Save on California's Great America Hotel Packages

Save on California’s Great America theme park when you spend a night at one of 10 Santa Clara hotels. The discount packages represent an almost 50% savings over regular room and ticket cost. Hotel/theme park packages include one night’s weekend accommodations and two California’s Great America general admission tickets (extra tickets can be purchased at a discount at participating hotels). In addition, several of the packages include free breakfast. Book online at santaclara.org/hotelpackages. Hotels are Avatar Hotel ($129), Biltmore Hotel & Suites ($129), Embassy Suites ($169), Hilton Santa Clara ($139), Holiday Inn Express & Suites ($149), Hotel Sierra ($149), Hyatt Regency Santa Clara ($139), Mariani’s Inn and Restaurant ($139), Marriott Santa Clara ($134), and the Plaza Suites ($139). Sales tax not included. Deal good through October 30, 2011.
New at California’s Great America in 2011 are a number of exciting shows, including “Don’t Stop the Music, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, and Charlie Brown’s Pirate Adventure.” The Park is Northern California’s best choice for family fun and adventure offering more than 100-acres of world-class entertainment. Open March 27, April 2-3, April 9-10, April 13-17, April 20-24, April 27-May 1, weekends May 7 – May 25, daily May 28 – August 22, and weekends through October 30. For a FREE Weekend Packages brochure, visit santaclara.org.

Plenty of Holiday Events Happening in Santa Clara!

Santa Clara is planning for a festive holiday season in December. Events include the Annual Historic Home Tour (12/3-4), Santa Clara Player’s “Christmas Mouse” (12/3-5; 12/10-12), Santa Clara Chorale’s “Comfort & Joy” (12/10-12); Santa Clara Ballet’s “Nutcracker” (12/11-12); Mission City Opera’s “Truce of Carols & “Amahl and the Night Visitors” (12/18-19), and the Cable Car Classic Holiday Basketball Tournament (12/29-30).
The Santa Clara Historic Home Tour on December 3-4 features an 1889 Stripped Queen Anne Victorian and a 1927 Bungalow. Santa Clara Players present “The Christmas Mouse” two consecutive weekends and the Santa Clara Chorale sings “Comfort & Joy” at the historic Mission Santa Clara. “The Nutcracker,” is performed by Santa Clara Ballet Company on December 11-12 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Another holiday classic is Mission City Opera’s presentation of Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” on December 18-19. Santa Clara University’s “Cable Car Classic” basketball tournament closes a busy month on December 29-30. For detailed information on holiday and other events, visit the Santa Clara Calendar of Events.

Save on California's Great America "Halloween Haunt" Packages!

This October, save on California’s Great America theme park “Halloween Haunt” Packages when you spend a night at one of seven Santa Clara hotels. The spooktacular discount packages include one night weekend accommodations and two admission tickets to the 3rd annual Haunt (extra tickets can be purchased at a discount at participating hotels).

Prices represent almost a 50% savings over regular room and ticket cost. Deal good Friday – Sunday nights October 1-31, 2010. Book online at www.santaclara.org/Haunt. Participating hotels include the Avatar Hotel ($129), Biltmore Hotel & Suites ($129), Embassy Suites ($149), Hilton Santa Clara ($129), Hyatt Regency Santa Clara ($129), Marriott Santa Clara ($139) and The Plaza Suites ($129). Rates are subject to availability.

Northern California’s biggest and scariest Halloween event features six spine-tingling haunted mazes, four themed scare zones, one themed attraction, four head-turning live shows, plus the Park’s world class thrill rides. Event hours are 7:00 p.m. to Midnight Fridays thru Sundays in October. For more information on Halloween Haunt, visit http://haunt.cagreatamerica.com/

New at California's Great America is "Planet Snoopy!"

There's a new top dog in town, and his name is Snoopy. New at California’s Great America in 2010 is “Planet Snoopy.” Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang will take up residence in the children’s areas of the Park (formerly Nickelodeon Central and Kidzville). There will be photo opportunities daily with Peanut's favorites including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Sally.

America's favorite beagle will also appear in "Snoopy Rocks! On Ice," a professional ice dancing show held in the Park's Great America theatre. California's Great America is Northern California’s best choice for family fun and adventure with over 100-acres of world-class entertainment. It is the state’s only combination theme and water park. In 2010, the Park will open March 28, April 2-4, April 9-11, April 14-18, weekends April 24 – May 30, daily May 31 – August 23, and weekends through October 31.

Convention Center Wins 7th Consecutive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Award

For the seventh consecutive year, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) California Integrated Waste Management Board has awarded the Santa Clara Convention Center the WRAP Award for its efforts to reduce, re-use, recycle, and buy recycled. The Convention Center’s waste reduction efforts and recycling program reduced waste by 101 tons this past year.

