Santa Clara Attractions

Paramount's Great America
A universe of new Nickelodeon fun, friends, and adventures bursts into Paramount's Great America in 2003. The stars of Nickelodeon's top-rated TV programs step off-screen and come to life to interact with their No. 1 fans in 10 new exciting Nickelodeon rides and attractions. Paramount's Great America has the most rides in Northern California: the most kids' rides, the most coasters, and the most water rides. Open April through mid-October. Located at Great America Parkway and Old Glory, P.O. Box 1776, Santa Clara 95052. (408) 988-1776, 800-209-2275.

Berryessa Adobe
The city's oldest adobe structure features documents, objects, and other artifacts from the era before California's statehood in 1850. Located at 373 Jefferson St. near Santa Clara University. Open Thursdays and Saturdays 12 noon to 4:00 pm. For more information, call 408.615.2488.

Harris-Lass Historic Museum
Santa Clara's last preserved farm site includes a large full furnished Italianate-style home, barn, summer kitchen, and a tankhouse. Guided tours aid visitors in learning about local history and life in the early 1900s. Museum hours are Saturday and Sundays from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students and seniors. Operated by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara. 1889 Market Street. For more information, call 408.249.7905.

Headen-Inman House
The Headen-Inman House includes a museum with photographs and artifacts related to the history of Santa Clara. Rotating exhibits by the Santa Clara Art Association are on display. The museum is open most Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 1509 Warburton Ave. For further information, call 408.248.ARTS.

Mission Santa Clara de Asis
The eighth of 21 missions built in California, founded in 1777 by the Spanish Franciscans. (California Historical Landmark No. 338). The mission and surrounding Mission Gardens are on the grounds of picturesque Santa Clara University. For more information, call 408.554.4023.

Santa Clara Historic Museum
Housed in the Headen-Inman House, the museum features historic artifacts and photos related to the history of Santa Clara. Located at 1509 Warburton Avenue near City Hall. For more information, call 408.248.2787.

Santa Clara Women's Club Adobe
One of the oldest adobe structures in Northern California, and a state registered historical landmark (CA Historical Landmark No. 249), the adobe has origins dating to 1784. Built in 1790, the structure was originally part of a row of houses for married Indian couples. Located at 3260 The Alameda. For more information, call 408.246-8000.

South Bay Historical Railroad Society
Two operational scale model railroad layout displays depicting various railroad eras and operations venues, plus areas devoted to artifacts and other railroad-related objects. Open 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at the Santa Clara Depot (at Caltrain station), 1005 Railroad Ave. For more information, call 408.243.3969.

Stoll Into the Past
A self-guided tour of Santa Clara history leads visitors through a series of 28 plaques tracing the city's history from a Native American settlement to its present status as the internationally recognized center of technology innovation. Tour begins at the Santa Clara Civic Center, corner of Civic Center Drive and Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 408.615.2200.

Other Historic Links

Santa Clara Historic Home Tour
Annual Santa Clara Historic Home Tour usually held the first weekend of December. Past tours have included historic private homes, the Berryessa Adobe, Carmelite Monastery, and the Harris-Lass Museum. Call 408.249.7905, or email maryh@netgate.net for more information.

Silicon Valley History Online
Approximately 1,000 historic photographs, manuscripts and other images of Santa Clara Valley history can be accessed online. From the home page, visitors to the site can explore materials in six major themes: agriculture, education, people, technology, transportation, or urban life. For more information about Silicon Valley History Online, contact Local History Librarian Mary Hanel, phone 408.615.2909 or email mhanel@ci.santa-clara.ca.us

City of Santa Clara History Book
A new, 128-page pictorial history of the City of Santa Clara by local historian Bea Lichtenstein is part of Arcadia Publishing Company's "Images of America" series. The book uses 228 original photos and drawings to illustrate Santa Clara's history. It covers the period from the first mission in 1777 thought the agricultural period and downtown urban renewal period to today's Santa Clara home to many world famous technology companies. The book is priced at $19.99 and available at the Santa Clara Central Park Library bookstore, Triton Museum of Art gift shop, and other locations including major bookstores. To order online, visit http://www.arcadiapublishing.com

"A Place of Promise" - City of Santa Clara 1852-2002
In words and pictures, this book focuses on the town of Santa Clara and the people that shaped it over the past 150 years. The book's author's are Lorie Garcia, George Giacomini and Geoffrey Goodfellow. The book is for sale at the Chamber of Commerce 1850 Warburton Ave. Cost of the book is $30.00 exclusive with no tax. The book can also be purchased at Barnes and Nobles and online at Amazon.com.