In search of the best and fun things to do in Santa Clara, CA?
Santa Clara is a city in Santa Clara County, California, with a population of nearly one hundred and twenty-five according to the last census.
For over two hundred years, the city has existed as a Spanish Mission. Santa Clara is famous for its flourishing tech industry, known as Silicon Valley worldwide.
There is a touch of everything here for a fun vacation, these cuts across places to visit, events, fun adventures, and more.
Planning an exploration of Santa Clara? Here are the top things to do in Santa Clara, CA.
Things to Do in Santa Clara, CA
1. Mission Santa Clara
Mission Santa Clara
Mission Santa Clara is currently located on the campus of Santa Clara University, it was founded by Franciscans in the 1770s.
Fire, earthquakes, and floods eradicated the original building, so the location was changed, and a new one was established in 1822.
Mission Santa Clara was built to convert the Ohlone people, and the Franciscans were doing just fine until measles and smallpox attacked Ohlone.
The mission is one of the historic sites in the city, and it was gifted to the Jesuits in 1857, who built California’s first institute of higher education, Santa Clara University.
Mission Santa Clara is open seven days a week. Although it is no longer carrying out the function it was built for, it now serves as a museum and Chapel.
It is open to everyone, and visitors can take self-guided tours with the help of brochures found close to the entrance.
Address: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California 95053, United States.
2. The Central Park Library
The Central Park Library is one of the three libraries in Santa Clara under the Santa Clara City Library. The other two include the Northside Branch Library and the Mission Branch Library.
This library is the largest library facility in Santa Clara, with more than 80, 000 Square feet of floor space packed with a massive library collection.
The Central Park Library consists of large community rooms, group study rooms, public art, and many more.
The library has more than one hundred public computers, a computer training facility with a high-speed internet connection for personal laptops.
Central Park Library features a children’s garden, fireplaces, and a large collection of educational and innovative programs materials.
There is a fully packed bookstore with a contemporary collection of books, a nice cafe, and lovely park views.
Address: 2635 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051, United States
3. California’s Great America
For an exceptional outdoor experience in Santa Clara, spend a day at California’s Great America with your friends and family.
California’s Great America is a massive and exhilarating fun park with many eye-catching attractions and activities.
The park features various kinds of roller coasters, including a twenty-story drop tower and the Xtreme Skyflyer that serves as hang gliding and skydiving found high above the park.
California’s Great America features rides for the family, such as a carousel, bumper cars, a flume ride, and more.
There is an amazing playground with lots of play equipment for the little ones to explore and have a great time.
California’s Great America features numerous water slides, cabana rentals, a wave pool, and a lazy river where visitors can relax and cool off.
Address: 4710 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States
4. Beat The Lock Escape Rooms
Beat The Lock Escape Rooms will be one of the highlights of your visit to Santa Clara with your friends and family.
Don’t forget to add a visit to Beat The Lock Escape Rooms to your checklist of things to do in Santa Clara.
Beat The Lock Escape Rooms offer visitors a unique sixty minutes of wonderful experience with their loved ones.
Each escape room requires a group of at least two to fourteen people who would be locked up in a themed room and made to find ideas, clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles to help them escape before the time elapses.
Beat The Lock Escape Rooms is an excellent place for nice team-building events by law enforcement, churches, companies, youth groups, sports teams, military, and others.
It is open for different special events and offers catering services for engagements parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, reunions, anniversaries, and more.
Address: 1171 Homestead Rd University Plaza, Suite 280, Santa Clara, CA 95050-5478 United States
5. 49ers Museum
49ers Museum
The 49ers Museum is a favorite location for football fans, especially 49ers fans, and it is open every day of the week throughout the year.
The museum is located in Levi’s Stadium, which is the home of the San Francisco 49ers consisting of a whopping eleven fantastic galleries and spaces for exhibitions.
The 49ers Museum is exciting and interactive; it features an education center that uses football as a case study to enlighten about math & art, technology, engineering, field trips, and science.
You will find a twenty-minute introductory movie close to the museum’s entrance with a vast exhibit of 49ers memorabilia such as helmets, Jerseys, super bowl rings, balls, and cleats.
There is an interactive area where visitors could try on helmets and Jerseys, learn 49ers cheers and throw a football.
49ers Museum features lifelike statues of players, including past and present, with a site of the 49er’s history.
Address: Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States
6. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society
South Bay Historical Railroad Society
The volunteers who operate this museum staff the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History, buildings, and the society’s library.
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society displays a wide collection of historical artifacts such as a velocipede, locomotive headlights, signals, and more.
The Museum contains two nice operational model train tracks, one in N gauge and the other in OH, including maintaining a business class car from the Oregon-Washington Railroad exemplifying the different periods in railway history.
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society comprises a library filled with railroad-related books and materials.
Address: 1005 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States
7. Anderson Lake County Park
Anderson Lake County Park
Visiting Anderson Lake County Park is one of the best things to do in Santa Clara for a spectacular experience.
Anderson Lake County Park stretches to a landscape of four thousand, two hundred and seventy-five acres.
The park is home to the Coyote Creek parkway with numerous trails, the Burnett Park area, the Jackson Ranch historic park site, and the Moses L. Rosendin Park.
Anderson Lake County Park is a fantastic location for picnickers, powerboat enthusiasts, equestrians, nature lovers, and bicyclists.
It is a great spot for fishing, jet skis, and swimming; the park is filled with beautiful wildflowers, cottonwood trees, sycamore, and more.
Anderson Lake County Park is a must-visit if you truly want to explore the outdoor pursuits offering exciting recreational activities.
Address: 19245 Malaguerra Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, United States
8. Harris-Lass House Museum
Harris-Lass House Museum
The museum was built in a symmetrical Italianate style in 1865, and it was expanded and renovated in the 1890s.
The Harris-Lass House Museum is the last farm property in Santa Clara, consisting of a nice farmhouse.
The Museum contains a summer kitchen, a classic California barn, a Heritage Orchard, a tank house, and a landscaped garden.
Harris-Lass House Museum is remarkably furnished with Lass Family belongings, and it is open for occasional docent-led tours and school and group tours.
Address: 1889 Market Street, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States
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9. K1 Speed Santa Clara
K1 Speed Santa Clara is an exciting destination for families, friends, and co-workers to experience incredibly fun.
This family-friendly fun center features fast indoor electric go-karts, state-of-the-art safety barriers, and a professionally-designed track.
K1 Speed Santa Clara consists of many meeting rooms and an arcade room that features different varieties of games.
There is a snack bar that offers delicious meals and chilled drinks for reasonable costs; this is the best place for motorsports lovers.
K1 Speed Santa Clara is a wonderful venue for corporate events, social outings, fun date night ideas, company parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and much more.
The fun offered here will give you a feel of adrenaline rush, K1 Speed Santa Clara guarantees you a fun experience, and it is open for all skill levels.
Address: 2925 Mead Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051, United States
10. Headen-Inman House
Headen-Inman House
Headen-Inman House was originally built in 1913, but the recent building was in 1985, and its location was changed.
The beautiful bungalow was established in Arts and crafts style; it was transformed into a lovely museum containing several items.
Headen-Inman House features a collection of furniture owned by the Inam family, as well as dining room furniture, an old pump organ, and a bedroom suite.
There is a reserved room specifically for photographs and artifacts that demonstrates the history of Santa Clara.
The Santa Clara founders and pioneers room consists of credible information about the early settlers in the region.
Address: 1509 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States.
11. The de Saisset Museum
de Saisset Museum
The de Saisset Museum was established in 1955, and it is located adjacent to Mission Santa Clara at the Santa Clara University.
The museum started as an art gallery showcasing more than one hundred works made by the Painter Ernest de Saisset.
It combines both art and history with diverse and easily accessible exhibits, with great emphasis on art from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Santa Clara Valley.
The de Saisset Museum also houses European and American artworks from the Renaissance. In addition, the museum has an impressive collection of Mission-era Liturgical vestments and an exhibit on California history.
Address: 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California 95053, United States
12. Henry Schmidt Park
Henry Schmidt Park should certainly be on your list of things to do in Santa Clara, CA. It is home to the “Henry Schmidt Park Walls of Fame.”
This eight-acre park showcases sports memories of Henry Schmidt, a forty years old who dedicated himself to training athletes.
Henry Schmit coached Santa Clara University Bronco athletic teams and the San Francisco 49ers; the sports display is in the large neighborhood building.
