Why Families Are Still Moving to Santa Clarita in 2026
Santa Clarita Valley has been one of Southern California's most sought-after places to put down roots for decades. Safe neighborhoods, strong schools, access to trails and open space, and a genuine sense of community have kept demand steady even as the broader housing market has shifted. But 2026 brings something new to the conversation: a wave of infrastructure investment and new development that is actively reshaping what the valley offers — and changing the calculus for buyers who might have looked elsewhere.
Here is what is happening on the ground right now, and why it matters if you are considering a move to the SCV.
Santa Clarita at a Glance: Why It Keeps Growing
Population growth and what is driving demand
Santa Clarita is the third-largest city in Los Angeles County by population, and growth projections back up what residents already feel anecdotally. Metro LA, in its planning documentation for the I-5 North County Enhancements project, notes that Santa Clarita is projected to add more than 25,000 new residents by 2035. That growth is not accidental. It reflects a consistent pattern: families leaving denser, pricier, or less safe parts of Los Angeles County and finding that the SCV checks nearly every box — commute included, if you know how to work it.
The valley's combination of top-rated schools, low crime rates, recreational amenities, and relative affordability compared to coastal LA communities has made it a perennial draw. What has changed in 2026 is that the infrastructure is catching up with that demand in visible, meaningful ways.
What Is New in Valencia
FivePoint Valencia: homes, solar, EV charging, and a growing Town Center
FivePoint Valencia — the large-scale master-planned development on the historic Newhall Ranch property — continues to be one of the most closely watched new communities in Southern California. Since opening its first neighborhood, Confluence Village, in 2021, the development has grown steadily into a vibrant, amenity-rich community with parks, pools, walking and biking paths, and a strong sense of neighborhood identity.
In 2026, FivePoint is taking its next steps. New home collections from builders including KB Home, Lennar, Richmond American, Toll Brothers, and Tri Pointe Homes are actively selling across multiple neighborhoods. Lennar recently launched four new collections — Opal, Ruby, Coral, and Jewel — with homes ranging from 1,326 to 2,949 square feet and including the brand's Everything's Included package at no additional cost. KB Home's Iris collection has been a standout for first-time buyers and young families.
The community's infrastructure tells a clear sustainability story: solar is standard across most offerings, EV charging is integrated into garage designs, and a planned Valencia GO mobility hub will eventually include bikeshare and carshare options. The network of walking, biking, and Neighborhood Electric Vehicle paths connecting parks, pools, and common areas sets it apart from conventional subdivisions.
On the retail and lifestyle side, Valencia Town Center — the long-established Westfield mall about four miles from the FivePoint neighborhoods — is undergoing its most significant transformation in years. Developer Centennial announced in April 2026 a wave of more than 175,000 square feet of new dining, entertainment, and lifestyle tenants, with openings phased through 2026 and 2027. Anchor additions include Round1 entertainment and Korean BBQ concept KPOT, among others. For buyers weighing the walkable amenity question, this matters.
Tesoro Highlands and established Valencia neighborhoods
For buyers who prefer established over new construction, Valencia's existing neighborhoods — Tesoro Highlands, West Creek, Westridge, and the areas surrounding the Valencia Town Center — continue to offer strong value. These are mature, tree-lined communities with established HOA amenities, excellent schools, and the kind of neighborhood feel that takes years to develop. Resale inventory here tends to move quickly when priced well.
Median home prices and what your budget gets you
Valencia home prices vary significantly by neighborhood and product type. Resale single-family homes in established Valencia communities generally range from the mid-$700s into the $1.1M+ range depending on size, lot, and upgrades. New construction at FivePoint starts in the mid-$600s for paired homes and townhomes and extends well above $1M for larger single-family designs. It is worth noting that many new construction homes include solar, smart home technology, and upgraded finishes that would add significant cost in a resale transaction.
Castaic and the North Valley: The Next Wave
Williams Ranch and Entrada North
For buyers drawn to more space, lower price points, and a quieter pace of life, Castaic has emerged as one of the most compelling options in the entire Santa Clarita Valley.
Williams Ranch, the 430-acre master-planned community by Santa Clarita-based Williams Homes, is now selling and delivering homes on Hasley Canyon Road in Castaic. The community will include 497 homes across several neighborhoods on spacious lots ranging from 7,000 to 23,000 square feet — a scale virtually impossible to find in most of the valley. Most homes are single-story, a relative rarity in Southern California new construction. Every home includes SunPower solar, smart home technology, and a tankless water heater as standard. Planned amenities include a recreation center, junior Olympic pool, spa, amphitheater, citrus orchards, working vineyards, and a wine pavilion. The community's Williams Ranch Neighborhood Park opened in spring 2025 and is already serving both residents and the broader Castaic community.
