Handrails for the South Bay and Beyond
Guardrails and handrails are both essential components of safe railing systems, but they serve different purposes in residential and commercial projects — especially in metal railing, handrail installation, and guardrail construction. While guardrails act as a protective barrier to prevent falls on elevated decks, balconies, and open stair sides, handrails are designed to be grasped for support when passing up and down stairs or ramps, helping with balance and code compliance. These distinctions impact both safety and building code requirements, which is why experienced railing contractors handle each with care to ensure proper installation. Read more here to understand the complete details and how the two differ.
A Closer Look at Santa Clara, California
Right in the heart of Silicon Valley sits Santa Clara, California, a city that quietly balances deep history with constant momentum. Often called the Mission City, Santa Clara is bordered by San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View, making it one of the most centrally located cities in the South Bay.
From here, you’re only a few miles from downtown San Jose and Sunnyvale. That central positioning has helped Santa Clara grow into a place where innovation, entertainment, education, and everyday life intersect naturally. Let's look a little closer.
Historic Roots: Mission Santa Clara de Asís and Santa Clara University
Santa Clara’s roots stretch back to 1777 with the founding of Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Today, the mission sits peacefully on the campus of Santa Clara University, one of the oldest universities in California.
Because the mission is part of an active university, it doesn’t follow rigid hours, but it is generally open during daytime hours, most often from the morning through late afternoon. Access may be limited during holidays, religious services, or campus events, which adds to the sense that this is a living historical site rather than a static museum.
Strolling through the area offers a quiet contrast to the modern pace that surrounds it—arched walkways, historic architecture, and a reminder of how Santa Clara began.
Levi’s Stadium: From Candlestick Park to the 49ers’ Modern Home
One of the biggest moments in modern Santa Clara history came in 2014 with the opening of Levi’s Stadium, now home to the San Francisco 49ers.
For decades before the move, the 49ers played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Candlestick Park was legendary for its swirling winds, foggy afternoons, and gritty atmosphere—beloved by fans but increasingly outdated. Its closure in 2014 marked the end of a major chapter in Bay Area sports.
Want to see Levi’s Stadium? You can view it from a lot of local interstates and highways (including 101, 880, and 237) but if you want a view inside, you'll have to buy tickets to a concert or game. Access is entirely event-based. Gates open to fans for NFL games, concerts, and major events, while stadium tours are offered on select days throughout the year. The stadium’s location—about 4 miles from San Jose International Airport—makes it one of the most accessible large venues in Northern California. While there is a large Team Store on site slinging official 49ers gear but check the hours before you go. They only tend to be open regularly during the NFL season.
California’s Great America: A Santa Clara Staple Since 1976
Just down the road from the stadium is California’s Great America, a landmark that has been part of Santa Clara life since 1976. For many locals, this theme park is tied to childhood memories, summer weekends, and family traditions.
Unlike the stadium, California’s Great America does operate with standard opening and closing times, though they change depending on the season. During spring and summer, the park typically opens around 10 AM and closes between 9 and 10 PM. In off-peak seasons, hours are shorter, and some weekdays may be closed entirely. Special events—such as Halloween and holiday festivals—often come with extended evening hours.
The park sits less than one mile from Levi’s Stadium and right next to the Santa Clara Convention Center, anchoring the city’s main entertainment corridor.
Convention Energy and Quieter Corners
The Santa Clara Convention Center plays a major role in the city’s professional life, hosting technology conferences, trade shows, and large corporate events year-round. They boast over 260,000 square feet of space these events since 2009. In addition to the theme park, its location is close to hotels and a light rail station which extends to Mountain View, Milpitas, downtown San Jose, the airport and Campbell.
For something slower paced, Central Park Santa Clara offers a different side of the city. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, giving residents and visitors space to walk, relax, or attend community events. It’s located about 2 miles from Santa Clara University, making it an easy stop between historic and modern parts of the city.
Why Santa Clara Feels Different
What makes Santa Clara, California, stand out is how seamlessly its layers coexist. Historic mission grounds sit minutes from a cutting-edge NFL stadium. A long-running theme park shares space with convention halls and university campuses. And all of it is connected by a city that continues to grow without losing sight of its past.
Like many parts of California, home prices have climbed enormously over the past few decades in Santa Clara. You can still find older homes mixed in among newer, modern, larger homes. There are plenty of paved trails and walkable parks for anyone that likes to explore stroll through areas outside their neighborhood.
Whether you’re visiting from Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, or passing through on the way to San Francisco, Santa Clara feels less like a stop along the way—and more like a place with stories worth slowing down for.