Henry Schmidt Park features basketball courts, four tennis courts, the Tom Barrett softball field, a large play area, and an exercise course.
Picnic facilities are available in the picnic area with bbq grills and restrooms, including a playground.
Address: 555 Los Padres Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050, United States
13. Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival is one event you shouldn’t miss in Santa Clara.
The Festival is open to both tourists and residents alike for free, and it is an extremely exciting family event in Santa Clara.
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival is held in the city’s central park and usually features numerous talented local and regional artists.
The festival features about two hundred vendors selling different merchandise like a wide variety of California’s best wines, fine arts & crafts, and gourmet food.
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival features twenty-five community groups serving International foods, micro-brewed beer, and fine wines, with live entertainment on three stages.
The festival also features the ever-popular kids’ kingdom and a new shaded Craft Beer Garden.
Address: Location is Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara, California United States
14. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
If you haven’t visited Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, you’re missing out; add dining at this lovely restaurant to your list of things to do in Santa Clara, CA.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best sevice when serving amazing prime steak, handcrafted cocktails, and wines.
This restaurant offers an extensive food menu which includes French onion soup, Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, fleming’s salad, sweet chilli calamari, lobster bisque, Crème Brûlée, key lime pie, caesar salad, Filet Mignon Sandwiches, and more.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar comprises a full-service bar that offers wines like loosen bros, maso canali, Kim Crawford, duck horn, Francis coppola, goldeneye, and more.
If you’re planning a special occasion, hosting a business date, or you just want to enjoy a delicious meal with great services, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is the best option.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar also offers online delivery if you can’t come yourself or simply want to enjoy the meal in the comfort of your home or wherever you are.
Address: 2762 Augustine Dr Suite 110, Santa Clara, CA 95050, United States
15. Santa Clara Farmers’ Market
If you’re searching for a place to shop, add shopping at Santa Clara Farmers’ Market to your list of things to do in Santa Clara, CA.
Santa Clara Farmers’ Market offers a wide variety of commodities, starting from seasonal produce & freshly baked goods, prepared food items to health & body products.
The market is open all year-round on Saturdays only from 9am-1pm, offering goods for affordable prices you can’t get elsewhere.
Santa Clara Farmers’ Market offers fresh and healthy produce to encourage the public to always choose the best products.
The market offers you an opportunity to meet and interact with locals and ask them questions about the town.
Address: 950 Jackson St, Santa Clara, CA 95050, United States
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16. Levi’s Stadium
Levi’s Stadium
A day at Levi’s Stadium is one of the top things to do in Santa Clara, CA. It has a sixty-eight thousand seating capacity.
Levi’s Stadium is home to the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, and it is one of the country’s premier professional football stadiums.
The stadium is the venue for the 49ers season; the pre-season begins from August to its final season-ending in early January.
Levi’s Stadium is a host of world-class entertainment and concerts that are always held daily.
The stadium is available for public tours, which may be booked through Ticketmaster; the public tour includes a 90-minute tour of the stadium and admission to the 49ers Museum.
A group of more than twenty people can organize a private tour, and the stadium features a restaurant, Bourbon Steak, that offers delicious American fares.
Address: 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States
17. Voyager Coffee
The best way to start your day is by drinking a flavorful cup of coffee, and Voyager Coffee serves the most delightful coffee in Santa Clara.
Voyager Coffee was founded in 2016 and has continually served the public with world-class coffee they can’t get anywhere else.
The owners and staff ensure the customers are happy by providing a comfortable environment to feel free and interact with other guests and form new friendships.
They offer fresh and delicious pastry and baked foods, tea, coffee, and other non-coffee drinks, served however you want it.
Voyager Coffee offers drinks like Chai latte, drip coffee, Americana, mocha, cold brew, drinking chocolate, London fog, cappuccino, macchiato, and more.
Aside from drinks, they also offer meals like Avocado toast, almond butter toast, nut & honey, cinnamon rolls, Chocolate Almond Croissant, Pesto Ricotta Toast, chocolate cake, and so on.
Many of their coffees sport internationally influenced flavors, and they’re often infused with things like orange essence and cherry blossom water.
Address: 3985 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95051, United States
18. Triton Museum of Art
Triton Museum of Art
Whether you’re an art lover or not, add a visit to the Triton Museum of Art to your list of fun things to do in Santa Clara, CA.
