10 Best Things to Do in San Jose
What is San Jose Famous For?
There are so many things to do in San Jose to appeal to the tech-minded culture that has developed in the city. Technology companies like IBM, Apple, and Google set up their headquarters in the area, earning the San Jose area its current ‘Silicon Valley’ moniker. From historical landmarks to beautiful outdoor areas, there’s plenty to discover in and around this northern California city.
The origins of modern-day San Jose can be traced to the west coast Gold Rush. Over time, the area developed from farmland to sprawling residential development. It’s because of this rich history that there are so many unique things to do in modern-day San Jose.
What are the best things to do in San Jose?
1. Winchester Mystery House
One of the most haunted places in the world
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling 7-story mansion with a fascinating history. It was originally owned by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester gun fortune. She supposedly received a message from her deceased husband instructing her to build a place where the dead could find peace.
Because there was a lack of planning and blueprints, the house is full of twists and turns and bizarre features. Some of the hallways, stairways, and even doors lead only to a dead end. There are even windows between rooms when new wings were simply added to exterior walls. The overall atmosphere is very eerie, and many guests and employees have reported strange events in the house.
Location: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, United States
Open: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 408 247 2000
Winchester Mystery House
2. San Jose Flea Market
It’s more than just a market
Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers, Food, Budget
The San Jose Flea Market is not just a place to find vintage treasures, it’s also a great place to spend a full, family day out. It’s the largest open-air market in California and currently takes up more than 120 acres of former farmland.
Within the flea market, you’ll find multiple restaurants along with food stalls selling snacks to the hungry shoppers. There’s an old-fashioned carousel, a Ferris wheel, an arcade, and a play area with bouncy castles for kids. One major draw here is the huge farmer’s market with its organic produce stands that line the street for over a quarter of a mile.
Location: 1590 Berryessa Rd, San Jose, CA 95133, United States
Open: Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from 6 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 408 453 1110
San Jose Flea Market
3. The Tech Interactive
The world of Silicon Valley innovators
Good for: Families, History, Unusual
Formerly known as The Tech Museum of Innovation, The Tech Interactive is a science and technology museum located in downtown San Jose. It’s a cool place for visitors to get hands-on experience with modern technology. The Tech Interactive reflects the buzzing atmosphere of innovation created by the local tech companies in Silicon Valley.
Some of the main highlights in the museum are exhibits on energy, exploration, and genetics. Visitors also have the opportunity to design social robots at an interactive exhibit. The museum also hosts Body Worlds Decoded, an augmented reality experience with the notorious Body Worlds plasticized anatomical figures.
Location: 201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Open: Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, Closed Monday
Phone: +1 408 294 8324
The Tech Interactive
4. Half Moon Bay
Northern California coast at its finest
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
If you’re interested in getting out into nature, head to Half Moon Bay, a beautiful stretch of California coastline. The area is full of hiking trails, small towns, and sweeping ocean views. In northern California, you can find redwood and pine forests that stretch right down to the coast.
The top hikes in Half Moon Bay are the Purisima Creek Trail and the Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail. The Purisima Creek Trail winds through ancient redwoods and overlooks Half Moon Bay from above. The redwood trees in this area can reach heights of up to 360 feet and some are estimated to be over 2,200 years old. The Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail is great if you’re craving beach time.
Location: 2 Venice Blvd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
Half Moon Bay
5. Santana Row
The picturesque city within a city
Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers, Food, Nightlife
Santana Row is a mixed retail and residential complex that seems like a city within a city. Within the one-mile radius of the complex, there’s a population of 24,196 people. Santana Row is a great place to spend the day shopping, dining, or just hanging out. The area features tree-lined streets, world-class restaurants, luxury brand shopping, as well as small boutiques.
The complex hosts many special events throughout the month such as open-air yoga and parent-toddler activities. One of their most popular events is the monthly Makers’ Market. This unique event is an outdoor craft fair focusing on locally-made sustainable goods complete with live music, food, and drink.
Location: 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128, United States
Open: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 408 551 4611
Santana Row
6. California’s Great America
Adrenaline-fueled fun for the whole family
Good for: Adventure, Families
California’s Great America is a large amusement park, full of high-speed roller coasters and other family-friendly activities. Great America is one of the best things to do in San Jose if you’re looking for an adrenaline fix or even just to spend a fun day out with the family.
Visitors can experience over 40 rides in the park in themed sections like Planet Snoopy, Celebration Plaza, and the Action Zone. During October, the park transforms itself for the Halloween Haunt season. Park visitors can wander through haunted mazes and scare zones, and dodge more than 500 “monsters” lurking throughout the park.
Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, United States
Open: Varies by season
Phone: +1 408 988 1776
California’s Great America
7. Japanese Friendship Garden
An oasis in the middle of downtown San Jose
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget, Group
For a peaceful afternoon, head to the Japanese Friendship Garden, a walled area within Kelley Park in San Jose. The garden was built in the 1960s to commemorate the friendship between San Jose and its Japanese sister city, Okayama. In fact, the entire area is modeled after the Korakuen Garden in Okayama, and the original koi ponds were stocked with fish that were shipped from Japan.
Locals love it because it is a quiet escape from the bustle of the city. Spend the afternoon exploring the Japanese garden features like the tea houses, koi ponds, and bridges spanning the water features.
Location: 1300 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95112, United States
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 408 794 7275
Japanese Friendship Garden
8. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
A world-famous collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts
Good for: Families, History, Photo
If you want to see the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the Western United States, head to The Egyptian Museum in San Jose. The museum was founded by the order of the Rosicrucians, a group which continues to support it to this day. The founder of the order, Harvey Spencer Lewis, was an avid Egyptian artifact collector and funded several excavation digs around Egypt.
Lewis eventually opened the museum to display his collection to the public, and the museum has continued to expand over the years. One of the most popular activities at the museum is their scavenger hunt. A series of riddles will take visitors on an educational journey through the exhibits. There’s even a Junior Archaeologist program.
Location: 1660 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95191, United States
Open: Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm, Closed Monday to Thursday
Phone: +1 408 947 3635
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
9. History Park
An immersive Old West experience
Good for: Budget, Families, History, Photo
History Park in San Jose is an indoor and outdoor museum that educates visitors about Santa Clara county’s history. The park has a collection of over 30 old-west buildings which serve to represent a Californian town in the early 1900s.
The mini city is complete with a working trolley and old-fashioned shops that are modeled after real businesses from the turn of the century. For example, O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor is a recreation of an ice cream shop founded in 1878, which was the first place to sell ice cream and soda west of Detroit. History Park is open to visitors and is a popular setting for photo shoots, having served as a set for many Old West movies.
Location: 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112, United States
Open: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm
Phone: +1 408 287 2290
History Park
10. San Jose Sharks
The local sports culture
Good for: Couples, Families
The San Jose Sharks are the local hockey team and watching a game is a great way to spend an afternoon. The stadium is called the SAP Center but is known locally as the Shark Tank. Before each game, the stadium lights dim and a huge shark head is lowered from the ceiling. The shark mouth starts to fog and the eyes glow red, until the team emerges from the mouth, skating onto the ice to Metallica music.
The shark-themed antics don’t stop there. For example, any time the players enter a power play, the Jaws theme song blasts and fans start the famous Sharks chomp with their arms. The passion is contagious, and the atmosphere is well worth experiencing.
Location: 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Phone: +1 408 287 7070
San Jose Sharks
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