San Jose, California, is a relatively large city in the heart of Silicon Valley that is known for being the home of several of the top tech and financial companies in the world. It’s a remarkably wealthy city that has more millionaires per capita than most other US cities. As such, it has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
While San Jose might be an expensive place to live, it’s a wonderful place to visit. San Jose is famous for it’s museums, culinary and nightlife scenes, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences. Simply put, there is a little something there for everyone.
San Jose is really easy to visit while exploring California’s Bay Area. If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco or Monterey, you could easily take a day trip out to San Jose to see what it’s all about. Really, if you’re traveling through California at all, San Jose is worth going out of your way to explore. It’s a city that is sometimes overlooked in favor of California’s more popular cities and neighborhoods, but with centuries of history to uncover, several epic trails to tackle, and a wide range of museums covering virtually every topic to tour, San Jose is a city that isn’t lacking in much.
To avoid missing out on all of the best stops, join Viewcation as we take a look at some of the best things to do in San Jose, California.
Winchester Mystery House
Years ago, The Winchester Mystery House was owned by a woman named Sara Winchester, the widow of William Winchester of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. It’s been said that the firearms produced by this company are what really ‘won the west’.
After William Winchester passed away, Sara inherited his enormous fortune and proceeded to spend quite a bit of that cash on a new home. These days, the Winchester Mystery House provides visitors with one of the best things to do in the San Jose area, especially if you’re interested in the least bit in exploring it’s quirky rooms and hunting for the alleged ghosts that roam it’s halls.
From doors that lead nowhere to false staircases, exploring the Winchester Mystery House will immediately show you how it earned it’s name. Guided tours are available, and it’s certainly worth your time to stroll around this strange and unusual San Jose attraction.
While it’s unclear why Sara chose to have the home constructed in the peculiar manner that it was, it’s been speculated that it’s design was meant to confuse the ghouls and ghosts that supposedly reside there.
The Museum Of Innovation
One of our favorite things to do when in San Jose is visiting the Tech Museum of Innovation. This hands-on museum is perfect for guests of all ages. Numerous interactive exhibits focused on technology from the past, present, and distant future demonstrate how tech has and will continue to play a crucial role in our daily lives.
The museum was founded in 1990 as the Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. Initially, the museum’s mission was to inspire creativity and innovation. After a few years, however, the museum shifted it’s mission to provide educational opportunities to kids and adults about technology and science.
A few of the more popular exhibits on display include The Hackery – an exhibit that teaches visitors about computer programming. Then there’s The Workshop. This exhibit lets guests build and experiment with various kinds of tech.
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Japantown
This vibrant, bustling neighborhood is home to countless restaurants, shops, and other cultural attractions that have incredibly deep ties to San Jose’s history. Visitors to San Jose’s Japantown can learn all about Japanese-American history while enjoying the unique atmosphere of this delightful community.
Japantown to notable for being one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Jose. It’s historically been home to a very large population of Japanese-Americans, but in the 1960s, the neighborhood began to decline when many of it’s residents moved out of town. In recent years, though, Japantown has experienced a revitalization and is now home to quite a few noteworthy attractions.
Self Guided audio tours are available. We also recommend visiting the Japanese American Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the rich culture and history of the area’s Japanese-American residents. The Buddhist Temple of San Jose is also a lovely place to make a pit stop for visitors of all faiths. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held every spring, is one of the most popular yearly events.
Los Gatos Creek Trail
If you’re looking to take a hike, then the Lost Gatos Creek Trail will likely be right up you’re alley. You can access this trail on the edge of San Jose’s downtown area. The trail extends for ten miles and takes walkers south to Los Gatos itself. The endpoint of the trail is the Lexington Reservoir. Whether you’re planning on tackling the trail on foot or by bicycle, the Los Gatos Creek Trail is quite impressive and easy to traverse.
Santana Row
If you’re in search of a great place to go shopping, look no further than this excellent retail therapy epicenter. Santana Row is home to numerous shops, galleries, boutiques, cafes, and larger shopping outlets.
In the evening time, you can pay a visit to the Makers Market – an outdoor craft fair held in the area on select days. The Makers Market features everything from live music to a diverse lineup of stalls and vendors that sell sustainable goods, artwork, and crafts.
San Jose Improv
Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? If you’re looking to have your funny bone tickled, head on over to this venue to catch a fabulous comedy show. The venue has been open since 2002 and regularly hosts celebrity comedians as well as newcomers. San Jose Improv has been serving as a ladder for up-and-coming west coasts comedians to climb up for two decades now, and it frequently hosts some of the most in-demand talents in the industry.
Catching a comedy routine is one of the best ways to spend an evening. We highly recommend consulting the venues schedule to look for events that coincide with your visit to San Jose. The theater itself is luxuriously decorated and features comfortable seats. Pretty much every seat in the house is a good one.
The Institute of Contemporary Art
Calling all art lovers. If you’re trying to spend some time in Downtown San Jose, be sure to check out the Institute of Contemporary Art. This museum is the perfect spot to browse and admire modern works by some of the top names in the art world. The center is divided into three distinct gallery spaces. A few of the pieces are on permanent display, while the majority are on temporary loan. This means the San Jose institute always gives visitors and fresh and exciting experience.
While there are quite a few pieces on display from big-name artists, there is a sizable collection of works by local and lesser-known artists. Some of the works are more abstract than others and the institute has even exhibited things like video games and LED light displays. You never know what to expect when visiting the Institute and that’s precisely what makes it just a delight to stroll through.
Best of all, the Institute is free to enter. So, if you’re trying to figure out what to do when the weather isn’t conducive for outdoor fun, consider taking your family here to spend a few hours appreciating the vast array of art pieces on display.
San Jose Flea Market
Years ago, more than 120 acres of agricultural land were converted into what’s now known as the San Jose Flea Market, and if we’re being honest, it’s pretty amazing! Open from dusk til dawn, this flea market is the largest of it’s kind in the state of California. The sprawling facility is lined with hundreds of vendor stalls and bazaars to peruse through.
Besides shops slinging vintage collectibles, souvenirs, and clothing items, there are also a ton of dining spots and food stalls that will keep you satiated all afternoon. If you’re traveling with children, there’s even a small amusement park, and if you’re looking for fresh produce, there’s a massive farmers market offering shoppers all sorts of fresh produce items, cheeses, meats, and preserves.
Municipal Rose Garden
In the heart of San Jose, the Municipal Rose Garden serves as the ideal place to go for a nice leisurely stroll or take a picnic. The park is nearly a century old and has a long history in the city. The park is spread across five acres which are all very to explore. On top of that, there are more than 200 species of roses just waiting for you to discover.
If you’re visiting in the month of May, this is the time of year when the rose blossoms are in full bloom. If you work up an appetite, we recommend heading on over to the Park Station Hashery diner for brunch or dinner. This local family-owned diner is famous for its pancakes and sandwiches. Be sure to bring your appetite, as the portions are humongous!
That about wraps up our rundown of the best things to do in San Jose, California.
What are you most excited to see on your upcoming trip to San Jose? If you’ve already had the pleasure of visiting this Bay Area city before, what were some of your favorite attractions? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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