Top 10 Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County

right-leaf
Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
Santa Clara Countyopen district selector icon
Destinations
󰴉
Theme filters
District
Theme filters
District
  • Stanford Universitytop_1
    󰺂6.6
    Stanford26.8 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 Americas 50 - Family-friendly Attractions
    󱨠Saved by 107 users󱨠129 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    吴乔乔吴乔乔

    At Stanford University in California, the Stanford couple's only son, Leland Stanford, died of typhoid fever in 1884 while traveling in Europe, aged just 15. In grief, the couple decided to spend their accumulated wealth on building a university to honor their son and provide educational opportunities for California teenagers. The world's best university ranking: #3, after Harvard and MIT, remained in the top three for years. In 2015 and 2018, respectively, the second tour of Stanford University, 2018 entered the famous memorial church on the campus.

  • Silicon Valleytop_2
    󰺂6.1
    Mountain View15.9 km from downtown
    4.5/5
    sculptorsculptor

    Although Silicon Valley is very famous, it looks ordinary from the outside. In fact, it is famous because of the companies and universities there. San Francisco, north of Silicon Valley, is more beautiful and more famous. The climate in Silicon Valley is very comfortable, so many rich and capable people like to live there.

  • Googleplextop_3
    󰺂5.5
    Mountain View19.8 km from downtown
    󱨠28% positive reviews
    4.4/5
    DEAR张小球DEAR张小球

    Although it is not available in China, you still have to visit Google headquarters when you go to Silicon Valley. This is a very great technology and Internet company that truly uses technology to change humanity.

  • Winchester Mystery House
    4
    󰺂4.7
    San Jose5.6 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Haunted mansion night tour
    Massive historic building, 38 years
    4.3/5
    小思文小思文

    The Winchester Mystery House is also a very distinctive urban building. You can also see many interesting little things in the Mystery House. You can also see many things in this science and technology center, which is also a very interesting and fun thing.

  • San Jose Museum of Art
    5
    󰺂4.4
    San Jose.Downtown San Jose69m from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Downtown San Jose cultural area
    Open until 9 PM Thursdays
    4.9/5
    Fon PFon P

    It is not a very big museum, but the exhibits are interesting. There is a souvenir shop downstairs with interesting items to choose from. There are not many people, it is not crowded, it is easy to walk around. There are many rooms inside for exhibits.

  • Hoover Tower
    6
    󰺂4.4
    Stanford26.6 km from downtown
    󱨠34% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    118***74118***74

    The Hoover Tower is inside Stanford University. When you go there to send a package, the staff will lead you to take the elevator to the top floor. You can overlook the entire campus. The scenery is pretty good. Many of the photos below were taken on top of the tower.

  • Computer History Museum
    7
    󰺂4.3
    Mountain View18.8 km from downtown
    4.6/5
    小思文小思文

    The Computer History Museum introduces the entire process of computer development. It is a large historical exhibition hall. The first computer is also on display here. It is very large in scale, and there are many areas for displaying computer items.

  • San Francisco Bay
    8
    󰺂4.2
    Brisbane54.3 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoSan Francisco's Golden Gate Bay Cruise: Bridge to Bridge Adventure
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Santa Clara County
    Highlights:
    󱓊Blend of natural beauty & cityscape
    󰋄San Francisco Bay & world-class views
    󱨠36% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    sculptorsculptor

    San Francisco Bay is famous mainly for the city of San Francisco at the mouth of the bay, although there is no Jinshan around the bay, the bay has the richest places in the United States, including the southern end of the Silicon Valley, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

  • Municipal Rose Garden
    9
    󰺂4.2
    San Jose3.4 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Roses bloom in early May
    󱨜Free entry to Rose Manor
    4.8/5
    CHU66CHU66

    It is a great tourist attraction and a place where I often go for walks and relax. I go there 2-3 times a month, especially during the flower season, because there are many varieties of flowers and they are so beautiful. I can also smell the fragrance of the flowers! Parking is very convenient around and free of charge. It is worth a visit. Address: 1649 Naglee Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

Best things to do in Santa Clara County (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Santa Clara County? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Santa Clara County offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Santa Clara County

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Santa Clara County experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Stanford University

• Stanford | 26.8 km from downtown

Silicon Valley

• Mountain View | 15.9 km from downtown

Googleplex

• Mountain View | 19.8 km from downtown

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Santa Clara County

If you want to explore attractions just outside Santa Clara County, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Santa Clara County, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Santa Clara County special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Santa Clara County

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Santa Clara County

Ready to explore the best of Santa Clara County? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Santa Clara County?
These are all Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County:Stanford University, Silicon Valley, Googleplex, Winchester Mystery House, San Jose Museum of Art
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County include:Stanford University:4.8, Silicon Valley:4.5, Googleplex:4.4, Winchester Mystery House:4.3, San Jose Museum of Art:4.9
At what locations in Santa Clara County can Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County be found?
The Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County are mainly located in:Stanford University:Stanford, Silicon Valley:Mountain View, Googleplex:Mountain View, Winchester Mystery House:San Jose, San Jose Museum of Art:San Jose
󰴉