Eastern Santa Clara Area, California
The most common soil here is Gaviota, on about 22% of the land: a gravelly loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Vallecitos and Los Gatos come next.
About 91% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 78% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Eastern Santa Clara Area, California, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Eastern Santa Clara Area, California. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Gatos-Gaviota complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 62K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vallecitos rocky loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 48K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vallecitos loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded, MLRA 15 | 37K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota gravelly loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, severely eroded | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Gatos gravelly loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Montara rocky clay loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilroy clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Parrish gravelly clay loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota rocky loam, 5 to 30 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pleasanton loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Riverwash | 5K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Maymen rocky fine sandy loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilroy clay loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes, MLRA 15 | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Osos clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Inks stony clay loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| WATER | 4K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Arbuckle gravelly loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, MLRA 14 | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Los Osos clay loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.