1. The heart of Silicon Valley. Santa Clara is headquarters of Intel, Applied Materials, Sun Microsystems, NVIDIA, Agilent Technologies, and many other high-tech companies.

2. The San Francisco 49ers NFL football team has its headquarters and practice facilities in Santa Clara. The 49ers have announced they will move the team to Santa Clara – check out the proposed new stadium: www.49ers.com

3. Enjoy the many rollercoasters and other attractions at the well known amusement park, Great America. The park boasts the largest collection of kids’ rides and water rides in Northern California. www.cagreatamerica.com

4. Eats and conveniences. Try Rivermark Plaza. Rivermark includes many: a state of the art Safeway, and many great shops and restaurants including Piatti restaurant. Located at 3900 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara.

5. Need to update your wardrobe? Westfield Valley Fair is one of Northern California's largest enclosed shopping malls with shops, boutiques, major department stores, and a 450-seat food pavilion. Located at I-880 and Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara. (408) 248-4451, (800) 959-FAIR

6. Check out the modern and the historic sites of interest. The modern: Intel Museum: An interactive museum which introduces visitors to the micro-miniature world of computer chips. Intel Corporation, Robert Noyce Building, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, 95052. (408) 765-0503. The historic: Mission Santa Clara de Asis: The eighth of 21 missions built in California, founded in 1777 by the Spanish Franciscans. (California Historical Landmark No. 338) Located on the grounds of picturesque Santa Clara University, Santa Clara 95053. (408) 554-4023

7. Santa Clara is home to Santa Clara University which is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of California.

8. Want to check out the fashionable boutiques, spas, and dining hot spots? Santana Row is just a short drive: www.santanarow.com

9. Enjoy Central Park, with its International Swim Center, training ground to many Olympians. www.tripadvisor.com

10. Leave your car at home. Check out the bus and light rail options in Santa Clara here: www.vta.org