Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, California
Canyon Country is a neighborhood in the eastern part of Santa Clarita, in Los Angeles County, California. It sits along the Santa Clara River between the Sierra Pelona Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains and is the most populated area in Santa Clarita.
History in brief
Canyon Country was the homeland of the Tataviam people for hundreds of years, with other tribes living in the area earlier. After Spanish settlement, the valley became grazing land for Mission San Fernando in the late 1700s. In the 1880s the land became part of Henry Newhall’s ranch and later the Newhall Land and Farming Company. The 1928 St. Francis Dam flood affected nearby areas but not Canyon Country. It was once called Solemint and absorbed nearby Honby. The area grew into suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1987 Canyon Country joined Valencia, Newhall, and Saugus to form the city of Santa Clarita.
Where it is and what it’s like
Canyon Country is on the east side of Santa Clarita, along the Santa Clara River. It’s mostly east of Golden Valley Road and borders Saugus to the west and Newhall to the southwest. The Sierra Pelona Mountains lie to the north, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the south and east, both part of the Angeles National Forest. The area uses ZIP codes 91351 and 91387 mainly, with small portions in 91321, 91350, and 91390. It’s a dry, hill-and-valley region, so wildfires are a concern, with major events in 2007 and 2016.
Neighborhoods and living
Canyon Country has many distinct neighborhoods, often named after natural features or old ranches. The oldest neighborhood is Whites Canyon, which includes both Sierra Vista Junior High and Canyon High School. Newer neighborhoods include Skyline Ranch and Vista Canyon (still developing as of 2023).
Population and makeup
As of the 2020 census, about 92,897 people lived in Canyon Country. The community is diverse: roughly 41.7% Hispanic, 36.7% non-Hispanic white, 13.9% Asian American, 7.4% African American, and 3.1% Native American.
Schools and education
Elementary students attend Saugus Union School District and Sulphur Springs School District. Junior highs and high schools are part of the William S. Hart Union High School District, including Sierra Vista and La Mesa Junior High, and Canyon and Golden Valley High Schools. Santa Clarita Christian School is located here. College of the Canyons has a satellite campus in Canyon Country, and Charter College also operates a campus there.
Safety and transportation
Canyon Country is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Fire stations serving the area include stations 104, 107, 123, 128, 132, and 150. Santa Clarita Transit runs bus routes 5, 6, and 12; Route 12 connects to Metrolink at Via Princessa. The Vista Canyon Regional Transit Center is planned to become the main transit hub.
Parks, recreation and activities
The city runs a park system in Canyon Country featuring Canyon Country Park (the largest), North Oaks Park, Discovery Park, Todd Longshore Park, Fair Oaks Park, Oak Spring Canyon Park, and Begonias Lane Park. Plum Canyon Park is in northern Canyon Country near Saugus. The George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex in western Canyon Country offers a gym, many courts, and space for events. The complex includes The Centre (Activities Center), the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, the Trek Bike Park (opened in 2020) with BMX and mountain biking trails, and the Santa Clarita Skate Park. The area hosts many city recreation programs.
Fun fact
A house in Canyon Country was used in the movie Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and another location once featured in Real Genius stood nearby.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:36 (CET).