25 Issues to do in San Jose, California in 2022

Few locations are as stunning as California. The state has a few of the finest seashores, cities, and hikes in all the United States. Situated in Northern California only one hour south of San Francisco, San Jose is likely one of the finest cities on the west coast.

San Jose is a vacationer sizzling spot. There are a lot of issues to do in San Jose, from heritage sights to pure surroundings and climbing trails. It’s also identified for its cutting-edge tech motion and academic alternatives. It’s dwelling to San Jose State College, Santa Clara College, and even Silicon Valley, the house of the tech business. 

Prime issues to do in San Jose, California

Visiting San Jose is certainly a type of issues that it is best to take into account in case you are highway tripping by means of this a part of the US. The town is fast-paced and at all times maintaining with the newest traits and developments. Nevertheless, it additionally has a robust sense of historical past and heritage. Prepare as a result of these are the twenty-five finest issues to do in San Jose, California.

You’ll discover enjoyable actions throughout this cool metropolis. No matter you select, we have now little doubt that you should have a good time. However make sure that to take a look at our options of issues to do in San Jose to get you began.

A good way to get round California is by automobile. This makes doing day journeys to locations like Monterey, Silicon Valley, and wineries a lot simpler to discover. Verify automobile rental costs for San Jose right here.

1. Store on Santana Row

San Jose’s Silicon Valley is fairly darn well-known. It’s identified for the biggest assortment of tech corporations and is at all times concerned within the newest and best tasks. However, if you wish to choose up a brand new gadget as a memento, buying on Santana Row is likely one of the finest issues to do in San Jose.

Santana Row is the place you may choose the fruits of Silicon Valley labor. It’s a business district, booming with life and flooded with eating places, retailers, and plazas. Purchasing lovers and tech lovers alike will take pleasure in strolling the streets.

There is sufficient to see (and purchase) on Santana Row to maintain you occupied for at the very least half a day. Nevertheless, in the event you embrace a visit to the Santana Row cinema, permit a full day to understand the district.

2. San Jose Improv

Fancy amusing? San Jose Improv has been a dependable venue for a giggle because it opened in 2002. The venue hosts superstar comedians and newcomers, appearing as a ladder for up-and-coming west coast artists and a venue for in-demand performers.

The NYC-born chain opened within the 60s and branched out to San Jose on the flip of the century. Catching a comedy present is a enjoyable option to spend a night. We suggest checking the schedule for occasions that coincide together with your go to to San Jose.

The San Jose Improv theater is lavishly embellished, with snug seats and each seat in the home affords good views of the stage. Don’t fear an excessive amount of about last-minute tickets having insufficient seating – in any case, sitting additional again simply means you might be much less prone to get referred to as upon whenever you don’t need to be.

3. Institute of Up to date Artwork

If you’re an artwork lover then it would be best to spend a while in Downtown San Jose at one of many many artwork galleries. The Institute of Up to date Artwork is the proper spot for looking and admiring and is cut up into three completely different gallery areas. Some items are everlasting, however most are short-term, that means the San Jose Institute is at all times recent and thrilling.

The Institute has a large proportion of native and lesser-known artists. We’d suggest a go to to anybody who desires a thought-provoking and recent outlook on artwork, San Jose, and society. Some items are extra summary than others; the Institute has even offered video video games and LED lights exhibitions.

Simply to fully seal the deal, the Institute of Up to date Artwork can be free to enter. Attention-grabbing, budget-friendly, and appropriate to take pleasure in in all climate, the Institute is certainly an attraction on your itinerary.

4. California Theatre

The California Theatre is one other venue on your night itineraries. The Nineteen Twenties-built image home is gorgeous and hosts performs, concert events, and dwell occasions. It has that elegant and intimate really feel, with seats curved round a stage you are feeling that you would nearly contact in the event you tried.

For a traditional theatre expertise, an evening at this venue ticks all of the containers. You may test the upcoming schedule to see what occasions align together with your go to dates. The theatre has hosted the West Aspect Story play, Die Fledermaus opera, and even lectures by physicists and different business specialists.

There are occasions most nights, so there’s a excessive chance that one can find one thing of curiosity. For an additional deal with, you should buy foods and drinks on the venue earlier than or after the present.

5. Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Generally you need to escape to nature with out having to ‘escape’ too far. Almaden Quicksilver County Park in San Jose’s finest reply to this conundrum.

