Things to Do in Santa Clara CA
California’s Great America theme park in Santa Clara has the most kids’ rides and the most water rides in Northern California. Open the last weekend in March through the last weekend in October, the park is Northern California’s best choice for family fun and adventure. It is the state’s only combination theme and water park, offering more than 100 acres of world-class entertainment.
Other attractions include the Intel Museum, the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asis and Mission Gardens, two renowned art museums, spectator sports, great shopping and exciting events. For a complete listing of attractions and to view our Calendar of Events, visit www.santaclara.org/events.
THINGS TO DO IN SANTA CLARA CA
Berryessa Adobe
373 Jefferson St., near Santa Clara University
(408) 615-2488
The city’s oldest adobe structure features documents, objects and other artifacts from the era before California’s statehood in 1851.
California’s Great America
4701 Great America Pkwy.
(408) 988-1776 | www.cagreatamerica.com
California’s Great America is Northern California’s best choice for family fun and adventure. It is the only theme park in California to offer a complete water park inside – free with park admission. Highlights include “Planet Snoopy,” featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang! Great America Parkway between I-101 and Highway 237.
Children’s Discovery Museum
180 Woz Wy., San Jose
(408) 298-5437 | www.cdm.org
One of the largest museums of its kind in the nation, over 150 interactive exhibits lead visitors to explore, understand and enjoy the world in which they live.
de Saisset Museum
(408) 554-4528 | www.scu.edu/desaisset
The museum’s permanent collection includes American, European, African and Oriental art. The California History Collection displays artifacts of the pre-mission California Indians and relics from the original Mission Santa Clara. Located at Santa Clara University.
Harris-Lass House Museum
1889 Market St., Santa Clara
(408) 249-7905 | www.harrislass.org
Santa Clara’s last farmstead includes a restored house, barn, summer kitchen and tankhouse. Operated by the Historic Preservation Society.
Headen-Inman House
The Santa Clara Historic Museum is housed inside the historic Headen-Inman House. The museum contains the city’s historical collection and features Santa Clara historical artifacts. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Intel Museum
2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara
(408) 765-0503 | www.intel.com/museum
Experience high-tech up close. Hands-on exhibits show
kids and adults how silicon chips are made and what they do. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays. Free admission and parking.
Mission Santa Clara de Asis
(408) 554-4023 | www.scu.edu/visitors/mission
The eighth of 21 missions built in California, founded in 1777 by the Spanish Franciscans. (California Historical Landmark No. 338). The Mission and surrounding gardens are located on the grounds of picturesque Santa Clara University, Santa Clara.
Santa Clara Woman’s Club Adobe
3260 The Alameda | (408) 246-8000
www.santaclarawomansclub.org
One of the oldest adobes in California. Built about 1790, this structure was originally part of a row of houses for married Indian couples. (California Historical Landmark No. 249).
Shrine of Our Lady of Peace Our Lady of Peace Church
2800 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara
(408) 988-4585
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, this 32-foot stainless steel sculpture is a reminder to visitors to work and pray daily for peace.
South Bay Historical Railroad Society Santa Clara Depot
1005 Railroad Ave., Santa Clara
(408) 243-3969 | www.sbhrs.org
Two operational scale model railroad layout displays depicting various railroad eras and operations venues, plus areas devoted to artifacts and other railroad-related objects. Hours: 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays. Admission is free.
Stroll into the Past
(408) 615-2200 | http://santaclaraca.gov/
visitors/santa-clara-history/stroll-into-the-past
A self-guided tour of Santa Clara history leads visitors through a series of 28 plaques tracing Santa Clara’s history from a Native American settlement to its present status as the internationally recognized center of technology innovation. Santa Clara Civic Center, corner of Center Drive and Lincoln Avenue.
The Tech Museum
201 S. Market St., San Jose
(408) 294-TECH | www.thetech.org
Hands-on, imaginative, high-tech exhibits showcase the past, present and future of Silicon Valley. The museum is also home to a state-of-the-art IMAX Dome Theater.
Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara
(408) 247-3754 | www.tritonmuseum.org
Rotating exhibits highlight the museum’s permanent collection of 19th and 20th century American art. Also permanent is the Native American tribal collection and Triton’s sculpture garden on the seven-acre grounds. Across from city hall.
Universal Child Statue
1500 Warburton Ave. at city hall, Santa Clara
Sculpted by artist Benny Bufano, the 79-foot statue depicts the concept of the Universal Child; however, the statue’s shape and lines were meant to represent the 1960s missile and space era.
Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose
(408) 247-2000
www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
A beautiful, but bizarre, 160-room Victorian mansion built by the Winchester heiress. (California Historical Landmark No. 868).
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Blue and Gold Fleet
Pier 41, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
(415) 705-8200 | www.blueandgoldfleet.com
Experience the beauty of San Francisco Bay and beyond – the best cruise values and land tours begin from Pier 41/PIER 39.
Comedysportz
288 S. Second St., San Jose | (408) 985-LAFF
www.comedysportzsanjose.com
Comedysportz, an award-winning interactive comedy show where two teams of “act-letes” compete for audience laughs and points while improvising scenes, games, operas and musicals based on audience suggestions.
Computer History Museum
1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View
(650) 810-1010 | www.computerhistory.org
This 25,000-square-foot multimedia experience is a technological wonderland that immerses visitors in the sights, sounds and stories of the computer revolution. The museum features 19 themed galleries that tell the story of the computer revolution and the impact of modern computing from the abacus to the smart phone.
Coyote Ranch
P.O. Box 13036, Coyote
(408) 463-0661 | www.coyoteranch.com
Beautiful Western setting for group parties or conventions. Barbecue, dancing and moonlit hay rides. South on Highway 101 on Metcalf Road.
Lick Observatory
(408) 274-5061 | www.ucolick.org
Located atop 4,209-foot Mount Hamilton, the observatory is 30 miles southeast of Santa Clara up winding Highway 130. Public programs are available.
NASA Ames Exploration Center
Moffett Field, Mountain View | (650) 604-6274
www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/index.html
Rotating exhibits and space artifacts, including a moon rock from Apollo 15, and other space memorabilia. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Pier 39
(415) 705-5500 or (800) 325-7437
www.pier39.com
San Francisco’s Premier Bay Attraction with more than 100 unique shops and 13 full-service Bay-view restaurants and numerous attractions including the Blue & Gold Fleet and Aquarium of the Bay.
Raging Waters San Jose
2333 S. White Rd., San Jose
(408) 238-9900 | www.rwsplash.com
Water park with water slides, family play area and a 350,000-gallon wave pool. Open May through September.
Roaring Camp Railroads
P.O. Box G-1, Felton
(831) 335-4484 | www.roaringcamp.com
Forty minutes west of Santa Clara, groups can take an 1880s steam train ride to the top of Bear Mountain or to the ocean at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Located off Highway 17 at Mt. Herman Road.