Things to Do in San Jose, CA - San Jose Attractions
Things to Do in San Jose
Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Jose.
Top Attractions in San Jose
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Historic Sites • Mysterious Sites
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks
What travelers are saying
- Andrea G4 contributionsSome flowers were a dead so maybe during Spring might be better, but it was still a great experience overall. It takes about 45 minutes to tour the entire place, but that takes into account stopping for pictures :)Written July 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Henry BMedford, OR764 contributionsA friend told me to check out this place as it was an Interesting place. There are gardens and sculptures around this place.
Even though the place might be closed, you can walk around the gardens and look at the different statues.
Overall, this is an interesting place to visit specially during rainy days.Written August 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Michael K765 contributionsWe came here for dinner and strolled around the place afterwards. The shops were closed for the evening but the restaurants were filled with people, even on a Tuesday evening. There was an outdoor restaurant with a live band playing and the whole place looked festive.Written August 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Don GMinneapolis, MN78 contributionsYesterday my wife and I visited the Winchester Mystery House and had a mostly lovely day despite the rain. The home was lovely and as you can imagine in repair a bit. Mckenzie our tour guide was great and extremely knowledgeable about the home and the legendary Ms. Winchester. We were gobsmacked by all of the business construction either already built up to the property or in the process. A huge apartment complex overshadows the property with the building literally several feet away from the mansion. Of course you won't see any of this in the "well placed photos" taken by the owners (Winchester Investments LLC). This mansion once stood upon 160 acres of land which has been sold by greed seekers. What I'm sure was an amazing property is now surrounded and overshadowed by busy traffic, banks and apartment complexes. It's so discusting they couldn't even provide a bit more space for this heirloom. We expected some amazing gardens but those were non-existent. I'd still suggest visiting the home soon before this greedy corporation finds a way to minimize this mansion further.Written September 19, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JoeBoone82Nashville, TN131 contributionsOur (almost 3 yr old) son enjoyed the blue building blocks, the grocery store and kitchen play areas, and the ambulance and fire truck. I do not know that we will be in that area again, but I'd recommend those nearby with toddlers needing to entertain kids for a few hours to give it a try. It is pretty open and does not feel as crowded/congested as some places like this can get. We were there on a weekday at opening time.Written July 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- travel6345San Jose185 contributionsWe've been to this amusement park and zoo more than a dozen times and I highly recommend it for those with children 2-4 years. It's been update over the last few years. There are lots of amusement rides which that age group can ride, a giant playground, digging for dinosaur bones, farm animals, and some other zoo animals like a jaguar, crocodile, and lemurs.
I wouldn't recommend it for adults without young children. They don't have larger animals like elephants, tigers, etc and depending on the time of day you go you might not find many of the animals out much if its hot.
For those with young children plan on at least 2-3 hours on the low end. It's more a matter of how much your child can handle rather than the park having enough activities. The park gets crowded late morning, but calms down in the afternoon. Even when it's crowded though the wait times aren't really too long for most rides.
There is a fee for parking. Some further lots around Kelley Park can cost less, but it's probably not worth it since you're bringing littles and you want to spend more time in the park anyway.
I'd recommend going to the back of the park to ride the dragon train when the park opens as that ride's line can get long. For older children, the train mini roller coaster on the right side of the park can also can get pretty popular and is one of my favorites to ride even for adults.
You should verify the details, but a variety of food is sold in the park, and you can bring snacks in the park but not cooked food from a restaurant or pizza place. There are lots of places to sit for a picnic.
Really everything in the park is enjoyable.
