EXHIBIT 23.1

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-30913, 333-67677, 333-30915, 333-16967,
333-47747, 333-30812 and 333-37722) and Form S-3 (Nos. 333-61679, 333-70025,
333-94343 and 333-35622) of Greater Bay Bancorp of our report dated January 30,
2001 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this
Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California
January 30, 2001