Valencia, Santa Clarita, California

In 1769, the Spanish Portola expedition, the first Europeans to see inland areas of California, came up and over the pass from the San Fernando Valley and camped near the river on August 8–9. They found a large native village there and witnessed a wedding celebration. Fray Juan Crespi, a Franciscan missionary travelling with the expedition, named the river "Santa Clara" and noted in his diary that the place would be a good location for a mission. On the return trip, however, the party found a less strenuous trail through Conejo Valley. Later travelers also preferred that route, and Mission San Fernando Rey de España was established down in the valley.[3]

The master planned portion of Valencia was first planned in the 1960s by the Newhall Land and Farming Company. Development began in 1967, continues to the present day, and is nearing completion. Valencia is notable for its landscaped boulevards connecting a mix of apartment buildings, single-family detached homes, shopping centers, office parks and industrial warehouses.

Valencia is the location of Westfield Valencia Town Center, a large shopping mall owned by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. Centered on a fountain, its anchor stores include Macy's, JCPenney, Forever 21, Regal Cinemas, H&M, and Gold's Gym. The mall also contains numerous restaurants.

Valencia is home to Valencia High School and the main campus of College of the Canyons. It is directly east of Interstate 5.

Valencia's residential areas are separated into villages, each with its own lifestyle (see List of Valencia, California residential villages). Almost all of Valencia's villages are close to schools, shopping, and other amenities. In many of the villages, homeowner associations oversee the quality and upkeep of housing developments ranging in size from a few dozen homes to over a thousand. Many villages also have a neighborhood watch program in force.

Valencia also has a system of paved pathways over or under the streets and boulevards, which are called paseos. They connect the entire community, making it possible to travel throughout nearly all of Valencia on foot or by bicycle without crossing a street at grade level. The paseo network is connected to the Santa Clara River Trail which runs east along the Santa Clara River to Canyon Country.

As of 2010, the estimated population of the 91354 ZIP code was 28,722 and the estimated median household income was $111,098; the estimated population of the 91355 ZIP code was 32,605 and the estimated median household income was $89,596. ZIP code 91385 is for post office boxes and has no information for population or median income.[4]

Six Flags Magic Mountain is located in the community.[5]

• Annett Davis, beach volleyball player[6]
• Jeff Draheim, film editor[7]
• Anthony Ervin, Olympic gold medalist swimmer[8]
• Taylor Lautner, actor[9]
• Naya Rivera(1987-2020), actress[10]
• Michael Trevino, actor[11]
• Shane Vereen, professional football player[12]
• Tamara Witmer, model[13]
• Paul Walker (1973-2013), actor[14]

•  Greater Los Angeles portal
• List of Valencia, California residential villages