Sunnyvale & Mountain View – Things to Do
|
|
Your perfect day spent in the San Francisco Bay Area. Start your morning with breakfast at Moss Beach Distillery (140 Beach Way, Moss Beach; 650-728-5595) for some tasty grub and ghost stories. Then to Filoli Gardens (86 Canada Road, Woodside; 650-364-8300) to enjoy the beauty of the gardens as dew is just disappearing from the flowers. After the house and gardens tour, learn about "atom smashing" at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. End your day at NOLAs restaurant in Palo Alto (535 Ramona Street; 650-328-2722) for some powerful Hurricanes and spicy Jambalaya.
Interesting Places in California
Paramount's Great America. Experience the exhilarating rides and hair-raising roller coasters at Northern California's most thrilling theme park. Paramount's Great America offers fun and exciting rides, shows, concerts, and famous characters. Visit www.pgathrills.com.
Tech Museum of Innovation. The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose is a "must-see" technology museum devoted to inspiring the innovator in everyone. Interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, exciting programs about technologies, and an IMAX theater are housed at the museum. Visit www.thetech.org.
Shoreline Amphitheater. Experience the country's largest outdoor concert facility, showcasing top musical performers, artists, concerts, unique craft booths, and eclectic foods. This state-of-the-art event and concert facility features all of the latest technical, visual and sound systems for an amazing sonic experience. Visit www.shorelineamp.com.
Space Camp. Want to train like a real astronaut? At Space Camp, you fly on a realistic, simulated shuttle mission, experiencing weightlessness and a space walk. Space Camp is a fun and educational way to spends five days learning about the physical, mental and emotional demands that astronauts face. [Top]
Paramount's Great America. Experience the exhilarating rides and hair-raising roller coasters at Northern California's most thrilling theme park. Paramount's Great America offers fun and exciting rides, shows, concerts, and famous characters. Visit www.pgathrills.com.
Tech Museum of Innovation. The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose is a "must-see" technology museum devoted to inspiring the innovator in everyone. Interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, exciting programs about technologies, and an IMAX theater are housed at the museum. Visit www.thetech.org.
Shoreline Amphitheater. Experience the country's largest outdoor concert facility, showcasing top musical performers, artists, concerts, unique craft booths, and eclectic foods. This state-of-the-art event and concert facility features all of the latest technical, visual and sound systems for an amazing sonic experience. Visit www.shorelineamp.com.
Space Camp. Want to train like a real astronaut? At Space Camp, you fly on a realistic, simulated shuttle mission, experiencing weightlessness and a space walk. Space Camp is a fun and educational way to spends five days learning about the physical, mental and emotional demands that astronauts face. [Top]
NASA. NASA is an investment in America's future. As explorers, pioneers, and innovators, NASA boldly expands frontiers in air and space to inspire and serve America and to benefit the quality of life on Earth. NASA's vision is to examine the content, structure, origin, and evolution of the galaxy and the universe, and understand the relationship among the sun, earth, and hemisphere. Visit www.nasa.gov.
NASA Ames Research Center. Located on the border of Mountain View and Sunnyvale in Northern California, in the heart of Silicon Valley at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, Ames occupies about 430 acres of land, and hosts a number of federal, civilian, and military resident agencies on the adjoining 1,500-acre former naval air station, now known as Moffett Federal Airfield. Ames offers educational outreach activities to stimulate student interest in science, mathematics, and technology; to attract students to career paths in these areas; and to enhance the knowledge and skills of faculty at all levels. Visit www.nasa.gov/centers/ames.
Intel Museum. At the Intel Museum, visitors enter the micro-miniature world of computer chips as they learn how they are designed, manufactured and placed into thousands of products in our everyday world. The Intel Museum offers 3,500 square feet of self-guided interactive exhibits that appeal to both children and adults. Guided tours may be arranged in advance for groups. Visit www.intel.com/intel/intelis/museum/.
Discovery Kingdom. Discovery Kingdom is America's only combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme-park, this awesome adventure park features exciting thrill rides, including Zonga, the seriously twisted super-coaster with four full-circle inversions and a 70 degree dive; kid's attractions, such as Looney Tunes Seaport with 12 different rides, attractions and shows; and a zoo where you can get personal with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, reptiles, giraffes and safari animals. Visit http://www.sixflags.com. [Top]
NASA Ames Research Center. Located on the border of Mountain View and Sunnyvale in Northern California, in the heart of Silicon Valley at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, Ames occupies about 430 acres of land, and hosts a number of federal, civilian, and military resident agencies on the adjoining 1,500-acre former naval air station, now known as Moffett Federal Airfield. Ames offers educational outreach activities to stimulate student interest in science, mathematics, and technology; to attract students to career paths in these areas; and to enhance the knowledge and skills of faculty at all levels. Visit www.nasa.gov/centers/ames.
