Sunnyvale lives up to its name with over 300 sunny days a year. The Peninsula town boasts 700 acres of parks, more than 200 pieces of public artwork and tech-centric career opportunities.
“Sunnyvale is more than a hub of innovation; we are the heart of Silicon Valley, the second largest city in Santa Clara County and a place where ideas take root and flourish,” says Kathryn Filley, the CEO of Sunnyvale’s Chamber of Commerce (svcoc.org).
Japanese eggplant at Adrestia, located in the Tetra Hotel. Photo By Lyda Studios
Filley is the city’s biggest cheerleader, ticking off cultural diversity, excellent colleges and plenty to see and do when asked what makes it unique. “I see my role as a guide and connector, ensuring that every business, from startup to global leaders, has the visibility and support to succeed and thrive,” she says. “Together, we’re shaping a future where Sunnyvale continues to set the standard for what makes a vibrant, inclusive and collaborative community.”
WHERE TO STAY
Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley (treehousehotels.com) opened earlier this year to much fanfare. It’s the first U.S. property for the Treehouse brand, and its motto is “carefreedom”—where carefree meets freedom. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Valley Goat (valleygoatsv.com), is from celebrity chef Stephanie Izard and features delicious seasonal cuisine.
Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley. Photo By Erin Kunkel
Another excellent place to stay is the boutique Tetra Hotel (tetrahotelsv.com), which opened in 2022. The tranquil escape boasts sleek modern interiors and a calming, inviting atmosphere. It’s home to Nokori, a Japanese whisky bar, where Sunnyvalers gather for late-night dining, and Adrestia (@adrestia_tetra), a Cal-Japanese-inspired eatery. Adrestia recently launched a new lunch menu with items like lobster rolls, chicken katsu and miso ramen with pork belly.
At the Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale (hilton.com), discover a neuro-ready space as Silicon Valley’s first certified sensory-friendly hotel. The property partnered with Friendly Accessibility to ensure everyone feels at home. The resort welcomes guests with conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia and processing difficulties with specially trained staff, calm kits and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Spend the afternoon in a cabana at the Treehouse Hotel. Photo By Erin Kunkel
WHERE TO DINE
Meyhouse (meyhouserestaurant.com) is a Turkish restaurant that uses locally sourced, fresh ingredients to craft authentic and contemporary cuisine like grilled branzino, yogurt-fenugreek marinated chicken skewers, spicy kebap with peppers and onion-tomato salad. Meyhouse’s environment is upscale and stylish, making it an ideal space for a celebration.
Turkish-themed Meyhouse sources local ingredients for an outstanding menu. Photo By Joseph Weaver
For something more casual, head to Gumba’s (gumbas.com) Italian restaurant. This 37-year-old institution is a family-friendly favorite that offers lasagna, linguine and clams, lobster ravioli and various pizzas. Delhi to Kathmandu (delhitokathmandu.com) serves the best Indian and Nepalese cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. It’s known for its superb curries and magnificent momo dumplings.
At Keke’s Breakfast Cafe (kekes.com), diners look forward to made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch items. There’s something for every appetite, from a Greek omelet with feta and spinach to classic eggs Benedict to chicken and waffles. At lunch, Keke’s serves warm, melty paninis and hearty salads. Experience the best of the region’s dining scene at Sunnyvale Restaurant Week (Nov. 8-16). The citywide initiative includes a two-course lunch or a three-course dinner at participating restaurants.
Look for innovative dishes at Meyhouse. Photo By Joseph Weaver
For groceries, you’ll be thrilled to visit Zanotto’s (zanottos.com), a gourmet market celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Shop for everything from housemade sandwiches to Italian sodas, artisanal tuna and organic yogurt.
WHAT TO DO
Explore community art via Sun Flair Photo By Fotos By Flee
Grab some girlfriends and book an appointment at Stirbar Lab (stirbarlab.com). This chemistry-inspired beauty lab from Dr. Maryam Mardkhe is a hands-on sensory journey where you get to extract oil and wax from plants to make all-natural beauty products like lip balm.
Art is part of Sunnyvale's fabric and easy to access daily. Photo Courtesy of Sunnyvale
“What I love most is watching people light up when they realize they can make high-quality, natural products from scratch with their own hands,” says Mardkhe. “It’s empowering to demystify chemistry, connect people with nature and see them leave with something that reflects their creativity and care.” Stirbar Lab is committed to a zero-waste philosophy and uses sustainable packaging and bio-based materials that honor people and the planet.
Dr. Maryam Mardkhe founded Stirlab. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Maryam Mardkhe
Explore the city’s myriad public artworks (sunnyvale.ca.gov) with a self-guided tour through the parks and heritage district. Sun Flair is the city’s latest exhibit with 26 identical sun sculptures, each transformed by local artists. These are throughout Sunnyvale’s parks, including our favorite, Baylands Park (parks.santaclaracounty.gov). Enjoy stunning views of the Bay and scenic trails at this peaceful oasis. The park is home to Animal Assisted Happiness (animalassistedhappiness.org), a nonprofit that brings joy through barnyard animal encounters. Pet goats, cuddle with a bunny rabbit or feed some sheep, leaving the park feeling rejuvenated and alive.
