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San Jose is located at 37°20′10″N121°53′26″W37.33611°N 121.89056°W. San Jose is located within the Santa Clara Valley, in the southern part of the Bay Area in Northern California. The northernmost portion of San Jose touches San Francisco Bay at Alviso, though most of the city lies away from the bayshore.
- United States
- Santa Clara
- 82 ft (25 m)
- Saint Joseph
Discover the diverse and vibrant attractions and activities in San Jose, from tech tours to wineries, from museums to nightlife. Find out what's popular, recently featured and upcoming events in San Jose and the Bay Area.
Find city services, information, and resources for residents, visitors, and businesses in San José, California. Learn about COVID-19 updates, free Wi-Fi, library cards, building permits, and more.
Discover the best of San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley and the cultural and technological epicenter of Northern California. Explore 18 unique neighborhoods, enjoy 300 days of sunshine, and experience diverse restaurants, attractions, and activities.
- Top Things to Do in San Jose, California
- Best Free Things to Do in San Jose, California
- Local Things to Do in San Jose
- Best San Jose Museums
- Best Things to Do in San Jose with Kids
- Best Outdoor Things to Do in San Jose
- Best Seasonal Events in San Jose
- Best Things to Do Near San Jose, California
Walk Around Santana Row
As the best shopping and dining destination in the city, Santana Rowis one of the best places to visit in San Jose if you enjoy poking your head into interesting stores. This is the ritzy upscale part of town and even if you don’t have the cash to spend, it’s a fun place to simply walk around, window shop, people watch, and look at nice cars. Think of it as the equivalent of what Beverly Hills is to LA or Nob Hill is to San Francisco. In addition to the shopping, there are quite a few bars an...
Get Your Sugar Fix at Psycho Donuts
Although not as good as Bob’s Donuts in San Francisco, Psycho Donuts is a fun and tasty donut shop in San Jose, if only for their originality. They specialize in wacky and over-the-top unique donut flavors. When I was there last I tried their donut with peanut butter drizzle and cereal bits on top. They also have flavors such as the Canadian Morning Squeal with maple icing and bacon bits, and the Dead Elvis with bananas, bacon, peanut butter, jelly, and a cream filling. Their donuts are reall...
Grab a Bite to Eat at San Pedro Square Market
One of the best things to do in downtown San Jose, San Pedro Square Marketis the marketplace that just keeps on giving. There are so many eateries to choose from here that you’ll probably have trouble deciding what to try first. This is also a good place to sample craft beer at either Market Beer Co. or the Market Bar. Some vendors validate parking so ask for validation with purchases so you can enjoy free parking. If you’re after more of a caffeine buzz to start off a day in San Jose, B2 Cof...
Admire the Architecture at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Josephis one of the prettier fixtures in downtown San Jose. It was built for the Roman Catholic Diocese in San Jose, and it’s the oldest non-mission parish in the state of California, having been consecrated in 1877. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph one of the best things to see in San Jose if you appreciate architecture and lofty interiors. Cathedrals are such calm places and usually have a lot of thought and beauty put...
Smell the Flowers at the Municipal Rose Garden
Touted as “America’s Best Rose Garden,” the Municipal Rose Garden is a peaceful place to take a break from San Jose sightseeing, read a book, and smell the flowers. This historic rose garden was founded in 1927 and exclusively features roses – a total of 189 rose varieties to be exact. May and the springtime as a whole is the best time to visit the gardens for the most blooms. However, because there are so many different types of roses, there’s almost always at least some roses blooming at an...
Step Back in Time at History Park
If you’re looking to experience what life was like in the Santa Clara Valley in the early 1900s, head over to the San Jose Historic Park (located in Kelley Park). At the park, you’ll find 14 acres of historic (and rebuilt) buildings, landmarks, and old-fashioned ice cream parlors and trolleys. While walking around the park, don’t miss the Trolley Barn, the Associated Oil Service Station, the Print Shop, the Pacific Hotel, and the historic houses that give you a glimpse into life in California...
Catch a Flick at the West Wind Capitol Drive-In
Drive-ins have started making a comeback since 2020 andSan Jose has one of the best drive-in options in the Bay Area. The West Wind Capitol Drive-Inis actually a chain that has survived the test of time. The franchise can be found around the Western US, including four locations in California. West Wind Drive-In in San Jose tends to feature a mix of recently released movies and popular classics in a variety of genres. And as a bonus, it’s an inexpensive night out at only $8.25 for general admi...
Experience a Speakeasy at Haberdasher
There are various places to go in San Jose to experience the city’s nightlife, but one of the best bars in the city if you’re looking for a 1920s speakeasy theme is Haberdasher. As soon as you walk into the bar, you’ll find yourself stepping back in time to the 1920s with plush red sofas and bartenders in themed uniforms. And it’s not just the atmosphere that makes this bar such a special place, the cocktails are delicious and some of the best in the city. You can either order a drink from th...
Test Your Escape Skills at OMESCAPE San Jose
Escape rooms have popped up in most major cities around the world in recent years, but San Jose’s OMESCAPE is one of the best ones you’ll come across in California. In fact, it’s been voted the #1 escape room in the Bay Area. OMESCAPE is actually a Bay Area chain, with a total of three locations, including two others in Richmond and Sunnyvale. At their San Jose location, they offer five themed experiences that go further than your average escape room. From Kingdom of Cats to Sorcerer’s Sanctu...
