This spirited Silicon Valley city has so much more to offer than tech conferences.
California route trippers ca n’t missSan Jose , a destination overflowing with activities for both leisure and business travelers to enjoy . This palmy city is its own impressive hub of arts , finish , and experiences and serves up its own unique experience .
Here are several ground to confabulate San Jose , a stumble that ’s trammel to be delightfully satisfying in its various offerings , from food to arts and civilisation to shopping and a admixture of upscale hospitality alternative .
Enjoy an abundance of dining options
You wo n’t go hungry in San Jose . Grab a bite at the historicSan Pedro Square Market , which is proper downtown . This market actually houses one of Spanish California ’s oldest complex body part , the Peralta Adobe , dating back to 1797 . Off the Santa Clara Street entrance , you’re able to take the air through a colourful archway and saunter down San Pedro Street on a footer - only roadway trace with numerous standalone local restaurant offer indoor and out-of-door seating .
Beyond these streetside restaurants , three freestanding buildings are included as part of the food for thought hall , each of which also house a multitude of other diverse cuisines and artisan goods . You ’ll find ample seating accompanied by a buzzy , New , traditional nutrient hall setting inside and alfresco there is more seats on a dog - friendly patio in The Peralta Adobe Plaza .
If you ’re a solid food hall lover , you ’ll triumph that a 2d food for thought dormitory is business district . SoFa Market , a smaller and more sexual feeling food hall , has various diverse vendors to search , offering everything from sandwiches to smoothies and more .
Photo courtesy of Alamitos Vineyards / Visit San Jose
iCHiNA at the Westfield Valley Fair Mallis decorate to sense like a lavish palace and serve a selection of classical , traditional tea option and dim sum that back up the upscale atmosphere . There ’s also an exceptionally unique experience at this unsuspecting mall restaurant , a “ virtual realism dining room . ” It ’s a complete sensory dousing experience with a very expensive tasting menu backed by a Silicon Valley special dining encounter . It utilize a set of projector attached to the ceiling to reflect scenes accompanying the card items onto the four clean walls and a reflective unclouded - colored board .
And at the Signia by Hilton San Jose , the property ’s upscale but approachable restaurant , AJI Bar & Robata , feels like an elevated and laid - back dining smear . This restaurant use a Japanese cooking technique call “ robata , ” which is unretentive for “ robatayaki ” and translate to “ fireside preparation , ” blending this technique with a range of tasty Peruvian flavour .
If you require dinner with a view , make a reservation atGrandview , a historic mountainside restaurant perch up in the East San Jose foothills offering bird’s-eye batch of the Santa Clara Valley region below . This destination services classic , upscale American Cuisine using farm - fresh ingredient and hands - down boasts the best view in Ithiel Town . Pro tip : Make your mental reservation outdoors and around sundown to watch one of Mother Nature ’s most colorful sunset show .
Photo courtesy of iChina / Visit San Jose
Check out the awe-inspiring and diverse neighborhoods with unbelievable street art
business district , be sure to drop some time in the trendy , hipSoFA dominion , an arts and entertainment district in the essence of downtown , featuring many local galleries , coffee spots , trendy bars , theatre , and artsy shops to step into . This district is also know for its topically handpainted wall painting .
This neighborhood is where theSouth First Fridays Art Walkhappens . If you are prosperous enough to confab on this day , you ’ll be treat to the experience of embarking on a self - guided , after - dark term of enlistment from 5 to 9 pm to research the local galleries and museums .
Outside the exhilaration of downtown , there are more than a dozen vicinity to explore across this palmy city .
Photo courtesy of Winchester Mystery House / Visit San Jose
Willow Glenis nicknamed “ San Jose ’s Local Treasure , ” and it ’s just a 10 - minute drive from the downtown skyscrapers , which feel like a different world . you’re able to feel the sensory faculty of strong community in this welcoming neighborhood as you walk down the idyllic , tree - lined streets feature quaint , historic homes . Head down Lincoln Avenue , which is the master retarding force in this artsy enclave , and stop into some of the boutique shop selling a mix of artisan crafts or admire the mural that decorate the side of meat of seemingly every other edifice .
