The Top Things to See and Do in Cupertino, California
While Cupertino is synonymous with Apple – it’s home to the company’s headquarters – there’s more to this Silicon Valley suburb than tech companies. Horse riding at Garrod Farms, hiking through Stevens Creek County Park and wine tasting at Ridge Vineyards are just a few activities on offer in this California city.
Named after Arroyo San José de Cupertino, this city was initially a small rural village known for its agriculture. After World War II, Cupertino transformed into what we today know as Silicon Valley. Although it may not have San Francisco’s charm or Santa Cruz’s killer views, it has an abundance of great cafes, leafy hiking trails and top vineyards on its doorstep.
1. Pop into the Apple Park Visitor Center
Building
The Apple Park Visitor Center is a must-visit for Apple fans. It has a slender carbon-fiber roof, which sails over its transparent walls to cover outdoor seating areas with incredible views of Silicon Valley. Not far away, employees are busy like techy elves working on the next big thing, and you can stock up on Apple products in the shop. The futuristic 175-acre (71ha) park is a serene place to hang out, but you’ll need a car or Uber to get there.
2. Tuck into tacos at Coconut’s Fish Cafe
Cafe, North American
This family-run restaurant first opened in Maui, Hawaii, in 2009. Its Cupertino branch serves a menu of award-winning, health-conscious seafood with a side of aloha and features custom-made surfboard tables and a laid-back, friendly vibe. The owners make their coleslaw with coconut milk, only serve brown rice and use the freshest seafood. The fish tacos are a local favorite.
4. Stroll down Main Street Cupertino
Architectural Landmark
Main Street Cupertino is the closest thing the city has to a downtown area. It thrives as a hotspot for great eateries and upscale shops, with the town square at its heart. When it comes to dining, Lazy Dog, Eureka and Pizza My Heart are long-standing local favorites. It also hosts regular events, from carnivals to dance performances. Make like a local and stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott, complete with 180 rooms and an athletic club.
5. Tee off at the Blackberry Farm Golf Course
Sports Center
Golf fans are in for a real treat here. The nine-hole Blackberry Farm Golf Course lies along the bank of Stevens Creek and features narrow tree-lined fairways and small greens drenched in California sunshine from May to September. It’s a great place to hone your skills, and for non-golfers, the farm itself features picnic sites, an on-site cafe, a playground, swimming pools with a water slide and various sports courts.
6. Try horse riding at Garrod Farms
Park
David and Sophia Garrod emigrated with their children from England in 1892 and established Garrod Farms a year later. The ranch has remained in the family ever since; it has 120 acres (47ha) of stables, pastures and vineyards and access to 23mi (37km) of riding trails – horse riding is available for all ages and abilities. Ride in the beautiful Saratoga Hills with views of the Bay Area on an hour-long trail ride with a stop-off for wine tasting.
7. Go hiking in Stevens Creek County Park
Park
8. Sip wine at Ridge Vineyards
Winery
9. Spot wildlife at McClellan Ranch Preserve
Natural Feature, Park
Sucheta Shahane contributed additional reporting to this article.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
- Post ID: 697085
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload