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San Jose, San Jose, California

Overview Introduction

San Jose, California, is more than just the unofficial capital of Valley, the place where the U.S. industry took off and created a high-technology world. Palm trees and luxury hotels line busy boulevards in lively , and the city's trendy restaurants, classy shops and lively nightspots attract both visitors and locals, including many who work in the world of technology. Despite its sudden growth during the tech boom of the , San Jose retains its small-town charm.

Highlights

Sights—The strange and beautiful ; the historic and Fallon House; the .

Museums—The amazing interactive exhibits at The Tech Museum of Innovation; masterworks at the ; the large collection of Egyptian artifacts at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium.

Memorable Meals—The enchanting ambience and French fare at La Foret Creekside Dining; the funky atmosphere of Henry's Hi-Life.

Late Night—Drinking and dancing at San Jose Bar and Grill; live music at JJ's Lounge.

Walks—A hike in nearby ; in Portola Redwoods State Park; a stroll along the boardwalk at Santa Cruz Beach; a rose-scented walk through Guadalupe River Park & Gardens; a hike in the hillside around the Montalvo Arts Center.

Especially for Kids—The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose; Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

Geography

San Jose is in the , otherwise known as . It is bordered by two mountain ranges, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the to the east. Two rivers, the Coyote and the Guadalupe, run through the city. San Jose is at the southern end of the valley, about 50 mi/80 km south of and about 40 mi/64 km south of Oakland.

Several neighboring Silicon Valley cities are close enough to visit for sightseeing, shopping or dinner. (Most sit 5-15 mi/8-24 km north or northwest of downtown.) These include Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Campbell, Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Woodside. Morgan Hill-Saratoga and Los Gatos (a small historic town) lie south of San Jose. You'll hear locals refer to the entire area as the South Bay, part of the sweeping metropolitan Bay Area.

Potpourri

Founded in 1777, and part of the former Spanish colony known as Alta California, San Jose is officially known as El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe.

Page 1 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have stayed at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose and so has the Dalai Lama. Clinton actually stopped at a McDonald's on San Carlos Street for french fries while out on his morning run—long before his bypass surgery.

Mercury pulled from San Jose mines was used to process gold during the Rush of the 1840s. One of the country's largest active mines continues to operate on the outskirts of the city.

Scenes from Memoirs of a Geisha were filmed at the beautiful in nearby Saratoga.

The statue of Quetzalcoatl (a Mesoamerican god) in Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez is a controversial work of art. One man called it a giant dog dropping, and many have likened it to dinosaur excrement—not exactly in those words.

The Smothers Brothers comedy duo attended San Jose State University and began their career in small clubs in San Jose.

San Jose was the California state capital briefly, before it was moved to Sacramento.

Hotel Overview

The of hotel rooms has grown dramatically in response to the steadily increasing flow of business travelers to Silicon Valley. It can be difficult to find a room on weekdays because San Jose hosts so many shows and conventions. It's best to book rooms as far in advance as possible. The city has several notable top-notch hotels, though business travelers may want to make location their top criterion: Silicon Valley's traffic is notoriously bad, so finding a hotel close to your meeting place is advisable.

See & Do Sightseeing

Though it lacks a cohesive nucleus (the sprawl of San Jose brings Los Angeles to mind), many of the best sights are in the downtown area. There is enough to see and do to keep you busy for a day or so. You'll find traces of the area's history at , where the city's oldest building, the Peralta Adobe, stands as a legacy of San Jose's Spanish origins. Most of the city's museums are not far away. And, if you like historical architecture, the post office on St. James Street—a WPA (Works Projects Administration) project during the Great Depression—has a beautiful interior. A must-see is The Tech Museum of Innovation. You can make a movie in its digital studio or be shaken in a simulated earthquake—just two of The Tech's more than 200 interactive exhibits.