WRAP awards honor businesses for cutting the amount of trash they produce, conserving resources and reducing waste disposal in landfills. This year’s honorees have diverted over two million tons of materials from landfills. This diversion results in a significant reduction in green house gas emissions. “It’s an honor to be awarded for our part in saving the environment,” said Lisa Moreno, Convention Center general manager. “Our Convention Center is an example of what we all can do if we make it a priority,” said Moreno.

Since 2002, the Convention Center’s waste reduction program has recycled paper products, cardboard, glass and aluminum. ARAMARK, the Convention Center’s in-house caterer, adds to the effort by contributing leftover food to the Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information, visit santaclara.org/conventioncenter/greenmeetings.

Santa Clara Busy in December with Holiday Events!

The city of Santa Clara is planning for a festive holiday season this December. Scheduled events include the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting (12/4), Historic Home Tour (12/4-5), Caltrain’s Annual Holiday Train (12/5), Santa Clara Chorale’s “Comfort and Joy – Christmas with the Santa Clara Chorale,” (12/11 & 12/13), and the Santa Clara Ballet’s 36th annual “Nutcracker Ballet (12/12 & 12/13).

The city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4th includes lights and musical entertainment and the arrival of Santa Claus aboard horse-drawn carriage. Santa Clara’s Annual Historic Home Tour on December 4th & 5th features private homes including a Queen Anne Cottage and a Gothic Revival. Caltrain’s Holiday Train will be lit up with thousands of colorful lights when it stops in Santa Clara on December 5th for a FREE 20-minute show.

Other events include Santa Clara Chorale’s “Comfort and Joy” on December 11th & 13th, featuring traditional carols as well as ones from England, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Poland. Also, the Santa Clara Ballet Company performs the holiday season’s favorite ballet, “The Nutcracker” on December 12th & 13th at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

For detailed information on these and other events, visit the Santa Clara Calendar of Events.

2nd Annual "Halloween Haunt" even spookier in 2009!

Your worst nightmares come to life this October, 2009 at California's Great America as hundreds of monsters resurface for the 2nd annual Halloween Haunt! The Park will come alive with six terrifying mazes, four head-spinning live shows, four sinister scare zones, twisted attractions, and all of Great America's world class thrill rides.

With the addition of its sixth haunted maze titled "Toy Factory," Halloween Haunt 2009 activities will be even spookier this year. Returning haunted mazes include: CarnEvil, Club Blood, Cornstalkers, Slaughterhouse, and Werewolf Canyon. There are also four returning scare zones: Dead Man's Cove, Gauntlet, Underworld Alley, and Witch Doctor's Trail.

The Park has also added a new show called "Shocking Sideshow of Freaks." This show will join the two returning shows "Dave Hill's Haunted Hypnotics" and Ed Alonzo's Psycho Circus of Magic and Mayhem." Halloween Haunt will be open Friday and Saturday nights throughout October as well as Sunday, October 25th. Hours are from 7:00 p.m. - 12 a.m. For tickets and more information, visit http://haunt.cagreatamerica.com.

New Stadium in Santa Clara Could Host Super Bowl and World Cup!

The Santa Clara City Council recently voted to approve financing plans for a $937 million stadium for the San Francisco 49ers, setting the stage for a citywide ballot question this coming Spring. For a detailed view of the proposed new 49ers stadium, watch this video.

Jed York, president of the 49ers, praised Santa Clara officials for creating "the best infrastructure in the Bay Area" and told city officials and a crowd of more than 150 onlookers that the proposed 68,500-seat stadium to be built on an overflow parking lot at the amusement park would not only host up to 10 NFL games annually, but possibly a variety of glamorous events, including the World Cup soccer tournament, in the future. Stadium proponents also view it as a likely venue for major concerts, college football bowl games and even the Super Bowl.

As part of a 40-year agreement with the 49ers, city officials agreed to contribute $79 million to the project, including $42 million in redevelopment agency funds, $20 million from the city-owned utility district to relocate an electrical substation near the site and $17 million to build a parking garage.

Boomerang Bay Water Park Opens May 23rd

The Australian-themed Boomerang Bay water park at California's Great America opens its 2009 season on Saturday, May 23rd. California's Great America is the only theme park in California to offer a complete water park inside - free with admission. Highlights include: Boomerang Lagoon, a huge heated lagoon with 150,000 gallons of water; Castaway Creek, the area's longest lazy river; Didgeridoo Falls, a family waterslide atop a 54-foot high platform; and Jackaroo Landing, a multi-level water fortress of eight family water slides connected by bridges and passageways.

Boomerang Bay's operating schedule includes opening weekends starting May 23-24, plus May 25 (Memorial Day) and May 30-31 before daily operation begins June 6 - August 14. The water park then opens again on weekends August 15 - September 6, plus September 7 (Labor Day). For more information, call (408) 988-1776.