Intel Museum. At the Intel Museum, visitors enter the micro-miniature world of computer chips as they learn how they are designed, manufactured and placed into thousands of products in our everyday world. The Intel Museum offers 3,500 square feet of self-guided interactive exhibits that appeal to both children and adults. Guided tours may be arranged in advance for groups. Visit www.intel.com/intel/intelis/museum/.
Discovery Kingdom. Discovery Kingdom is America's only combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme-park, this awesome adventure park features exciting thrill rides, including Zonga, the seriously twisted super-coaster with four full-circle inversions and a 70 degree dive; kid's attractions, such as Looney Tunes Seaport with 12 different rides, attractions and shows; and a zoo where you can get personal with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, reptiles, giraffes and safari animals. Visit http://www.sixflags.com. [Top]
Children's Discovery Museum. The Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose features interactive exhibits, programs, puzzles, and a museum store for kids. The giant 52,000 square foot purple building sits in Discovery Meadow Park. Call (408) 298-5437, or visit www.cdm.org.
Mission Santa Clara. Located on the grounds of Santa Clara University, Mission Santa Clara is the eighth of 21 missions that were built in California by Father Junipero Serra and his Spanish Franciscan padres. This mission was built in 1777 and is a California historical landmark. Call (408) 554-4023, or visit www.scu.edu/visitors.
San Jose Flea Market. A California tradition for over four decades, the San Jose Flea Market is the biggest open-air market in the U.S. The Flea Market features 8 miles of colorful alleys and treasure-laden corridors where over 2,000 vendors sell their wares. Call (408) 453-1110, or visit www.sjfm.com.
San Jose Museum of Art. The Richardson Romanesque portion of this building in downtown San Jose (next to the Fairmont Hotel) dates back to the late 19th century when it served as the post office for San Jose. The museum shares exhibits with New York's Whitney Museum and features impressive art, with an emphasis on West Coast artists. Call (408) 271-6840, or visit www.sjmusart.org. [Top]
Mission Santa Clara. Located on the grounds of Santa Clara University, Mission Santa Clara is the eighth of 21 missions that were built in California by Father Junipero Serra and his Spanish Franciscan padres. This mission was built in 1777 and is a California historical landmark. Call (408) 554-4023, or visit www.scu.edu/visitors.
San Jose Flea Market. A California tradition for over four decades, the San Jose Flea Market is the biggest open-air market in the U.S. The Flea Market features 8 miles of colorful alleys and treasure-laden corridors where over 2,000 vendors sell their wares. Call (408) 453-1110, or visit www.sjfm.com.
San Jose Museum of Art. The Richardson Romanesque portion of this building in downtown San Jose (next to the Fairmont Hotel) dates back to the late 19th century when it served as the post office for San Jose. The museum shares exhibits with New York's Whitney Museum and features impressive art, with an emphasis on West Coast artists. Call (408) 271-6840, or visit www.sjmusart.org. [Top]
Byington Vineyard & Winery. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains with sweeping views of the Monterey Bay, Byington Vineyward & Winery provides the perfect setting for sipping wines or celebrating special occasions. The manicured grounds of the Byington estate and its Italianate stone winery chateau create a striking backdrop for any occasion. Visit www.byington.com.
Winchester Mystery House. Beautiful, yet bizarre, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is an intriguing attraction for children and adults. Home to Sarah L. Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, the 1884 Victorian mansion was under construction for 38 years. The 160-room mansion is filled with many unexplained oddities ordered by Ms. Winchester, such as the staircase to the ceiling, a door that opens to a wall, and 47 fireplaces. Visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com.
Santa Clara Convention Center. The Santa Clara Convention Center offers 262,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Floor plans of the Convention Center's meeting rooms and ballrooms are available online, along with detailed listings of services. Visit www.santaclara.org.
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. For families looking for a more natural day of fun, explore Bonfante Gardens - a unique theme park featuring beautiful gardens, amusement rides for children, food concessions, an event plaza, and the world famous Circus Trees. Call (408) 840-7100, or visit www.bonfantegardens.com. [Top]
Winchester Mystery House. Beautiful, yet bizarre, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is an intriguing attraction for children and adults. Home to Sarah L. Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, the 1884 Victorian mansion was under construction for 38 years. The 160-room mansion is filled with many unexplained oddities ordered by Ms. Winchester, such as the staircase to the ceiling, a door that opens to a wall, and 47 fireplaces. Visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com.
