Source: Dvortygirl
Santa Clara is an antiquated town located in Northern California, nuzzled between San Jose and Sunnyvale. A small and peaceful town, it may seem to you because you are yet to experience its vibrancy, rich culture, and picturesque sights. Do you want a serene environment to spend your day, away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life? Or do you crave fun and a memorable day out? Then Santa Clara is just the place to be.
1. Pay a Visit California’s Great America Theme Park
Source: Parthrb
It’s the perfect place to spend your weekend with kinsfolk and friends and let go. You get to enjoy their thrilling roller coaster rides. Also available are water rides for those who may want a little but not excess fun. That’s not the last of it; you get to crown your epic experience at the park on the world’s tallest double-decker carousel.
Information
- Name: California’s Great America Theme Park
- Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, United States
- Opened: May 29, 1976
- Owner: Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
- Website: https://www.cagreatamerica.com/
2. Take a nature walk at the Ulistac Natural Area
When you feel like you want peace and quiet, and place to hang out as long as it isn’t indoors then you’ve got to head to Ulistac Natural Area. The 40 acres of open space flaunts seven explicit natural habitats. It’s not only an environmental preserve, but it also is of historical significance.
Historically, it used to be a temporary campsite for Ohlone Indians. You won’t just be enjoying nature in its unhampered state; you will also have a glimpse of history.
Information
- Name: Ulistac Natural Area
- Address: 4901 Lick Mill Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054
- Phone: +1 408-615-3140
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 7Am-7PM
- Website: http://santaclaraca.gov/Home/Components/ServiceDirectory/ServiceDirectory/290/2654
3. Be part of the Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival
Source: Bluebby
Party lovers, you don’t want to miss out on this. Held yearly, this is a weekend to indulge yourself in savory food as you listen to live music. Also in plenty, is exquisite wine and micro-brewed beer. What can compete with a weekend of good food, captivating music, and fine wine?
Information
- Name: Art & Wine Festival
- Venue: Picturesque Central Park.
- Address:
- Date and time: Saturday, September 17, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm , Sunday, September 18, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Website: http://santaclaraca.gov/visitors/art-wine-festival
4. Have a peek into the Civic Center Park
Source: Tomwsulcer
The main allure of the Civic Center Park is the 20 ft. Sculpture of Saint Clare. It was completed in 1965 by one of the residents as a labor of love.In its environ are pools complemented with a spray fountain. Outside the plaza is a lawn that serves as a theater and has several sitting areas that are shaded by a variety of trees. Time to freeze the moment and keep it as a souvenir!
Information
- Name: Civic Center Park
- Address: Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
- Phone: +1 408-615-2260
- Website: http://santaclaraca.gov/?navid=1455#civiccenter
5. Go bowling at the AMF Moonlite Lanes
Source: Darshan Karia
Do you feel like it’s time for some indoor activities? Moonlite Lanes will offer you a great bowling experience. Equipped with 40 all-star lanes with interactive arcade, Moonlite Lanes offers you mind-blowing games. They also have a bar with an extensive selection of beer and cocktails to quench your thirst as you play.
Information
- Name: AMF Moonlite Lanes
- Address: 2780 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- Phone: +1 408-296-7200
- Website: +1 408-296-7200
6. A Concert in the Park
This event is an open-air concert held at the Central Park Pavilion on Wednesdays and Sundays. A variety of music is played to soothe your soul while the breeze brushes against you as you laze in the summer sun. The concerts are free of charge; you’ve just got to avail yourself.
Information
- Name: Central Park Pavilion- San Jose Santa Clara
- Address: 909 Kiely Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95051- Date: Aug 19
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Website: http://sanjose.eventful.com/venues/central-park-pavilion-santa-clara-/V0-001-000170976-3
7. Explore Santa Clara’s Treasures
Source: Dvortygirl
The Harris-Lass House Museum is the last farm site in Santa Clara. This museum is the go-to place for history lovers. The city owns the house, but it can be rented out for events. Some of its original furnishings are still intact, incredible right? Well, wait until you see the Saint Claire Statue; you won’t believe it.
Information
- Name: Harris-Lass House Museum
- Address: 1889 Market St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
- Phone: +1 408-249-7905
- Website: http://www.harrislass.org/
8. Go hiking
Source: the_tahoe_guy
The Uvas Canyon County Park and San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail beckon you to stretch your legs. The hike will be a splendid time to bond with friends and at the same time, exercise your body. It acts as a feeder to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Information
- Name: Uvas Canyon County Park
- Address: 8515 Croy Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
- Phone: +1 408-779-9232
- Website: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/UvasCanyon.aspx
9. Grocery Shopping
Source: Charles Hutchins
When in Santa Clara, your number one grocery shopping center should be the Farmers Market. Vendors line up around Jackson Street every Saturday from 9.00 am. Each one has a vast variety of locally produced goods at affordable prices. This market offers you a chance the time to purchase fresh from the farm groceries to prepare your favorite dish.
