The beautiful Santa Clarita Valley is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The first discovery of gold in California did not occur at Sutters Mill, but actually six years earlier in the Santa Clarita Valley. That discovery was the beginning of the transformation of the area.

Farm and city folk alike migrated here to seek their fortunes. Henry Mayo was among them and, in 1875, he propelled the valley onto the road to modernization through his auctioneering and railroad interests. He bought the Newhall Ranch and then sold a right-of-way to the Southern Pacific Railroad for $1.00 and the town of Newhall was founded. Not only did it become a rail center, but also the first commercially-produced oil well began operation in Pico Canyon, followed by the state's first oil refinery in Railroad Canyon.

Today, the City of Santa Clarita encompasses the communities of Valencia, Newhall, Saugus and Canyon Country. It is quickly emerging as a regional center for north Los Angeles County and many large companies are located here, including Six Flags Magic Mountain, U.S. Borax, and the United States Regional Post Office, which serves most of Los Angeles County.

Considered the 8th safest city in the nation by the FBI, the City of Santa Clarita also boasts some outstanding colleges, including the California Institute of the Arts, a 4-year, fully accredited institution of the visual and performing arts; College of the Canyons, a 2-year, fully accredited public community college; The Master's College, a 4-year, fully accredited Christian College of Arts and Sciences; and various California State institution extension programs and private universities that offer advanced degrees and technical programs.