Also nearby and free is History Park and the Japanese Tea Garden (Open but flooding has drained the water for now). Parking outside History Park is also free so you could repark after the zoo. There is also a beignet place and bubble tea places not far as well.Written September 19, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lori J5 contributionsLovely place for a respite will checking out my surroundings in San Jose. Walked in during one of the Spanish masses and got to witness a newborn being baptized. Sweet moment in a special place of worship.Written September 18, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kathleen W1 contributionOur first experience at Sap Center. Seeing Andrea Bocelli after waiting for 2/ and half years was worth it. We did have a hard time finding the place. luckily we were early. Parking was easy although it was $25.00. Then as we walked toward the door, some woman said, OH your purse is too big. it had to be a small size? so back to the car to find where I will put all my stuff. was not easy. Finally get inside and find our seats. They were up pretty high, Not easy walking. We dealt with, got a few photos, not real good but worth it. His voice SO AMAZING, "Time to say goodbye, OUTSTANDING!!!Written June 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rick C.Santa Fe, NM37 contributionsI've always preferred hands-on museums over museums where you just observe things under glass and read about what you are looking at. This museum is definitely hands-on. A highlight for me was creating an animation of a camel wearing "bling" riding a skateboard upside down with one hand. :-DWritten March 1, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MAbeliniBoston, MA937 contributionsStaying at the Hilton in the Pruneyard Plaza, Campbell, the Los Gatos trail was a fantastic find. It is a short walk from the Plaza to access the trail. I don't know this area so am not sure what towns and how many miles it covers, but its a great place to get some exercise for visitors and natives both.
The first time, I walked the trail in one direction and found it be be peaceful and quiet. At times the river the trail follows was visible while other times it was obscured by trees. I passed a covered car wash and some bridges - signs that the city is still there, but didn't hear a lot of traffic. The trail lis completely paved but it is hilly and sometimes a little narrow for two abreast.
The next day, my son and I rented bikes from Pruneyard plaza ($24 for 3 hours) and we rode in the opposite direction. It was like a totally different trail. The river opened into a pond with people boating and having picnics and family gatherings. We passed a small train depot for children to ride. There were many more people accessing the trail in this direction.
This is a great asset to the towns the trail passes through.Written July 6, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - miniFremont, CA175,092 contributionsWe visited the very peaceful and spiritual Sikh Gurdwara. The views of San Jose from here are superb. The music they were playing was inspirational. This is a very peaceful place. It is also the largest Gurdwara in North America.
\Written March 21, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - bynnerWalnut Creek, CA600 contributionsWent to a play CATS. Very nice theater, Very large. Advice would be to buy tickets in orchestra area no further back then 15th row . 20 max. Balcony up front as much as possible. Rows are very long no middle aisle.Be prepared for people walk in out. Row 27 area people use for walk threw before show instead of walking around outside of theater,Written September 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John MSanta Cruz, CA4,368 contributionsOur visit was a quick stop on the way to Mount Humunum, but there are great hiking trails and historical perspective on the historic quick silver mercury production from 1847-1976.Written April 26, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ScottSan Francisco, CA4,988 contributionsAwesome trail. absolutely nothing challenging. slight gradient and wide well-groomed trail all the way up. perhaps rated moderate simply for the length?
This trail is a geologic wonderland.
And once you get to the top, there is so much awesome cold war history.
98% of this hike is under tree cover of some sort. the summit exposed. the trail redirects at the summit parking lot to a brand new staircase.
I only saw two bicycles and they were very slow.
Sketchy mobile phone service most of the way up the trail. nice bathrooms at the trailhead and at the summit.Written February 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - miniFremont, CA175,092 contributionsWe like Willow Glen The downtown area is a nice collection of cafes, restaurants and stores.
Christmas is superb in this area as so many decorate their homes for the holidays Several of the streets have themes. We in particular liked the huge Santa Clara and sleigh theme which was at several of the houses.Written January 5, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Jose
- The top attractions to visit in San Jose are:
- Municipal Rose Garden
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
- Santana Row
- Winchester Mystery House
- Children's Discovery Museum
- The best outdoor activities in San Jose according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Municipal Rose Garden
- Los Gatos Creek Trail
- Almaden Quicksilver County Park
- Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
- Alum Rock Park
- The most popular things to do in San Jose with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
- Municipal Rose Garden
- Children's Discovery Museum
- Los Gatos Creek Trail
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum