The Santa Clara River was named by Spanish explorers for Saint Clare of Assisi. Six Flags Magic Mountain, though commonly thought to be in the Valencia part of Santa Clarita, is also west of Interstate 5 and outside of the Santa Clarita city limits. The unincorporated communities of Castaic and Stevenson Ranch, located to the north and west of the Santa Clarita city limits, respectively, are closely associated with the city. Companies headquartered in or near the city include Princess Cruises, Sunkist, Remo, and the Newhall Land and Farming Company. Santa Clarita is home to three institutions of higher education: California Institute of the Arts, an internationally renowned art university The Master's University, a Christian liberal arts university and College of the Canyons, a community college. The two freeways meet at Newhall Pass, near the city's southernmost point. The Antelope Valley Freeway (CA-14) runs northeast–southwest forming part of the city's irregular east boundary. Santa Clarita is bounded on the west by the Golden State Freeway (I-5). The four communities retain separate identities, and residents commonly refer to one of them when asked where they are from. In December 1987, the city of Santa Clarita was incorporated, encompassing the communities of Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, and Valencia. The Newhall Land and Farming Company played a major role in the city's development. Henry Mayo Newhall purchased the Rancho San Francisco in 1875 and established the towns of Saugus and Newhall. After Spanish colonists arrived in Alta California, the Rancho San Francisco was established, covering much of the Santa Clarita Valley. Human settlement of the Santa Clarita Valley dates back to the arrival of the Chumash people, who were displaced by the Tataviam circa 450 AD.

It is located about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, and occupies 70.75 square miles (183.2 km 2) of land in the Santa Clarita Valley, along the Santa Clara River. With a 2020 census population of 228,673, it is the third-largest city by population in Los Angeles County, the 17th-largest in California, and the 99th-largest city in the United States. Clare') is a city in northwestern Los Angeles County in the U.S. Santa Clarita ( / ˌ s æ n t ə k l ə ˈ r iː t ə/ Spanish for 'Little St. “My wife Vanessa and I argue over who gets the paper first every morning. In 2006, the National Newspaper Association of America named The Signal the “Best Paper for General Excellence” for newspapers with a circulation of 50,000 or less and in 2018, The Signal was named the number-one news source for local information in a poll conducted by the City of Santa Clarita. From this humble beginning, the newspaper grew to become an integral part of the community and now serves over 300,000 in print and online, with over 70,000 households receiving a print copy of the Sunday edition. On February 7, 1919, the Newhall Signal became the weekly hometown newspaper for a community of just 500 people with a circulation of 250 papers. I am proud to congratulate Richard today on a remarkable centennial anniversary, and look forward to many more years of excellence.” Each year The Signal donates to over 100 local charities. “Richard and Chris Budman have a strong commitment to the people and community – it shows every day in how the news is reported and it shows in their support of local non-profits, schools or other entities in our area. “Not only is The Signal known in my district for outstanding reporting, but the organization is renowned in the community for its involvement and generosity,” said Senator Wilk.

SACRAMENTO - Senator Scott Wilk, representing the 21st Senate District, honored Richard Budman, publisher of the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, on the Senate floor to commemorate the paper’s 100th anniversary.

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