Santa Clara Living

Have A Great Trip In Santa Clara

admin — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Whether you are looking for an exciting action packed day or you want to just kick back and sip some wine, Santa Clara is a great city to visit. With everything from museums to theme parks, there is no way that anyone wouldn’t be excited to stay in the area.

If you are looking for a way to have a great time and not spend a ton of money, Santa Clara offers many options that are free of cost. In a tight economy free always gets attention quickly. For computer techies you may want to check out the Intel Museum which takes visitors on a trip through the process of making computer chips. Like art? Maybe the Triton Museum of Art which features over seven acres of garden sculptures is the correct choice for you.

If you are looking for an exciting day? This area has golf courses, bowling lanes, bike trails, swim clubs, and tennis courts. If none of that is enough excitement for you, you may be interested in an amusement park called California’s Great America. If your style is laid back you may enjoy some great places to shop, such as Franklin Squares Farmer’s Market or the Great Mall of the Bay Area just south of the city. If that isn’t enough there are also wineries in the area and lots of historical sites to explore. With such great variety, who wouldn’t enjoy a visit here?

Find Santa Clara For Your Family Vacation

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Maybe you never considered the silicon valley of California as a great vacation area, but it might be time you take a second look around. Santa Clara is one of the top vacation spots in the state and more and more people are discovering that fact everyday.

If you like amusement parks, one of the biggest in the country is located here and offers thrills for even the tiniest members of the family. Teenagers love it too and the prices are very reasonable. Look for coupons to save even more money while visiting the park.

One of most beautiful California Missions calls Santa Clara it’s home and it is full of history dating back to when the early settlers first come to this area. You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this interesting settlement. It is something anyone would enjoy and it is children friendly.

Of course you can’t come to Santa Clara and not drive up to San Francisco and spend a day at pier 31. This unique town will wow you with all the sights and things to do. Take a short trip to the Alcatraz and learn what it felt like to be a prisoner there years ago. The tour is great and the whole family will enjoy it.

Santa Clara Is A Great Vacation Spot

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Santa Clara, California, is a wonderful destination for visitors of all ages. California’s Great America has the most roller coasters and water rides of any theme park in northern California. The thrill rides are awesome, and it is a great way to spend a family day.

Mission Santa Clara de Asis is located on the campus of Santa Clara University. Landscaped gardens, and the Mission Church are beautiful sights to see. The historic adobe structure that was part of the original mission, founded in 1777, is also available to view.

The Harris-Lass historic museum is the last preserved farm site from the early 1900s. See well preserved furniture, antiques, and stroll through beautiful gardens.

If you love candles, then Illuminations is a must see. Browse through more varieties of candles than you have ever seen. From waterfalls to floating candles, aromatherapy and potpourri, your nose will be working overtime to keep up. Shop for gifts for yourself, or for that romantic evening.

For the art lovers, enjoy a visit to the Triton Museum of Art. A small museum, housed in a beautiful building surrounded by breathtaking grounds, includes permanent works and traveling exhibits as well.

Check out Santa Clara, California.

Things to do in Santa Clara

admin — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

So, what exactly is there to do when you live in Santa Clara? Well as it turns out, quite a lot! Grab the kids, gas up the car and set your home security system: here are a few of the best things to do in Santa Clara!
California’s Great America Theme Park: The good news is, beautiful Santa Clara weather means the park is open nearly year round, so if you or your family have a hankering to ride some coasters, eat some funnel cakes and play some festival games, here’s your ticket!
Intel Museum: A creative dedication to the Intel Corporation, this Santa Clara cultural exhibit is a can’t miss for any computer or technology buff.
Mission Santa Clara: Anyone with an eye for architecture or a side of spirituality can appreciate the scenic beauty of the Mission. A great destination for families and history lovers alike.
Farmer’s Market and Wine Festival: Annual food events like the Santa Clara Wine Festival and the weekly farmers market set Santa Clara apart. California is known for its wine and fresh produce so visitors and residents both revel in the assortment of foodie goods available here in town.
See, there are plenty of great activities to enjoy in Santa Clara!

