Smart Meetings

Santa Clara - Silicon Valley Central has attractions for everyone. Whether it's riding roller coasters, learning how computer chips are made, shopping at upscale malls, or visiting the past, you can find it here.

Theme parks: Paramount's Great America and Bonfante Gardens
Paramount's Great America is the only place where kids can meet their favorite Nickelodeon friends and explore new rides and attractions. The theme park has the most rides in Northern California: the most kids' rides, the most coasters, and the most water rides. Open March through October.

Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park is a one-of-a-kind experience combining unique Gardens and amusement rides with the agricultural roots of Santa Clara Valley.

High-Tech Museums
The Intel Museum and Intel Museum Store offer visitors a chance to see up close how computer chips are made. Interactive exhibits allow you to try on a "bunny suit" or test your computer knowledge. Open year-round. Closed Sundays.

Tech Museum of Innovation has four themed exhibit galleries and an IMAX Dome Theatre with plenty of hands-on exhibits. Open year-round. Closed Mondays.

Shopping: Upscale Malls, Boutiques, and Outlets
Upscale shopping includes Westfield Shoppingtown Valley Fair and Santana Row. WestfieldShoppingtown Valley Fair has more than 270 specialty stores, including anchor stores Macy's and Nordstrom.

Santana Row's first full operating year is 2003. The new 40-acre upscale complex includes a vibrant mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Gucci, St. John, and Escada are among the upscale retailers.

Outlet shopping can be found at the Great Mall Of The Bay Area. Just minutes from the Santa Clara Convention Center, the Great Mall has over 200 outlet stores including Off Saks Fifth Avenue. Formerly, the Ford Motor Plant, the mall also features a large food court and a Dave & Busters.

Events and Festivals
Santa Clara is a world-renowned place for events and festivals. Cheer on your favorite world-class swimmer at the annual Santa Clara International Swim Meet (August) or browse the many craft booths at the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival (September). Get in the holiday spirit by touring the many decorated homes on the Historic Homes Tour (December).

Art Museums
Triton Museum of Art and de Saisset Museum
Triton Museum of Art highlights 19th and 20th century American art and features an outdoor sculpture garden on its seven-acre grounds.

The de Saisset Museum features European, African, Oriental, and American art and has a California History Collection displaying artifacts of the pre-California mission Indians.

Mission Santa Clara de Asis
The mission is the eighth of 21 built in California. Founded in 1777 by the Spanish Franciscans, Mission Santa Clara and its surrounding gardens are located on the grounds of Santa Clara University.

Winchester Mystery House
The beautiful, but bizarre Winchester Mystery House is a 160-room Victorian mansion filled with oddities such as stairs that lead to ceilings and doors that open into walls. The rifle heiress Sarah Winchester built for 38 years, day and night, to appease the spirts of those killed by the Winchester rifle.

Farmer's Markets
Franklin Mall's Farmer's Market runs every Saturday May - October. The market features fresh cut flowers, vine-ripened Stonefruit, just picked cherries, berries, and veggies, plus fresh fish, baked goods, and specialty foods such as Kettle Corn.

Parcel 104's Organic Farmer's Market opens from each Friday mid-June through November at Parcel 104 at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. Local organic growers, wine tasting, spring and summer flowers, cheese makers, live fire tasting grill with Sausages, smoked brisket, and rhubarb BBQ.

Sports and Recreation
Santa Clara is world-renowned for soccer. Spectators can watch the former National Champion Santa Clara University Lady Broncos display their world class skills. In addition to the annual International Swim Meet, Santa Clara is also home to the Olympic gold medal winning Santa Clara Aquamaids.

For leisure visitors and convention delegates who golf, the Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club features 18 championship holes, seven lighted tennis courts, and a restaurant on site. For those looking for a smaller less challenging course, there is the nine hole Pruneridge Golf Club.

Fine Dining
Birks, Brigitte's, La Fontana, Tresca, Parcel 104
Award winning fine dining can be found at a number of Santa Clara restaurants: American: Parcel 104 at the Santa Clara Marriott; Tresca at the Westin Santa Clara; and Birk's Restaurant. Mediterranean: La Fontana at the Hilton Santa Clara. French: Brigitte's Restaurant.