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One of the jewels of Santa Clara is Mission Santa Clara de Asis, located on the University of Santa Clara campus. Founded on Jan. 12, 1777, it was the eighth mission in a chain of 21 throughout California established by Father Junipero Serra. It was the only mission to be named for a woman ‑ Saint Claire of Assisi, a childhood friend of Saint Francis - and it became... » Read More
Unlike most other municipalities in the United States, Santa Clara maintains a dedicated public utility to serve its residents’ electrical power and communications needs. The first municipality in America to own and operate its own geothermal generation plant, and among the first in the nation to maintain cutting edge electric utilities, Santa Clara has operated its power division for... » Read More
San Francisco 49ers broke ground on the Santa Clara Stadium on April 19, 2012, marking a significant milestone in its move from San Francisco to its new home. It took years to finalize plans for moving San Francisco’s beloved football team to the South Bay, but when it was done all parties involved were satisfied with the outcome.
Now the serious work begins. The new Santa Clara... » Read More
Earlier this month, the City of Santa Clara, CA and the San Francisco 49ers football franchise announced that they have secured funding for the bulk of the cost of the new stadium venture that has been in the works since 2006. The City of Santa Clara has been actively pursuing a partnership with the team in the hopes that a new stadium would help sway owners and facilitate a move to the South... » Read More
When it comes to outdoor activities in general, Santa Clara fits the mold for the San Francisco Bay Area’s well-deserved reputation as an active group of communities. Visitors are often surprised at the wide variety of choices in golf courses they have available to them within such close proximity to the business and entertainment centers of Santa Clara. We’ll bet that even if you... » Read More
Looking less like a shopping center, and more like a European neighborhood, Santana Row has been attracting South Bay residents and Bay Area visitors since it opened in 2003. The unique architecture and overall relaxed feeling bring shoppers and diners to Santana Row to patronize its multitude of restaurants, retail shops, bars and nightclubs, spas and beauty treatment specialists throughout... » Read More
Santa Clara residents are enormously proud of the focus that the Bay Area has traditionally paced on education. Consequently, there is an enormous array of options when it comes to higher education in the area, ranging from community colleges and vocational training schools to world renowned universities. With this many colleges and universities in such close proximity, it is hardly any wonder... » Read More
Perhaps the most popular modern attraction in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara’s own California’s Great America amusement park has been entertaining visitors and residents to the area for more than 30 years. Featuring costumed characters, hair-raising roller coasters and other rides, and entertaining shows for adventurous park-goers, Great America has been a Santa... » Read More
Bay Area sports fans are proud of the legacy of their many professional sports teams, but probably most proud of the several-time world champion San Francisco 49ers. The NFL team has been home to some of the legends of American football, and has an enormous following amongst Bay Area residents. The team announced several years ago that they are looking for a new stadium in which to hold their... » Read More
Twenty-one Spanish missions were constructed in Santa Clara and throughout what would become California from 1769 through 1823. Spanish Catholics...
Historic Santa Clara Offers Mix of Culture, Recreation and Family Fun
Culture, Entertainment and Excitement in Santa Clara Founded in 1777 as the site of one of California's world-famous Spanish Missions, Santa Clara, CA is now one of several hubs of business and commerce in Silicon Valley. Home to more than 116,000 residents, Santa Clara is a thriving city that serves as a culturally diverse center of activities for families, students and visitors alike - offering an enormous variety of choices when it comes to dining, entertainment, attractions, and visitor-oriented amenities.
Santa Clara is located in the heart of the world's technology center, Silicon Valley, and boasts an enviable roster of tech companies such as Intel, Applied Technologies, Sun Microsystems, WebEx, and many more that call it home. Being set amid the buzz and constant excitement of the technology capitol of the world creates an atmosphere of change and activity that spills over into daily life in museums such as the nearby San Jose Tech Museum, and other visitor attractions.
Hotels and Hospitality in Santa Clara Santa Clara's proximity to the wide variety of businesses, professional sports venues, colleges, airports, and nearby vacation destinations means that it has an enormous number and variety of hotels for travelers to choose from.
With everything from five-star hotels with spas and dining available, to more modest motor courts and inns, visitors to Santa Clara can find accommodations near the points of interest they are interested in at a price that fits their travel plans. Because of the high volume of business travel in the area, Santa Clara has ample options for business travelers - providing everything from business accommodations and mini-suites with high-speed internet access, to full conference and meeting services for large groups.
Entertainment and Attractions in Santa Clara Known for the Spanish Mission of the same name, Santa Clara is a frequent destination for history buffs and school children looking to experience a taste of what the missions were once like. Restored in 1928 after a fire, the mission at Santa Clara University is one of the fixtures of the city and has become an iconic image that is often associated with the area.