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
San Jose has a few unique museums and one of the most interesting ones in the city is the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. If you’ve ever been interested in life in ancient Egypt, this is a good introduction to all things Egyptian. The museum is home to the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the Western US and includes exhibits that span from the predynastic period to the early Islamic era in Egypt. Exhibits go into depth about everything from Egyptian history to the beginnings of mummif...
San Jose Museum of Art
If you want to get cultured during a day in San Jose, the San Jose Museum of Artis the ideal place to go look at classic and modern artwork from local, regional, and international artists. The main draw to this museum is its large permanent collection of West Coast artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. This is San Jose’s main art museum, but it’s relatively small and manageable enough to walk through all of the exhibits within an hour or two.
San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
One of the few free museums in San Jose, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Artis where you’ll find unique local and regional artists on display in a minimalist space. This art museum is on the smaller side with only three galleries, but the variety of thought-provoking pieces means it’s well worth stopping in for 30 minutes to an hour. And all of their exhibits are constantly rotating so you’ll always find something new to appreciate with each visit.
Bring Your Kids to the Children’s Discovery Museum
If you’re wondering what to do in San Jose if you’re traveling with kids, the Children’s Discovery Museumis another highly ranked attraction in the city and one of the best things to do in downtown San Jose. It’s ranked as one of the top 10 children’s museums in the US and has various interactive science exhibits geared towards the younger ones.
Enjoy a Sunny Afternoon at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
A popular 16-acre zoo and amusement park, Happy Hollowis one of the best San Jose tourist attractions to visit if you’re traveling to the city with kids under the age of eight. Operating since 1961, the park features kids’ rides, puppet shows, animal exhibits, a petting zoo, and educational programs that put an emphasis on conservation and sustainability.
Have a Day on the Farm at Emma Prusch Farm Park
If you’re looking for a full day of animals and fun for the whole family, Emma Prusch Farm Parkis another great option for a San Jose activity with kids. This 47-acre park was once a working dairy farm in the San Jose area. Today, it offers a glimpse into San Jose’s agricultural past. At the park, you’ll find fruit orchards, community gardens, small animal areas, a plant science center, butterfly gardens, and plenty of open spaces for picnics. One of the best ways to experience the park is by...
Alum Rock Park
Alum Rock Parkis one of the best historic parks and outdoor places to visit near San Jose. It has roots that go back to 1777 when it was a pueblo. And it’s California’s oldest municipal park, having been established in 1872. Besides its layered history, Alum Rock Park is an ideal place to have a day in nature that’s not too far from the city. The park features 720 acres of hiking trails, picnic areas, bike paths, as well as a few scenic views. Don’t miss walking the South Rim Trail (4.3 miles...
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
An even better place to go for a hike near San Jose is Almaden Quicksilver County Park. The park covers over 4,000 acres and includes the historic remnants of 135 years of mining, including various former mercury mines. At the park, you’ll find over 35 miles of hiking trails, 30 miles of equestrian trails, and 16 miles of bike trails with scenery that varies from open meadows to oak woodland. If you’re looking to hike for a few hours, a good trail to start with is the Quicksilver Trail (5 mil...
Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve
If you’re more interested in wide-open spaces and valley views than long hikes, the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserveis a good spot to visit near San Jose. Located in the Eastern foothills of Santa Clara County, just above Alum Rock Park, Sierra Vista is 1,611 acres of panoramic views, peaceful walks, and grassland. It’s also home to various protected wildlife species and only a 25-minute drive from downtown San Jose. A good hike to start with that provides some of the best views in the park i...
SubZERO Festival (June)Santa Clara County Fair (July)Obon Festival (July)Viva Fest: Mexican Heritage & Mariachi Festival (July-Oct)Wine Tasting Around the Santa Cruz Mountains
One of the best things to do in the South Bay, and just outside of San Jose, is wine tasting. I don’t know why I never realized how many great wineries there are just outside the city, but there are a ton in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With the sometimes pretentiousness of Napa Valley, the Santa Cruz Mountains is the perfect alternative to trying some tasty local wines with the backdrop of rolling hills and forested vistas. When I did my own tour, I was impressed at how beautiful some of these...
Lick Observatory
About a one-hour drive east of San Jose, you’ll find the Lick Observatoryperched atop Mount Hamilton. The observatory was built in 1888 and is an active research facility owned and operated by the University of California. If you’re into astronomy or you just want a stunning view of the Santa Clara Valley, this is a great option for a day trip from San Jose. At the observatory, you can view exhibits, hear talks about the history of the observatory and James Lick, take a look at the Great Lick...
Explore Downtown Los Gatos
Ranked the 33rd wealthiest city in the US, Los Gatos is an upscale hideaway and one of the best day trips from San Jose. Not everyone can afford to live there, but it has a beautiful little downtown area that’s fun to visit for an afternoon if you’re looking for a different pace from San Jose. Incorporated as a town in 1887, it’s also one of Santa Clara County’s oldest communities. Spend the afternoon walking along N Santa Cruz Avenue, poking your head into the boutiques and local shops that...
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Discover San Jose, California's oldest Spanish civilian settlement and a hub of Silicon Valley's high-tech industry. Find the best attractions, neighborhoods, day trips, transportation and free things to do in this comprehensive guide.
May 25, 2021 · Discover the best attractions and activities in San Jose, the unofficial capital of Silicon Valley. From historic places to outdoor adventures, scientific innovation to cultural institutions, you'll find a variety of things to do in this diverse city. Explore the city's top restaurants, shops, museums and more.
