Things to do in San Jose, California
- San Jose was the first city incorporated in California, gaining its status on March 27, 1850.
- The city served as the first state capital of California between 1849 and 1851.
- San Jose maintains a legal requirement for public art, mandating that developers of large commercial projects contribute to a public art fund or install art on-site.
- The city has a higher density of patents filed per capita than any other major metropolitan area in the United States.
- San Jose is the largest city in Northern California by population, surpassing San Francisco.
About San Jose, California
San Jose serves as the cultural and technological heart of Silicon Valley, uniquely blending historical intrigue with cutting-edge scientific innovation. Visitors can explore the architectural enigma of the Winchester Mystery House or engage with hands-on STEM exhibits at The Tech Interactive. The city also hosts significant cultural spaces like the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in western North America. Extensive outdoor spaces, such as the Municipal Rose Garden and Plaza de Cesar Chavez, provide central retreats within this sprawling urban landscape.
Highlights of San Jose, California
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Explore a sprawling mansion built with non-traditional architectural features designed to confuse ghosts.
Parks
Walk through over 180 varieties of roses in a garden that reaches peak bloom in early spring.
Museums
View an authentic collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts including mummies and a full-scale replica tomb.
Museums
Experience interactive science exhibits focused on silicon chip technology and space exploration.
Museums
Engage with hands-on educational displays designed specifically for child development and learning.
Parks
Visit the central city plaza that hosts major community events and local cultural festivals throughout the year.
Zoos
Enjoy a family-oriented destination featuring a specialized zoo and amusement rides.
Top things to do in San Jose, California
The 175 highest-rated places in San Jose, California, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling Victorian mansion in San Jose, California, famously constructed continuously...
2
Amusement parks
California's Great America is a 112-acre theme park in Santa Clara, California, featuring over 40 rides including high-s...
3
Venues
Levi's Stadium is an open-air facility located in Santa Clara, California, serving as the primary home for the NFL's San...
4
Parks
The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is a 5.5-acre landmark featuring over 3,500 rose bushes representing nearly 200 disti...
5
Parks
Vasona Lake County Park is a 150-acre recreational site centered around a reservoir formed by the damming of Los Gatos C...
6
Temples
Sikh Gurdwara San Jose is one of the largest Sikh houses of worship in North America, situated on a sprawling hilltop ca...
7
Zoos
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a 16-acre family-oriented facility located in San Jose's Kelley Park that integrates a zoo, a...
8
Museums
The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is a 52,000-square-foot interactive space designed for early childhood devel...
9
Museums
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in Western North America. It...
10
Parks
Central Park in Santa Clara is a 52-acre municipal park designed as a central recreational hub for the surrounding resid...
11
Parks
Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve covers 1,674 acres of hilly terrain in the Diablo Range, providing critical connectivit...
12
Museums
The Tech Interactive is a hands-on science and technology center located in downtown San Jose. The facility focuses on i...
13
Parks
Hellyer County Park is a 178-acre regional park in San Jose centered around the Coyote Creek Parkway. It features a nota...
14
Parks
Almaden Lake Park is a 65-acre recreational area in South San Jose centered around a former mercury mining quarry now co...
15
Parks
Ed R. Levin County Park is a 1,546-acre regional park in the foothills of the Diablo Range. It is a premier regional des...
16
Museums
The Intel Museum is a corporate exhibition space dedicated to the history of the semiconductor industry and silicon-base...
17
Parks
Plaza de Cesar Chavez serves as the historic center and primary public square of downtown San Jose, California. The park...
18
Parks
Kelley Park is a 172-acre municipal green space in San Jose situated along the banks of Coyote Creek. The park serves as...
19
Venues
Christmas In The Park is an annual holiday tradition held at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose. The event featu...
20
Parks
Almaden Quicksilver County Park encompasses 4,163 acres of rugged terrain formerly used for mercury mining. The park fea...
21
Parks
Los Gatos Creek County Park is a 118-acre recreational area located along the Los Gatos Creek corridor in Campbell, Cali...
22
Parks
Campbell Park is a prominent 7-acre community park situated along the Los Gatos Creek Trail in the city of Campbell. The...
23
Parks
John D. Morgan Park is a 31-acre multi-use recreational facility located in Campbell, California. It features three ligh...
24
Parks
Hakone Estate and Gardens is one of the oldest Japanese-style residential gardens in the Western Hemisphere, established...
25
Parks
Santa Teresa County Park is a 1,673-acre regional park situated in the Santa Teresa Hills of San Jose, California. The t...
26
Temples
Our Lady of Peace Church & Shrine is uniquely recognized for its 32-foot stainless steel statue of Our Lady of Peace, wh...
27
Parks
The Japanese Friendship Garden is a 6-acre traditional Japanese-style garden located within Kelley Park in San Jose. It...
28
Parks
Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park spans 6,695 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills, featuring a 449-acre...
29
Parks
South Bay Shores is a water park integrated into the California's Great America theme park complex in Santa Clara. It fe...
30
Parks
Lexington Reservoir County Park is a 950-acre site centered on a large man-made reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I...
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San Jose, California on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to San Jose, California
Spring and Fall, as these seasons offer mild temperatures ideal for exploring both indoor museums and outdoor parks.
3 days, allowing enough time to balance tech-focused museums with the city's extensive park system and historical landmarks.
A rental car is highly recommended for efficiency, though the VTA light rail and bus system connect major districts.
Downtown San Jose is the best base for accessing major museums and transit, while Santana Row offers a high-end, walkable district with dense dining and shopping options.
Expensive, primarily due to the high cost of living and hotel rates characteristic of the Silicon Valley region.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 175 curated attractions in and around San Jose, California, ranked by traveller ratings.
Winchester Mystery House is the highest-rated place to visit in San Jose, California right now.
The largest category is parks, with 100 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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