Historic Sites

Winchester Mystery House Possibly the strangest house in the U.S., it was commissioned by wealthy widow . It was constructed by teams of carpenters working 24 hours a day for 38 years. The 525 S. Winchester Blvd. constant construction is what the Winchester Rifle heiress believed would protect her from the San Jose, CA spirits of those killed by the guns her husband manufactured. The 160-room house contains Phone: 408-247-2101 oddities (staircases that go nowhere, doors that open onto blank walls), but also luxuries http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com (Tiffany art-glass windows, 47 fireplaces, three elevators). A gift shop and cafe are located on the grounds.

Tours daily from 9 am. Tours start at US$30 adults.

Museums

The Tech Museum of Innovation This is perhaps the city's best museum. A salute to the technology that gave Silicon Valley its moniker, there are lots of interactive exhibits, vintage , 's largest 201 S. Market St. IMAX dome theater and educational displays of software. One of the most popular exhibits San Jose, CA involves making a rock video. Phone: 408-294-8324

Daily 10 am-5 pm. US$24 adults. http://www.thetech.org

Page 2 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. San Jose Museum of Art The San Jose Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 20th- and 21st-century works that includes , , new media, photography, drawings and prints. The museum's 110 S. Market St. (at San Fernando schedule of temporary exhibits includes national and international works of mostly Street) contemporary artists. Public tours are offered in the museum's lobby Tuesday-Sunday 1 and San Jose, CA 2:30 pm. Phone: 408-271-6840

Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-5 pm. US$10 adults. http://www.sjmusart.org

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium This museum contains one of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts on the West Coast. In addition to ancient mummies, the museum has a replica of an ancient tomb. Admission 1660 Park Ave. includes a show in a 1930s-era planetarium. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-947-3635 Wednesday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6 pm. US$9 adults. http://www.egyptianmuseum.org

Computer History Museum Originally started in 1979 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the museum was moved to Mountain View in 1996. The museum walks visitors through 2,000 years of computer history via more 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. than 20 educational installations, including mainframes, analog computers, robotics and San Jose, CA autonomous vehicles. Phone: 650-810-1010

Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm. US$15 adults. http://www.computerhistory.org

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose The exhibits and programs of this highly regarded museum are designed to entertain and educate children. Older children will learn everything from how electricity is created to the ways 180 Woz Way different cultures use seeds. For little ones, there are exploratory labs featuring water, sand, San Jose, CA bubbles and balls. Phone: 408-298-5437

Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. US$12 general admission. http://www.cdm.org

Neighborhoods & Districts

Willow Glen An oasis in the middle of San Jose sprawl, Willow Glen used to be a marsh full of willow trees. Ther area was drained in the early 1900s to plant orchards. Today, it is a relaxing area for Lincoln Avenue (between Coe and shopping and dining. Locals enjoy wandering through the tree-lined neighborhood and along its Minnesota streets) major street, Lincoln Avenue, which is filled with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and day San Jose, CA spas. A farmers market is held at the Garden Theatre May-October Saturday 9:30 am-1:30 pm Phone: 408-298-2100 . http://www.willowglen.org

South First Area (SoFA) SoFA (South First Area) is San Jose's downtown arts and entertainment district. It's home to many galleries, nightclubs and several good restaurants. The San Jose Stage, ICA, San Jose South of First Street (west of San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles and the California Theatre are all located there. The SoFA district State University) incorporates some of the city's most interesting architecture, too—check out the old movie San Jose, CA theaters. Phone: 408-279-1775 http://www.sjdowntown.com/sofa

Page 3 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. San Pedro Square This historic strip in downtown San Jose is home to two of the city's oldest buildings—the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House. The name is misleading because it's not really a square, 45 San Pedro St. but rather a one-block stretch of San Pedro Street. The area is a popular place for lunch, as San Jose, CA most of the restaurants offer patio seating along wide sidewalks, and there is a multilevel http://www.sanpedrosquare.com parking lot on San Pedro Street. A farmers market takes over on Friday 10 am-2 pm.

