San Jose is one of the first and oldest cities in California. It was founded around two hundred fifty years ago by the Spanish. Hence also the dominant Spanish influence around the city. San Jose is a charm of its own. Today, it soars in luxury malls, sports venues, a wide array of restaurant options, rich history, and a very diverse culture. As Silicone Valley, the smart city’s neighbor and sister, it’s also not far behind some tech sites that you can enjoy. If you’re a nature lover, there’s so much for you also to enjoy around the area. In the day time, you can go for hikes and trails, then cap the night off with stargazing activities.
These are only the beginning. There are so many other great things that you can do in San Jose. These include the following:
1. Join A Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are so much fun! If you haven’t ever tried joining one in your life, then now’s the time for you to give the San Jose Scavenger Hunt a try. When you’re traveling and visiting as a tourist in San Jose, California, this is one of the best ways for you to have a whole new look at the place. It’s an excellent time for you to have fun, whether you’re traveling with kids or in an adults-only group.
Here are some of the other great reasons to convince you further that joining a scavenger hunt is a great idea:
- You can choose from other customizable options that can better fit your itinerary for the day. That way, you get to maximize more your experience of visiting San Jose, California.
- You can tour the place with a lot of fun. This advantage works as a benefit in particular to those that don’t like going through traditional tours. Here, you can go around San Jose without getting bored.
- You have a great mental exercise. Through scavenger hunts, your mental skills are also tested, particularly problem-solving. You’re given challenging activities for the half-day that you’re joining in the fun.
- You’re allowed to learn many new things.
2. Going Around Downtown San Jose
Have a day without any itinerary planned out. In so doing, you can enjoy a steady and chill day going around downtown San Jose. You can condense a whole day of culture, nightlife, educational and historical tours all in the charming downtown San Jose area. Go around the area on foot, so you can genuinely experience as the locals do.
A good note for you to remember is to start your walk on an empty stomach! There are about 250 restaurants for you to choose from plus so many other attractions. Yes, you can expect to have photos with many Instagrammable areas, too.
3. Visit the Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is one of the places where you can find a mix of both historical and architectural displays. This Winchester Mystery House is aptly named so, as indeed it’s a mansion full of mysteries. Plus, an interesting story, too. William Winchester was famous for belonging to the family that made the Winchester Rifle. In 1881, he died.
He left behind a grieving widow, who had no other person by her side to console her, but her self. Because of this, Mrs. Winchester started believing that those people killed by the Winchester rifle were haunting her. To appease the ghosts, she continued building out her mansion, until it became what it is today. When you go inside the place, you’ll be led into peculiar rooms, staircases that lead to nowhere and mysterious passageways.
4. Visit The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a mix of both Egyptian and Moorish influence. It’s a majestic structure that occupies one whole of the city’s block in the Rose neighborhood. Finished in the 1920s, this museum is now home to the Rosicrucian order, an alchemy exhibit and garden, a Rosicrucian labyrinth, and a research library.
The most interesting of all things to see in this museum are the Egyptian displays. It contains the most extensive and widest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the whole of the Western North America area. With 4,000 pieces to marvel on, you’re not going to get bored.
5. Shop Around The Santana Row
This section is apt for those of you who love to enjoy a pleasant shopping trip, too. If you’ve got the space in your luggage and the money for it, then why not. Shopping at Santana Row is a unique experience. It’s more than just an outdoor mall, it’s a lifestyle center that’ll have you busy the whole day long. At the Santana Row, you’ll come across a mix of both luxury brands and local, more affordable brands as well.
If you’re tired, you can sit back and relax at some of the outdoor seating options.
Conclusion
In the Bay Area, there’s honestly so much for anyone to experience. San Jose is, in fact, one of the most overlooked cities. This list comprises only a minimum of the activities that you can do in San Francisco’s sister. But, it should be enough to show you that this quaint little city is worth a visit, too. San Jose is the economic, cultural, and political city in Northern California. With its colorful history and current setting, it’s a trip that you should make.