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Morgan Hill, CA

Frequently asked questions

Morgan Hill, CA

Morgan Hill is a city in Santa Clara County, California, at the southern tip of Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area. Morgan Hill is an affluent residential community, the seat of several high-tech companies, and a dining, entertainment, and recreational destination, owing to its luxury hospitality, wineries, and nature parks.

Morgan Hill is approximately 24 mi (39 km) south of downtown San Jose, 13 mi (21 km) north of Gilroy, and 15 mi (24 km) inland from the Pacific coast. Lying in a roughly 4-mile-wide (6 km) southern extension of the Santa Clara Valley, it is bounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east. On the valley floor, Morgan Hill lies at an elevation of about 350 feet (107 m) above MSL.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city encompasses an area of 12.9 square miles (33 km2), all land. Although there are no natural lakes or ponds within the city limits, there are several flood-control and water storage reservoirs in the adjacent hills which are operated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, with recreational activities such as boating, etc., administered by the Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Morgan Hill is located within the seismically active San Francisco Bay region. The significant earthquakes in the region are generally associated with crustal movements along well-defined, active fault zones. The nearest known active faults are the San Andreas Fault, approximately 12 mi (19 km) southwest, and the Calaveras Fault, approximately 0.99 mi (1.6 km) northeast. Both faults have produced major earthquakes in the past, and have estimated maximum credible Richter magnitudes of 8.3 and 7.3, respectively. The 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake registered at a 6.2 magnitude.

Within Morgan Hill's area are several lakes and reservoirs, including Anderson Lake (eastern Morgan Hill), Uvas Reservoir (west), Chesbro Reservoir (west), and Coyote Lake (south). The Sargent-Berrocal Fault, a potentially active fault, lies 9.9 mi (16 km) away from the sites and has an estimated maximum credible Richter magnitude of 7.4. The Coyote Creek Fault is located in Morgan Hill and is classified as potentially active as well. In addition, several unnamed faults traverse the western slopes of the upland areas. Geomorphic evidence suggests that these faults were active during recent geologic times. However, these fault-related geomorphic features are not as fresh as those of the active Calaveras Fault and are considered to be somewhat older.

Morgan Hill is one of the very few sources for a type of semi-precious gemstone marketed under the name "Morgan Hill poppy jasper". According to geologists, this local variety of orbicular jasper formed through a combination of volcanic and seismic activity on the slopes of El Toro. Known extant deposits of the mineral are located on private lands, not accessible to the public. A local business, El Toro Brewing Company, has a collection of poppy jasper on display at their rural Morgan Hill brewery and a large bar top inlaid with the stone at their brewpub in downtown Morgan Hill. Examples are also on display at the Morgan Hill Museum and the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center. The local Poppy Jasper Film Festival is also named after the mineral.

The highlight of local geography is El Toro. According to a local legend of the early 1900s, author Bret Harte named the hill when he climbed it and discovered two bulls fighting near the summit (they subsequently chased him back down). The official name shown on the U.S. Geological Survey's maps is simply "El Toro", but it has been deemed "Murphy's Peak" by locals. Visitors, not aware of the origin of the town's name, often mistakenly assume that El Toro is "Morgan" Hill. It is USGS Feature ID# 223063 in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), maintained by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The elevation at the summit is about 1,427 ft (435 m). The hill, overshadowing the town to the west, has been incorporated into the city's seal and official logo.

Morgan Hill emphasizes health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Morgan Hill Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Fitness 19, and Morgan Hill Athletic Club. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Morgan Hill, such as the Coyote Creek Trail and the Nob Hill Trail Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Morgan Hill, CA are Castillo's Hillside Shire Winery, Anderson Lake County Park, and Andy's Orchard. 

Population: 44,973 (2022). ZIP code: 95037. Area code: 408. Elevation: 350 ft (107 m). Area: 12.9 square miles (33 km2)

FAQs

Is Morgan Hill, CA a wealthy area?

Morgan Hill has been recognized as one of the United States' wealthiest communities and most expensive housing markets in lists from Forbes and Business Insider. The city’s upscale amenities include Michelin-starred chefs’ restaurants, premium wineries, expansive parks, and luxury hotels. There are several high-tech companies headquartered in Morgan Hill, and the community is within easy reach of many more nearby technology firms. Morgan Hill’s real estate mix includes spacious and attractive single-family homes in a range of styles.

Is Morgan Hill, CA a nice place to live?

Living in Morgan Hill offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Morgan Hill, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Morgan Hill and residents tend to lean liberal.

What is the crime rate in Morgan Hill, CA?

The crime rate in Morgan Hill is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 18 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Morgan Hill is 1 in 56. Based on FBI crime data, Morgan Hill is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Morgan Hill has a crime rate that is higher than 49% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Anytime Fitness

Fitness 19 

Morgan Hill Athletic Club

Coyote Creek Trail 

Nob Hill Trail Park

Castillo's Hillside Shire Winery

Anderson Lake County Park

Andy's Orchard

The Palacios Group

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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