If you are looking for fun for the kids while you are in Santa Clara, you'll have many different options to choose from. In addition to the many parks and outdoor events that are put on every spring and summer, there are several child-focused venues such as the Tech Museum and Happy Hollow nearby. The city is also home to Great America, an amusement park that has been a local favorite since 1976, and allows visitors access to both Gilroy Gardens and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk within just a short drive.
Welcome Sports Fans Santa Clara is well known as the practice field home of the San Francisco 49ers, and is currently in talks with the franchise discussing plans for a new stadium located in the city. Soccer fans enjoy games from the Bay Area's only Major League Soccer team, the San Jose Earthquakes, when they play their home games at Santa Clara University. For other sporting events, visitors and residents need only travel to one of the many professional sports stadiums in the Bay Area housing more than 11 professional teams in a variety of sports.
Culinary Experiences Santa Clara Owing again to the profound diversity of the area, Santa Clara has restaurants to fit any taste or mood. Offering everything from standard American fare to Italian, every imaginable variety of Asian, Indian, Mexican, Latin American, and European cuisine, diners in the area can easily find something to satisfy their cravings. Whether you're a visitor to Santa Clara, or a longtime resident, finding a great meal close to wherever you happen to be in the city is an easy proposition.
Santa Clara City Library holds a public book sale on the third Saturday of each month. High-quality books, videos and music discs are offered for sale to the public at a fraction of their cost when new. At times, it is possible to find used media items that appear to be in unused condition. There are thousands of used library offerings, in all categories, sold for reasonable prices at each ‘Santa...
Bronco Kidz! is a Santa Clara youth group that is sponsored by the athletic department at Santa Clara University. This fun-filled club costs $15.00 each year and offers many types of opportunities in...
The Santa Clara winter-season orchestra concert will be concentrating on favorite movie themes. This style of concert was very popular during the 1960s-70s when recordings of movie theme tunes were...
Sunnyvale and Silicon Valley are about more than just high tech. The tech area also has an abundance of great restaurants. Sunnyvale has one of the most popular of the area's fooderies: Dish Dash, with a Middle Eastern menu. Dish Dash offers lamb, beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes with the flavors of north Africa and Arabia. Aficionados can indulge in stuffed grape leaves, shish kebab... » Read More
Summer time is most often equated with time in the water for kids and just the kids-at-heart as well. If you’re looking for a place to beat the summertime heat in Santa Clara, take a look at one of these public swimming pools and cool off with the kids, swim a few laps for exercise, or just slash around and have fun! » Read More
Santa Clara, CA and the county that shares its name are known for their outdoor activities and options, and have a population of ever-moving and highly active residents that demand venues to enjoy their favorite exercise activities. If you are looking for paved (or unpaved) trails to ride your bike in Santa Clara, you’ll soon discover that you have more options than you know what to do... » Read More
Santa Clara has a rich cultural history dating back more than 200 years, and today is home to several historical sites and many museums of all types. If you are looking for family friendly attractions and things to do around Santa Clara, check out a few of these sites and have a great time while learning a bit about the history and culture of the area.
All of the following attractions are... » Read More
One of the giants of Silicon Valley and the worldwide computer industry, Intel is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. As a very involved part of the community that it calls home, Intel has set up a museum that delves into the world of semiconductors in general and their processes specifically, and opened it to the public.
Offering a 10,000 square foot space that details the history and science... » Read More
A Santa Clara and San Jose institution, the Westfield Valley Fair shopping center boasts the largest collection of name brand and luxury retailers under one roof in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Comprised of over 240 stores, a food court, kiosk retailers, and several restaurants, Westfield Valley Fair is a destination for shoppers from miles around. With two separate Macy’s... » Read More
Santa Clara has a long history of generating Olympic athletes and representing the United States in the worldwide exhibition of excellence and sportsmanship. With a particularly heavy emphasis on competitive racing and synchronized swimmers, Santa Clara has produced more than 50 Olympian athletes over the years and is proud to be an integral part of fielding U.S. athletic teams that compete on... » Read More
Many graduates of Santa Clara have gone on to be leaders in the fields of Arts/Entertainment/Media, Business/Engineering, Education/Research, Public Service, and Sports.
If you know of an alumnus/a who you think should be considered for the list, please send an e-mail to Alumni@SantaClara.com including the person's name and qualifications.
Arts/Entertainment/Media
Andy Ackerman '78, TV... » Read More
Conveniently located in the center of Silicon Valley and a short distance south of San Francisco, the 302,000 square foot Santa Clara Convention Center is well equipped to meet all your business meeting needs. With amenities specifically designed to adapt to the varying requirements of conventions, banquets, trade shows and special events, the Santa Clara Convention Center includes exhibit... » Read More
Santa Clara is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, which became a household name after the dot-com boom around the turn of the century. While several major companies who broke ground in Santa Clara during those years still remain, the city has a history and an identity dating back to the late 1700s. Sitting less than 20 miles from the edge of Western civilization, the city has a... » Read More
Fair, 53°F on Friday, May 18, 2012
