Cupertino
California
City of Cupertino
In the late 1940's, Cupertino was swept up in Santa Clara Valley's postwar population explosion. Concerned by unplanned development, higher taxes and piecemeal annexation to adjacent cities, Cupertino's community leaders began a drive in 1954 for incorporation. Cupertino rancher Norman Nathanson, the Cupertino - Monta Vista Improvement Association and the Fact-finding Committee, played important roles in this movement. Incorporation was approved in a September 27, 1955 election. Cupertino officially became Santa Clara County's 13th City on October 10, 1955.
Business Begins to Thrive
A major milestone in Cupertino's development was the creation by some of the city's largest landowners of VALLCO Business and Industrial Park in the early 1960's. Of the 25 property owners, 17 decided to pool their land to form VALLCO Park, 6 sold to Varian Associates, a thriving electronic firm founded by Russell Varian, and 2 opted for transplanting to farms elsewhere. The name VALLCO was derived from the names of the principal developers: Varian Associates and the Leonard, Lester, Craft and Orlando families. Today, Cupertino houses some of the largest high-technology firms in the world, like Apple Computer, Inc. , Hewlett Packard and rapidly growing companies such as Symantec and NetManage.
Cupertino Today
Until the mid-1960s, Cupertino remained largely a town of ranches and estate vineyards. Then two things happened: De Anza College opened, and soon after, computers came on the scene.
The college, named for the great Spanish explorer whose cartographer named the creek from which the city took its name, occupies a 112-acre site that was the location of another winery built at the turn of the last century, called Beaulieu by its owners, Charles and Ella Baldwin. Their mansion has become the California History Center.
With 26,000 students, as well as its popular Flint Center and Minolta Planetarium, De Anza College has become a hub of activity in the city, which has no real downtown.
Apple Computer arrived in Cupertino in the late 1970s, and has remained in the same location through all its ups and downs. It's now spread out over dozens of buildings off De Anza Boulevard, not far from where Apple co-founder Steve Jobs went to high school. The city has since become home to Portal, Hewlett-Packard and many other high-tech firms. Vallco Park, now known mainly as a retail shopping center, was originally a business park developed in the 1960s by Varian Associates.
Vallco is just a few blocks from where the little village of Cupertino sprang up at the crossroads of Stevens Creek Road (now a boulevard) and the old road to Big Basin's redwood mills, now called De Anza Boulevard. Cupertino's growth obliterated not only the original names but many of the old landmarks, replacing them with a proliferation of shopping malls. Mervyn's Cupertino Crossroads now occupies the place where the city's first post office, blacksmith shop and general store once stood, replacing them with chain stores and restaurants.
Today, most nightlife is over the border in less residential San Jose -- which had begun to spread tentacles across the valley in the postwar years. Fear of annexation caused Cupertino to incorporate in 1955, and the population has since grown tenfold, to more than 52,000. Cupertino was motivated to set its original boundaries by residents who were concerned that nearby cities' attempts to incorporate the area would submerge the community's distinctive qualities and diminish home rule. In this way, "community character" has been an integral aspect of Cupertino since it was established.
Today, the private sector in Cupertino is dominated by high-tech electronics and computer corporations. The City serves as a corporate headquarters and center for research and development. Virtually no manufacturing takes place in the City, because land and living costs are too high. Representatives of corporate businesses indicate that their companies enjoy a competitive advantage by having facilities in Cupertino. This is because highly skilled, sought-after employees prefer working and living in the Cupertino area, with its moderate size and unique, balanced mix of high technology firms, retail center, open space, quality schools and residential areas.
Recent News
Embracing the Past and Envisioning the Future with the December Scene
Embracing the Past and Envisioning the Future. Commemorating the Resilient Spirit of Cupertino. While 2023 may have brought unprecedented challenges, the resilient spirit of the City of Cupertino continued to shine bright throughout the year.…
Read More »Cupertino Public Safety Forum is October 19, 2023
Click here to View the Information About "Cupertino Public Safety Forum is October 19,…
Read More »City of Cupertino News - September 28, 2023
Rescheduled: Morning Chat with Cupertino Mayor Tuesday, October 10 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. This month’s Morning Chat will be rescheduled and take place on Tuesday, October 10 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Holder’s Country In, 10088 North…
Read More »Artist Awards - Application Deadline is Sunday October 1, 2023
2023 ARTIST AWARDS The purpose of the Arts and Culture Commission is to foster and encourage artistic expression and achievement in the fields of visual, verbal, and performing arts while preserving and advancing the arts for the benefit of the…
Read More »Cybersecurity Public Education 2023
Cybersecurity Public Education 2023 Saturday, September 16 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon Anyone can fall victim to cybercrimes. Join the City of Cupertino and the Technology, Information, and Communications Commission (TICC) for a two-part cyber fair and…
Read More »Personal and Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Training for July and August 2023
Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management is presenting a series of trainings specifically for your family and neighborhood. It is recommended you attend the two-part series: Personal Preparedness: July 25, 7 to 8 p.m. & August 5, 8…
Read More »City of Cupertino - Last Chance To Nominate For 2023 CREST Awards
