Spend your Spring & Summer with Us

The wait is over! The Spring/Summer Activity Guide is available online and registration is open. The Activity Guide showcases classes and activities for all ages, special events, and volunteer opportunities, starting now and continuing through August. Join Parks & Recreation for endless fun! Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/RecClasses for more information. 

Financial Rate Assistance Program Provides Discount Up to 40%

Silicon Valley Power understands the economic pressures on its customers due to inflation and rising energy costs. To help financially vulnerable customers, the utility offers a Financial Rate Assistance Program (FRAP) to provide a discount on the electric bill for all eligible customers. The program is tiered to provide the most help to customers who earn the least amount of money. Discounts range from 25-40%, depending on income eligibility. To apply for the Financial Rate Assistance Program, visit SiliconValleyPower.com/Assist. If you have questions, call our Energy Conservation Hotline at 408-244-SAVE (7283).

Mulch Madness

March is mulch month! Mulch reduces evaporation, improves soil, hides driplines from critters and helps to suppress weeds following seasonal rains. Plus, with the State’s Non-Functional Turf watering ban starting for Commercial, Industrial and Institutional (CII) properties in less than three years, it’s time to consider how we face the challenge. The City of Santa Clara and Valley Water define Non-Functional Turf as “turf that is solely ornamental and does not serve a community or neighborhood function, including use for recreational purposes, or civic or community events.” CII properties can receive up to $110,000 in rebates to help comply with regulations:

• Lawn to Mulch Rebate: replace turf with at least 2-inches of mulch.
• Landscape Conversion Rebate: replace turf with water-wise plants.

Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/SaveOurWater for more information.

Share Your Input on Improving Traffic Safety

Last fall, the City of Santa Clara gathered public input related to transportation safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Based on feedback received and collision data, the City created maps identifying collision rates and a list of potential strategies to address safety challenges. We are looking to get further community input through a short community survey to ensure the identified strategies reflect the priorities and concerns of our community! For more information, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/VisionZero. 

Special Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Take an active role in the community and sponsor City of Santa Clara special events throughout the year to build your brand awareness. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the annual Art & Wine Festival, Concerts in the Park, Children’s Halloween Party, 4th of July Independence Day Celebration and more. Complete the Online Sponsor Application or contact Kim Castro at KCastro@SantaClaraCA.gov for more information.

Get a Rebate Up To $6,700 on Residential Battery Storage Systems

If you’re looking to add battery backup to your existing solar photovoltaic (PV) system or add a new PV system with battery backup, Silicon Valley Power now offers a rebate for residential battery storage systems. Battery backup systems can provide power to critical appliances or medical devices during a power outage and can be charged by your PV system. Batteries must be integrated with a PV system to be eligible. Incentives are $0.15 per Watt-hour up to $2,700. Income-qualified customers may receive an additional $2,000 in bonus incentives if enrolled in the Financial Rate Assistance Program. An additional $2,000 is available for income-qualified customers who meet LIHEAP income requirements. Federal Tax Credits may also be available up to 30% of the cost of the batteries and for the installation of a new PV system. Batteries must have a capacity of at least 3 kilowatt hours to qualify. Consult your tax advisor for more information and any limitations that may apply. For more information and complete program rules, visit SiliconValleyPower.com/Rebates.

Check out the Youth Basketball Program: The Saturday Youth Basketball Program introduces youth grades K-5 to the basics of basketball through recreation games, drills, and skill development exercises. This four-week co-ed program takes place at 2450 Cabrillo Ave. Register online at SantaClaraCA.gov/ActiveNet.

Join us for Rec City Nights: This March Madness basketball-themed Rec City Nights event will be held on March 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Youth & Teen Center, 2446 Cabrillo Ave. This evening will be packed with games, activities, music, and more! Open to teens in sixth grade and older with 2024-2025 Resident Youth Cards. Teens without a Resident Youth Card must register at SantaClaraCA.gov/ActiveNet.

You're Invited to the Second Sunday Garden Share: Kick off garden season with fellow gardeners at the Everett N. "Eddie" Souza Community Garden, 2380 Monroe St. Join us this month on March 8 and 22, from 10-11 a.m. Gardeners of all levels are welcome. This is the place to learn, share, and grow together. If you don’t have anything to bring, come for the conversation and inspiration. This free, family-friendly event is open to all. For more information, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/CommunityGarden.

RJJT Presents’ The Wizard of Oz: Join Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road with Roberta Jones Junior Theatre. Get your tickets now and experience the timeless classic like never before. It's a show the whole family will love! Performances are March 21-23 & 28-30. Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/ActiveNet to purchase tickets.

Kids Rock: Minecraft Night: Kids Rock is a fun filled evening for kids, themed after Minecraft! K-5th graders, join us on March 21, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Youth & Teen Center, 2446 Cabrillo Ave. This special night of activities includes music, arts and crafts, recreation games, activities, and a snack! Register online at SantaClaraCA.gov/ActiveNet.

Free Disposal Day in Santa Clara: Santa Clara’s next Free Disposal Day is on Saturday, March 29, from 6 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Mission Trail Waste Systems (MTWS) Transfer Station. This event offers residents the chance to dispose of appliances, e-waste, mattresses, furniture, and other bulky items free of charge. To participate, Call MTWS at 408-727-5365 between March 17-28 to schedule an appointment (space is limited). You must provide proof of residency (e.g., utility bill or Driver’s License). Residents are to unload their own vehicles.

Prohibited Items: Hazardous waste (e.g., paints, fluorescent bulbs, chemical cleaners, pesticides), Automotive parts, Pressure-treated wood. For hazardous waste disposal, join us at our next drop-off event on Saturday, April 26.

Earth Day/Arbor Day: Celebrate the planet and its amazing trees at the City of Santa Clara's 2025 Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration! Hosted by the Department of Public Works Environmental Programs, this fun-filled, interactive event is perfect for kids ages 6–10, with plenty of activities to spark their love for nature. Join us on Thursday, April 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Central Park Pavilion, 909 Kiely Blvd. for a day of hands-on learning, exciting exhibitor booths, live music, a Tree City USA award ceremony, and much more! We look forward to celebrating with you and the whole family this Earth Day/Arbor Day. Want to register a large group or class? Email us at environment@santaclaraca.gov for more details.

Spring Citywide Garage Sale: Get ready for the Santa Clara Citywide Garage Sale on Saturday, April 19! It’s the perfect chance to declutter your home, make some extra cash, and help keep usable items out of the landfill. Register online for individual, multi-family, or block sales starting March 10 - April 16 at SantaClaraCA.gov/GarageSale. If hosting is not your thing, turn the day into a fun treasure hunt with family and friends, searching for hidden gems. All registered garage sales will be listed on an interactive map which will be available for download on Friday, April 18. Need more info? Visit SantaClaraCA.gov/GarageSale or reach out to Environment@SantaClaraCA.gov or call 408-615-3080. Don't miss out on the ultimate bargain hunting event of the season!

Symposium on Santa Clara Real Estate and Development Market Delivers Honest Assessment: The City Council held a Study Session on Feb. 13 at the Santa Clara Convention Center to hear from Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Bay Area chapter of a national nonprofit education and research organization comprised of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts.

ULI spoke about how the current high interest rates, construction costs, and shifting trends in building usage are affecting local development opportunities. The ULI team also provided context for how development projects are typically financed and deemed viable to begin construction.

The 2.5-hour presentation, which included a Q&A session with the Council and the public, provided a detailed look at current development challenges and served as a health check for Santa Clara’s retail, residential, and commercial development market. View the full video.