San Jose, CA

San Jose's five-and-a-half–acre Municipal Rose Garden is one of the best places in town to relax, recoup, and literally smell the roses – more than 4,000 of them, in fact. This fragrant paradise has served as the home to these blooming roses in San Jose since 1927, and it is one of the biggest and the most beautiful rose gardens in the world.

There are 189 rose varieties, and the rose growers are developing new hybrids every day.

The garden is one of the top San Jose attractions, and, unsurprisingly, it is a popular venue for weddings. Volunteers from the Friends of the San Jose Rose Garden also come here to help prune, deadhead, fertilize, and weed.

Without their help, giving these high maintenance beauties the attention they need would be almost impossible. The Municipal Rose Garden is a must-see attraction in San Jose.

Naglee Ave & Dana Ave., San Jose, California, Phone: 408-794-7275

Located on South Market Street next to the Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park and the Circle of Palms Plaza in downtown San Jose, the San Jose Museum of Art is dedicated to exhibiting late 20th century and 21st century works of art created by West Coast artists.

The museum’s 2,000 works represent several media forms, including drawings, paintings, photographs, and sculptures, among others. The museum is housed in a building that was originally built as the San Jose post office and then later served as the city’s library.

It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and has also been designated as a California Historical Landmark. The San Jose Museum of Art is one of the places to visit in San Jose for art lovers.

110 South Market Street, San Jose, California, Phone: 408-271-6840

San Pedro Square Market is a San Jose favorite for both locals and tourists. All the food is literally from farm to table, and it could not be any fresher. Live music is always playing, making the ambience fun and lively.

Go for oysters at the Hog Island Oyster Company, get some organic meat for tomorrow’s dinner at Golden Gate Meat Company, check out the cheeses at Cowgirl Creamery, and visit Rancho Gordo for 25 kinds of beans, herbs, and hot sauces. Since you are in California, it won’t surprise you to find so many delectable local wines to sample.

There are also arts and crafts, pastries and coffees, and so much more. You cannot possible sample it all in one visit, and you will definitely want to come back for more. Indulge your love of food without the guilt – San Pedro Square Market happily supports local farmers and artisans.

87 N. San Pedro St, San Jose, California, San Pedro Square Market Video

A historic neighborhood of San Jose, Willow Glen is known for its walkable tree-lined streets, its numerous restaurants and shops, and its appealing architecture, all of which give the area a small town atmosphere. Specialty boutiques and vintage shops, children’s shops, sidewalk cafes, and coffee shops line the streets.

The Willow Glen community began in the 1860s and the architecture of the buildings introduces visitors to diverse styles such as Craftsman, Mission, Neoclassical, and Victorian. Several events take place every year in Willow Glen, including Christmas Tree Lights, Dancin’ on the Avenue, and Founders’ Day. There are more than 250 businesses in Willow Glen and plenty to do this weekend.

Lincoln Avenue between Willow Street and Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, California, (website link)

Recommended Activities for Families

Located on Woz Way in downtown San Jose, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is dedicated to showcasing exhibits that educate and inspire children to be curious and creative. Woz Way is named after Steve Wozniak, nicknamed “Woz.” He co-founded Apple and was the primary donor in helping to fund the creation of the museum. If you are wondering what to do in San Jose with kids, this is a great place to visit.

Opened in 1990, the Children’s Discovery Museum is one of the top children’s museums in the U.S., and it is also one of the world’s top science centers. Exhibits include the Art Gallery and Art Loft, Kids’ Garden, Mammoth Discovery, Voyage to Vietnam, and many more. If you are looking for fun family things to do in San Jose, this is a great place to visit.

180 Woz Way, San Jose, California, Phone: 408-298-5437

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum shares the wonders of ancient Egypt with visitors. Located on Park Avenue at the Rosicrucian Park in the Rose Garden neighborhood of San Jose, the museum was established by the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, which was founded by Dr. Harvey Lewis.

Dr. Lewis first showed his collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in 1929 and, after receiving and collecting more artifacts, the current museum was built in 1966. If you are wondering what to do in San Jose on a rainy day, this is a great place to visit. The museum was built in the ancient Egyptian style and sits in an Egyptian revival park.

Along with the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the Western United States, the museum also contains an impressive planetarium.

1660 Park Avenue, San Jose, California, Phone: 408-947-3635

Located on Senter Road in Kelly Park, the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a 16-acre amusement park and zoo. It first opened in 1961 and was later renovated and reopened in 2010. Some of the zoo’s exhibits include a petting zoo with a barn, a children’s play area, a puppet theater, and rides for young children.

The park also has an education department, which showcases hands-on interactive exhibits that help visitors to learn about animals. If you are wondering what to do in San Jose with kids, this is a great attraction. There are also classes and camps for children.

The park’s Picnic Basket Restaurant offers sandwiches, salads, entrees, desserts, and drinks. “The Explore and More Store,” a shop located within the zoo, sells clothes, games, unique stuff that makes an easy gift, and toys for kids.

1300 Senter Road, San Jose, California, Phone: 408-794-6400

Attractions for Couples

The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion located on South Winchester Boulevard in San Jose. This Victorian mansion was built in the Queen Anne Style, and it once served as the residence of Sarah Winchester, the daughter of gun maker William Wirt Winchester.

Construction began in 1884 but stopped when Ms. Winchester died in 1922; she and others claimed the house was haunted.

The mansion is a popular destination, and it is known for its size and unusual architecture. There are several tours available, including the Mansion Tour, the Grand Estate Tour, and the Behind the Scenes Tour.

The house is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a California historical landmark.

525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA, Phone: 408-247-2101

The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles is located on South First Street in downtown San Jose. It is the first museum devoted exclusively to exhibiting the intricate art of quilts and textiles.

Opened in 1977, the museum has an impressive collection consisting of more than 550 quilts, textiles, and garments, all of which were created by artists in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The museum also has a library with more than 500 books about the techniques and the history of this art form. The museum regularly offers classes and lectures for children and adults, and tours led by trained docents are available several times per month.

520 South First Street, San Jose, CA, Phone: 408-971-0323

Where to Eat

SP2 is the latest communal bar and restaurant located near the renovated San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. The food is American bistro cuisine, but with executive chef Ben Robin and chef de cuisine Jacob Farleigh in charge, the dishes are transformed into something truly extraordinary.

Enjoy delectable fare such as the House made Italian Sausage Flatbread with Pickled Cherry Peppers, the Pecorino and Tomato Sauce, or the celebrated and award-winning Half or Full Rack of Ginger Soy Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Red Apple Ginger Slaw.

Dine on the cozy patio or come in the evening for a cocktail and appreciate the trendy atmosphere in this popular and hip place.

72 N. Almaden Ave., San Jose, CA, Phone: 408-299-2000