Japantown Residents of this district preserve the heritage of their immigrant ancestors, who built their small community to San Jose's Chinatown in the early 1900s. One of only three Japantowns in 565 N. Sixth St., Suite G (light-rail stop the , it is the only one still in its original location. You can take a short walking tour Japantown/Ayer on First Street) of the area given by the Japan American Museum of San Jose to see an old bathhouse, a San Jose, CA Japanese theater and a Buddhist temple. Shops and restaurants abound. There is a farmers Phone: 408-298-4303 market every Sunday 8:30 am-noon, off Jackson Street (between Sixth and Seventh streets). http://www.japantownsanjose.org

Parks & Gardens

Hakone Gardens Scenes from Memoirs of a Geisha were filmed in this historic created in the foothills of Saratoga in the early 1900s. Wander among 18 acres/7 hectares of multitiered 21000 Big Basin Way (Highway 9) waterfalls, peaceful bamboo and tea gardens, koi ponds and historic buildings. It's like a private Saratoga, CA estate, with the garden terraced on a hillside. Public tea ceremonies are held the third Sunday Phone: 408-741-4994 of each month April-November, with seatings at noon, 1 and 2 pm. http://www.hakone.com Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-5 pm. US$8 general admission.

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Set along the banks of the Guadalupe River in downtown San Jose, this impressive garden is part of a 3-mi/5-km stretch of park developed by the city as part of a massive flood-control 438 Coleman Ave. (between Highway 87 project. There's a rock garden, Japanese cherry trees, an old orchard, a garden center and 2.5 and Coleman Avenue) mi/4 km of trails. The main attraction is a rose garden containing 3,600 varieties, making it one San Jose, CA of the largest collections in the Western Hemisphere. Phone: 408-298-7657

Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm. Free admission. http://www.grpg.org

Filoli Gardens and Estate This grand estate is worth the short drive to Woodside. Visitors can tour the Georgian revival house and the European-inspired formal gardens, which were built more than 85 years ago and 86 Canada Road (off Highway 280) deeded to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975. Two-hour guided tours of the Woodside, CA house and gardens are available Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 am and 1 pm. Phone: 650-364-8300, ext. 507

Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-3:30 pm, Sunday 11 am-3:30 pm. US$18 adults. http://www.filoli.org

Page 4 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Amusement Parks

Raging Waters Whether you're looking to cool off in the pool or zip down a waterslide, is a great place to play. Rides range from simple tube floats to steep, thrilling flumes. All the pools are 2333 S. White Road (in Lake heated, and the park is staffed with lifeguards. Picnic areas are available outside the gates. Cunningham Regional Park) San Jose, CA US$35.99 adults. Phone: 408-238-9900 http://www.rwsplash.com

Emerald Hills Golfland Entertainment Center Play miniature golf on two 18-hole courses, enjoy the arcade or ride the waterslides in this park. The water rides are closed in winter, but the golf course and arcade are open year-round. 976 Blossom Hills Road (near Highway 85) Sunday-Thursday 10 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-midnight. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-225-1533 http://www.golfland.com/sanjose

Callifornia's Great America Roller coasters and wild rides get most of the attention—but there are amusements and activities for all ages. Flight Deck suspends and takes you through two 360-degree loops, a 4701 Great America Parkway (take couple of 270-degree turns, and a zero-gravity roll. The Gold Striker stands just more than 100 Highway 101 north to the Great America ft/30 m tall at speeds of more than 50 mph/80 kmph. Characters from Nickelodeon Parkway exit) programs cruise the park, posing for pictures and entertaining children. Santa Clara, CA Phone: 408-988-1776 March-October. http://www.cagreatamerica.com

Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries Visitors to San Jose think of the wine country as north of San Francisco in Napa and Sonoma, but the Santa Clara Valley, Livermore Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains are also filled to the brim with fine wineries. Some began in the late 1800s when Europeans discovered this fertile valley. The settings for many of these wineries are beautiful and allow for picnics and hikes. Where you find one, it's likely there are several others nearby, allowing for an easy hop from winery to winery. To locate wineries and guided wine tours in the South Bay region, check the website of the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association at http://www.scmwa.com or the Livermore Winegrowers Association at https://www.lvwine.org.

