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, 333-37722 and 333-76004) and Form S-3 (Nos. 333-61679, 333-70025, 333-94343 and 333-35622) of Greater Bay Bancorp of our report dated February 13, 2002 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP San Francisco, California February 13, 2002