Information
- Name: Santa Clara Farmers Market
- Address: 950 Jackson St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
- Opening hours: Sat: 9Am-1PM
- Website: http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/markets/santa-clara/
10. Quench your thirst for technology
Source: Michael Sandoval from Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
Santa Clara boasts being the home of the Intel Corporation Company. The Intel Museum gives visitors an opportunity to have a glimpse into the world of chips. It is composed of 10000 sq. ft. of exhibits and they also offer a broad range of educational programs that may be attractive to people of different ages.
Information
- Name: Intel
- CEO: Brian Krzanich
- Address: 2200 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara, California 95054
- HQ: Santa Clara, California
- Founded: July 18, 1968, Mountain View, California
- Revenue: 55.4 billion USD (2015)
- Website: http://www.intel.com
11. Watch live football at Levi’s Stadium
Source: Spc. Brandon C. Dyer
Levi’s Stadium was host to the Super Bowl 50. It accommodates a large number of people and is centrally located; adjacent to the Santa Clara Convention Center. Within its proximity are many hotels and restaurants, just the right places to go after watching a great game.
Information
- Name: Levi’s Stadium
- Address: 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054
- Capacity: 68,500
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Website: http://www.levisstadium.com/
12. Driving at K1 Speed
Source: m anima
If you feel like you want to test how much control you can have while driving fast, K1 Speed is the place to be. I bet this is the only place where it’s okay to speed. The racing go-karts can have a speed of up to 45 miles per hour. Go speed without having to worry about being issued with a ticket.
Information
- Name: K1 Speed
- Address: 2925 Mead Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- Phone: +1 408-338-0579
- Hours: Mon-Thu: 12-10PM, Fri-Sat: 11AM-12AM, Sun: 10AM-10PM
- Website: https://www.k1speed.com/santa-clara-location.html
13. Have a ‘donut-full’ day
For a full selection of donuts, you’ve got to head to Stan’s Donut Shop. It has been in the community since 1959 and serves your favorite donuts. Your day will be not only delightful but also ‘donut’ full.
Information
- Name: Stan’s Donut Shop
- Address: 2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- Phone: +1 408-296-5982
- Opening hours: 6AM-3PM
- Website: www.stansdoughnuts.com/
14. Learn a foreign culture
Source: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia
The Santa Clara Convention Center hosts a broad range of events. From educational to social events, you will be able to learn about the rich culture and ways of the diverse community in Santa Clara. It will be a good place to interact with other people and have fun.
Information
- Name: Santa Clara Convention Center
- Address: 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054P
- Phone: +1 408-748-7000
- Website: http://www.santaclara.org/
15. A Halloween Haunt Experience
Source: Oleg Alexandrov
Is it Halloween yet? Got any plans? If not, then you don’t have to worry. California’s Great America has got your back. It organizes a ‘Halloween Haunt’ that comprises of a variety of mazes filled with monsters throughout the park.
Information
- Event Venue: California’s Great America Theme Park
- Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, United States
- Website: https://www.cagreatamerica.com/
16. Cycling
Source: Richard Masoner / Cycleli
Parks in Santa Clara have off-roading cycling opportunities for the risk takers. The town also has a variety of bike trails with varying difficulties. These trails give you a chance to exercise the fat gained from having too many donuts perhaps.
Information
- At: Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
- Address: 96 N 3rd St Suite 375, San Jose, CA 95109
- Website: https://bikesiliconvalley.org/
17. Take a ‘Stroll into the Past.’
Source: Ken Figlioli
If you want to learn by yourself, the history of Santa Clara because maybe you don’t like the long talks by tour guides; this place perfectly suits you. You will be able to have a self-guided tour of the history of Santa Clara.
Information
- Name: Junipero Serra Statue
- At:Mission Santa Ines
- Website: https://www.aoc.gov/…/father-junipero-serra
18. Visit an art museum
Source: Own work (SCUMATT)
De Saisset Museum is an art museum in Santa Clara of an acclaimed reputation. It has an intriguing display of art that will take your breath away. At the same time, you will learn and enjoy art.
Information
- Name: De Saisset Museum
- Location: Santa Clara University
- Address: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
- Phone: +1 408-554-4528
- Hours: Mon: Closed, Tue-Sun: 11AM-4PM
- Website: https://www.scu.edu/deSaisset/
19. Adventure out
Source: loc.gov
Built in 1884, the Winchester Mystery House is a 160-room Victorian house. Though unfinished, it allures many due to its unique interiors. Some of its stairways lead to nowhere. The house belonged to Sara L. Winchester.
Information
- Name: Winchester Mystery House
- Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
- Area: 6 acres
- Owner: Winchester Investments LLC
- Phone: +1 408-247-2101
- Website: http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/
20. Shopping
Source: Pedro Xing
There’s no shopping experience like a Westfield Valley Fair Mall shopping. As one of the biggest yet luxurious shopping malls in Northern California, you are sure to get value for your money. The shops are stocked with variety and, among the best of goods to be found. Go ahead and shop.
Information
- Name: Westfield Valley Fair
- Address: 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050
- Phone: +1 408-248-4451
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 10 AM–9:30 PM, Sat: 10 AM–9 PM, Sun: 10 AM–7 PM
- Website:`
If you happen to be visiting in Santa Clara, there are a lot of fun and cool things to indulge in. You will be sure to have the time of your life.
Have a good trip and travel!