Zoos & Wildlife

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo This small, 16-acre/6-hectare zoo is best for families with young children. The zoo is home to pygmy goats, lemurs, a fossa, alpacas, a jaguar and a capybara (the world's largest rodent), as 1300 Senter Road well as exotic birds and reptiles. There is a petting zoo and special area for children with rides San Jose, CA and interactive activities. Phone: 408-794-6400

Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am. Closing hours vary by season. US$12.95 adults. http://www.hhpz.org

Recreation

Page 5 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Locals don't spend all their time indoors—the valley's mild climate lets them do much of their playing outside. Whether it's an escape to the beach, the links, the woods or a bicycle , the city and surrounding area offer plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Beaches

Ano Nuevo State Reserve In arid San Jose, it's sometimes hard to remember there's a magnificent ocean not far away. This 4,000-acre/1,620-hectare reserve is the world's largest breeding colony for the northern 1 New Years Creek Road elephant seal. During breeding season (mid-December through March) you can take guided Pescadero, CA walks through the reserve to see the seals. Be sure to make a reservation at least 48 hours in Phone: 650-879-2025 advance, or go early and get on a waiting list. If it's not breeding season, you can still enjoy a http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523 walk on the beach or in one of the state parks flanking Highway 1. Beware: Even at the height of summer, the water is too chilly for all but the most intrepid swimmers.

Daily 8:30 am-dusk. Seal Walk tickets cost US$7. Admission to the park is US$10 per car.

Bicycling

Bicyclists will want to take a trip on . It begins in San Jose and runs along the Los Gatos Creek to Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos and on to the . The 9-mi/14-km trail has a few small parks along the way. There are several starting points, but the easiest to locate and park in are at Campbell Park, located in Campbell on Campbell and Gilman avenues, or at 333 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos. Phone 408-355-2729. http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/Vasona.aspx.

The city of San Jose offers bike shares of more than 150 two-wheelers at 16 stations downtown. Bikes can be picked up and returned at any station. Locations include City Hall, the Convention Center, SJSU, the SoFa district, the Children's Discovery Museum and San Pedro Square. https://parksj.org/getting-downtown/bike-sharing.

Hiking & Walking

Santa Teresa County Park If you're up for a strenuous hike, this park's climb to Coyote Peak offers the best views of Silicon Valley—breathtaking hills and valleys, expansive corporate campuses and, on clear 260 Bernal Road days, views of San Francisco's skyline and bridges. There is also a golf club on-site with an 18- San Jose, CA hole and a 9-hole course (phone 408-225-2650 for reservations and information). Phone: 408-355-2200

Year-round daily 8 am till dusk. Parking is US$6 per vehicle. https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfin der/Pages/SantaTeresa.aspx

Portola Redwoods State Park This beautiful and popular forested state park is nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, not far from San Jose. Hiking, camping, nature trails, ranger-guided hikes and a historical museum are Off Alpine Road (3 mi/5 km west of some of the attractions. Skyline Drive) La , CA Daily 6 am till dusk. Parking for day use is US$10. Phone: 650-948-9098 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=539

Henry W. Coe State Park The largest state park in northern California, Henry Coe Park offers more than 87,000 acres/35,000 hectares of grasslands, canyons, woods and wild spaces. Visitors can enjoy 9000 E. Dunne Ave. (a half-hour drive hiking, horseback riding, camping and bicycling, as well as fishing in the park's many creeks. from Highway 101) The visitors center is housed in old ranch buildings from the early 1900s. Morgan Hill, CA Phone: 408-779-2728 Daily 24 hours. Admission US$6-US$8 per car, camping fees US$20 a night. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=561