Santa Clara Convention Center. The Santa Clara Convention Center offers 262,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Floor plans of the Convention Center's meeting rooms and ballrooms are available online, along with detailed listings of services. Visit www.santaclara.org.
Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. For families looking for a more natural day of fun, explore Bonfante Gardens - a unique theme park featuring beautiful gardens, amusement rides for children, food concessions, an event plaza, and the world famous Circus Trees. Call (408) 840-7100, or visit www.bonfantegardens.com. [Top]
Raging Waters. Raging Waters in San Jose offers maximum thrills, water rides, attractions, shops and food. Experience Dragon's Den, which catapults you through mysterious darkness into the abyss of the dragon. Ride the waves in the 350,000-gallon Wave Pool. Barrel down 500 feet of splashy twists and high-bank turns on the Barracuda Blaster. Play in the Activity Pool, or enjoy a relaxing journey through streams and waterfalls on the Lazy River. Visit www.rwsplash.com.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the Central Coast’s hot spot for beach vibes, classic rides, and summer concerts. The Boardwalk offers more than 34 thrilling rides and attractions, such as the Giant Dipper rollercoaster, Fireball and Cliff Hanger, an arcade, carousel, and carnival games. Free concerts are held on Friday nights during the summer. Visit www.Beachboardwalk.com. [Top]
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the Central Coast’s hot spot for beach vibes, classic rides, and summer concerts. The Boardwalk offers more than 34 thrilling rides and attractions, such as the Giant Dipper rollercoaster, Fireball and Cliff Hanger, an arcade, carousel, and carnival games. Free concerts are held on Friday nights during the summer. Visit www.Beachboardwalk.com. [Top]
Golf and Tennis. Hit the greens or swing into action at the area's top golf courses and tennis courts, just minutes from the hotel and open to the public. Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Courses: (408) 738-3666.
- Pruneridge Golf Club : (408) 248-4424
- Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club : (408) 980-9515
- Sunken Golf Course : (408) 739-6588
- Sunnyvale Municipal tennis Center : (408) 732-2130
- Cuesta Tennis : (650) 967-5955 [Top]
City Information
- Local Weather - http://www.weather.com/weather/local/95008
- City of Mountain View - http://www.mountainviewchamber.org
- City of San Jose - Convention & Visitors Bureau, http://www.sanjose.org
- City of Santa Cruz - Beach and Boardwalk
- City of San Francisco - http://www.ci.sf.ca.us
- San Jose International Airport - http://www.sjc.org
- San Francisco International Airport - http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/sfo [Top]
Universities. Holiday inn Express Inn and Suites Mountain View is located minutes from some of the nation’s most renowned universities and colleges.
- Stanford University - http://www.stanford.edu
- Santa Clara University - http://www.scu.edu
- San Jose State University - http://www.sjsu.edu
- DeAnza College - http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/
- Foothill College - http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/index.shtml [Top]
Shopping. Shop till you drop during your next California vacation. From nationally-recognized departments stores to local boutiques, to award-winning restaurants and hip hangouts, Silicon Valley shopping malls have much to offer.
- Westfield Valley Fair Mall - http://www.westfield.com/us/centres/california/valleyfair
- Great Mall of the Bay Area - http://www.greatmallbayarea.com
- Stanford Shopping Center - http://www.stanfordshop.com/
- Eastridge Mall
- Santana Row - http://www.stanfordshop.com/ [Top]
Wineries. Wine tasting is a must when you visit California. The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to nearly 100 wineries and conveniently located for an afternoon of wine tasting after business in Silicon Valley. Or, book a day trip to nearby Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
- Wine Tours - http://www.guidedsolutions.net
- Silicon Valley Wine Growers Association - http://www.scmwa.com
- Santa Clara Convention & Visitor's Bureau - http://www.santaclara.org
- Veteran's Hospital - http://www.palo-alto.med.va.gov/paloalto.htm [Top]
Holiday Inn Express Inn & Suites - Mountain View, CA
93 West El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040
Email: towncenterres@yahoo.com
Reservation Number: 800-445-7774 Front Desk Number: 650-967-6957
Fax: 650-967-4834
93 West El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040
Email: towncenterres@yahoo.com
Reservation Number: 800-445-7774 Front Desk Number: 650-967-6957
Fax: 650-967-4834
Hotel near Shoreline Amphitheatre
Hotel near Google Headquarters Mountain View
Hotel near Stanford University and Stanford Hospital
Hotel near San Jose International Airport
Hotel near Google Headquarters Mountain View
Hotel near Stanford University and Stanford Hospital
Hotel near San Jose International Airport
