De Saisset Museum Museum
University art and history museum at Santa Clara
A university museum at Santa Clara exhibiting regional and historical art; draws students, local residents and school groups to rotating shows.
De Saisset Museum at a Glance#
Address: De Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, United States
Website: https://www.scu.edu/desaisset
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, closed Sundays and Mondays (verify with the university)
About De Saisset Museum#
De Saisset Museum is an art and history museum located on the campus of Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. It houses a permanent collection of regional and historical works alongside rotating exhibitions and educational programming.
Galleries that present a mixture of Californian and regional art, mission-era objects, Native American artifacts and changing temporary exhibitions. The museum supports teaching and scholarship while serving as a public cultural resource for the university and surrounding community.
Named for the De Saisset family, the museum was established by the university to conserve and display its collections and to provide a gallery and learning space for students and the public. It has developed a programme of temporary exhibitions, scholarly displays and community events.
Situated on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, the museum is close to the campus mission and within easy reach of downtown Santa Clara and the city’s transport links.
- Collection focus: Part of Santa Clara University, the museum presents rotating exhibitions alongside a permanent collection that includes regional art, mission-era objects and Native American material.
- University museum: Functions as a university teaching museum with programs for students, faculty and public audiences including temporary exhibitions and educational events.
How to Get to De Saisset Museum#
Located on Santa Clara University campus on El Camino Real in Santa Clara, California. Accessible by VTA light rail and buses; parking available on campus for visitors (verify weekend restrictions). Check the museum website for current hours and exhibit schedules.
Tips for Visiting De Saisset Museum#
- Check the university museum schedule for rotating contemporary exhibitions and campus events.
- Parking on campus can be limited - use public transit or campus shuttles when available.
- Spend time in the museum's study center if research materials are needed; staff can assist with university archives.
Best Time to Visit De Saisset Museum#
Best during the academic year for the full program of exhibitions and talks; weekdays are quieter.
Weather & Climate near De Saisset Museum#
De Saisset Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 5°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 5° - 16° | 11° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 7° - 18° | 12° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 8° - 19° | 13° | 67 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 33 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 11° - 25° | 18° | 5 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 2 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 29° | 21° | 1 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 29° | 21° | 2 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 13° - 28° | 21° | 5 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 11° - 25° | 18° | 24 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 20° | 14° | 62 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 5° - 16° | 11° | 58 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