Page 6 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. A 400-mi/645-km, multiple-use trail connects many of the parks and open spaces that surround . Hike or bicycle through wetlands, along the shore or into the hills for San Jose, CA stunning views. Check the website to find trailheads around the San Jose area (look for them Phone: 415-561-2595 under "South Bay trails"). http://www.ridgetrail.org

Alum Rock Park You'll find nature trails, wildflowers and a generally serene environment at this 740-acre/300- hectare park located in the foothills of the Diablo Mountains. The privately operated Youth 16235 Alum Rock Ave. Science Institute houses animals (mainly birds) indigenous to the area and is open to the public San Jose, CA Tuesday-Saturday noon-4:30 pm. Phone: 408-794-7275

The park is open year-round daily 8 am-sunset. Free. http://www.sanjoseca.gov/?nid=2819

Almaden Quicksilver County Park A former mercury mine has been converted to a 4,150-acre/1,680-hectare park. It has 34 mi/55 km of hiking trails, 23 mi/37 km of equestrian trails and 10 mi/16 km of bike trails. An on-site 21785 Almaden Road museum explains the park's history (Monday, Tuesday and Friday noon-4 pm, Saturday San Jose, CA and Sunday 10 am-4 pm; phone 408-323-1107; 21350 Almaden Road). Located in New Phone: 408-268-3883 Almaden in , the park can be accessed from Mockingbird Lane, Wood Road or https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfin the south end of . der/Pages/AlmadenPark.aspx Daily 8 am-sunset. Free.

Nightlife

A lively nightlife scene has developed in previously sleepy San Jose, especially in the clubs of the city's trendy SoFA (South of First Area) district downtown. A handful of microbreweries, pubs and speakeasy-type bars are located downtown as well. The mild weather makes enjoying an alfresco brew, or glass of wine from a nearby winery, easy and pleasant most nights. Closing time for most bars is 2 am.

Performing Arts

San Jose has developed several highly regarded performing-arts companies.

Dance

Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley One of the largest classical ballet companies in the country performs at the SJSU Hammer Theatre Center. 101 San Jose, CA Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. Phone: 408-288-2820 https://newballet.com

Page 7 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Music

Symphony Silicon Valley The symphony performs in the magnificent California Theatre September-June. 325 S. First St. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-286-2600 http://www.symphonysiliconvalley.org

San Jose Symphonic Choir Established in 1924, the Bay Area's oldest choral organization (which boasts 110 voices) performs year-round throughout the South Bay. 1100 Shasta Ave. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-995-3318 http://www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org

Opera

Opera San Jose Known for showcasing young opera talent, this professional opera company performs in the California Theatre. 345 S. First St. San Jose, CA Season runs September-May. Phone: 408-437-4450 (box office phone) http://www.operasj.org

Theater

TheatreWorks Innovative and always entertaining, TheatreWorks presents outstanding regional theater on the San Francisco peninsula. This theater group offers a year-round season packed with musical, Palo Alto, CA comedy and drama productions staged at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (550 Phone: 650-463-1960 Castro St., Mountain View) and the Lucie Stern Theatre (1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto). http://www.theatreworks.org Box office Tuesday-Saturday noon-6 pm. .

Venues

The Center for the Performing Arts Designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, this center has 2,677 seats, including eight with wheelchair access. Home to and Broadway San Jose, concerts and other 255 Almaden Blvd. (at West San Carlos) events are held there as well. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-295-9600 http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/cente r-for-performing-arts

Page 8 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The California Theatre The theater first opened in 1927 as one of the grand movie palaces of the era. The 1,122-seat hall filled with modern amenities, in a setting of restored 1920s opulence, is a major landmark. 345 S. First St. (in the SoFA district) The theater is home to Opera San Jose and Symphony Silicon Valley. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-286-2600 http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/califor nia-theatre

