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SILICON VALLEY Not just high tech 100 2013 travel guid e to c al i fo r n ia by laura del rosso SILICON VALLEY , known for its dynamic energy, innovation and hightech giants, also is emerging as one of California's visitor destinations. With its mild Mediterranean climate, the broad valley is a year-round draw, dotted with attractions for family fun, some of it related to the home-grown technology industry. The Computer History Museum in Mountain View houses the world's largest collection of computer-related artifacts while San Jose's Tech Museum features inspiring exhibits, including those exploring genetics and space exploration. The nearby Children's Discovery Museum is one of the largest museums of its kind in the nation, designed for families to explore the world we live in through 150 interactive exhibits. The Intel Museum offers a behindthe-scenes look at the valley's main industry, including what it's like in a silicon chip factory. At Moffett Field, visitors learn about NASA's extraordinary space missions at the Ames Research Center. Among the exhibits is a sample of the lunar surface retrieved by the crew of Apollo 15 and the Mercury Redstone capsule that was launched into space in 1960. Shopping is a prominent Silicon Valley activity at the large Westfield Valley Fair mall and Santana Row, a European-style district with chic boutiques and restaurants. Bargain hunters will not want to miss Great Mall in Milpitas and Gilroy's Premium Outlets. A big draw for families is California's Great America, a 100-acre theme park that includes a water park, free with admission fee. Excitement is building for the 2013 debut of Gold Striker, Northern California's tallest and fastest wooden coaster, planned to reach speeds of 53.7 miles an hour and a hair-raising drop of 50 degrees. Rising nearby is the new home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, the 68,500seat Santa Clara Stadium scheduled to open in 2014 that also will be the venue for college football, soccer, concerts and special events. It's in line to host the Super Bowl in 2016 or 2017, an event sure to shine the national spotlight once more on Silicon Valley. CA SANTA CLARA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AN ARCHITECT'S RENDERING of Santa Clara Stadium, above; Intel's headquarters in Santa Clara, below, houses the Intel Museum.