The Mockingbird Hill Entrance to the nation park is only a twenty-minute drive south of San Jose Metropolis Middle. You may be transported from San Jose’s streets to a ravishing, hilly panorama in lower than half an hour. Almaden Quicksilver County Park is nice for climbing to scenic viewpoints and has a number of mining historical past. You may incorporate visiting outdated mining infrastructure into your walks. The park is finest for individuals who need hills and historical past.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park has practically forty miles of climbing trails and thirty miles of bridleways. You may discover the nation park on foot or manage a path trip with native stables. Both approach, the park is well a full-day exercise. It is best to permit at the very least a morning to understand the flora and stress-free, pure surroundings.

6. Lexington Reservoir County Park

Talking of areas of pure magnificence, Lexington Reservoir County Park is one other wonderful place to go to simply outdoors the San Jose heart.

The 950-acre park will get its namesake from the huge synthetic lake in its heart. Whereas swimming is prohibited, you may take pleasure in a stroll across the reservoir – stopping at picnic areas and fishing spots. The reservoir itself is 338 acres and absolutely stocked with trout and black bass, amongst different fish.

This county park is a superb place to spend a day by the water. Fishing lovers and households will significantly respect the lake entry. It’s also effectively mixed with a go to to Testarossa Vineyard, positioned simply ten minutes up the highway.

7. Tech Interactive

You may’t go to the house of Silicon Valley with out visiting the Tech Interactive Museum. Tech is an integral a part of San Jose’s historical past and future, so the place higher to be taught extra about this contemporary world we dwell in.

Tech Interactive is about within the midst of all of the Downtown San Jose motion. The museum has all the things from experimental labs to design problem experiences – deliberate to make you assume and uncover for your self, slightly than feeding secondhand info by means of boring exhibitions.

Tech Interactive is family-friendly however in no way excludes adults with out youngsters. Visitors of all ages will benefit from the museum, so mark it down as a robust choice when visiting San Jose.

8. Cathedral Basilica of St Joseph

The Cathedral Basilica of St Joseph is undoubtedly one of many prettiest buildings in San Jose. The Catholic cathedral is stuffed with all that attribute extravagance, lined from flooring to ceiling in gorgeous architectural options and non secular significance.

The Odell Organ is especially spectacular and was in-built 1886 – not that you simply’d guess that from its excellently maintained situation. The ceiling is gold-plated and options elaborate domes and ornament. Between the stained glass home windows, non secular statues, and calming ambiance, the cathedral is sufficient to impress you no matter your non secular beliefs.

A tour is the easiest way to expertise the fantastic thing about the Cathedral Basilica of St Joseph. Excursions run on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 1 pm and three pm.

9. Guadalupe River Park

Guadalupe River Park is barely completely different from the parks we’ve lined. Guadalupe is an inner-city park positioned smack bang in the midst of Downtown San Jose. Behind the treetops, you may nonetheless see town’s skyscrapers, and the park has a pure solace in a metropolis really feel, slightly than feeling fully minimize off from civilization.

Guadalupe has 2.6 miles of climbing and biking trails, which is ideal for these wanting a stretch of their legs. It’s common to see morning joggers or professionals taking lunch breaks within the park. However, as a vacationer, it’s good to hitch them.

This park is a superb place to expertise the city group and respect interior metropolis greenspace. Because of its downtown location, it’s simply added to even essentially the most packed itineraries.

10. Comfortable Hole Park and Zoo

Comfortable Hole Park and Zoo wears many belts. The park is an amusement park, petting zoo, and unique zoo multi functional.

Comfortable Hole Park is positioned in Kelley Park, a 250-acre inexperienced area close to town heart. Whereas the zoo is comparatively small, it homes over 150 animals – a lot of whom are rescued or endangered members of a conservation breeding program.

Guests can become involved with dealing with animals, come face-to-face with unique animals, or let unfastened on the amusement park rides. You can even attend particular workshops, with academic and sensible alternatives to deepen your data of the animal kingdom.

11. Plaza de Cesar Chavez

Did we point out how superb Downtown San Jose is? Simply to reiterate, Downtown San Jose is likely one of the finest locations to discover within the metropolis. And, if you’d like a particular spot to understand this space of San Jose, Plaza de Cesar Chavez is our prime advice.

Plaza de Cesar Chavez is likely one of the hottest outside areas within the metropolis. Within the heart is a statue of the Mayan god Quetzalcoatl and an space of water jets that spurt up from floor stage in a reasonably show.

