17 Things to do in San Jose
Discover the diverse attractions of San Jose, California, from the quirky Winchester Mystery House and the vibrant Santana Row to the educational Intel Museum and serene Japanese Friendship Garden. This collection offers a fantastic mix of history, innovation, culture, and natural beauty for every traveler.
Winchester Mystery House
A peculiar mansion with confusing designs, secret passageways, and doors that lead to nowhere, built by Sarah Winchester, who believed she was cursed by ghosts.
Children's Discovery Museum
An interactive museum with exhibits that encourage children to learn through play, featuring cars kids can climb into, a water play area, and an outdoor space.
Municipal Rose Garden
A beautiful garden with over 4,000 rose bushes of various types, popular for weddings, picnics, and strolls.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
A historic basilica in Downtown San Jose, the first non-mission church built in California, featuring stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and ornate architecture.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
A museum dedicated to ancient Egypt, featuring an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts, reconstructions of famous works, and a full tomb to explore.
Santana Row
A trendy outdoor shopping and dining district with high-end shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, with a walkable main street and market lights.
The Tech Interactive
A museum that showcases the history of technology through interactive exhibits and displays designed to educate and inspire visitors.
Monopoly in the Park
A life-size version of the classic board game Monopoly in downtown San Jose, which is 930 ft and playable if you book a time.
Sonic Runway
An interactive art installation outside of City Hall with lights and sounds that respond to music, featuring 25 arches and spanning 432 ft.
Japantown
A historic neighborhood in San Jose with traditional Japanese architecture, restaurants, and shops, where Anthony Bourdain visited Manato for No Reservations.
Lick Observatory
A historic observatory located on the summit of Mount Hamilton, featuring several telescopes and open to the public for tours and stargazing.
Mount Hamilton
The summit where Lick Observatory is located.
Los Gatos Creek Trail
A 9.5-mile scenic trail that runs through San Jose and Los Gatos, popular for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, offering views of the surrounding area.
Los Gatos Creek County Park
One of the best areas to explore the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
Mount Umunhum
A prominent mountain peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains, known for the large rectangular building visible from Silicon Valley, accessible by a 45-minute drive from downtown San Jose.
San Jose Flea Market
One of the largest open-air flea markets in the country, with over 800 vendors each week, a farmers market, places to eat, and amusement park rides.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
A family-friendly zoo and mini amusement park with rides, animal exhibits, and play areas, best suited for those with younger children.
History Park
Features buildings and exhibits that depict life in Santa Clara Valley during the late 1800s, with museums, houses, and a historic trolley.
Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese gardens are located near Happy Hollow zoo and History Park in Kelly Park.
Kelly Park
Home to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and History Park.
Intel Museum
Located at Intel's headquarters in Santa Clara, showcasing the history of the company and its semiconductor chips, with interactive exhibits and a souvenir shop.