Entrada North, a component of the larger FivePoint Valencia master plan, is also in development in the north valley. The project is planned for approximately 1,150 units with more than 60 percent of the surrounding area preserved as open space, including a public trailhead connecting to the Valencia Regional River Trail. For buyers who want new construction with meaningful open space around them, this is a development worth watching closely.
Open space, trails, and the outdoor lifestyle draw
Castaic's appeal goes well beyond its new home communities. Castaic Lake Recreation Area — with upper and lower lakes just about five miles from Williams Ranch — offers boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, a beach area, and miles of hiking trails. The Sierra Pelona Mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the community. For outdoor-oriented families, this combination of built amenities and natural access is genuinely hard to find at this price point in Los Angeles County.
The Commute Question: What the I-5 Upgrades Change
New carpool lanes from SR-14 to south of Parker Road
The most significant infrastructure development affecting north valley buyers right now is the $679 million I-5 North County Enhancements Project, a joint Metro and Caltrans initiative expected to reach completion in 2026. The project covers a 14-mile corridor from the SR-14 interchange at the Newhall Pass to just south of Parker Road in Castaic.
When complete, the improvements will include one new HOV carpool lane in each direction, an extension of the northbound truck lane to Calgrove Boulevard, a new southbound truck lane to SR-14, auxiliary lanes, and new soundwalls at several locations throughout the corridor. The separation of truck traffic from general-purpose lanes, combined with the added carpool capacity, is expected to meaningfully improve traffic flow for the large volume of commuters who use this stretch daily.
Realistic drive times to the San Fernando Valley and Downtown LA
The honest answer on commute times: the SCV has never been a five-minute drive from anywhere in LA, and the I-5 project will not change that. What it changes is the predictability and speed of the commute for HOV-eligible drivers — those carpooling or driving a qualifying clean vehicle. The San Fernando Valley is generally 20 to 35 minutes under normal conditions. Downtown Los Angeles can run 40 to 60 minutes or more depending on time of day and direction. For many buyers, the tradeoff — more home, more space, better schools, lower density — is well worth the drive. The addition of dedicated carpool infrastructure is a meaningful step in the right direction for daily commuters.
Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line also stops in Newhall, offering a stress-free alternative for those who work near downtown or Union Station.
Schools, Parks, and Everyday Life
Santa Clarita's highly regarded school options
Schools are consistently among the top reasons families cite when choosing Santa Clarita. The valley is served by four school districts — Newhall, Saugus Union, William S. Hart Union High School, and Castaic Union — all of which have received strong ratings from independent evaluators like Niche.com for academic performance, safety, and community involvement. Families should research specific schools serving the neighborhoods they are considering, as attendance boundaries vary throughout the valley. Kathy and her team are happy to walk you through the school landscape for any area you are exploring.
Trails, parks, and recreational amenities
Santa Clarita has more than 80 miles of maintained paseos and trails winding through its neighborhoods, connecting parks, open space, and community amenities. Central Park in Valencia is the hub of the city's recreational programming, hosting Concerts in the Park, outdoor movies, and community events throughout the year. Towsley Canyon, Placerita Canyon, and the Newhall Land conservation areas offer more rugged hiking and nature access. For families with young children, the density of neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and recreational centers throughout the valley is one of its most underappreciated assets.
How to Start Your Search in Santa Clarita
Finding the right neighborhood within the Santa Clarita Valley takes more than a Zillow search. Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Saugus, Newhall, Canyon Country, and Castaic each have a distinct character, price range, and lifestyle tradeoff. The right fit depends on your commute direction, your school priorities, how much space you want, and whether you are drawn to a newer master-planned community or an established neighborhood with mature landscaping and a longer track record.
Santa Clarita is not a secret — but finding the right neighborhood within the valley, one that matches how you actually want to live, takes local knowledge. Kathy and her team have helped hundreds of families find their fit here since 1989. When you are ready to take a closer look, we would love to be your guide.
Kathy Watterson | 661-510-0321 | kathy@kathywatterson.com
Kathy Watterson, Broker Associate | DRE #01022836 | RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