SAP Center at San Jose Home to the , the SAP center also hosts arena concerts (think Neil Diamond, Madonna, U2) and other large events. 525 W. Santa Clara St. (at Autumn Street) San Jose, CA Phone: 408-287-7070 http://www.sapcenter.com

San Jose Civic A historic landmark, formerly the City National Civic, this was the kickoff tour location for The Who when they toured in 1968. It has a capacity of 3,036 seats and hosts a variety of events, 135 W. San Carlos St. including major rock concerts. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-792-4111 box office http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/city- national-civic

Montgomery Theatre This intimate, 475-seat theater was originally built in 1936. Children's Musical Theater San Jose and the Lyric Theater both host their home performances there. 271 S. Market St. (at the corner of San Carlos) San Jose, CA Phone: 408-792-4542 http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/mont gomery-theater

Montalvo Arts Center Former home to James Duval Phelan (former San Francisco mayor, former U.S. Senator, and arts lover), Villa Montalvo was left to the city of Saratoga to be used as a center for artists and 15400 Montalvo Road open park and hiking grounds to the public. It serves multiple purposes as an artist residency Saratoga, CA (artists' works are shown in the on-site gallery and open studios), public garden and green Phone: 408-961-5800 space, and an event venue. Concerts, plays and other events are held in the open-air http://www.montalvoarts.org amphitheater, including chamber orchestra and a summer concert series. Grounds open and free to the public most days, except certain holiday and event nights. Check the schedule before making a trip.

Guided tours of the grounds are available for US$10 per person but must be booked through the box office at least four business days in advance.

Spectator Sports

San Jose sports fanatics rally behind their Sharks, a team. Fans also turn out for the Earthquakes () and the (minor-league ).

Page 9 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Baseball

San Jose Giants They might be minor league, but the Giants are a major deal to San Jose and South Bay residents, who are as fiercely loyal to the team as San Franciscans are to its major-league 588 E. Alma Ave. counterpart. The best part—it doesn't cost much for a family to enjoy professional baseball on a San Jose, CA warm summer evening. Games are played at . Phone: 408-297-1435

Season runs April-September. US$8 adults. https://www.milb.com/san-jose

Hockey

San Jose Sharks The National Hockey League's Sharks have built a strong following of fans who travel from around the region to watch home games at the SAP Center in downtown San Jose. 525 W. Santa Clara St. (at Autumn Street) Seasons normally run September-April. San Jose, CA Phone: 408-287-7070. Toll-free 800- 366-4423 https://www.nhl.com/sharks

Soccer

San Jose Earthquakes The Earthquakes' season runs mid-March to October. Home games are played at Earthquakes Stadium. 1123 Coleman Ave. Santa Clara, CA Phone: 408-556-7700 http://www.sjearthquakes.com

Shopping

San Jose, like other cities in the Bay Area, offers few bargains. However, the outlet malls (found along Interstate 880 to the north and those in Gilroy to the south) provide some good options.

If you are interested in antiques, try the 700-1900 blocks of West San Carlos Street, where you will find several antiques stores. Some items are expensive, but there are some bargains there, too.

Shopping Hours: Monday-Friday 9 or 10 am-9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 or 11 am-6 pm.

Itinerary

Page 10 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Day Trips

To San Francisco. No trip to the Bay Area would be complete without a trip to San Francisco. About 50 mi/80 km north of San Jose via Highway 101 or 280, San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with distinctive sights, sounds and flavors. Its hilly landscape and waterside setting make it one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., and its quality restaurants, high-caliber performing-arts companies and lively nightlife give you plenty to do—aside from gawking at the scenery.

