It can be hard to tell where Santa Clara begins and San Jose ends, but one thing's for sure: you’re right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to some of the biggest names in tech, Santa Clara attracts many a business traveler – but it's by no means "all work and no play.”

When you're ready to have some serious fun – especially with kids – California's Great America offers big-time roller coasters, a water park and all the other staples of a major amusement park. Santa Clara is also where you'll find Levi's Stadium, opened in 2014 as the new home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Santa Clara has a historical side, too. Founded in 1777, the town was named after Mission Santa Clara de Asís, one of the 21 Spanish missions built in California. Although the original mission is long gone, the site holds a chapel built in 1929, which you can stop by for a visit when you need a break from the high-tech buzz.