Santa Clara Valley Wineries

santaclarapottery — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re visiting the Bay Area and don’t have a chance to make it to Napa or Sonoma to enjoy some of the region’s wine tasting, you might opt instead to pop over to Santa Clara Valley where three wineries recently won Best-of-Class awards at the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) with awards being handed out on January 7, 2011.Considering the competition had entries totaling almost 5000, the awards honored to Santa Clara Valley are especially noteworthy.

Solis Winery 2010 Estate Fiano (Best-in-Class)
Castillos Hillside Shire Winery (Best-in-Class)
Jason-Stephens Winery (Best-in-Class)
Aver Family Vineyards (Silver medal)
Creekview Vineyards (several Silver and Bronze medals)
Fortino Winery (Bronze medal)
Guglielmo Winery (Gold, Silver, Bronze medals)
Kirigin Cellars (Gold, Silver, Bronze medals)
Martin Ranch Winery (Silver and Bronze medals)
Muccigrosso Vineyards (Gold and Silver medals)
Sarah’s Vineyard (Gold and Silver medals)
Satori Cellars (Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals)
Storrs Winery (Silver medal)
Sycamore Creek Vineyards (Gold and Silver medals)

The public tasting for these (and many other) wines will be on February 19, 2011 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco between 2pm 5pm (tickets are 65 in advance/80 at the door) should you be around during that time.If not, why not plan a trip direct to any of the wineries in Silcon Valley for your own private tastings and personal rankings.

It’s Christmas!

santaclarapottery — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Do you know how you can tell it’s the Christmas season when you live in Santa Clara? By the lighting of the city’s sixty-foot Christmas tree, of course! Lit earlier this month, the city also hoisted a stuffed “teddy bear” to the top to take its earned place of recognition that it has held for 99 years that’s since 1911 when Alice Dixon Hills shared her beloved bear with the city when she was only one year old. At the time her father, James Dixon, was the utilities superintendent for the Santa Clara municipal electric utility and he thought his daughter’s bear (named “Teddy” after President Theodore Roosevelt who refused to shoot an injured bear cub) would serve as a useful adornment, and Alice’s “teddy” has been hoisted every year since. In years past the stuffed bear had been pecked by birds and damaged by winter storms to the point that he was held together by duct tape. Today, city electricians have built him a clear protected box and he is decorated by a “green glow” thanks to the use of renewably powered lights provided by Santa Clara Green Power. You bet this bear has some stories to tell as he makes his way into the new wave of green energy! And you just have to know that next year as “Teddy” celebrates his 100th year is going to be a big one for all of Santa Clara and its surrounding communities.

A Few Days in Santa Clara

santaclarapottery — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:09:00 +0000

So you know you’re going to be in the area for a few days and want to see as much as possible within that time frame. Wouldn’t it be great to have a ready-made itinerary? Dream no more here you go:

Since Santa Clara is smack dab in the middle of Silicon Valley, you better believe your first day is going to be spent exploring technology and education: visit Intel Museum, the Tech Museum of Innovation, and the NASA Ames Exploration Center.
Next on your list after a day of learning should be a day of fun — so head over to California’s Great America amusement park to enjoy rides, food, and special events.
If you’re into shopping then you must check out Great Mall of the Bay Area, Santana Row, and nearby Stanford Shopping Center (and while there, how about a side trip to the University)?
On you last outing you should definitely visit Santa Clara’s jewel: the Mission Santa Clara de Asis which was founded in 1777 by the Franciscans.

Between these activities we feel pretty sure you’ll get a real sense of the charms and delights that the city has to offer.

