Santa Clara is a charming small city in the Bay Area of California and is an excellent vacation destination because of its own attractions as well as its close proximity to the many tourist spots in San Jose and San Francisco. It is the home of Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state.
Founded in 1777, Santa Clara was one of the original Spanish settlements along the California mission trail. In later years, the area proved to be an ideal location for growing fruit, especially apricots and prunes. Today, it is at the center of Silicon Valley and is the home of Intel and other tech companies.
Attractions
If you are looking for family-oriented fun, then make California’s Great America your destination. This amusement park has rides, shows and much more for kids of all ages. For luxury shopping, the place to go is the upscale and elegant Santana Row commercial district.
Santa Clara is a sports-oriented city. During football season, you can take in a San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium, the NFL’s first LEED Gold-certified venue. If hockey is more your thing, visit SAP Center, better known as “The Shark Tank,” for a Sharks match.
For the historically minded, check out the original Mission Santa Clara and its gardens as founded by the Franciscan Order in the early days of Spanish California. You can also visit the architecturally beautiful Santa Clara University and take a walk on its pedestrian parkway among palm trees, gardens and fountains.
To get a look at the technology of Silicon Valley, visit the free Intel Museum where you can experience interactive exhibits for free. For lovers of painting, Triton Museum of Art is the place to be.
Restaurants and Nightlife
The Bay Area is known for its diverse cuisine, and Santa Clara is no exception. For Italian food and fantastic hospitality, hit up Piatti restaurant. Straits offers unique and delicious pan-Asian cuisine, and both Tomatina and Birk’s restaurants deliver when it comes to service and affordability.
Outdoors and Recreation
If you are a hiker, biker trail runner or just an outdoor enthusiast, Santa Clara has a terrific park system. See how many of the Magnificent Seven parks you can visit, from Coyote Creek Parkway to Upper Stevens Creek. The wildflowers are spectacular in spring, and you can marvel at the beautiful California light on any sunny day. The San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, in particular, stands out for its accessibility and scenery and for being dog-friendly.
Hotels and Accommodations
When it comes to Santa Clara hotels, look no further than Hyatt House Santa Clara. Located at the beating heart of Santa Clara, it is close to stadiums, parks, and restaurants. Whether you are just staying for one night or want to have a place for your wedding, this is a hotel that can’t be beaten. Click here to see more about this great hotel at the center of the fun in Santa Clara!
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