San Jose in the Santa Clara Valley

San Jose is located in the Santa Clara Valley in the northern part of California in the Bay Area. The city is referred to as “The Capital of Silicon Valley.” It is home to several high-tech businesses.

The Municipal Rose Garden was established in 1927. The garden has become one of the most visited attractions in the city. Everywhere you look there are roses blooming with the peak blooming month being May. It’s also a popular place for strolling and picnicking. The garden also features a green space and a natural stage surrounded by redwood trees.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum has the largest collection of authentic Ancient Egyptian artifacts in western North America. Exhibits span from Ancient Egyptian daily life to the afterlife, ranging from uncovered jewelry and housewares to tomb tours and examples of hieroglyphs. The Alchemy Exhibit is the first of its kind its kind in the US and features a full-size alchemy lab reproduction, The museum also hosts rotating exhibits.

This museum is the centerpiece of the larger Rosicrucian Park which is a lovely landscaped space with other notable attractions like the Rosicrucian Temple and historic Rosicrucian Planetarium.

The major place of activity in San Jose is the downtown district. Here you’ll find sidewalk cafes, boutiques, and restaurants.

San Pedro Square which is pedestrian-only is one of the most historic parts of the city. There is outdoor seating, live music, and restaurants.

The San Pedro Square Market is a modern public food hall with many eateries and hosts a weekly farmers market every Friday.

Santana Row is a commercial and entertainment district with plenty of shopping, dining, and foot traffic, There are many name-brand stores along the pedestrian walkways within the Mediterranean outdoor shopping plaza. Restaurants offer everything from fine dining to casual street food,

Plaza de Cesar Chavez is the central downtown green space also known as Cesar Chavez Park, There are shady trees, park benches, and lots of activity.

The Winchester Mystery House was once the residence of Sara Winchester, widow of William Winchester, and heiress to the Winchester fortune. The family was known for the Winchester repeating rifle, referred to as “the gun that won the West.” She moved to San Jose in 1886 and began a nearly fifty-year renovation project on an eight-room farmhouse. Finally, the house became known as the Winchester Mystery House with false stairs, misleading doors, and 160 different rooms. Guided tours are available. Surrounding the house are manicured gardens.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is located southeast of downtown. It features amusement rides, puppet theaters, and a small collection of endangered and rescued animals. The animals range from a giant anteater to a spotted jaguar and there are special animal encounters to let visitors have an interactive experience.

The park surrounding the zoo had special play areas for children like the Crooked House and a Dino Dig station.

.The San Jose Museum of Art exhibits modern and contemporary art. There is a permanent collection of 2,500 artworks and visitors can also enjoy consistently rotating exhibits.

Next door is the Cathedral Basilica of St. John a historic Roman Catholic church.

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens is a three-mile linear park along the Guadalupe River. It connects many top attractions. The southern part of the trail starts in the center of the city near the SAP Center and The Children’s Discovery Center. It continues north from downtown following the river corridor.

Along the route is the Rotary PlayGarden for family fun.

Then the Heritage Rose Garden which is in full bloom in May.

Alum Rock Park is one of the oldest municipal parks in California. It is located in northeast San Jose and dates back to 1872. The park is nestled in the foothills of the Diablo Range with Upper Penitencia Creek running through the middle. It is a lush and scenic setting that offers hiking, picnicking, or just exploring nature. Thirteen miles of trail wind through the park. All the trails are open to hikers, bikers, and horse riders.

The Mission Santa Clara de Asis is located on the Santa Clara University campus and is the centerpiece of this Jesuit university. The history of the mission dates back to the 1700s when Spanish explorers came to the South Bay Area. The mission is a consecrated Roman Catholic church and there are regular scheduled masses.

San Jose has one of the few historical Japantowns remaining in the US. It dates back more than 120 years when the first Japanese immigrants came to this area. Today it is a mix of many different stores and restaurants it is also known for its art galleries, fresh markets, and historical monuments.