New 49ers stadium passes vote in Santa Clara

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:22:06 +0000

Candlestick Park has been the home of the San Francisco 49ers since 1971, and housed the San Francisco Giants before that starting in 1960. Now, Santa Clara voters have decided it’s time for a change. The mysterious-sounding Measure J was passed on June 8, when city voters agreed to lease land to the 49ers Stadium Authority for the construction of a new 68,500-seat football stadium. The only thing the 49ers need now is the money to get the job done.Team owner John York says he made the decision to move with his family of players, and that they challenged themselves to think about it from the fans’ perspective. It’s true that the Candlestick stadium is far past its prime, but many fans still remember it for its iconic playoff matches. While the vote may seem sacrilegious to some 49ers fans, history is never made easily. The as-yet-unnamed stadium (expected to start construction in 2012) could turn out to be just as iconic as Candlestickand a lot more environmentally friendly. If everything goes according to plan, it will be the first stadium with a green roof and solar panels. The 49ers Stadium Authority is also currently exploring options with the Environmental Protection Agency, including nearby public transit (VTA, ACE, and Amtrak), recycled water for irrigation and plumbing, no CFC-based refrigerants (which contribute to ozone depletion), and permanent ventilation monitoring systems.Though not even named, you can already visit the stadium online at www.49ersnewstadium.com. Information is still sparse, but there are General FAQs up which should alleviate some fans’ concerns. “Will the team still be called the San Fancisco 49ers?” The answer: absolutely. Ticket prices and seating relocations for premium seating holders is still being determined, but there are plans to set up a marketing center in Santa Clara for the stadium where fans can get their first look at their favorite team’s new favorite home.

What’s on the Calendar in Santa Clara?

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:47:55 +0000

Whether you live in Santa Clara or are in town visiting, there are a multitude of fun summer events going on each week that you and the whole family are sure to enjoy. For starters, every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00 pm the Downtown Santa Clara Farmers’ Market sells certified self-produced food items. Even if you’re not looking to buy, it’s fun to walk around the bustling market and enjoy the aroma and atmosphere found only at farmers’ markets.Next, you should check out the new exhibits at the Intel Museum. Listen as Arti, an artificial intelligence robot, tells the story about how Intel’s technology helps teachers and students who need it in South Africa. Be sure to get digitized before you leave, as your digital photo is taken and turned into a digital postcard.Another new event worth celebrating is the opening of California’s Great America 2010 season. The theme park reopened on March 28, and welcomed a new addition. If you haven’t already, head over to California’s Great America and experience the all new “Planet Snoopy!” In this cartoon world, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and the Peanuts gang will greet visitors daily and provide a new world of fun for those already familiar with the theme parks preexisting attractions.For a more cultural experience, the Triton Museum of Art will begin offering cool new exhibits for your viewing pleasure. First, on June 19, the Erin Goodwin-Guerrero: Caught Between Heaven and Earth’ exhibit and the ‘A Child’s World’ exhibition will open for public admittance. On June 26, the museum will host the Midsummer Art Celebration where you can view the art of over 150 regional artists under the shade of the redwoods in the sculpture garden. You will have the opportunity to purchase paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, and jewelry by some of the Valley’s most noted artists.If music is your calling, be sure to attend the opening performance of Concerts in the Park season with “The Sparklestones,” a band specializing in 50s rock. The concert will be FREE from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Pavilion at Central Park at Kiely and Homestead. Other performers of Concerts in the Park will include Silicon Valley House Rockers (June 30), Mission City Opera & Santa Clara Chorale (July 7), and Shabang Steel Drum Band (July 11). If you like more mainstream music, you’ll definitely want to attend Movin 99.7 Red, White and Boom! concert on July 3^rd that will feature current day phenomena B.O.B., Kevin Rudolf, New Boyz, Travie McCoy, and Shontelle.

Give Back to the Santa Clara Community by Volunteering

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:38:55 +0000

If you ever find yourself with too much downtime and want to get out of the house, you should try your hand at volunteer work. Help is always welcome in this line of work, and no experience is needed. The Santa Clara volunteer services program has a multitude of volunteer options available. It is important to find the right opportunity for you to assure a rewarding experience that will benefit both you AND the city.In addition to giving back, volunteering in Santa Clara is a chance to really get connected to your community. You get an inside look at how the local government works while at the same time sharing your skills and talents. Volunteering is also a great way to expand your social network. By putting yourself out there, you can make friends interested in the same activities as you and form lifelong connections.If you like to work with people, you should try filling a volunteer position at the community recreation center, senior center, teen center, or youth activity center. If you’re more interested in a desk job, perhaps a position at the police department or finance department would be the right choice for you. The city of Santa Clara welcomes any volunteers and has a position suitable for just about everyone. Too see a full listing of volunteer opportunities, visit http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page1642.