Location: San Jose
Top Things to do in San Jose
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in San Jose That You Shouldn't Miss
Welcome to bustling San Jose, where Silicon Valley meets Spanish history and modern edifices sit alongside meticulously restored 19th-century buildings. Such is the contrast of this city rich in tradition and, thanks to the tech industry, just plain rich. Five star-hotels and fine restaurants line the streets of the restored downtown area, and the cultural scene is thriving with museums, theater and art to rival any world-class hub. Don't miss the Tech Museum of Innovation, an exploration of Silicon Valley and its impact on the area. History buffs will relish the old mansions and can delve into the city's past at the History Museum of San Jose. Save time for a round of golf or the locals' other favorite pastime, sipping coffee and people-watching at a crowded cafe.
Restaurants in San Jose
1. Japanese American Resource Center/Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
The Japanese American Museum of San Jose's (JAMsj)mission is to collect, preserve, and share Japanese American art, history, and culture with an emphasis on the Greater Bay Area.
2. Children's Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 453 reviews
Since opening in 1990, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose has become one of largest and most respected museums of its kind in the nation. With interactive exhibits and programs encompassing science, humanities, performing arts, and health and physical fitness, the award-winning Museum offers new exhibits each year that respond to children's diverse educational needs. With the broad themes of community, connections and creativity, hands-on exhibits invite self-directed, open-ended explorations.
Reviewed By B4Travel2 - San Jose, United States
If you live in the area, this is a great place to bring young kids or toddlers! It would not be a place that you travel to see, but if staying within an hour's distance, and have an active toddler that you want to run off some steam, and give them a creative outlet, or any kids, probably best for 8 years or younger, this is a wonderful place to give them new things to explore. We met up with some family here (mainly adults & 1 two-year-old), and it was a nice way to catch up, while giving the toddler plenty of things to experiment with. There is a Mammoth exhibit, showing where they were in the San Jose area, that is interesting for all ages, a book nook, some crafty projects, a bubble room, where you can make very large bubbles, many little exhibits that show how gravity works, or various interactive displays, an ambulance & fire truck that kids can climb through, etc. There are 2 stories to the building, and many different rooms with various things to do, so you can easily spend several hours here. It is $15/person, so if a local, it is probably worth getting an annual pass, to be able to come back and get best value. Also a great place to go, if it's a rainy day, and your kids are restless.
3. Los Gatos Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Paved trail great for running: cuts through parks, ponds, and downtown Los Gatos.
Reviewed By GlobalViajer0 - Sacramento, United States
Pleasant walk with much foot traffic, feels safe with sporadic shade. Loop around the reserve is about 1.5 miles. Bring water if you plan to stick around for a bit, parking nearby.
4. Coyote Creek Parkway Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Running trail stretching from Kelley Park to Morgan Hill.
Reviewed By Stefani1220 - San Jose, United States
Great place for walking, jogging, bikes, strollers.... When there is water in the creek it adds a great ambience. Wild flowers in the spring!! It's wonderful. Park on the street outside the park - there is no fee for parking.
5. Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Park featuring 29 miles of well marked woodland trails.
Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States
The Almaden Quicksilver area has quite a few trails of various lengths and difficulty levels. I recommend you search on All Trails for a hike with the difficulty level and length that interests you. Note that if you go on a longer hike, don’t rely entirely on All Trails, as you will likely loose connection. Write down the various trails, as there are many intersecting trails – most of which are well marked. There are parking lots and facilities near most of the entrances, although one is in a neighborhood and you just park on the street. I recommend you hike to English Camp and the surrounding area to see the few remains of an old mining town. Be sure to look around as you hike as there are other old buildings and mining equipment, etc. We really enjoy hiking in this area.
6. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 914 reviews
Architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak, it houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America, including objects from pre dynastic times through Egypt's early Islamic era.