Plaza de Cesar Chavez is a must-visit in the event you go to San Jose in summer season or close to Christmas. In summer season, the water fountains and greenspace make the park a stunning, cool area to loosen up outdoor. Close to Christmas, the entire space is decked out with festive pop-up buildings and actions. Be careful for the ice skating rink, a spotlight attraction of the 12 months.

12. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is unbelievable; there isn’t a denying that. The museum is devoted to historic Egypt, displaying the biggest assortment on historic Egyptian artifacts in Western North America. It consists of exhibitions on burial processes and different notable traditions.

A few of the most precious artifacts are mummies, together with a mummy from Usermontu’s coffin. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum isn’t one for the squeamish or dying averse, because it dives straight into all of the gory, sensible particulars about burials.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is an interesting exercise in the event you like historic historical past. Nevertheless, it is an interesting sufficient museum to maintain the common customer as effectively. Even Rosicrucian Park, the place the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is about, is embellished in Egyptian fashion, with Egyptian buildings and palm timber to set the scene.

13. San Jose Museum of Artwork

Are up to date paintings shows not your factor? Or do you simply choose a bigger venue than that of San Jose’s Institute? The San Jose Museum of Artwork is a perfect place to indulge additional in your love of artwork.

The San Jose Museum of Artwork has all the things, from up to date to trendy artwork. It has over 2,500 items in its everlasting assortment and extra short-term exhibitions which might be continually shifting and altering. It’s well-worth permitting at the very least a couple of hours to see all of it, plus longer if you wish to take it in as an fanatic or skilled.

The San Jose Museum of Artwork is a superb wet day exercise or only a place to broaden your inventive consciousness and data. It has one of many largest collections of artwork within the metropolis, and it’s one in all our prime suggestions on issues to do in San Jose.

14. Japanese Friendship Backyard

The Japanese Friendship Backyard is a small, walled, six-acre backyard in Kelley Park. Should you haven’t visited a conventional Japanese backyard earlier than, you actually ought to. The Japanese Friendship Backyard in Kelley Park is an ideal instance, with streams, bridges, and ponds interconnected in a meticulous backyard.

The backyard is designed to represent peace and friendship, and it has a particular ambiance of serenity. The little bridges are good to stroll in firm or alone, deep in thought. The Japanese Friendship Backyard is a superb choice if you’d like a calming factor to do in San Jose.

San Jose’s Japanese Friendship Backyard is so stunning that it’s typically used for outside wedding ceremony ceremonies. Take a stroll by means of and respect it your self – you solely want a spare hour.

15. A day journey to the Santa Cruz Mountains

A day within the mountains is tough to withstand. The Santa Cruz Mountains cut up Santa Clara Valley from San Francisco Bay and are solely an hour’s drive from San Jose Middle.

The mountain vary is coastal, and lots of of its climbing trails have ocean views overlooking San Francisco Bay. The Santa Cruz Mountains are additionally well-known for his or her redwood timber – the tallest tree species on the planet. Whereas Santa Cruz doesn’t have any redwoods of record-breaking top, they’re nonetheless imposing.

You possibly can hike the tallest mountain, Loma Prieta. You possibly can go mountain biking by means of steep forest trails. Or, you would loosen up and spend a day wine tasting in one of many area’s many wineries – simply ensure you’ve acquired a secure trip again to town.

This South Bay Wineries Tour takes you on a VIP journey to 4 wineries from San Francisco together with within the foothills of the San Cruz Mountains together with Cupertino and Saratoga. Study wine making course of and pattern the most effective wines within the San Francisco Bay space. It features a picnic lunch. Particulars right here.

16. Japanese American Museum

The Japanese Friendship Gardens are fairly. However the Japanese American Museum is a superb place to be taught extra about Japanese American tradition and historical past.

The museum follows the story of Japanese immigration – from the preferred early roles taken in American society to the influence of World Struggle Two on the group. The Japanese American Museum tackles heavy matters like discrimination whereas questioning the essence of the American identification.

Add this museum to your itinerary for a thought-provoking and insightful factor to do in San Jose.

17. Alum Rock Park

Alum Rock Park is an oldie however goldie. The general public park is the oldest municipal park in California and a preferred afternoon journey from San Jose.

The park sits on the foothills of the Diablo Mountains and is roughly 720 acres in dimension. There are climbing, biking, horseback using trails, and mineral springs to wash in. The park is lengthy established as a pure well being spa getaway and a fantastic spot to go wild swimming.