It’s your last chance to nominate outstanding community members for the 2023 CREST Awards! Nominate volunteers or organizations to be recognized for their efforts in volunteering, sustainability, or public safety. Every year, the City of…
Read More »City of Cupertino Council Actions Newsletter: March 10, 2023
Council Actions Newsletter City Council Meeting Watch the March 7, 2023 Meeting (Part 1, Part 2) (Agenda) City Council Actions: Ceremonial Items 1. Proclamation Declaring March as Youth Arts Month City Council presented a proclamation…
Read More »City of Cupertino Spring Events
Intergenerational Mixer Monday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cupertino Senior Center Join the City for a fun, community-connecting experience bringing younger and older generations together. This event is open to youth ages 13 to 17 and older…
Read More »City of Cupertino News - Public Comment Period Open for Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report for Permanente Creek Restoration Plan
Supplemental Draft EIR for Permanente Creek Restoration Plan Available Public Comment Period Open Now The County of Santa Clara Planning Office has posted the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report (SDEIR) for the Permanente Creek…
Read More »City of Cupertino News - Check Out Cupertino Merch in the March Scene
Check Out Cupertino Merch in the March Scene Take your Cupertino pride everywhere! Catch a sneak peek of a few of the unique branded products now being offered through the new Online Cupertino Store in the latest edition of the Cupertino Scene.…
Read More »City Of Cupertino : Council Actions Newsletter - February 24, 2023
City Council Meeting Watch the February 21, 2023 Meeting (Part 1, Part 2) (Agenda) City Council Actions: The Mayor recognized and honored February as Black History Month. Ceremonial Items - Certificates Recognizing 2022 STEM Winners and…
Read More »City Of Cupertino Responds To Civil Grand Jury Report
Last night, the Cupertino City Council approved the City's official response to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report titled, "A House Divided: Cupertino City Council and City Staff." The response includes specific measures that the City…
Read More »City of Cupertino News : Watch the 2023 State of the City
Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's 2023 Cupertino State of the City Address. In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the event on the City's YouTube channel. Hear from Mayor Hung Wei, the Cupertino Rotary, Cupertino Chamber…
Read More »City of Cupertino : Launches New Online Cupertino Store
CUPERTINO, CA — The City of Cupertino is proud to announce the launch of its new online Cupertino Store today. The Cupertino Store offers residents, visitors, or anyone who loves Cupertino a convenient way to shop for City-branded…
Read More »City of Cupertino News - Parking Enforcement to Resume at Cupertino Civic Center on March 1, 2023
Parking Enforcement to Resume at Cupertino Civic Center on March 1 Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cupertino relaxed parking enforcement at the Cupertino Civic Center. However, Code Enforcement will resume parking enforcement by…
Read More »City of Cupertino: Council Actions Newsletter: February 10, 2023
City Council Meeting Watch the February 7, 2023 Meeting (Part 1, Part 2) (Agenda) Ceremonial Matters and Presentations 1. Certificate Recognizing West Valley Community Services Executive Director Josh Selo City Council presented a…
Read More »City Of Cupertino : Submit Nominations For The 2023 CREST Awards
Nominations due by Sunday, March 12 Do you know someone who should be recognized for their efforts in volunteering, sustainability, or public safety? For more than 30 years, the City of Cupertino has recognized its outstanding community members…
Read More »City Of Cupertino : Share Input On Cupertino’s New Website Design
A brand new Cupertino website is in the works to make it easier to find the information you need. We want your feedback! The City is looking for input on how you are using the municipal website. Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey…
Read More »City of Cupertino: Via-Cupertino Shuttle Student Art Contest
The City of Cupertino's Transportation Division is looking for creative middle and high school students to help rename our community shuttle and redesign the artwork displayed on the vehicles! Via-Cupertino is an on-demand community shuttle that…
Read More »Draft Housing Element Submitted to California Housing and Community Development
The City of Cupertino’s Draft Housing Element has been submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and is available for review at the link below. The City expects a response letter from HCD by the first…
Read More »City of Cupertino - Get Involved With Your Community With The February Scene
Get Involved with Your Community with the February Scene Check out all the different ways you can get involved with your community in this month's edition of the Cupertino Scene! Nominate outstanding volunteers for our annual CREST Awards, learn…
Read More »City Of Cupertino Council Actions Newsletter - January 20, 2023
City Council Meeting Watch the January 17, 2023 Meeting (Part 1, Part 2) (Agenda) City Council Actions: Ceremonial Matters and Presentations 1. Certificate Recognizing Captain Neil Valenzuela City Council presented a certificate of…
Read More »City of Cupertino News - City of Cupertino Appoints Assistant City Manager
Cupertino, CA - The City of Cupertino is pleased to announce the appointment and promotion of Matt Morley as the new Assistant City Manager. Morley has been the Acting Assistant City Manager since November 2022, and officially assumes this new role…
Read More »City of Cupertino Green Newsletter - January 9, 2023
Join the Earth and Arbor Day Festival Cupertino Earth Day Festival April 22 Banner Saturday, April 22 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Cupertino Library Park Cupertino’s Earth & Arbor Day Festival invites community members of all ages to learn…
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