San Jose in California is a huge city, the tenth largest in the country and the third largest in California. It has everything, a lovely climate, a great nightlife and a rich, diverse mix of cultures. If you’re visiting for a while, or moving here, first off, welcome! Second, take a look at this list of things to try while you’re here.
Each is consistently voted the top entertainment option in San Jose and is well worth your time.
The Children’s Discovery Museum is a great place to visit if you have curious kids. The venue is full of interactive exhibits, things to touch, see and do and is a great day out for parents too.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is the fifth church on the site that was first consecrated in 1803. This version is listed as a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a great place to visit even if you’re not of a religious persuasion.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is exactly that, a happy place to visit and see animals. It also has a mini theme park, arcades, puppet theater and over 140 animals to watch and admire. There are also regular events throughout the year, so watch out for those.
The Tech Museum of Innovation in the Capital of Silicon Valley is a great place to geek it up. Suitable for all ages, it’s an opportunity to see, learn and explore the latest technological innovations and play around with some cool stuff.
The California Theatre on South First Street is where to experience some great acoustics and enjoy music of all kinds. The theater also shows screenings for the CInquest Film Festival as well as other events. The architecture is amazing and the experience is definitely one to try.
The HP Pavilion is where the San Jose Sharks Hockey Team call home. It’s also a concert venue, sports arena and so much more. Called the “Shark Tank” by locals, it’s a great place to catch a game or see the biggest names in concert.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is something a little different. Based on Temple of Amon at Karnak in Egypt, this museum has the oldest collection of Egyptian artifacts anywhere in the country. See over 4000 artifacts in this unique museum and set aside a few hours at least to do it justice.
Those are just a few tourist highlights of San Jose, California. As you would expect in a city of this size, there are literally thousands of things to see and do, but we recommend you prioritize at least some of these first!