Make a base in Silicon Valley
Santa Clara is in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, so many visitors here are business travelers and academics who choose a Santa Clara vacation rental when visiting the high-tech corporations and prestigious learning and research institutions in the region. But Santa Clara has much to offer leisure travelers too, with great shopping and dining, fascinating history, and family-friendly activities – including the California’s Great America theme park. It’s also home to the San Francisco 49ers, who play at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium.
Explore Santa Clara and beyond
Santa Clara’s most famous attraction is probably California’s Great America theme park – a fun family day out with rollercoasters, rides, and a waterpark. However, it’s worth making time to explore Santa Clara’s history too. Head to Mission Santa Clara, where artifacts from bygone eras can be viewed inside the church, or the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History. Santa Clara is just a short drive from downtown San Jose, and its shopping, dining, and attractions, which include the Tech Museum of Innovation and the San Jose Children’s Museum. The sights and sounds of San Francisco are also less than an hour’s drive away from your Santa Clara vacation rental.
Head to the park in Santa Clara
Despite being relatively close to San Francisco, Santa Clara's climate doesn’t share the foggy and cool conditions normally experienced there. During the summer, Santa Clara generally enjoys warm and sunny days, and its winters are mild. In the dry and sunny summer months, Santa Clara’s Central Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. The 52-acre park has a beautiful lake, shady trees, several picnic areas, rolling green lawns, and hosts the city’s free Concerts in the Park series at its Pavilion. Later, in September, the Park hosts the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival to raise money for local charities.
Going nature-spotting near Santa Clara
Santa Clara’s only natural open space is the Ulistac Natural Area. This park contains the last 40 acres of natural, undeveloped land in Santa Clara along the Guadalupe River, and has an important role to play in the conservation of migratory birds. You can enjoy hiking, biking, and birdwatching among its tall grasses, shaded pathways, and marshes. To experience Californian nature on a grander scale, head west for an hour to reach Big Basin Redwoods State Park. These dark, forested mountains, clad in lofty Californian Redwoods, stretch right to the Pacific Coast. On its trails, you can admire ancient trees, sparse chaparral, and enchanting waterfalls.
Transportation to and around Santa Clara
Fly into Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), the closest airport, located 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO), which is 29.8 mi (48 km) away.
If you'd rather travel by train, make your way to Santa Clara Station or Santa Clara Great America Station to see more of the city. It's easy to get around Santa Clara by jumping on the metro at Great America Station, Old Ironsides Station or Lick Mill Station.
Calendar Month
Temperature
Precipitation
Cloudiness
Occupancy
Pricing