Hotel De Anza

The best way to spend a weekend in Silicon Valley starts in downtown San Jose when you check in to the iconic Hotel De Anza. The historic Art Deco hotel first opened in 1931 and quickly became a favorite destination for visiting celebrities and political leaders, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, boxing great Jack Dempsey and jazz icon Cab Calloway. Today, the luxurious boutique World of Hyatt property remains a favorite to visiting performers and guests of the nearby SAP Center and other San Jose venues.

After Friday check-in and dinner at nearby San Pedro Square, begin your Silicon Valley stay enjoying live jazz at the Hedley Club, a cocktail lounge and wine bar right downstairs from your room at the De Anza. After a relaxing evening of food, wine, and smooth jazz, continue your weekend on Saturday exploring all there is to see and do just outside your hotel’s lobby doors.  Just a few blocks away, San Jose’s premier event venue the SAP Center hosts nearly 100 sporting events annually including more than 40 San Jose Sharks regular season home games. The building also hosts high profile concerts and a variety of family and children’s events.

SAP Center

Before or after seeing your favorite concert performer or sporting event, there are a wide variety of things to do and places to see, including the Children’s Discovery Museum, Plaza de César Chávez, San Pedro Square Market, San Jose Museum of Art, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, or the Tech Interactive.  One block away from your hotel is the lively San Pedro Square public market featuring over 20 unique vendors selling everything from sushi to tapas to home goods. The aromas of fresh ground coffee and wood-fired pizza fill three market halls. For your weekend stay, the Square features live bands Thursday – Sunday.

San Pedro Square Market

Venture out a few miles to find a Silicon Valley gem, Santana Row and its neighbors Westfield Valley Fair and the Winchester Mystery House. Santana Row features a mix of over 50 shops, 30 restaurants, and a CineArts movie theatre. With your pick of dining options, everything from burgers and Italian to Asian fusion and French, you’ll have plenty of choices to refuel while shopping at The Row’s top stores. Across the street is Northern California’s largest enclosed shopping mall, Westfield Valley Fair and San Jose’s top tourist attraction, the beautiful, but bizarre Winchester Mystery House.

Winchester Mystery House

If you have your own transportation or decide to rideshare, venture out a little further in Silicon Valley to see Northern California’s premier theme park, California’s Great America, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area, or attend a San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium. There’s also more shopping in Milpitas at the Great Mall. Nearby in Sunnyvale, stop by one of the Bay Area’s premier Farmer’s Markets in and around famed Murphy Street. If tech interests you, take a ride to the city of Mountain View to the Computer History Museum.

The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the stories and artifacts of the information age and exploring the computing revolution and its impact on society. Sit in a Waymo self-driving car, learn Photoshop from the pros, experience the sights and sounds of classic computing, try your hand at coding, and discover why computer history is more than 2,000 years old. In Cupertino, you  can continue your tech exploration at the Apple Park Visitors Center. The Center features an Apple Store, Apple Café, and more. A bit further north in Palo Alto take a campus tour of Stanford University, and visit the onsite Cantor Center for Visual Arts home to the spectacular Rodin Sculpture Garden.

Computer History Museum

End your weekend in beautiful Saratoga, visiting the majestic Villa Montalvo comprised of a cultural and arts center, a park, hiking trails and the historic Villa, an Italian Mediterranean Revival mansion. After, it’s a short ride to downtown Los Gatos’s independent boutiques, antique shops, and award-winning restaurants. On the way back to your De Anza hotel, stop in downtown Campbell for a choice of restaurants, bars, or cafes.

