Named after Arroyo San Jose de Cupertino, Cupertino was initially a small rural village known for its agricultural-based activities. Post World War II, Cupertino started transforming into what we today know as the Silicon Valley. Although it may seem like this small suburb does not have any exciting places to visit, there are, in fact, many things to see and do in Cupertino. They may not match up to San Francisco’s charm or Santa Cruz’s killer views, but they will teach you something new.
Flint Performing Arts Center
The Flint Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of a highly ranked community college, De Anza College. The center is quite popular among locals and has hosted many exciting shows. Upcoming events can be viewed here. Along with regular seating, executive suites for special events can also be leased. Some amenities with the suites include concierge services, reserved parking, beverages, and preferred ticketing.
With more than 1000 acres of a plush, natural setting and a 92-acre reservoir, the Stevens Creek County Park is a serene park with many recreational activities. The park is open year-round from 8 AM to sunset. Fishing at the reservoir and picnicking at the park are two extremely popular activities. The Bay Area Ridge Trail also passes through the landscape and is a great spot to hike. Horse rentals are also available courtesy of Garrod Farms.
Located on the campus of De Anza College, the Fujitsu Planetarium is the largest school planetarium on the West Coast and is shared by the College Astronomy and Community Education Departments. It has been recently renovated to add in modern amenities. Saturday Night Astronomy and Laser Shows will start again in September. Tickets may be purchased here.
Cupertino is the heart of the Silicon Valley, as many technology companies were founded here and in surrounding areas. The global headquarters for Apple Inc. is located in Cupertino and is circled by the Infinite Loop. In 2011, Steve Jobs gave the Cupertino City Council a proposal to build a new campus for Apple employees. The proposal was approved, and the circular structure is almost completed. The new campus is conveniently located very close to Main Street Cupertino.
The Main Street Cupertino project was approved in 2009 but only began construction in 2013. Main Street is a great place to eat and shop. Some local favorite dining spots include Lazy Dog, Lyfe Kitchen, Eureka, and Pieology. Along with restaurants and shops, Main Street will also be home to a high-quality Marriott Residence Inn with 180 rooms, senior housing consisting of 143 units, and a 60,000-square-foot athletic club. A Lokahi Polynesian Dance Performance is coming to Main Street on June 4th.
Cupertino’s very own Central Park, Memorial Park is a great place to visit. Along with being fun for kids, the park also hosts many events for all ages. During the summer, the park puts on plays based on Shakespeare’s works, known as Shakespeare In The Park. Most events are free and open to the public. Some other popular events include Holi, Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Diwali Mela. Inside the park, one can also visit the Cupertino Veterans Memorial and the Cupertino History Museum.
In 1885, Osea Perrone bought 180 acres of land after which he terraced the slopes and planted vineyards. Just four years ago, Ridge Vineyards celebrated 50 years as a bonded winery. Tasting and sales on weekdays are done by reservation only. On Saturdays and Sundays, the winery is open from 11 AM to 5 PM. The picnic area is open to all customers on a first come, first served basis.
In the 1930s and ’40s, the 18-acre McClellan Ranch was a horse ranch, and today, it features a nature museum and a community garden. The original ranch house, milk barn, livestock barn are all preserved. The ranch is open from 6 AM to sunset. At the park, visitors can hike, see more than 100 species of birds, meet animals at the museum, catch a glimpse of a deer, coyote or bobcat, or check out the 60-acre community organic garden. Registration for nature classes and activities can be done at here.
Blackberry Farm is a large seasonal park that is completely open to the public from May to September; this season will open very soon on May 7, 2016. The park features picnic sites, an on-site café, two swimming pools, a waterslide, a playground, horseshoe courts, volleyball courts, and bocce ball courts. Picnic sites can be reserved online on the reservation page.