Watch Professional Soccer! - Earthquakes & FC Gold Pride Play Home Games in Santa Clara

Santa Clara University’s (SCU) soccer program received world-wide recognition back in 2002 in the movie “Bend It Like Beckham,” a story about two 18-year olds dreaming about a career playing soccer - a career they wanted to begin at SCU. Now, the same University’s Buck Shaw Stadium is home field for men’s and women’s professional soccer.
Major League Soccer’s (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes open their 2009 home season on 3/21 at Buck Shaw vs. the New England Revolution. The team plays again on 3/28 at Buck Shaw vs. the Houston Dynamo. The Earthquakes are led by forward Darren Huckerby (England), midfielder Bobby Convey (USA), and goalie Joe Cannon (USA).
Women’s Professional Soccer’s (WPS) Bay Area team, the FC Gold Pride open their first home season also at Buck Shaw on 4/5 vs. the Boston Breakers. The Pride plays again on 4/26 vs. the Washington Freedom. The team features an all-star line-up including soccer icon and former SCU midfielder/forward Brandi Chastain (USA). Other players include Santa Clara grad and midfielder Leslie Osborne (USA); Canada’s all team leading scorer forward Christine Sinclair; forward Eriko Arakawa (Japan); midfielders Adriane and Formiga (Brazil) and the great defender Erika (Brazil). If you’re in or planning to visit Santa Clara, find your way to Buck Shaw for world-class soccer competition!

Stay tuned this summer for "All Wheels Extreme"

California’s Great America is planning to open up its Redwood Amphitheatre to “All Wheels Extreme.” The 25-minute, high-energy experience will feature a talented cast of daredevils, including BMX riders, skateboarders, rollerbladers, gymnasts, and more.
Complete with heart-pumping music and a set that will resemble an authentic skate park, the cast will catch air and execute gravity-defying stunts utilizing half-pipes, ramps, various obstacles and trampolines.
Although California’s Great America opens its 2009 season on March 29, “All Wheels Extreme” will not debut until early June. The show will be free with admission to the Park. Regular adult admission is $53.99; however, you can purchase tickets at the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau for $36.00!

New Year Brings Exciting Events to Santa Clara

Happy New Year everyone! With the new year, stay tuned for some exciting and fun times in Santa Clara. On March 29, California’s Great America theme park opens its new season. New this year is an exciting new show called “All Wheels Extreme," an exciting high-flying sports stunt show to be held in the park’s Redwood Amphitheater. Also, towards the end of the park’s 2009 season, don’t miss “Halloween Haunt” opening on October 2. This year the park is adding three new mazes, all sure to scare you!

Also exciting in 2009 is the return of Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes to Santa Clara. The Earthquakes open their 2009 season on March 21 vs. the New England Revolution at Santa Clara University’s (SCU) Buck Shaw Stadium. Moreover, soccer fans can look forward to the debut of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in Santa Clara. Former SCU and World Cup star Brandi Chastain will lead the FC Gold Pride against the Boston Breakers on April 5 also at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Other not to missed Santa Clara events include the city’s Fireworks Display in Central Park on July 4, the annual Art & Wine Festival on September 12-13 and December’s Historic Home Tour on December 4-5. It’s going to be an exciting year. Stay tuned!

Santa Clara Home to Professional Men's and Women's Soccer

With the naming of the new Bay Area Women's Professional Soccer entry, FC Gold Pride, Santa Clara is now home base for both professional men's and women's soccer. FC Gold Pride will begin league play in April, 2009. Like Major League Soccer's (MLS) San Jose Earthquake's men's soccer team, FC Gold Pride's home games will be played in Santa Clara at Santa Clara University's Buck Shaw Stadium.

Current U.S. national team members on the team include Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buehler, and Tracy Hamm. Other players of note include Canada's all-time leading scorer Christine Sinclair, Brazilian midfielder Formiga, Japanese forward Eriko Arakawa and Brazilian defender Erika. FC Gold Pride will be coached by former Santa Clara University star Albertin Montoya.

"The Nutcracker" arrives in mid-December

Artistic Director Josefa Villanueva and the Santa Clara Ballet Company present the 35th annual, full length traditional version of "The Nutcracker." This year's performances will include local dancers and acclaimed guest artists. Performance dates and times are Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All performances of "The Nutcracker" will take place at the Elizabeth A. Hangs Theatre inside the Santa Clara Convention Center at 5001 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. Parking is FREE. For more information, visit the Santa Clara Ballet Company website, or call (408) 881-0879.

Check out "Halloween Haunt" if you dare!

This October 3 - November 1, 2008 California's Great America takes on a dark, sinister side and eerily transforms into the first-ever Halloween Haunt! This is a separate admission with separate park hours. Taking place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 7:00 p.m. - Midnight, this ultimate, in-your-face Halloween experience beckons brave souls to take on their worst nightmares!

