Santa Clara

[stczt]

I need help, Dh is going to Santa Clara for a week and I am looking for things that he can do after work. He leaves Easter Sunday so he is feeling a little down. So I am trying to encourage him by finding things to do. All I can find are wineries and he does not drink. Thanks

 

[KimD]

I can help! Well...I assume you're talking about Santa Clara, CA...if not then well I can't help.

Born and raised here in good ole Santa Clara. It helps to know what he's interested in or things he likes to do. To my knowledge there aren't too many wineries around here so I'm interested in where you found that info! I mean I know of a couple of smaller ones in the hills but I've never heard of SC associated with wineries...that's very interesting!

It's a beautiful area and we do have a ton of stuff to do but how far is he willing to drive? Santa Clara is very much a 'work' town. Lots of companies and industrial areas...surrounded by pretty green mountains right now though! So he most definitely will have stuff to do it just depends on his interests and how far he's willing to drive to get to them.

Let me know and I'll throw some suggestions out.

First ones just 'cause they're fun:

Winchester Mystery House (in San Jose...right next to SC)
Santana Row Great shopping and eating. Good for people watching too! (also in SJ but down the street from WMH)
If he wants to see the Ocean he can go either to Santa Cruz (over the hills and thru the woods...lol...it's a bit of a windy drive but it's very pretty and oh so worth it! It takes about 30 minutes to get there from SC, of course not during commute time though).
Also, we're very close to San Fransicso...about 40 minutes or so.

I'd be checking out Downtown San Jose as well if I were coming here. It is the hub of the area and they have a lot to offer as well. We are neighbors afterall! I'm happy to provide more info when I know more.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Is he going to Santa Clara or Santa Clarita? You said you could only find wineries but there are none in Santa Clara (northern CA, next to San Jose). Santa Clarita is in southern CA and does have many wineries.

 

[mamajoan]

We lived in Sunnyvale, San Jose and Hollister before moving SW ILL. You have gotten some great suggestions. Is he a Tech kinda guy? The Tech Museum is cool. There used to be a walk thru exhibit at INTEL too. (dh use to work there). If he drives south from Santa Clara he can meander thru Morgan Hill, San Martin and into Gilroy... best outlet shopping ever.. HUGE!! in fact. Gilroy is Garlic City and has an interesting downtown area, as does Morgan Hill. Always good for a cup of coffee and a couple antique shops and gallaries. I miss the bagel places that I use to stop at between seeing patients. He could also make the drive up to San Francisco and hit Alcatraz, do a Bay tour. Santa Cruz is also a nice place to hang out.. I am a big fan of the ocean/beach. ....

I sooo miss California, the ocean, the mountains.. the fresh seafood and veggies... but SW. ILL is nice too. Hope he has a good time.

 

[pixiewings71]

Monterey Bay Aquarium is great, the Steinhard in SF is great, there's tons to do in SF and the area really. No wineries tho, those are up here in Napa/Sonoma.

 

[Molly Meow]

To play off of what mamajoan said about the Tech museum, if he's any kind of Trekkie, they have the Star Trek Experience going on right now through April 11. Hope he has as much fun as possible on a work trip!

 

[stczt]

Thank you all sooo much He does want to go to Alcatraz, not sure if he'll have time. I had read somewhere all there is are wineries. I think I'll try to get him to stay the weekend.

 

[MouseMadness]

We lived in San Jose for 10 years, and visited Alcatraz several times with family members. Only thing, though, if he's visiting during a crowded time (Easter/Spring Break) Alcatraz might be *sold out*. I always ordered tickets in advance when I knew people were coming out to visit. I'm not sure it that's still how it works, though, since this was several years back. It is something to look into, though.

 

[pixiewings71]

Honestly, wherever your ead about wineries had to be an error. The wineries are in Napa and Sonoma not in Santa Clara....LOL

 

[Julia M]

What hotel is he staying in? Realistically, there isn't alot of sightseeing and things to do in the evening.

Someone suggested the Tech Museum, which is cool. Here's a link:
http://www.thetech.org/ However, most weekdays it's only open until 5 (6 on Thursdays and 8 on Fridays.

Here's the link to the WInchester Mystery House: http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/index.cfm
But, the last estate tour is at 3 and the last mansion tour is at 5.

I personally think the Rosicrucian Museum is cool: http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/ But, once again, only open until 5pm.

Depending on where he is staying, Santana Row is nice, too. http://www.santanarow.com/
There are lots of nice restaurants. A budget meal can be had at Plutos. I ove the Village Bistro (pricier). Roux Louisiana Kitchen has a nice happy hour. I aso like AMber India and Yankee Pier.

There are wineries in close proximity to Santa Clara, if he has an afternoon off or stays the weekend.
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards and Cooper-Garrod Vineyards in Saratoga
Byington Winery in Los Gatos

Los Gatos has a nice downtown area, also.

Does he like sports? Santa Clara University has a baseball game on APril 6 at 6pm.

I live right on the border of Santa Clara and work there, so am pretty familiar with the area.

I hope he has a nice trip.

Julia

 

[mamajoan]

oh man.... I forgot about Los Gatos.. some good micro breweries... and a good wood fire pizza place...anybody know the name??

I Thought there were a couple wineries near Gilroy too.... and a few near Monterey. I know in San Benito county.. Hollister.. there are a number of small wineries.. my favorite Santa Pietra

and if I remember correctly.. he will be there when Strawberries are coming into season... most awesome time to stop at any number of the roadside stands

 

[KimD]

We lived in Sunnyvale, San Jose and Hollister before moving SW ILL. You have gotten some great suggestions. Is he a Tech kinda guy? The Tech Museum is cool. There used to be a walk thru exhibit at INTEL too. (dh use to work there). If he drives south from Santa Clara he can meander thru Morgan Hill, San Martin and into Gilroy... best outlet shopping ever.. HUGE!! in fact. Gilroy is Garlic City and has an interesting downtown area, as does Morgan Hill. Always good for a cup of coffee and a couple antique shops and gallaries. I miss the bagel places that I use to stop at between seeing patients. He could also make the drive up to San Francisco and hit Alcatraz, do a Bay tour. Santa Cruz is also a nice place to hang out.. I am a big fan of the ocean/beach. ....

I sooo miss California, the ocean, the mountains.. the fresh seafood and veggies... but SW. ILL is nice too. Hope he has a good time.

Haha! The Intel Museum is still here...why didn't I think to post that I have no idea as I do work there! It's actually a very neat museum and they just redid it to be even better.

The Tech Museum is great too!

He'll have plenty to do. If he needs more suggestions just let us know!