Sunnyvale places to stay

Sunnyvale is a mid-size city in the Santa Clara Valley of California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Known as the birthplace of the video game industry, the town changed from being focused on fruit orchards to becoming a magnet for the tech industry, an evolution you can explore at the Sunnyvale Heritage Museum.

The heart of Sunnyvale is tree-lined Murphy Avenue, which is home to historic buildings that now house coffee shops, Irish pubs, and a cozy local bookstore. There are also urban parks to explore here, including Baylands Park, where you can hike or bike the San Francisco Bay Trail, which is a great place to spot birds and wildlife.

Visit the Sunnyvale Farmers Market on Saturdays, play a round of golf at Sunnyvale Golf Course, or pay a visit to one of only two museums in the country that are dedicated to lacemaking.

There’s never a bad time to visit Sunnyvale, given the area’s mild, temperate climate. December through March are the coolest and wettest months, while May through September range from pleasantly warm to hot and dry. Outdoor activities beckon all year round here, including cycling or walking in Baylands Park, or spotting the wild parrots in Las Palmas Park. If it’s raining, pay a visit to one of the local museums, the downtown comedy club, or one of the area theaters.

If you visit in April, head to nearby Cupertino for the Cherry Blossom Festival to enjoy a celebration of Japanese culture. Alternatively, come in October for a festival celebrating art and wine where you can sample food and drink and browse hundreds of artisan booths. In December, the German Holiday Market sets up in the Mountain View Caltrain Station, where you can shop for unique handcrafted gifts as well as traditional German holiday treats.

Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum

Visit Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum to learn about the history of the Sunnyvale area, and its transformation from a fruit-growing and canning hotspot to high-tech capital. Explore Orchard Heritage Park next door, and depending on the time of year, you can admire the apricot blossoms, take in the rich scent of ripe fruit, or buy some fruit or preserves at the fruit stand.

Baylands Park

Baylands Park features more than 70 acres of development parkland and more than 100 acres of wetland preserve. You can rent a bicycle and ride the trails, or just hike and explore. Bring your binoculars and watch for birds — egrets and herons are common, and during migration season, watch for raptors of all kinds. The park adjoins the San Francisco Bay Trail and offers plenty of spots for picnics.

Santa Cruz

Just 45 minutes away over the mountainous Highway 17 lies Santa Cruz, a seaside town popular for its beaches, breweries, and boardwalk. You can easily spend a day here biking the West Cliff Drive path past the popular Steamer Lane surf break, riding the attractions at the boardwalk, and grabbing Mexican food at a local taqueria. Numerous scenic hiking trails take you through the redwoods above the town.