Things to see and do in San Jose
Winchester Mystery House
With doors and stairs leading nowhere, plus a suitably spooky backstory, take a guided tour around this National Historic Place (525 S Winchester Blvd, CA 95128) - arguably the most mysterious mansion in US history. The tale goes that its owner used her late husband’s sizable firearms fortune to find and build a home out West. All this to placate the spirits of people killed by Winchester guns.
Santana Row
Rub shoulders with Silicon Valley’s brightest minds in the shops, restaurants and cafes along upmarket Santana Row (CA 95128). The biggest name in San Jose shopping, there’s a warm, vibrant atmosphere amid its boutiques and big-name stores. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours shopping and snacking as you amble down the tree-lined avenue.
Lick Observatory
On the hills of Mt. Hamilton, the powerful telescopes housed in Lick Observatory (7281 Mt Hamilton Rd, Mt Hamilton, CA 95140) have been watching the skies for 130 years. Marvel at The Great Refractor when you visit, which was the world’s largest telescope of its kind when work was completed in 1888 and is powered by water and wind.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
This San Jose landmark (180 Woz Way, CA 95110) is designed to get kids exploring science, arts and more as they play, using a diverse collection of interactive galleries. Visit Bill’s Backyard to have some fun and learn more about nature in the Great Outdoors or dig deep into the world of prehistoric creatures with the Mammoth Discovery exhibit.
Intel Museum
The success of Silicon Valley boils down to the design of the silicon chip. At the Intel Museum (2200 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054), you can follow the story of this simple ingredient and the role it plays in the magnificent meal that is tech culture. Learn more about the industry’s pioneers and how computers changed the world.
San Jose’s best hotels
Hotel Valencia
Indulge yourself in Hotel Valencia’s (355 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128) classical Spanish-style surroundings. Experience leafy balconies and an extravagant pool area, all found on stylish Santana Row.
Fairmont San Jose
Enjoy some rooftop relaxation with your own private patio, overlooking sun-kissed San Jose and with access to the outdoor pool. Stay at the Fairmont (170 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113) for al fresco dining from a seriously sumptuous menu.
Hayes Mansion
Unwind in an exceptional setting (200 Edenvale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136), with dramatic views of the mountains and one that’s a short drive from the city and Northern California’s other amazing attractions.
San Jose’s best places to eat
Dakao
Vietnamese culture is big in San Jose thanks to its diverse population. So, there’s no excuse not to sample the traditional Banh Mi, a type of sandwich, at Dakao (98 E San Salvador St) while you’re in town.
The Farmers Union
Grab a bite in famous San Pedro Square during the big game – this sports bar (151 W Santa Clara St) has San Jose’s biggest big screen, so you won’t miss a minute of the action.
Elyse
This trendy eatery (151 S 2nd St) fuses French and Vietnamese flavours for delicious results. The panna cotta with raspberry glaze is a treat if you can save some room at the end of your meal.
Habana Cuba
Enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine served up in an atmospheric Latin ambiance, located in the trendy SoFA district, found in San Jose’s downtown area (387 S 1st St).
Best day trips from San Jose
Half Moon Bay
Just an hour from San Jose on I-280, you’ll find one of the iconic Californian coastal towns, with Pacific waves rolling into beautiful beaches.
San Francisco
A short drive up the Bay on the 101 brings you to San Francisco, whose misty mystery gives way to iconic sights like Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and more.
Santa Cruz
Its famous boardwalk stretching out into the sea, Santa Cruz offers small-town fun and delightful hiking trails in Wilder Ranch State Park. Drive on State Route 17 through beautiful wooded surroundings for around 45 minutes.