Halloween Haunt features 13 terrifying elements, including spine-tingling haunted mazes, themed scare zones, head-turning live stage shows that are all combined with the park's collection of world-class thrill rides. Regular admission tickets to Halloween Haunt are $39.99. Discounted tickets are available at the Santa Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau's Chamber Store for $32.00.

Convention Center Purchases Clean Renewable Energy

Having won the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award for five consecutive years (2003-2007), the Santa Clara Convention Center has long been a leader in saving energy and waste. Now, the Center has purchased over 1.5 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable energy or one-half of the output of one large-scale turbine on an annual basis.

This new commitment in partnership with Silicon Valley Power will provide environmental savings through preventing the release of 933 tons of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas. This is the climate impact equivalent to planting 777 acres of forest or taking 171 cars off the road for one year.

“This is only the beginning of a broad set of initiatives we plan on implementing to conserve energy and minimize our impact on the environment,” says Convention Center general manager Lisa Moreno. For more information about the Santa Clara Convention Center’s green efforts, visit the “Green Meetings” section on its website.

Despite rising gas prices, California's Great America attendance is up!

This is an exciting season for California’s Great America theme park. From the all-new FireFall, an extreme thrill ride complete with the fire and water effects, to the addition of the “Endless Summer on Ice” show, the park is a great choice for family fun. Despite rising gas prices, this year’s park attendance is up thanks to good weather and an enhanced visitor experience.

The theme park is also home to the water park, Boomerang Bay that is free with admission. Plus, Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob Squarepants make it a must-see for families visiting Northern California.

Cedar Fair, the owners of California’s Great America, also own Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California as well as other theme parks around the U.S. Regular admission price is $51.99; however, tickets can be purchased at a discount ($35.00) at the Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau at 1850 Warburton Avenue in Santa Clara.

The park opens daily until August 25 then weekends through November 2. For more information, visit the California’s Great America web site or call (408) 988-1776.

Major League Soccer Debuts in Santa Clara!

Professional sports has arrived in Santa Clara in the form of Major League Soccer (MLS). The expansion San Jose Earthquakes began their three year stay in Santa Clara on May 3rd as a sellout crowd of 10,515 fans packed Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University. The game between the Earthquakes and FC Dallas was the largest attended event ever at the historic field named after former San Francisco 49ers coach Buck Shaw.

Upcoming games in Santa Clara include Thursday, May 22nd vs. defending MLS champions the Houston Dynamo; July 12 vs. the Colorado Rapids; July 27 vs. the New York Red Bulls; August 16 vs. the New England Revolution; August 30 vs. the Kansas City Wizards; September 6 vs. D.C. United; September 13 vs. Houston Dynamo; September 27 vs. Real Salt Lake, and October 11 vs. Chivas USA. Have you been to any of the games yet? If so, please comment.

Japanese Restaurants

Santa Clara has many great tasting Japanese restaurants. Three of my favorites are Sushi O Sushi, Sushi California, and Hana Maki Sushi. Sushi O Sushi (2789 El Camino Real) has been a Santa Clara success story. The restaurant started in a corner space in a small shopping area along the El Camino Real. At lunch time, the lines were out the door, so the restaurant relocated a few doors down to a much bigger space. Sushi O Sushi is the higher priced of the three restaurants, but the sushi is fresh and delicious.
Sushi California (4477 Stevens Creek Blvd.) began when several of the employees at Sushi O Sushi left to begin their own restaurant. At first business was slow, but now Sushi California has a steady and loyal clientele. The food is moderately priced and the same quality as Sushi O Sushi. Both myself and several of my co-workers frequent this restaurant often.
Finally, for a low priced, what some may call “hole-in-the-wall” sushi restaurant, try Hana Maki Sushi. The restaurant is in the same shopping complex as Sushi O Sushi. It’s small with usually only one server for the entire restaurant. For $1.75, you get six California Rolls, and they are very tasty. For a quick and inexpensive lunch or dinner, there is no place better to go. Hana Maki Sushi is located at 2725 El Camino Real

City Approves 49ers Stadium Vote

If the City of Santa Clara can work out a deal with the San Francisco 49ers by July, there will be a non-binding vote for a proposed new stadium in November, 2008. The Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously to approve the measure, so city residents can have their say on the proposed stadium.

The City of Santa Clara is currently in negotiations with the team to offer up to $136 million in public money for the project. The team is committed to not impacting the city’s general fund or raising taxes. The 68,000 seat open-air stadium would be built near California’s Great America theme park and across the street from the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Included in the preliminary design is a special plaza outside the stadium that would connect it with the theme park and Convention Center, creating a central entertainment corridor for the City. The target date for completion is 2012. Stay tuned!