Things To Do In San José, California

Located in Silicon Valley, San José is the largest city in Northern California.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the city is a popular destination for business people and tourists. Whether interested in its rich history or technology, it has something to offer everyone.

Here are four things you can do when in San José, California.

Take a tour

If you're a wine lover, a tour of the Santa Clara Wine Trail might interest you. You will stop at wineries, learn about them, and sample wine. Your tour may include lunch as well. If beer is more your style, you can tour local breweries. Strike Brewing Company offers tours and tastings.

Strike Brewing Co. is a microbrewery in the heart of Silicon Valley in San Jose. Photo by @strikebrewingco

If you're into history and mystery, you might want to visit the Winchester Mystery House. This supposedly haunted house was built in 1884 by Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. You can also take a half-day evening bus tour of San José, including pick-up and dinner.

The Winchester Mystery House is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, CA. / Photo by HarshLight, CC BY-NC2.0.

Check out the Computer History Museum

If technology is your thing, you won't want to miss seeing the Computer History Museum. You can explore the 19 galleries, 1,100 objects, and original multimedia. The history of computing goes back to the abacus 2,000 years ago.

A Google self-driving car inside the Computer History Museum. / Photo by Don DeBold, CC BY 2.0

Suppose you want to see the progression of computers and the Internet, be interested in robots, autonomous cars, or software history, or wish to learn about women in technology. In that case, the Computer History Museum should be on your to-do list. Your family can spend hours exploring and learning.

Have an adventure

If you're adventurous, there is plenty to do in San José that will get your adrenaline pumping. There's nothing like a vacation to try something new.

If you've never been rock climbing, you can take a half-day outdoor rock climbing lesson for beginners. If you're an expert, there are options for you as well.

You might consider a helicopter tour to see the city from a different perspective. You can also go zip-lining, skydiving, or bungee jumping.

Take a hike

San José has plenty of hiking trails you can explore if you're the outdoorsy type.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park includes 37 miles of hiking and 16 miles of bike trails. Dogs are welcome in the park if they're on a leash. Ensure to bring water, as there is no source of drinking water within the park. What makes this park unique is that it's a historic landmark. For 135 years, the park was a mining area. Miners and their families lived there, and you can see remnants today.

The remains of an unloading station in Almaden Quicksilver Park. / Photo by Matthew Lee High, CC BY-NC2.0

Another hiking spot you may enjoy is Alum Rock Park, California's oldest municipal park, founded in 1872. The park has 13 miles of hiking trails and three miles of biking trails. You can find free parking at the Eagle Rock and Rustic Lands lots.