Santa Clara travel guide

Santa Clara Tourism | Santa Clara Guide

You're Going to Love Santa Clara

With a population of 116 468, Santa Clara is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Santa Clara has to offer.

Where to Eat in Santa Clara

If you’re looking for affordable options, Bourbon Pub – Santa Clara (4900 Marie P. De Bartolo Way Levi's Stadium) and Bourbon Steak Santa Clara (4900 Marie P. De Bartolo Way Levi's Stadium) are great picks.

Most popular restaurants in Santa Clara

$$$$
American
Wonderful (236 reviews)
Unspecified
Wonderful (143 reviews)
Greek
Very good (15 reviews)
$$$$
American
Wonderful (236 reviews)
Unspecified
Wonderful (143 reviews)
Greek
Very good (15 reviews)

When to visit Santa Clara

Santa Clara in April
Estimated hotel price
$151
1 night at 3-star hotel
Santa Clara in April
Estimated hotel price
$151
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Santa Clara in July, when the average temperature is 69.8 °F, and the highest can go up to 82.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 41 °F, with an average temperature of 50 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 2.9″. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Santa Clara, with an average rainfall of 0″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Santa Clara

Plane

When flying to Santa Clara, you’ll arrive at Mineta San Jose Airport (SJC), which is located 2 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Santa Clara include Air France, Aeromexico and Alaska Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Santa Clara departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Santa Clara. The train journey from Santa Clara to Los Angeles takes 0h 38m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Sacramento, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 41m trip. Located 1.7 km from the city center, Santa Clara University is the busiest station in Santa Clara. Another popular train station is Santa Clara Great America, located 6 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Santa Clara is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 63 km from Santa Clara. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Fox, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Santa Clara, including FlixBus, Busbud and Greyhound. From Los Angeles, the bus ride to Santa Clara takes 113 km and will cost you around $13. From Sacramento, the ticket costs about $28 for a journey of 201 km. Santa Clara’s bus station is located 0.7 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Santa Clara, you’ll arrive at Mineta San Jose Airport (SJC), which is located 2 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Santa Clara include Air France, Aeromexico and Alaska Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Santa Clara departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Santa Clara. The train journey from Santa Clara to Los Angeles takes 0h 38m and costs around $16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Sacramento, expect to pay about $17 for a 1h 41m trip. Located 1.7 km from the city center, Santa Clara University is the busiest station in Santa Clara. Another popular train station is Santa Clara Great America, located 6 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Santa Clara is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 63 km from Santa Clara. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Fox, among others, in San Francisco.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Santa Clara, including FlixBus, Busbud and Greyhound. From Los Angeles, the bus ride to Santa Clara takes 113 km and will cost you around $13. From Sacramento, the ticket costs about $28 for a journey of 201 km. Santa Clara’s bus station is located 0.7 km from the city center.

Airports near Santa Clara

Airlines serving Santa Clara

Lufthansa
Good (4,604 reviews)
KLM
Good (849 reviews)
SWISS
Good (927 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,444 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,591 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,281 reviews)
Air France
Good (973 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,547 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (476 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,921 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,710 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (226 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (832 reviews)
LOT
Good (683 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,161 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (911 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (835 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Santa Clara

Most booked hotels in Santa Clara

AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Santa Clara
3 stars
Excellent (9, 368 reviews)
$180+
Sonesta Silicon Valley
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1251 reviews)
$138+
Hyatt Place San Jose Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1555 reviews)
$160+
Hyatt Regency Santa Clara
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 834 reviews)
$167+
Santa Clara Marriott
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 332 reviews)
$222+
The Westin San Jose
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 406 reviews)
$174+

Renting a car in Santa Clara

Renting a car in Santa Clara costs $49 per day, on average, or $148 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 26% cheaper than airport locations in Santa Clara.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Santa Clara (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Santa Clara is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mazda Mazda2 or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Santa Clara costs $49 per day, on average, or $148 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 26% cheaper than airport locations in Santa Clara.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Santa Clara (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Santa Clara is Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mazda Mazda2 or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.