Do n’t miss San Jose’sJapantown , one of the last three Japantowns left in the United States ( the other two are in Los Angeles and San Francisco ) . VisitThe Nipponese American Museum of San Joseto learn about 100 - plus eld of Japanese American history under one roof , admit both permanent and rotating ingathering of artifacts . Admire the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin , which is a gorgeous body of work of computer architecture .
The quaint street ofThe Alamedahold two C of stories in its saga , showcasing reliable , historical body structure and a direct connexion to the El Camino Real , which transform to “ the Royal Road . ” The beautiful , walkable streets conduce to witching neighbourhood with historic houses , and down the main roadway ( the street is called “ The Alameda ” ) , there are a collection of shops and restaurants like the century - former , kin - ownedGreenlee ’s Bakery , which is a local legend for its unbeatable cinnamon bread .
Photo courtesy of Alamitos Vineyards / Visit San Jose
Take in theatre, arts, and cultural entertainment
story lover will revel in a trip toThe Winchester Mystery House , a historic landmark and a absorbing example of computer architecture without boundaries . It ’s one of the most bizarrely contrive mansions in the US and is also said to be haunted . This enormous , everlastingly unfinished property was designed by Sarah Winchester , the inheritrix of the infamous Winchester Rifle Company luck , who seemingly put every centime into construct this 160 - room compound with architectural elements that do n’t make lucid sense . Take a conduct tour of the belongings to experience and acquire firsthand about the theater ’s far-out backstory and find stairs leading up to the roof and doors that afford into wall in this entrancing estate .
Science - tending multitude will love a stumble toThe Tech Interactivein downtown San Jose . This interactional skill and technology center sport immersive , family - friendly amusement , admit experimental science laboratory and interactive educational activities to interact with STEAM ( science , technology , engineering , arts , and mathematics ) resourcefulness like a BioTinkering Lab and BioDesign Studio for dependable experiments .
Also business district , theSan José Museum of Artshowcases a collection of New and contemporaneous art , with rotating exposition that will inspire .
Photo courtesy of Signia by Hilton San Jose / Visit San Jose
If you ’re interested in art and culture , check out one or all four of theSan Jose Theatersoperations , admit the Montgomery Theater , the California Theatre , the San Jose Civic , and the Center for the Performing Arts , which are all within walk distance of each other in downtown San Jose .
The San Jose Civicdates back to the 1920s , have a high-minded pattern , and has hosted legendary music creative person like The Who , The Rolling Stones , and Frank Sinatra .
At the larger , sumptuously decoratedCenter for the Performing Arts , which go steady back to 1972 and was plan by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation , you may trip up major performances from Broadway San Jose .
At the more intimate and graceful , lately updated 1930s - eraMontgomery Theater , you’re able to see a range of unrecorded house execution .
In the 1920s eraCalifornia Theater , which have an aura and pattern inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood , witness advanced execution by Opera San Jose and Symphony Silicon Valley . Each private theater is beautiful in its own manner and stands as a column of creativity in the San Jose live nontextual matter community .
Drink craft brews, including beer and beyond
Coffee lovers are in for a treat . From choices likeChromatic Coffee Co. , which is located in an industrial - feeling warehouse positioning decked out with a plethora of plant life and a buzzy standard pressure to boot . Here , you’re able to bask coffee bean with a heart made with the meet philosophy that “ in San Jose , innovation is tradition . ”
There ’s also the independently owned and operated longstanding community front-runner , Roy ’s Station , which sits in the heart of Japantown and is located where “ Grandpa Roy ’s Mobil gasoline post ” once was a part of the community for decades . Today , this shop class proudly serve coffee , tea , and a selection of new baked pastry , which in a way , is a transition from high - octane car fuel to high - octane human fuel in the form of caffeine .
business district , visit the spirited and vibrantNirvana Soul , which is San Jose ’s only Black char - owned coffee caller , founded by two babe who successfully created a safe , welcoming place for hoi polloi to connect with each other using the power of coffee and tea leaf .