To Monterey, Carmel and Salinas. South of Silicon Valley are the resort communities of Monterey and Carmel. Monterey is the site of Cannery Row, made famous in John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. The former fish canneries have been converted into tony waterfront shops and hotels. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums. It contains hundreds of species of marine life and a replica of the massive canyon at the bottom of Monterey Bay. Visitors can watch divers feed the big fish in the aquarium and sometimes see live broadcasts from an underwater research vessel that is exploring the canyon. Monterey is connected to Carmel's white- sand beaches and lavish resorts via scenic 17-Mile Drive. The route, which allows bicycles during the day, includes such legendary golf courses as Pebble Beach and Cypress Point. It takes at least an hour to travel the 17-Mile Drive, and there is a toll for each vehicle.

If you take Highway 68 east from Monterey, you'll reach Salinas—Steinbeck's birthplace. The National Steinbeck Center provides interactive exhibits about the author and contains the Steinbeck archives. It offers lectures, literacy programs, classes, workshops and children's events throughout the year. Each August, there is a Steinbeck festival that includes bus and walking tours.

To Santa Cruz. Sitting along the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the old-time Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk holds a wooden roller coaster and other rides, and midway games and fried foods beckon. On sunny days, water lovers flock to the beach, one of the warmest in northern California. To get to Santa Cruz Beach, take Highway 17 or scenic Highway 1 into Santa Cruz and follow the signs. It's about a 40-minute drive from San Jose.

To Wine Country. The famous valley wine regions of Napa and Sonoma lie 80 mi/129 km north of San Jose. Though they sit virtually side by side, the two areas couldn't be more different. Choose Napa for world-renowned wineries, celebrated restaurants and excellent shopping. Select Sonoma for a more rustic landscape, off-the-beaten-path wineries and understated but superb dining. Allow a full day to tour each valley. To get to wine country, take Interstate 680 north to Highway 12. To Napa, follow Highway 29 north. To Sonoma, stay on Highway 12.

Local Tours The most popular private area tours are of wineries. Several companies offer these tours, permitting you to leave the driving to them while you enjoy tasting to your limit.

Day By Day

Day 1—Spend this day downtown. Start with a walk around San Pedro Square, taking in the city's two oldest buildings, the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House. After a rejuvenating cup of coffee at one of the square's cafes, make your way to the San Jose Museum of Art. After lunch at the museum, devote the afternoon to the Tech Museum of Innovation to learn more about the technology that built San Jose. Have dinner or at least a drink at one of the pubs on South First Street, and take in a comedy show at the on Second Street.

Day 2—Spend the morning touring the strange but fascinating Winchester Mystery House. Then move on to another unusual attraction, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. If the weather is nice, tour Guadalupe River Park & Gardens or the . In the evening, attend a performance at the architecturally stunning California Theatre.

Day 3—Get out of town. Spend the day shopping and sightseeing in San Francisco or enjoying the scenery along the coast in Monterey and Carmel. Avoid driving to either area during rush hours (7:30-9:30 am and 3-8 pm), when the region's roadways are inevitably overcrowded.

Dining Dining Overview

San Jose is a remarkably diverse community with large populations of Chinese, Vietnamese, Hispanic and Indian immigrants. The city's restaurants reflect its diversity, offering a wide array of options for those seeking distinctive flavors.

Choices include Asian, Californian, French, Italian, Mexican and vegetarian, as well as various fusion restaurants. (Cal-Mex restaurants are

Page 11 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. especially popular.) A number of hotel restaurants stand out.

Dress is typically California casual. If a restaurant is more formal, you might feel comfortable in a jacket and dress slacks, but you can almost always leave the tie at home. And don't be surprised to see diners in jeans, no matter how sophisticated the restaurant.

Breakfast is usually served 7-10 am, lunch is 11 am-2:30 pm and dinner is 6-10 pm. Many restaurants in the San Jose area close between lunch and dinner, so grabbing a late lunch may not be as easy as you'd like. Reservations are suggested for popular places on Friday and Saturday night.

Expect to pay within these general guidelines for a single dinner without tax, tip or drinks: $ = less than US$20, $$ = US$20-$30, $$$ = US$31-$50, $$$$ = more than US$50.