Triton Museum of Art’s primary mission is to promote local, regional, and national art by showcasing the various artworks.
The Museum collects and displays historical and contemporary California artworks with a duty to motivate cultural and gender inclusiveness.
Triton Museum of Art enlightens the public on art and the creative process; the building itself is a piece of art with a curved glass wall.
The Museum is home to the historic 1866 Jamison-Brown house and a seven-acre sculpture garden.
Address: 1505 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States
19. Central Park
Central Park
Are you ready for a terrific fun moment with your dear friends and family? Then, visiting Central Park should be on your Santa Clara to-do list.
Central Park is a center for recreational activities, and it houses the George F. Haines International Swim Center and a 30, 000 square foot Community Recreation Center.
The park consists of two softball fields, two lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, a green bowling lawn, an exercise course, and more.
Central Park also consists of a fantastic amphitheater and a beautiful children’s playground with lots of fun equipment.
This park is a perfect venue for group and family picnics at designated areas with barbecue pits and public restrooms.
Address: 969 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara, California 95051, United States.
20. Montague Park
Montague Park is a wonderful 5.5-acre park with several facilities suitable for both adults and children.
The park is home to a neighborhood recreation facility that features two tennis courts, a large multi-purpose room, and restrooms.
Montague Park features a children’s play area with several play apparatus for them to explore and have a memorable experience.
There is a picnic area with picnic tables and bbq grills perfect for a small family outing or friends gathering to grab a meal together.
Montague Park is adjacent to the Montague Swim Center, which offers recreational swim and swimming lessons during the summer months.
Address: 3595 MacGregor Ln, Santa Clara, CA 95054, United States
21. Santa Clara Fire Museum
Santa Clara Fire Museum
The Santa Clara Fire Museum is housed in an old training center behind the Santa Clara Fire House in Santa Clara.
The museum contains numerous memorabilia from 1855 when the Santa Clara Fire Department was established.
The Santa Clara Fire Museum showcases photographs, documents, and fire equipment like fire extinguishers, nozzles, and hoses.
The museum features an excellently refurbished Model T Ford truck purchased by the Santa Clara Fire Department. It was used as a she truck from 1921-1945, and it has been well refurbished by volunteers.
The Santa Clara Fire Museum is open to everyone as well as school groups with educational programs relating to fire safety.
Address: 1900 Walsh Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States
22. Ulistac Natural Area
Ulistac Natural Area
Ulistac Natural Area is a forty-one acre open space that brings you close and helps you communicate with nature.
The area is committed to preserving the native Californian vegetation and wildlife with a variety of natural habitats.
Ulistac Natural Area consists of riparian woodland, grassland, savannah, wetlands, coastal scrub, and other natural habitats.
This nature preserve features a bird and butterfly garden with nectar plants, including monkeyflower and fuchsia, that attract hummingbirds and a wide range of butterflies.
Ulistac Natural Area consists of natural trails featuring interpretative signs, and it was once a seasonal camp for the Ohlone Indians.
This preserve was used as a golf course in the mid-20th century, as grazing land for sheep and cattle during the Spanish and Mexican conquest era, and as agricultural land for 19th-century Chinese settlers.
Address: 4910 Lick Mill Road, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States
23. War Memorial Playground
War Memorial Playground
For your next family outing, add a visit to War Memorial Playground to your list of fun things to do in Santa Clara.
War Memorial Playground is a one-acre park perfect for families with children who want to share an intimate moment.
The playground is small but unique, with large sculpted ants and an anthill for climbing. They were designed and made by Francine Agapoff, California artists.
War Memorial Playground is ideal for preschoolers and toddlers with their guidance; for their utmost safety, dogs are prohibited from the park.
There are sandboxes for kids to play in and a flagpole with memorial plaques underneath it to commemorate those that died during the war.
War Memorial Playground provides benches for the adults to sit on while the little ones play around with picnic areas.
Address: 295 Monroe Street, Santa Clara, California 95050, United States
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Plan your trip to Santa Clara
Santa Clara offers something for everyone, making this city an exciting place to visit for the entire family.
Santa Clara should be your next vacation destination as there are several fun options to pick from. Whether you’re in the mood to go out and have great fun or simply want to relax, enjoy a delicious meal, read a novel, or discover new things.
Start planning a trip to Santa Clara, CA.