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), Form S-3 (Nos. 333-61679, 333-70025, 333-94343 and 333-35622) and Form S-4 (No. 333-40238) of Greater Bay Bancorp of our report dated July 25, 2000 relating to the supplemental consolidated financial statements, which appears in this Current Report on Form 8-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Francisco, California July 25, 2000