There’s so much to see and do in Silicon Valley, you might have to plan another weekend visit! To start planning, visit www.VisitSiliconValley.org

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Cupertino

Silicon Valley Fall Festival

Date: 9/10/16
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Memorial Park

Diwali Festival

Date: 10/15/16
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Memorial Park

Harvest Festival

Date: 10/22/16
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Blackberry Farm

Gilroy

Harvest Festival at Kirgin Cellars

Date: 9/11/16
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Kirgin Cellars

Pumpkin Junction

Date: 10/1/16 – 10/31/16
Time: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Location: Casa de Fruta

Halloween Beer Crawl

Date: 10/22/16
Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Downtown Gilroy

Los Altos

Los Altos Fall Festival

Date: 10/1/16 – 10/2/16
Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: South Parking Plazas in Downtown Los Altos

Los Gatos

Los Gatos Wine Walk

Date: 9/10/16
Time: 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: Downtown Los Gatos

Milpitas

Pumpkins in the Park/ Health ‘O Ween 5K Family Fun Run

Date: 10/22/16
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Cordoza Park

Morgan Hill

Brew Crawl

Date: 9/17/16
Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Downtown Morgan Hill

Fall Tarantula Fest and BBQ

Date: 10/1/16
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Henry Coe State Park

Mountain View

Art & Wine Festival

Date: 9/10/16 – 9/11/16
Time: Sat: 11:00am – 7:00pm, Sun: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Location: Castro Street

San Jose

Bacon Festival of America

Date: 9/3/16 – 9/4/16
Location: Plaza de Cesar Chavez

SOFA Street Fair

Date: 9/11/16
Location: South First St.

Pumpkins in the Park

Date: 10/8/16
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Guadalupe River Park/Discovery Meadow

Santa Clara

Art & Wine Festival

Date: 9/17/16 – 9/18/16
Time: Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sun: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Central Park

Saratoga

Saratoga Brews & Blues

Date: 9/17/16
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Wildwood Park

The post Silicon Valley Fall Events appeared first on Visit Silicon Valley.

1. Levi’s Stadium and 49ers Museum – Santa Clara

Home to the San Francisco 49ers; Levi’s Stadium is the most high-tech stadium and a leading entertainment and sports venue in the world. The $1.2 billion, 68,500-seat stadium uses top-notch technology to embrace multiple environmentally friendly features. In addition to NFL games, the stadium hosts a number of other sports events, concerts, and more. The most exciting event approaching is Super Bowl 50, which will draw thousands of football fans to Silicon Valley and the Bay Area in February 2016. Guests can take a 90-minute tour of the stadium to learn about its many features and they also have the opportunity to explore the 49ers Museum.

2. California’s Great America – Santa Clara

This is the perfect, family-friendly attraction in Silicon Valley. The theme park has something for every personality and age to enjoy, such as thrill rides, rollercoasters, family rides, live entertainment, shows, carnival games, tons of places to eat, and more. Guests can also enjoy the attached Boomerang Bay Water Park in the summer months when you need to cool off from the heat. Come out and enjoy a fun-filled day with the whole family!

3. Mountain Winery – Saratoga

More than just a place to sip wine and appreciate a beautiful view, the Mountain Winery is a place to make memories, enjoy a concert, host a special event, indulge in a delicious meal, and much more. Visiting the Mountain Winery is a great idea for a night on the town with friends or a significant other, or just a fun afternoon of wine tasting. With so many wineries in the Northern California area, the Mountain Winery stands out with its multiple special events, unique spaces, signature wines, concert series, and dining options. This is a must while visiting Silicon Valley.

4. Tech Museum of innovation – San Jose

More than just an ordinary museum, the Tech Museum of Innovation provides the community with a great resource for education and inspiration for all who visit. Kids will enjoy each exhibit and the hundreds of hands-on activities that will spark their creativity, minds, and desire to learn. The exhibits cover everything from space explorations and clean energy to genetics and the cyber world. The whole family will enjoy learning at the Tech Museum- visit today!

5. Gilroy Gardens – Gilroy

Combine a lot of fun and a little learning for an incredible day at Gilroy Gardens. Everyone will enjoy the garden-themed park full of rides, shopping, dining, a playground, maze, educational programs, and so much more. This is also a great place to host a special event or party. The beautiful backdrop of numerous plants, trees, flowers, and ponds will enhance your theme park fun.

6. Computer History Museum – Mountain View

It’s only fitting to visit the Computer History Museum amidst the high-tech environment of Silicon Valley. Computers are such a pivotal part of our lives today, so take some time to step back and see where it all started. The largest collection of artifacts connected to the history of computing is housed at the Computer History Museum and is definitely worth your time to explore.

7. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose

Wander through the eccentric, fun mansion known as the Winchester Mystery House. The puzzling architecture, winding hallways, odd stairs, and interesting stories make for quite the experience. Guests can also roam through the multiple gardens and enjoy beautiful plant life and unexplained mysteries. This is your chance to hear the multiple stories, history, and alleged hauntings while touring an incredible mansion and its grounds.

8. Santana Row – San Jose

For all the guys and gals who love shopping, dining, or spending the day at the spa, this is the Silicon Valley attraction for you! Santa Row is an upscale shopping center featuring over 70 shops, numerous restaurants and several spas all in one location. Shop ‘till you drop, enjoy a cocktail at happy hour, or relax the day away at a spa. It’s all here!

9. Children’s Discovery Museum – San Jose

Interactive exhibits entice children and create fun, learning opportunities kids of any age will enjoy. This is the perfect way to encourage children to think outside the box and expand their critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Bring the family for an amazing day at the Children’s Discovery Museum.

10. Golf – Various cities within Silicon Valley

While many don’t think of golf when Silicon Valley is mentioned, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great courses to try out. The Northern California landscape, along with the mild weather creates a beautiful combination for a day on the course. There are a variety of courses and country clubs easily accessible in or near each Silicon Valley town.

The list of our favorite attractions in Silicon Valley can go on and on so don’t limit yourself to just these. Each city wasn’t even represented here, and they all have their own, unique things to do. Get out and explore Silicon Valley today!

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Blast from the Past

Looking back now, it’s hard to believe what humble beginnings the Super Bowl has come from. Let’s look at a few stats comparing the very first Super Bowl (Then) to the latest, Super Bowl XLIX (Now).

-Then- Less than 62,000 fans attended in 100,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
-Now- 70,288 (and 120.8 million viewers on TV) in the 63,400-seat University of Phoenix Stadium, which is expandable to 72,200 seats.

-Then- 338 media members were credentialed to cover the game
-Now- 5,500 media members were credentialed to cover the game and related events

-Then- Tickets sold for: $6, $10, and $12
-Now- Tickets sold for: lowest: $8,000, average: $10,352, most expensive $28,888

-Then- Winning team received $15,000 bonus, losing team received $7,500 bonus
-Now- Each player on the winning team receives $97,000, each player on the losing team receives $49,000

Leading up to Game Day

The anticipation of Super Bowl L will be at a whole new high the week leading up to game day. Fans will start pouring into the Bay Area in Northern California to be part of the hype and there will be events to get everyone ready.

Super Bowl City- A fan experience where the Host Committee celebrates not only Super Bowl L, but also its location, the Bay Area. This is going to be the center of excitement for the main event where fans of all ages can participate in a number of interactive activities and games highlighting Super Bowl L and everything the Bay Area has to offer.

Cost? FREE
When? January 30, 2015 – February 7, 2016
Where? Moscone Center in San Francisco

The NFL Experience- This event celebrates the history of football while getting fans excited for the upcoming game. Participants will have access to multiple interactive games, the opportunity to meet some of the NFL’s greatest players, the chance to shop in the NFL Shop and so much more. You don’t want to miss this exclusive Super Bowl opportunity!

Cost? Adults – $35, Kids (12 and under) – $20
When? January 30, 2015 – February 7, 2016 (Tickets go on sale November 11)
Where? Moscone Center in San Francisco

Game Day

February 7, 2016 will forever be a historical day in the world of sports. This day marks the 50^th year of the largest, most popular sporting event in America, which will be taking place in the most technologically advanced stadium in the league, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Although we don’t know which 2 NFL teams that will be playing in the upcoming Super Bowl yet, it is certain that every person in attendance will experience an unforgettable event in NFL history.

In honor of the golden anniversary, gold is the theme for the year and will be seen throughout the whole season in celebration of the once in a lifetime season-ending game. Gold accents will be seen throughout the season are just the start in the 50^th celebration. It’s going to be an exciting year full of history, honor, fun and football!

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