They say there’s no place like home, but I’m guessing “they” never experienced a Midwestern snowstorm almost immediately followed by a trip to the Golden State. The contrast between March in Minnesota and March in California is stark; and, while I love the North Star State, a little time in the sun was a much-needed reprieve after a long winter.
Luckily for me, Discover Santa Clara had just the thing in mind: a familiarization tour of its fine city. From March 25-27, I saw only a fraction of what Santa Clara has to offer, but it was a city unlike any place I’ve been before. Santa Clara goes a step beyond encapsulating that quintessential California vibe of sunshine and good times. At the forefront of the city’s soul is its extensive history of technological innovation.
For groups looking to escape the noise and crowds of San Francisco or San Jose, Santa Clara is a quiet refuge nestled between the two. (Unless it’s game day! Santa Clara also is home to Levi’s Stadium, stomping grounds of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.)
My visit to Santa Clara began at Delta by Marriott Santa Clara Silicon Valley, situated amongst powerhouse companies like Intel and NVIDIA and near attractions like Levi’s Stadium and California’s Great America theme park. After checking in there, my group of industry media professionals and event planners was shuttled to The TailG8 Zone at Hilton Santa Clara, where we were treated to a tasty picnic-style spread of grilled meats, kabobs, and bite-sized desserts before touring the hotel. This tour was followed by a visit to Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Clara Silicon Valley.
For dinner, the group was treated to something truly special at Santa Clara Marriott: a custom, chef-led, globally inspired, four-course meal. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared through the collaboration of several Santa Clara hotels, showcasing the community’s ability to cater to large groups in a way that’s customizable, immersive, and intimate. (And delicious! Marriott’s Executive Chef Nelson Ramirez, Hyatt Regency’s Executive Chef David Schuler, Delta’s Food & Beverage Manager Jared Flower, and AC Hotel’s Vince Monroy are all geniuses.)
On Day 2, our group was treated to a lovely poolside breakfast at Element Santa Clara. This was the day when we really got to experience Silicon Valley. We kicked things off with a visit to the Intel Museum, where a knowledgeable docent led us through the history, growth, and impact of the computer component company. The museum, located at the Intel headquarters, is free to visit. Groups can opt for a self-guided tour, and groups of 15 or fewer can enjoy a guided tour through the facility.
The next stop was Apple Park Visitor Center, the public-facing component of the Apple campus. Here, your tourgoers can peruse the latest Apple products, lounge on the rooftop patio, and interact with a virtual reality map of the entire Apple campus. The center is free to visit—but that doesn’t mean your tourgoers can’t splurge on something new, should the spirit move them!
After getting a small taste of Silicon Valley, the focus of Day 2 shifted to Santa Clara’s other major attraction: Levi’s Stadium, host of Super Bowl LX (or, as I call it, the Bad Bunny Bowl) and future home to six FIFA World Cup matches. Here, we received a small behind-the-scenes glimpse into the stadium’s recent $200 million renovation, toured the stadium, and even viewed the Super Bowl trophy up close. The stadium, also a concert venue, features an on-site museum for groups interested in exploring the history of the 49ers.
We capped the day off with an evening of friendly competition at the Great Big Game Show, located inside Westfield Valley Fair Mall. Available in cities all over the country, the Great Big Game Show allows your group to step into a live-hosted game show, competing for points and bragging rights. Larger groups are divided into teams of 15 and split between rooms to accommodate for size. It should be noted, though, that the Great Big Game Show features flashing lights and loud noises that might not be suitable for some tourgoers.
When the fun was over, our group wound down with a delicious meal of authentic Italian food at Eataly’s Terra. The tagliatella al tartufo nero pasta was to die for, and the cannolis are a can’t-miss after-dinner treat.
On Day 3, my adventure in Santa Clara wrapped with a tour of the Santa Clara Convention Center, followed by breakfast at Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. For groups traveling for an event, the Santa Clara Convention Center offers 302,000 square feet of flexible event space, in-house catering, and layout planners.
SAN FRANCISCO
Though the formal FAM trip ended in Santa Clara on March 27, my personal journey to the Bay Area hadn’t quite reached its conclusion. I chose to tack on one extra day to my itinerary, making time to visit San Francisco for the first time in my life.
I only had a full afternoon in the City by the Bay, so I chose to stick to the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, a hub of tourist activity in the city. After checking in at Hotel Zephyr, a boutique hotel in the Wharf, I made my way toward Pier 39, my head on a constant swivel as I took in the cacophony of new sights and sounds surrounding me. The densely packed city quickly fell away to reveal the iconic coastline of San Francisco, dotted by piers, a Ferris wheel, and thousands of people from all around the world. In the distance, Alcatraz Island loomed straight ahead, while the Golden Gate Bridge stretched far and wide off to the left.
I wandered the area for hours, visiting all the shops along Pier 39, stopping for ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s stand, and spending plenty of time photographing the sea lions that famously sunbathe right next to the pier. As a woman who has spent her entire life in the Midwest, that was a favorite for me. The only place you’ll find sea lions around here is at the zoo.
Of course, I would be remiss to visit San Francisco without hitting the water aboard a bay cruise boat. For groups looking to do the same, the Blue & Gold Fleet awaits. Featuring a variety of cruise options ranging from a standard bay cruise to an “Escape from the Rock” tour of Alcatraz, the Blue & Gold Fleet offers special rates for groups of 15 or more.
I opted for the one-hour “San Francisco Bay Cruise.” My ride atop the three-tiered boat took me under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island, allowing me to see both emblematic landmarks from a new and exciting angle. Having a camera on hand is a must—also, sunscreen. Don’t let that cool March breeze fool you; you can and will burn. I learned that the hard way, unfortunately.
What I really enjoyed about my trip, however, wasn’t so much about the attractions. It was the moment of solace I found myself in as I sat the end of one of the smaller, emptier piers and simply took in my surroundings. After a long, often-overstimulating week, there’s really something to be said about taking a beat to relax, recharge, and breathe in that salty ocean air. Was I being stalked by a seagull that desperately wanted my ice cream the entire time? Yes. But it’s all just a part of the experience.
By Madeline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Discover Santa Clara 2026 familiarization tour group; Credit: Discover Santa Clara
