San Jose is a destination that may not be on your bucket list but you should find your way there because it’s definitely a place to explore for good food, wine and lots to do.
I recently was invited to visit San Jose by Team San Jose. I was not financially compensated for my review. All opinions and experiences are my own.
When I first found out I was going to San Jose I couldn’t stop singing the song “Do you know the way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick. It was an “earworm” that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.
I have to admit that as I landed at the San Jose Airport I was still humming the song. When I told people I was going to San Jose and asked if they “knew the way,” they would just look at me. This is a vintage generational Burt Bacharach song from 1968. Clearly, only people “of a certain age” would be familiar with the song. Arriving in San Jose I was surprised that the airport is only a few minutes from downtown which makes visiting very convenient.
California is such a remarkable state to visit. I’m certain you could spend a year or more exploring all the different climates and beauties of the Golden State. San Jose is a quick 45-minute drive from San Francisco and an hour from Monterey. 300 days of sunshine every year make San Jose a terrific place to visit just about any time. Here are some things to do in San Jose.
Go for the Food
San Jose restaurants certainly have plenty of choices when it comes to delicious cuisine. A go-to destination for busy Silicon Valley foodies, it’s a sure bet that whether you’re seeking award-winning restaurants or casual market dining San Jose has it all.
For a lovely Sunday brunch, you can try out the classic Parisian brasserie The Left Bank on Santana Row in San Jose. Whether you choose to sit outside sipping an aperitif and people-watch on the busy shopping strip or cuddle up inside you’ll find the menu classic French. You can stop in for lunch, dinner, or their busy Sunday brunch.
San Pedro Square Market is a food court on steroids. Although you can get the usual food court tastes like pizza, hot dogs, and burgers, don’t expect the food to be predictable. The vendors are vast and offer a wide array of foods and dishes for every palate. Dine inside or outside in the relaxing courtyard that offers live music on the weekends.
A Little Portugal
Go to this part of town, Little Portugal, if you want to feel like you’ve been transported to Portugal. This little enclave is full of Portuguese immigrants who have lived here for generations. Stop by Popular Bakery for an authentic pastel de nada or other Portuguese sweet.
Adega Restaurant is the first Michelin-starred restaurant in San Jose that is owned by a Portuguese family. “Adega” means winery in Portuguese so you know you can expect a good wine list, too.
Don’t forget the Wine
It’s no surprise that San Jose has many wineries and vineyards to visit just a short drive away. There are lovely small wineries ready and waiting for you to try. They offer tasty wines and most have breathtaking mountain views.
There are so many lovely wineries to choose from, plan on spending at least a couple of days exploring different vineyards and learning about the wine. There are several varietals, including Pinotage from Loma Prieta Vineyards, that are unique to the region. You’re bound to discover something you like during your explorations.
Save Time for Some Terrific Entertainment
Santana Row is the “Rodeo Drive” of San Jose. The busy strip offers luxury shopping and fine dining but there’s plenty of casual dining as well. It’s an easy walking area with plenty going on. From outdoor yoga classes to live concerts, this area is residential, retail, and entertainment combined.
From Tesla to H&M, the many exciting retailer shops make exploring the latest fashion trends and gourmet goodies easy and fun. You’ll also find plenty of nightlife with clubs and restaurants serving Silicon Valley’s latest tech stars.
If you’re looking for an ideal location for a hotel stay, the Hotel Valencia on Santana Row is beautiful and has gorgeous accommodations, a spa, a swimming pool, restaurants, and bars all at your service for a relaxing stay.
A courtyard view and a comfy leather chair at the Hotel Valencia made my stay just perfect for my weekend wine getaway.
A few steps away from Santana Row is the famous Winchester Mystery House. Whether you’re an architecture buff or fascinated by mysteries you’ll want to visit the Winchester House, a 160-room mansion built by Sarah Winchester wife of William Winchester inventor of the Winchester repeating rifle. Many secret rooms, stories of ghosts, and odd mysteries are all explored on tours of this one-of-a-kind mansion.
If you love music be sure to check out the Mountain Winery. Live concerts, wine, and food are all part of this outdoor music scene. Listening to music under the stars in the mountains just doesn’t get any better than this.
San Jose has all the entertainment you’d expect for the tenth-largest city in the United States. Whether it’s opera, ballet, theater, sports, nightclubs, or comedy clubs – they have them all.
If you want to learn more about San Jose check out the comprehensive website sanjose.org.
THE QUICK BITE: San Jose, in sunny California, is a perfect destination to explore a beautiful wine country, terrific food choices and many cultural and entertainment options.
15 Comments
At a quick glance of hotel prices on the web, it seems there are many hotels that are reasonably priced in San Jose. Even the Hotel Valencia had reasonable prices for a well located and well appointed hotel. Safe travels!
Great write up, I was just wondering, what are the hotel prices like in the area? I am looking for a few places to visit on the West coast that aren’t overly expensive places to stay in.
Thanks Vanessa! When you visit San Jose don’t write off the Winchester House. During our visit it was quite normal and beautiful. It’s just really different and raises a lot of questions about why Sarah did what she did in the house. It’s worth the experience.
What a lovely feast to see. Mouthwatering indeed! I am not so adventurist when it comes to haunted houses. I would like to try, really…but I just don’t have enough courage to do it. But that Mystery Mansion wont stop me from going to San Jose. Your photos is so convincing. I’m sure its worth a visit.
We are in San Francisco right now but sadly don’t have time to make it to San Jose! We will certainly keep it in mind when we are in this neck of the woods again, it looks like a lovely place. I love the Winchester Mystery House, it is incredibly beautiful!
Ruth
I’ve been to most of the places you mentioned here myself. Good choices in an often underrated city. Here are some of the places I’ve enjoyed visiting there, http://weekendadventuresupdate.blogspot.com/search/label/San%20Jose
I had no idea San Jose was that big. Really?? I have flown into the airport but that’s it so good to know about the plethora of wonderful food choices.
Thanks Evelyn. I hope to return again soon there’s so many things to experience one trip in not enough!
Thank you for the great post on our fair city! San Jose has a lot to offer. There’s lots to do and you can relax too! Great getaway for a weekend almost anytime of the year!
Mmm, I am getting really hungry here! 🙂 Have been to San Jose once, for a computer science conference with my work. It is such a great area, loved it!
I visited Winchester Mystery House years ago. It was fascination. And sad too, when you find out Mrs. Winchester built stairs to nowhere and kept moving around the house to confuse the spirits. At the time, I wasn’t staying in San Jose, but a nearby city, so didn’t take in the San Jose food scene. May be time for another visit.
I’m not sure if it’s haunted or not but there sure seems to be a lot of stories and sightings. Sarah Winchester followed the advice of a psychic during all the building of the house. She believed that all the souls of the people that were killed by Winchester guns were haunting her family and thought that was why her young daughter and husband were taken away from her. It’s a fascinating tour to be sure.
We have never been to the west coast of the US but have dreams of renting an RV and driving the coast north to south. A stop in San Jose is sure to happen!
I’ve only been through San Jose on the way to somewhere else by car or plane so it was great fun to read your post and add a stop there to the bucket list. Love sampling local foods and your pictures have made me very, very hungry!
Love the Salad Nicoise and crostini – yum! Do you think the Winchester House is haunted? Many people do. Lovely area that is often overlooked.