Reviewed By 12jerald
Came into the museum with the intention of killing time. The museum offered many detailed explanations about the history of Egypt, along with various cool and interesting artifacts and depictions.
7. New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Trace the history of local quicksilver mining at this interesting specialty museum.
Reviewed By interceptpubs - Columbus, United States
Today, most people think of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill as the defining moment in early California history. The resulting gold rush of 1849 brought thousands of prospectors and settlers to the territory won from Mexico just the year before in the aftermath of the Mexican War and accelerated the process to statehood which followed just a year later in 1850. However, the sudden discovery of California gold was foreshadowed by an earlier discovery of mineral wealth in the region that in many ways was just as remarkable, yet today is almost completely forgotten. It happened in this small community just outside of present-day San Jose. Local Ohlone Indians first found samples of a red rock in the area that they found useful as a pigment, using it to paint their bodies a bright red. Other Indian tribes also coveted the red pigment. Indeed, Indians from as far away as modern-day Walla Walla, Washington came to trade and fight for this valuable material. Spanish settlers also found the deposits of the red rock in the early 1820s and, thinking that they might contain silver or even gold, tried their hand at mining but were unable to extract any precious metals. It wasn't until 1845 that the deposits were properly identified. Andreas Castillero, a Captain in the Mexican Army who also happened to be a mining engineer, was visiting the area and realized that the red rocks were cinnabar, a source of quicksilver or mercury. In many respects, the discovery was fortuitous as mercury was essential in refining gold and silver at that time. It was less fortuitous for Castillero whose services were soon required to fight in the Mexican War, forcing him to sell his mining rights to an English firm that named the site New Almaden after the world's largest mercury mining operation in Spain. In the end, the New Almaden mine developed into the world's second largest mercury mine and richest single mineral deposit in California, ironically even more valuable than any of the gold mines in California – eventually $70 million (in period dollars) of mercury was produced before mining ceased around 1910. This fine little museum of the history of cinnabar in the region and of the mining operation that capitalized on the find is fittingly housed in the impressive La Casa Grande. Originally built as a hotel in 1854, it latter served as the mine superintendent's office and home. The parlor, library and drawing room have been restored as they would have appeared during the period of the mine's operation, while other rooms provide museum displays with photos, artifacts, and even models of the mine and the refining operation used to liberate the quicksilver from the ore. On our visit, we got a private tour (mainly because we were the only visitors there at the time) of the museum by a docent and then left on our own to explore the exhibits in more detail. There's even a nice little gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and books on the history of the mine and the area. We actually learned a lot while talking with the volunteers while perusing the books in the gift shop – they were very friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly proud of the history of this almost forgotten chapter in California history. The only downside is that for most the year, the museum is only open three days a week (Fridays through Sundays) from 10 to 4 (there are expanded hours in the Summer). Sadly, we see online that the museum is currently closed due to the pandemic.
8. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
Built in 1876, this church serves the oldest parish in San Jose.
Reviewed By 202colml
An amazing piece of art history and well worth a visit. Beautiful paintings and art inside this old cathedral and the original high altar and tabernacle is still there, just look behind the 'modern' bishops chair.
9. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 484 reviews
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose has been a part of Bay Area families since it opened its’ gates in 1961. It’s a unique combination of family rides, amusements, a Puppet Theater, play areas and an accredited Zoo with over 140 animals, from endangered lemurs to miniature horses. Year round classes are offered for ages 12 months to adults as well as special events for all seasons. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo offers yearly Memberships for families and individuals.
Reviewed By stephaniewoolsey - San Jose, United States
This is more than a zoo! Carousel, play areas for different ages, and plenty of room for kids to move around in addition to the many animals at the park. The Danny the dragon train ride is a local favorite, and recently new parking has been added. Family friendly adventures!
10. Heritage Rose Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By Stefani1220 - San Jose, United States
This park is FREE! A great place for a picnic, sitting in the sun or shade to read a book, or taking a stroll through the fabulous rows of roses.
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