Also , downtown , research a retro gamers paradise calledMiniboss , which dish beer and craft cocktail in a 5,000 square understructure fully outfit retro colonnade venue . Think more than 30 vintage arcade games , 12 fully functioning theme Pinball machines , tasty taproom bites , and a batting order of eclectic local artwork adorn the wall making for the most groovy , nostalgic XC - inspired spot to spend an evening alongside other colonnade - loving adults .
San Jose ’s contemporaneous craft brewing history go steady back decades , to when theGordon Biersch Brewing Companyopened its first localisation in San Jose , and today , there are numerousbreweriesto explore within the city ’s boundaries . VisitUproarfor a relaxed atmosphere and regionally inspired brews , orCamino , which was touch off by a 1,900 - mile cycling trip along the Camino de Santiago and the community that came with that journey .
As for enophile , there are plenty ofwineriesin the region . VisitTestarossa Winery , which in true Silicon Valley fashion , dates back to an other ’ ninety service department speculation by a then high - technical school , employed engineer - minded , active duo who transformed their weekend vino - making sideline into their dream of have a wine maker .
There ’s also the incredibly beautifulAlamitos Vineyards , which is the only vinery winery in San Jose , tucked into the scenic and historical hills of the New Almaden territorial dominion particularise in Syrah , Sauvignon Blanc and Touriga Nacional , which is a alone Portuguese varietal wine pay court to the kin ’s legacy and root .
Shop until your drop at several cool spots
Santana Row , which is referred to as the “ Rodeo Drive ” of Silicon Valley , is a luxury traveler ’s dreaming come true . This collection of walkable , well - manicured streets and Mediterranean - way invigorate buildings are lined with a admixture of world - class , upscale brands , interior designer shops , posh eatery , and lavish spas and beauty salon made for indulging in the fine thing .
The prominentWestfield Valley Fair Mallis the largest mall , by arena , in Northern California . But it ’s not just a mall ; it ’s an grand premiere amusement center tout a sophisticated mixing of shopping , dining , and activeness options . Here , visitor can pasture a excerption of unequaled , imported good at the 45,000 - square - animal foot Eataly food hall or see a movie at the tremendous movie field complex . Shop at one of the storage that range from international luxury brands to intimate retailers , or expend metre at one of the exposed - breeze seating spaces decorated with luxe landscaping .
Stay at historic but hip and modernized spots
The dress shop , upscale , and intimate feelingHotel Valencia Santana Rowsits right on on Santana Row , within walking length of some of the metropolis ’s best amusement , shopping , and dining . This property feature Hellenic , Spanish - style architecture and boasts an elegantrooftop wine barwith beautiful views of the metropolis and the Hill beyond .
The computer architecture at the newly unveiledSignia by Hilton San Joseis inspired by California story , feature majestic archway , towering vaulted ceiling , and refined , stylish pieces of contemporary artistry . This property is located in a fantastical , walkable location in the core of business district across the street from Plaza de César Chávez Park and within walk distance of numerous restaurants , museums , and attractions . There ’s a rooftop pool and signature “ Fireside Suites ” neighboring to the puddle offering guest direct entree to the pool deck , a cozy , gas - power fervour orchestra pit space , multiple on - site restaurants , and a State Department - of - the - fine art fitness center hosting limited radical classes .
The fresh renovatedWestin San Joseproperty survive in the historic Sainte Claire hotel edifice , date stamp back to the 1920s , and find like an elegant relief valve from the away worldly concern . arced ceilings and opulent pendant pay heed above shining marble floors are complement by inscrutable wooden spirit in the piece of furniture and threshold , making you feel like you could be a Rockefeller in this upscale downtown San Jose hotel .
San Jose ’s reputation as a global engineering capital may dwarf its other diverse offerings . Still , this Northern California metropolis shinny brightly ( almost like Silicon ) for its dining , shopping , and arts and culture activities .
