Things to Do in San Jose

San Jose, which has about 155,000 more residents than its trendier counterpart San Francisco, is thriving with sites and activities—as are the other cities of the Bay Area. From whizzing along on a suspended rollercoaster at California's Great America theme park to visiting eclectic museums or catching a seasonal festival, San Jose offers its own smorgasbord of family fun.

Endless Amusement

Ready for a whole new world of thrill? Great America has over 350 acres of carnival games, rides and other attractions, and is one of the state’s most-visited amusement parks. Enjoy all the well-known rides such as Drop Tower, a straight 224-foot drop at over 50 mph. Part of the area is sponsored by Nickelodeon, so expect several popular cartoon characters to drop by and say hello.

Not Your Grandmother's Museums

Forget tiptoeing around peering at paintings of historical figures. In San Jose, the museums are eclectic and just plain fun. Enjoy hands-on exhibits showing how our technologically progressive world was created at the Tech Museum of Innovation. There is also the San Jose Museum of Art and the Children’s Discovery Museum—another interactive fun learning center. If you’re more of a history buff, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum has more ancient Egyptian artifacts on display than any other collection in the West Coast. You’ll even find a tomb replica.

Festivals for Any Season

Do you and your family love festivals? San Jose hosts countless festivals throughout the year. And if you absolutely must visit here, make sure you’re here when there’s a celebration going on. You can shake your groove thing at music festivals like Summer Jazz Fest and Music in the Park, or get your grub on at the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the Farm to Table Food event. The city even has its own version of the famous Burning Man, SubZero, which celebrates the South Bay's underground arts scene.

Eclectic Dining Options

Thanks to its diverse population, it’s easy to get addicted to the excellent and affordable meals at all the local international restaurants. Explore food you've never ventured close to before, like the savory Cambodian cuisine at Chez Sovan. One dish to try: amok, a catfish curry steamed in a banana leaf and full of explosive flavor. Or bite into locally produced veggies in exceptional tacos and burritos at Zona Rosa, where they make the taco chips by hand and the fantastic guacamole comes topped with bacon and pistachios.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in San Jose.