Briefly, this park is implausible. You may spot wildlife like red-tailed hawks and inexperienced herons. You may get energetic on foot or on a motorcycle. Or you may simply loosen up and funky off in pure mineral water – which is at all times refreshing in Californian summers.

18. Yosemite Nationwide Park

A vacation in San Jose doesn’t imply limiting your self to spending the entire time within the San Jose space. The town is ideally positioned to discover California’s nationwide parks – so why not spend the day additional afield? You may simply hire a automobile in San Jose or buy a guided tour like this on GetYourGuide.

Tunnel View, Olmsted Level, Washburn Level, and Vernal Falls are viewpoints it is best to prioritize on a flying go to to the nationwide park. Should you spend quite a lot of hours in Yosemite, you would additionally sort out one of many shorter trails like Prepare dinner Meadow’s Loop, Sentinel Dome, or Mirror Lake.

Yosemite Nationwide Park is likely one of the most well-known parks in the US, by no means thoughts simply California. The park is a four-hour drive away, so that you’ll have to set off early within the morning and will choose to have a number of drivers to make driving the gap in sooner or later possible. Alternatively, simply keep in Yosemite in a single day and add on the journey as a detour from San Jose.

You may ebook day excursions from San Jose to Yosemite Nationwide Park. This extremely rated tour

19. SAP Middle

The SAP Middle is a large area within the heart of San Jose. The world incessantly hosts worldwide artists and is thought for its larger-than-life occasions. It has a capability of over 17,000 individuals and, on a great day, you may guess that it fills it. When visiting it is best to positively preserve a watch out for San Jose Shark video games on the SAP Middle.

The San Jose Sharks are town’s ice hockey group, and the SAP Middle is their revered dwelling floor. The SAP heart even has the nickname ‘the shark tank’. You’ll be rewarded with an electrical ambiance and an excellent area expertise in the event you can catch a house recreation. The thrill is infectious even in the event you haven’t watched ice hockey earlier than.

You may test the schedule on the San Jose Shark’s and SAP Middle’s web sites. It’s finest to ebook tickets prematurely to keep away from disappointment, as loyal followers shortly snatch up out there tickets.

20. Vasona Lake County Park

Vasona Lake Nation Park is the cherry on the highest of San Jose’s nation parks. The park is positioned within the residential space of Los Gatos. It spans a scenic 45 acres of trails, picnic areas, and inexperienced area.

Within the heart of the park, very similar to Lexington Park, there’s a massive reservoir that’s appropriate and stocked for fishing. The reservoir is recognizable by many distinctive options, together with Goose Island (a tiny pure island on the lake) and the Vasona Lake Dam. Strolling the lake perimeter is a ravishing option to respect the park and the nice outdoor.

Whereas Vasona Lake Nation Park is way smaller than Lexington Nation Park, it’s the only option if you’d like a brief lakeside expertise. A go to to Vasona simply matches into half a day, and you would see the most effective elements in simply a few hours. If you’re quick on time, it’s a implausible choice to take pleasure in suburban nature.

21. Winchester Thriller Home

Visiting Winchester Thriller Home is likely one of the most weird and creepy issues in San Jose. And if that isn’t sufficient to tempt you in for a go to, take heed to this. E-book this Winchester Thriller Tour

Winchester Mansion belonged to Sarah Winchester, a rich heiress of the Winchester Repeating Arms. Along with her fortune, Sarah commissioned the development of Winchester Mansion. Nevertheless, the method was affected by supernatural incidents. It quickly grew to become obvious that Winchester rifle victims had been haunting the home.

The development course of took a grand complete of 38 years. Even for a 160-room mansion, you’d be proper to assume that this timescale was on the excessively lengthy aspect. Your go to will make it extra comprehensible although, as Sarah commissioned many weird options to discourage the hauntings. The mansion is sort of a real-life maze – with color-coded rooms and misleading routes like staircases main nowhere.

We suggest reserving a tour as, whereas a bit costly, you’ll get essentially the most informative expertise this fashion. Winchester Thriller Home is partly a San Jose heritage attraction and considerably a supernatural expertise. Both approach, although, it is likely one of the finest issues to do within the metropolis.

22. San Jose Flea Market

San Jose Flea Market is as a lot a cultural spot as it’s a market. Sure, you’ll discover all of the stalls with a various vary of products to purchase. However you’ll additionally discover free dance classes, trivia occasions, and a beer backyard.

