Things to do in Union City

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Santa Clara County

Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is located in Northern California, United States, south of the San Francisco Bay, and is situated in a valley known for the design and manufacturing of silicon chips. Visitors come here primarily to experience the atmosphere of global technological innovation by touring university campuses, the areas around tech company campuses, and unique visitor centers. The grounds are beautiful, blending a rich historical architectural style with red-tiled roofs, arched corridors, and exquisite decorations that showcase a unique architectural charm. As visitors stroll through the campus, they can feel the unique environment where academic atmosphere and the spirit of technological innovation intertwine. The campus features visitor experience areas, where cafes, merchandise shops, and colorful Android robot statues have become popular spots for visitors to take photos.

2026 Americas 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Stanford University

Stanford University is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States. This vast campus is not only a place for learning and research but also a popular visitor destination in the San Francisco Bay Area due to its beautiful architectural environment and rich cultural atmosphere. Upon entering the campus, a representative view is the area along Palm Drive leading to the main courtyard. The straight, extending Palm Drive is lined with trees on both sides, leading visitors toward the campus's classic architectural complex. The main courtyard is designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, with beige sandstone buildings paired with red-tiled roofs, creating a warm and elegant visual effect. In addition to the architectural views, the campus also features large lawns, tree-lined paths, and open spaces. The campus layout is spacious and comfortable; as visitors stroll through it, they can feel the unique atmosphere where the academic environment and natural surroundings blend together.

Central Park

A beautiful city park for picnics and hiking.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Silicon Valley

Googleplex

Google's headquarters, located in Mountain View, is its corporate campus, renowned for its innovative atmosphere and Silicon Valley spirit. Here you can see many Google high-tech products on display and even try them out yourself. There are also Android robots on campus that visitors can take photos with.

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in San Francisco Bay Area

Filoli Historic House & Garden

From 1915 to 1917, William Bowers Bourn II and his wife, the owners of the "Empire Gold Mine", built Philoli Manor. It is a masterpiece designed by the talented American architect Willis Polk, which combines the English country garden with the native California landscape. Known as one of the "Top Ten Beautiful Gardens in North America", it covers an area of nearly 265 hectares and is a park with beautiful natural scenery. There is a Georgian Revival-style mansion in the garden, as well as multiple English Renaissance-style gardens with more than 150 different varieties of roses, an orchard covering an area of 2.8 hectares, and a 1.6-kilometer-long path. Many design elements in the manor were also influenced by Chinese gardens. For example, there is a winding artificial stream in the garden, which is similar to the streams in Chinese gardens; many traditional Chinese flowers and plants are also planted in the garden, such as peonies, bamboos, etc. Peony symbolizes wealth and good luck; bamboo is a symbol of perseverance.

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Coyote Hills Regional Park is located in California and is a destination known for its natural beauty and diverse outdoor activities. Coyote Hills Regional Park features extensive trails suitable for activities such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching. Visitors can explore the park's natural scenery along trails of varying difficulty and enjoy panoramic views from the hilltop, which are especially expansive on clear days. Coyote Hills Regional Park has a rich and diverse ecosystem, home to various wildlife including deer, foxes, and many bird species, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. In spring, wildflowers bloom, adding color and vitality to the park. Picnic areas provide convenient resting spots for families and groups, where visitors can enjoy outdoor dining. Coyote Hills Regional Park features an information center that provides maps and activity suggestions to help visitors better plan their itinerary. The parking lot is well-equipped, making it convenient for self-drive visitors. Whether for a short trip or a full day of outdoor adventure, Coyote Hills Regional Park offers a rich experience for visitors.

2026 Americas 50 - Best Things to Do

Fisherman's Wharf

A landmark of San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is a strip extending from Ghirardelli Square all the way to Pier 35 and close to popular destinations such as Chinatown and the Lombard Street. This is home to a wealth of shops and restaurants and lively street shows can be seen everywhere. Famous sites such as Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge can also be sighted in the distance. The Fisherman's Wharf is close to the bay, so do not miss out on the fresh and delicious seafood. At Pier 39, sea lions can also be seen lying idly on rafts for a bit of sunbathing, making a most adorable scene.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in San Francisco

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island stands isolated in San Francisco Bay, facing Fisherman's Wharf across the water. To reach the island, visitors must take a ferry from nearby Pier 33. In 1775, Spanish explorers mapping the bay named it "Isla de los Alcatraces" (Island of the Pelicans) due to the abundance of seabirds. However, this small island later became world-famous for its "devilish" reputation: from 1850, it first served as a military fortress guarding the bay entrance, then became a military prison. From 1934 to 1963, it operated as a high-security federal penitentiary housing over a thousand inmates including Al Capone. No escape attempts were ever confirmed successful. The island served as a filming location for "The Rock," and its English name inspired "Azkaban" in Harry Potter. From 1969 to 1971, a 19-month Native American occupation made it an important landmark in the American civil rights movement. Now the entire island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where abandoned prison cells, old lighthouses, and weathered barracks still retain their original layout. The prison cells along the main corridor, "Broadway," are open to visitors, with permanent exhibitions recounting the island's past. Put on headphones, and the audio guide plays firsthand accounts from former guards and inmates. Between the cliffs and shrubs, seabirds like western gulls, cormorants, and black-crowned night herons nest and thrive. The blend of profound history and bay wildlife makes it one of San Francisco's most distinctive destinations.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a large art museum in San Francisco, California. It is one of the well-known modern art museums in the world. Its halls are home to works by Andy Warhol, Paul Klee, Ansel Adams, Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein and many other twentieth century artistic luminaries. The museum is a very popular tourist destination in the city, and is highly recommended for all art aficionados.

Hayward Japanese Gardens