Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Clara - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Santa Clara

Santa Clara, California

Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

One of the largest Marian shrines on the West Coast stands rather unexpectedly in Silicon Valley.

Santa Clara, California

Intel Museum

The headquarters of the semiconductor giant has a 10,000-square-foot museum.

Santa Clara, California

John J. Montgomery Obelisk

Today's aerospace industry can be traced back to one man and his gliders.

Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara Women's Club Adobe

One of the oldest adobe structures in Northern California.

Are we missing something unusual in Santa Clara?

San Jose, California

First Honey Bees in California

A plaque outside the San Jose airport commemorates the insect's arrival to the West Coast.

1 mile from Santa Clara

San Jose, California

Lupe the Mammoth

A life-sized mammoth sculpture marks the spot where the remains of a Columbian mammoth were discovered in 2005.

2 miles from Santa Clara

San Jose, California

Rosicrucian Park

The headquarters of a secretive order is also a beautifully-designed park.

2 miles from Santa Clara

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.

Explore Santa Clara, California

Launch Map

Santa Clara Leaderboard

Places Added

James Ricci 1

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Santa Clara.

Places Edited

Join the Ranks!

Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

Recent Santa Clara Activity

Nicomni wants to go to Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

markmav wants to go to John J. Montgomery Obelisk

ivanlopez411 wants to go to John J. Montgomery Obelisk

kochbeck has been to Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

mk1005 has been to Intel Museum

Stories About Santa Clara

California newts (pictured) and rough-skinned newts face danger when they travel from their wooded habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains to Lexington Reservoir, where they breed.

Can Citizen Scientists Prevent Another Pacific Newt Massacre?

Cars are annihilating the tiny amphibians.

by Shoshi Parks

January 11, 2022

Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.