One of the best-known landmarks in the City is the Mission Santa Clara de Asis, the eighth of California’s 21 missions, which was founded by Spanish Franciscans on January 12, 1777.  Giving the City its nickname, “The Mission City,” the mission is now located on the grounds of Santa Clara University, a Jesuit college. 

In addition to being the site of other historical buildings, such as Mission Santa Clara and the new Almaden mine, Santa Clara also houses Paramount’s Great America, a 100-acre theme park, touting the first reality-TV rollercoaster.