Cities with "San" in Their Name
San is Spanish for Saint, and the cities that carry it were almost all founded by Spanish missionaries, soldiers, or settlers working their way north from Mexico in the 18th and 19th centuries. The mission system that produced San Francisco, San Diego, San José, and dozens of smaller towns was both a religious project and a colonial one — claiming land, converting populations, and planting the Spanish language in the soil of what would eventually become the American Southwest and California.
Quick Stats
By the Numbers
Top 10 States by City Count
Cities by U.S. Region
Most Common Name Patterns
| City Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Sanford | 15 |
| Sand Hill | 11 |
| Sandy | 11 |
| Sandusky | 10 |
| Sanborn | 10 |
| Sanders | 9 |
| Sandy Hook | 9 |
| Santa Fe | 9 |
Notable Cities
The most historically and culturally significant cities on this list.
San Jose, Arizona
Capital of Silicon Valley and the tech capital of the world
San Jose is the oldest civilian settlement in California, founded by Spanish colonists in 1777, and now the political and economic center of Silicon Valley. It's home to the headquarters of Adobe, Cisco, eBay, and dozens of Fortune 500 tech companies. The city's Tech Interactive museum brings visitors into the culture of innovation that defines the region.
How far is San Jose from me? →San Antonio, Colorado
Home of the Alamo and the famous River Walk
San Antonio is the most visited city in Texas and home to the most visited historic site in the state — the Alamo. The 15-mile River Walk (Paseo del Río) winds through downtown below street level, lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels. Founded by Spanish missionaries in 1718, the city has one of the largest concentrations of 18th-century Spanish colonial architecture in North America.
How far is San Antonio from me? →San Bernardino, California
Historic Route 66 city and birthplace of McDonald's
San Bernardino lies in a broad valley at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains and sits on the original path of Route 66. The first McDonald's restaurant opened here in 1940 on 14th and E Street, an event that reshaped American food culture. The city is gateway to Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, two of Southern California's most popular mountain resorts.
How far is San Bernardino from me? →San Francisco, California
Golden Gate, cable cars, and the cultural capital of the West
San Francisco sits on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, its famous hills creating dramatic neighborhood character and city views. The Golden Gate Bridge, opened in 1937, remains one of the most photographed structures in the world. The city has been a magnet for counterculture movements — from the Beat Generation of the 1950s to the Summer of Love in 1967 to the tech boom of the 21st century.
How far is San Francisco from me? →Santa Ana, California
Orange County seat with the largest Guatemalan community outside Guatemala
Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and one of the most densely populated cities in California. It has one of the youngest median ages of any large U.S. city and is home to a large and vibrant Latino community. The Bowers Museum, a major art and culture institution, holds significant pre-Columbian, Pacific Rim, and Native American collections.
How far is Santa Ana from me? →Santa Clara, Florida
Silicon Valley hub and home of Levi's Stadium
Santa Clara is at the heart of Silicon Valley, home to Intel's global headquarters and dozens of major tech companies. The city's California's Great America amusement park and Levi's Stadium — home of the San Francisco 49ers — make it a major entertainment draw. Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded in 1777, sits at the center of Santa Clara University's campus.
How far is Santa Clara from me? →San Diego, Texas
America's Finest City with the world's largest naval fleet
San Diego enjoys the mildest climate of any major U.S. city, with an average year-round temperature of 70°F. It's home to the world's largest naval fleet and the USS Midway Museum — the most visited naval aircraft carrier museum in the world. Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre urban cultural park, holds 17 museums, the San Diego Zoo, and grand Spanish colonial revival architecture.
How far is San Diego from me? →Santa Barbara, California
American Riviera with Spanish colonial architecture and wine country
Santa Barbara is often called the American Riviera for its Mediterranean climate, red-tiled roofs, and white-stucco buildings mandated by a 1925 architectural ordinance following a catastrophic earthquake. The city sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific. It's the gateway to Santa Barbara wine country, home to over 200 wineries producing notable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
How far is Santa Barbara from me? →