Security Health

You should always check with Kaiser to determine if hospitals and all medical providers are in­network prior to treatment.

Disabled Advisory

Wheelchair-accessible public transportation is readily available in San Jose. For complete details on available services through the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), call 408-436-2865 or toll-free 800-400-3440. http://www.vta.org/getting- around/paratransit/program-overview-the-ada.

Outreach is a nonprofit organization that provides paratransit services for those in Santa Clara County. It provides rides via sedans or equipped vans when you make a reservation at least one to three days in advance. Phone 408-436-2865. Reservations 408-436-4860. http://www.outreach1.org.

The Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) provides disabled access via Sky Cap. Contact your airline in advance of travel, or request assistance from any of the courtesy phones throughout the terminals. TTY phones are available, as well. https://www.flysanjose.com/accessible-services.

Facts Dos & Don'ts

Do walk around at night. San Jose is one of the safest large cities in the U.S. and has plenty of artistic performances, galleries, dining and nightlife to keep you busy.

Don't compare San Jose unfavorably with San Francisco. San Joseans are proud of their city, which is the capital of Silicon Valley and has better weather than its neighbor to the north.

Do visit wineries in the area. San Jose has several, and the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region is a hidden gem with lower prices and fewer crowds than the more famous Napa and Sonoma.

Page 12 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Don't worry about northern California's famous foggy, chilly climate. San Jose offers the best climate in the Bay Area, with warm temperatures and more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Do use the Mineta San Jose International Airport. It's easy to navigate, convenient to the Bay Area and only 3 mi/5 km from downtown San Jose.

Don't assume that San Jose is only about microchips. The city offers some of the finest shopping, performing arts, parks, museums and family attractions in the Bay Area.

Weather

San Jose enjoys the best of northern California's climate, with warm days and cool evenings. The best times to visit are spring and fall, when the weather is most comfortable—you can expect temperatures to fall somewhere between 49 F/9 C and 68 F/20 C—though no season is really unbearable. Winter can be rainy and cold with temperatures in the 40s F/5-10 C. Summer highs often reach 90 F/32 C.

What to Wear

In the rainy winter season, the Santa Clara Valley is chilly enough for warm sweaters and light coats, and wet enough for raincoats, hats and umbrellas. Wear clothing warm enough to keep you comfortable in a damp 40 F/5 C.

During the rest of the year, the best strategy is to take light sweatshirts and jackets for mornings and evenings, just in case. But the extra layers won't be needed most spring and summer days. Shorts and sundresses are common in summer months.

Silicon Valley's technology companies are renowned for their laid-back culture. CEOs are more likely to walk around the office in khakis and short-sleeve shirts than in business suits. Nonetheless, the best bet for visitors is to play it safe by wearing formal business attire to business functions.

Transportation

Travel in the Bay Area can be difficult, and during peak times Silicon Valley's crowded roadways can be quite slow. You'll need a car to see most of the area's sights, however. Try to devote a day to seeing downtown San Jose, which is relatively easy to cover on foot, and then use your rental car to see the rest of the area. If possible, stay off roads during rush hours (generally Monday-Friday 7:30-9:30 am and 3-8 pm). In particular, travel by car to areas west of San Jose (such as Sunnyvale) and to the (such as Oakland or Berkeley) should be avoided on weekdays, except 9:30 am-3 pm and after 8 pm. Also, traveling north on Highway 680 or south on Highway 101 on Friday afternoons can be painfully slow.

Events Calendar

San Jose's cultural and recreational amenities complement those in the . The city's position in the center of Silicon Valley and its temperate climate draw audiences year-round to its performing-arts groups, sports teams, museums, gardens and recreational facilities.

To call any of the numbers listed in this calendar from outside the U.S. or Canada, you must first dial your country's international access code, followed by the U.S. country code, 1.

Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.

Page 13 of 13 Copyright ©2021 Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.