The town’s flea market has been in full swing because it opened its doorways within the Nineteen Sixties. You’ll discover over 800 sellers attending each weekend. Nevertheless, there are additionally designated weekday market days, so don’t fret in case you are visiting San Jose in the course of the week.

San Jose Flea Market has all the things – even dwell music. The market has a stage that native performers can select to carry out to customers on, and, as a rule, this stage attracts a bit gathering. Visiting the market is a enjoyable factor to do in San Jose, whether or not you need to store or simply benefit from the ambiance.

23. San Pedro Sq. Market

San Pedro Sq. market has a barely completely different vibe. This market makes a speciality of meals and appears like an off-the-cuff meals courtroom.

You possibly can be sampling a banh mi from On A Roll, a craft beer from Market Beer Co., or tucking into hand-rolled sushi at Hyland Home of Sushi. San Pedro Sq. Market has the most effective multi-cultural delicacies in all of San Jose, which is saying one thing, as San Jose has quite a lot of scrumptious meals.

We suggest visiting San Pedro Marketplace for lunch. A number of the meals is sort of snack-like slightly than sit-down meal dishes. Plus, you may at all times come again for dinner in the event you can’t determine between two choices.

24. Los Gatos Creek Path

Do you like a health problem? It is best to take into account strolling Los Gatos Creek Path. The 11.2-mile path begins in Downtown San Jose and ends simply previous Lexington Reservoir. You’ll go Los Gatos County Park and Vasona Lake County Park – combining visiting a number of parks in sooner or later.

After climbing in distant, pure areas, it’s good to combine issues up and take a suburban stroll. The trailhead can be remarkably simple to entry, which is useful in case you are quick on time or not hiring a automobile in San Jose.

As you might have guessed, Los Gatos Creek Path follows Los Gatos Creek, a small river operating south of San Jose. The path itself is tarmacked and bike-friendly, so you may at all times cycle it if you wish to full the route faster. In any other case, permit as much as 5 hours to finish Los Gatos Creek Path on foot.

25. Kids’s Discovery Museum

If you’re touring with younger companions, the Kids’s Discovery Museum is a implausible, age-appropriate factor to do in San Jose.

The Kids’s Discovery Museum goals to offer simply that, with Montessori-style studying alternatives and specialised academic areas. The museum is designed so mother and father can take the backseat and let their youngsters direct the household across the exhibitions. There are interactive theater performances, a water play zone, and a mammoth discovery exhibit.

Find out how to Get to San Jose

The best option to get to San Jose is to fly. San Jose Airport is simply 3 miles from Downtown San Jose, so it’s fast and handy to switch from the airport to town heart.

After all, in case you are highway tripping the west coast or one other in style American highway journey route, it’s possible you’ll want to drive to San Jose. Driving to San Jose is an efficient choice if you wish to cease at locations en route, as town is surrounded by sights and pure surroundings. Guarantee that your lodging affords parking; in any other case, parking may be problematic within the metropolis.

Getting Round

San Jose is extraordinarily well-connected by the VTA Mild Rail and Bus system. Whereas there isn’t a subway system, you don’t discover it and most positively aren’t inconvenienced with out one. The sunshine rail or bus is the most suitable choice for a low-cost option to get round San Jose.

Should you keep centrally, you’ll have the ability to discover many in style sights on foot. In Downtown San Jose, there are vacationer sights virtually in your lodge’s doorstep.

Driving is sweet for day journeys and reaching sights on town outskirts. Keep away from driving within the metropolis heart although, as visitors is terrible and generally strolling may be faster than driving.

Finest Time to Go to

Briefly, spring or fall are the most effective occasions to go to San Jose. Summer time is heat however far too busy, and in winter, you miss out on having fun with the outside actions. Spring and fall are the most effective of each worlds – not too busy however nonetheless well-suited to being outdoor.

To slim it down additional, Might and October are the shoulder seasons and most cost-effective months to go to San Jose. Total, Might is a bit hotter, so we suggest visiting then in the event you can.

To Conclude

San Jose is stuffed with unbelievable issues to do and see. The town is likely one of the finest locations in Northern California. It is a superb various to the well-trodden streets of San Francisco.

You’ll be overwhelmed with leisure choices from the second you permit San Jose Airport – which, we predict, is essentially the most thrilling place to be in.