvale Vital Facts


Sunnyvale Neighborhoods

Birdland

This neighborhood is bounded by Homestead Rd, Lawrence Expressway, De Anza Blvd and El Camino Real.  Homes in this area range from $600,000 ranch homes to 1.2 million dollar Mediterranean style home.   The neighborhood gets its name from the fact that most of the streets are named after birds.  Children living north of Wolfe Rd are within the Cupertino School District and those living South of Wolfe will goto Santa Clara Unified?s top school, Laurelwood Elementary. 

Ponderosa Park

Similar to the Birdland neighborhood, this area is located within the Santa Clara Unified school district.  In center of the neighborhood is Ponderosa Park and school.  Homes in this area range from $550,000-$750,000.  This area is bounded by El Camino Real, Wolfe Rd, Reed Ave and Lawrence Expressway.

Downtown

Like many downtown areas, this is the one neighborhood where you will find craftsman and California bungalow style homes in addition to your standard ranch homes.    This neighborhood is very much in transition as the 70's era mall, Sunnyvale Town Center< is undergoing a major renovation.  Also several strip malls have been torn down and high density single family homes are going up in their place.  You will also see some older homes being torn down in favor of new single family homes.  Homes in this area range from $550,000 - $800,000.  This neighborhood is bounded by El Camino Real, Bernardo, Maude Ave and Wolfe Rd.  Children living in this neighborhood will attend schools within the Sunnyvale Elementary school district.  Condominiums and townhomes can be found in this area ranging in price from $300,000 - $600,000.

Fair Oaks

This neighborhood is bounded by Mathilda Ave, Hwy 101, Lawrence Expressway and Maude Ave.  This area is characterized by mostly smaller ranch and Eichler style homes ranging in price from $450,000 - $600,000.  Children living in this area will attend schools within the Sunnyvale Elementary school district.

Lakewood

This neighborhood is bounded by Hwy 101, Hwy 237, and Great America Parkway.  Most of the homes in this area are flat top Eichler style homes.  Many homes in this area have received remediation from the San Jose Airport in the form of dual pane windows and air conditioning.  This is the most affordable part of Sunnyvale with most homes selling between $450,000 and $550,000. 

Commercial Centers

Downtown

Sunnyvale's primary shopping core surrounds the intersection of Mathilda Ave and El Camino Real.  The brand new Cherrywood Square includes a PF Chang's Chinese Bistro and a Border?s bookstore.  The Sunnyvale Town Center is a 70's era mall which is currently undergoing a major renovation.  Its anchor tenants continue to be Macy?s and Target.  Next to the Town Center is the Town and Country Center, which has numerous restaurants and shops.  Also located in this area is Murphy Street where you will find most of the area?s nightlife with several bars and a dance club.