This is a guest post by Whitney Cann, a blogger who loves sharing about her budget friendly family vacation getaways.
No matter your reason for traveling to the West Coast, you can rest assured that a good time awaits you in Santa Clara. If you happen to be visiting this lovely area with your family, you'll definitely want to stretch your vacation dollars by staying in a budget-friendly hotel. You can find more information on cheap hotels in the city by checking out this helpful guide on cheap hotels in Santa Clara on the Hipmunk site. As for now, let's take a quick look at a few tips and tricks you can follow to have a great time in Santa Clara without emptying your bank account. From museums to restaurants to attractions, you'll never run out of things to do.
A 4-star Hotel is Sure to Meet All Your Needs
You might not think you can afford to stay in a 4-star hotel on a budget, but truth is, when using Hipmunk you can get a great price on an assortment of hotels in the Santa Clara area. Take for example The Sainte Claire Hotel. When staying at this Silicon Valley hotel, you'll be conveniently located near the San Jose airport. Across the street you'll find the San José Museum of Art, which is perfect for art-lovers. The hotel features 171 guest rooms, with all rooms boasting pillowtop mattresses. Best of all, rooms tend to be around $100 a night.
If you're looking for a hotel with a more sophisticated atmosphere, you'll want to book a room at The Fairmont San José. Rooms here will cost you about $110 a night, and you'll enjoy four on-site restaurants, a palm-lined pool, and don't forget about the beautifully decorated ballroom. This upscale hotel offers premium bedding, marble bathrooms, and Le Labo toiletries.
At the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara you can often book a room for under $100 a night. But don't be fooled into thinking that this cheap booking rate means you'll be sacrificing valuable amenities. In fact, you'll have access to a on-site health club, free high-speed wireless Internet, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Furthermore, all rooms come with video-game consoles, which are perfect for the kiddos.
Museums Are All Around You in Santa Clara
Being frugal in Santa Clara isn't very difficult because there are plenty of free and inexpensive attractions all around, including lots of museums. Take for instance the Intel Museum. It's here that you and the family can learn about the manufacturing process of computer chips. After spending a day at this amazing attraction, you'll finally understand what powers all of your favorite tech gadgets. Do keep in mind that you'll need to call ahead to book a tour at the Intel Museum.
Another museum in the Santa Clara area that is worth visiting is the de Saisset Art Museum. From American to African and Oriental art, you'll enjoy being enveloped in history and culture at its finest. This is another museum in which you'll have to book a tour. However, if you're visiting during a week when College Night takes place, you can get in for free without the need for booking a tour.
The Triton Museum offers free admission and free parking, meaning there's no excuse for not stopping by when vacationing in Santa Clara. For almost 50 years this unique museum has hosted exhibits which feature both local and national artists side-by-side. Children and adults of all ages are sure to enjoy the amazing contemporary and historical collections.
Delight Your Taste Buds with Delectable Cuisine
When visiting Santa Clara, it won't be a complete vacation without grabbing a bite to eat at El Torito. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, this swank Mexican restaurant has a variety of dishes to choose from. If you're in the mood for something spicy, might I suggest the Chile Relleno appetizer. And don't forget to wash it down with a salty margarita.
If your taste buds are yearning for a Korean dish, then you'll want to satisfy them by coming to the Beque Korean Grill. This eatery stays open until 1:00am seven days a week, making it the perfect spot for grabbing a late night snack. From a Beque Lettuce Wrap to Shrimp Tempura, your taste buds are sure to be pleased.
For all of you Italian lovers, you can't go wrong with the Tomato Bruschetta from By-Th'-Bucket Bar and Grill. This budget-friendly dining establishment is perfect for the kiddos and even offers gluten free dining as well as handicap accessibility.
Must-see Events in the Santa Clara Area
While visiting Santa Clara, why not head on over to Levi's Stadium to watch a concert? Some of today's most famed celebrities perform here, including Taylor Swift, Jake Owen, and even Jason Aldean. It's also at this huge arena that you can watch Supercross shows as well as Wrestle Mania events.
If you're in the mood for watching a football game, don't forget to get tickets to a Broncos game at the Leavy Event Center. This venue and Levi's Stadium are located in San Francisco, both of which are less than an hour's drive from Santa Clara.
Another nearby activity for you and the family to partake in while visiting Santa Clara is the Family Forest School Hike. Your whole family will enjoy nature like never before on a two-hour hike. The hike itself is centered around the children, so you don't have to worry about trekking over rough terrain. In fact, the hike was created especially for children who are six-years-old and younger.
Want to teach your children how to fish? If so, take them on a DIY Seafood with Sea Forager. This two-and-half-hour eco-friendly activity teaches you about the history of fishing and gives you plenty of on-hands training for catching fish. Do keep in mind, though, that this event is best for children nine-years-old and up.
Santa Clara is a great place to visit, even if you're on a limited budget.
