Welcome to Sunnyvale
A safe and clean city home to major Silicon Valley tech companies that boasts a desirable mixture of urban and suburban vibes.
Nestled within the Bay Area’s biggest tech hub, Sunnyvale combines accessible urban amenities with quiet suburban streets. Known for its aerospace, technology, and defense industries, Sunnyvale has evolved into a sophisticated epicenter of innovation and opportunity. The city combines easy, peaceful living with a bustling commerce and business district, making it a great place to live for families and professionals.
Thanks to its mild, sunny climate that lasts all year long, Sunnyvale is brimming with natural beauty and several well-maintained city parks (23 in total). Additional park and recreation facilities include golf courses, pools, and tennis courts. Sunnyvale is also home to a historic and lively downtown district boasting plenty of shops, eclectic eateries, and a year-round farmers’ market.
What to Love
- Excellent schools
- 23 city parks
- Historic Downtown
- Major Tech Hub
- Mild climate
- Diverse, tight-knit community
People & Lifestyle
Known for its tech-focused culture and laid-back vibe, Sunnyvale is a suburban city with plenty of metropolitan amenities. While it doesn't have the most active nightlife scene, Sunnyvale still nurtures hundreds of restaurants covering all kinds of ethnic cuisines. You'll find the year-round farmers market and plenty of independently-owned shops and boutiques in the historic downtown district.
Because there are so many parks in the area, this city is a great place for families looking to settle down in a nice, clean spot for their children. Apart from the 23 parks spread throughout the city hosting playgrounds, off-leash dog areas, and picnic spots, Sunnyvale is also close to the Santa Cruz Mountains for those who enjoy hiking.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Faz is a local Mediterranean chain restaurant that serves everything from flatbreads to grilled entrees. All meals are prepared in an open kitchen alongside a full bar with live music playing in the background to accompany your dining in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
For hearty Middle Eastern cuisine, you’ll want to check out Dishdash, a venue defined by culture, food, and hospitality. The Dishdash chefs work diligently to update culinary trends and infuse each dish with bold flavors, including their savory lamb kabob and cumin lentil soup.
One of the best parts of living in Sunnyvale is the variety of culture and cuisine, so even if Mediterranean or Middle Eastern fare isn’t your preference, there are other spots to try international dishes like Tao Tao or House of Pho.
Tao Tao is a Chinese restaurant known for serving family-style meals and shareable plates, while House or Pho is a chic Vietnamese establishment.
Things to Do
In Sunnyvale's historic downtown district, you'll find their year-round farmers’ market open every Saturday — apart from the odd holiday weekend. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., locals and visitors alike are invited to visit this warm, family-friendly market to support the farmers and purchase locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, grass-fed beef, clothes, accessories, baked goods, and much more.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the San Francisco Bay Trail, a 19.9-mile out-and-back trail near Sunnyvale that offers scenic views and extends to Sand Point. It's kid-friendly and typically offers activities like bird-watching and more year-round.
With more than 20 city parks to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the best place to visit with your family on the weekends. Among the most popular family parks in Sunnyvale are Las Palmas Park and Cupertino Memorial Park.
Las Palmas opened in 1971 and remains incredibly popular thanks to its Polynesian theme, water features, tennis courts, playground, and dog run. The area also has a lovely pond surrounded by palm trees that makes for a great spot to host a party or picnic. Cupertino Memorial Park is one of the most stunning parks in the area and a frequent place for events. The 28-acre park has a beautifully constructed gazebo, tennis courts, a softball field, and even an amphitheater. You'll also find several monuments and memorials throughout the park, such as the Cupertino Veterans Memorial, which honors veterans in the area.
Schools
Elementary and middle school students are typically zoned for the Sunnyvale School District, although some areas of the city are in the Santa Clara or Cupertino School Districts. For high school, most students attend establishments in the Fremont Union High School District.
