Loading...
Loading

San Jose Attractions

Santa Clara County

Location and general

This rapidly progressing town, situated 37mi/60km from San Francisco, is also one of the oldest in the country. Its population has increased ten-fold since the end of the Second World War, and will probably exceed that of San Francisco when the next census is taken. In spite of all its efforts, however, it still does not have a proper town center; even more so than Los Angeles, it is simply a collection of suburbs strung together.

Origin

San Jose was founded in 1777, under the name of Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. The Mission established 20 years later is now situated outside the town in Fremont, while the Santa Clara Mission built in the pueblo now forms part of the town of Santa Clara, founded during the Gold Rush period. By 1848 there were still only 700 people living in San Jose; when it gained the status of a town two years later, however, it boasted 3,000 inhabitants.

Economy

San Jose lies in the extremely fertile Santa Clara Valley, where a great variety of fruit, grapes and vegetables are cultivated. The agricultural products have always been dispatched from San Jose, where the first canning factory was built in 1871. Nevertheless the town could muster only 21,500 inhabitants at the beginning of the 20th century, but 40 years later there were 57,000. Then the real upswing began, giving San Jose its reputation of being the town with the greatest population growth in the world.

The chief branch of industry continues to be the processing of agricultural products. This is followed by the computer, chemical and engineering industries (especially atomic engineering) which have contributed greatly to San Jose's economic growth.

Culture

The town's cultural life has not kept pace with its unbridled demographic and economic development, in spite of having a big Performing Arts Center, a Symphony Orchestra and a large Congress Building surrounded by nine hotels which was opened in 1989. The expansion of the nearby airport, which at present deals with six million passengers and is expected to be able to take two or three times as many by the end of the century, will not be able to compensate for the town's cultural shortcomings.
Read More Winchester Mystery House
Winchester Mystery House is a strange house built by Mrs Sarah Pardee Winchester. The confusing features were designed to protect hers from the ghosts of those killed by Winchester rifles.
Hyatt Santa Claire
Located in downtown San Jose, the Hyatt Santa Claire is a historic hotel which opened in 1926. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Address
Hyatt Santa Claire
302 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113-2817
United States
Phone 1 (408) 885-1234
Fax 1 (408) 977-0403
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Jungle Fun and Adventure
Jungle Fun and Adventure in San Jose is a jungle-themed indoor play facility geared to children 12 and under. There is a large play structure, hands-on activities and skill games available.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open10:0010:0010:0010:0010:009:0010:00
Close20:3020:3020:3020:3021:3021:3020:30
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Cost
Admission Cost$ 8.95
Child 2 & under$ 5.95
All values are in United States Dollars
Tips
Free admission for parents. Reduced admission on weekdays. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All adults must be accompanied by a child.
Mount Hamilton - Lick Observatory
Lick Observatory was dedicated in 1888 and is a division of the University of Santa Cruz. Its location on the summit of Mount Hamilton (4,209 feet) gives impressive views of the Santa Clara Valley.
Address
Lick Observatory
Mount Hamilton Road
San Jose, CA 95064
United States
Phone 1 (831) 459-2991
Fax 1 (831) 426-3115
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open12:3012:3012:3012:3012:3012:0012:00
Close17:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Always closed on:
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips
Tours take place at 1:00pm on weekdays and 12:30pm on weekends, continuing until 4:30pm. Each talk is about 15 minutes long, and there is no charge. Food and automotive services are not available nearby. Because snow can close down the observatory, it is recommended that visitors phone ahead to confirm opening hours.
Parking
None
Facilities
Gift shop
Typical Visit
3 hours
Municipal Rose Gardens
The Municipal Rose Gardens in San Jose contain more than 3,500 rose shrubs. The best time to visit is in May and June.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
CloseSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunsetSunset
Typical Visit
30 minutes
Overfelt Gardens
Overfelt Gardens in San Jose was named for William and Mary Overfelt, pioneers who started a grain and dairy farm in the 1860s. Self-guiding trails, a fountain dedicated to Mildred and a fragrance garden are early additions. The five-acre Chinese Cultural Garden contains statues, memorials and displays devoted to Ancient China and Chinese culture.
Typical Visit
1 hour 30 minutes
Peralta Adobe and Fallon House
The Peralta Adobe and Fallon House in San Jose show the historic side of the city. The adobe was built in 1797 and is the oldest structure in the city. Two rooms are furnished as they might have been when they were originally occupied.

The Fallon House was constructed in 1855 and was the home of Thomas Fallon, the mayor of the city. It features 15 rooms decorated in Victorian style.
Address
Peralta Adobe and Fallon House
175 West Saint John Street
San Jose, CA 95110-2434
United States
Phone 1 (408) 993-8300
Fax 1 (408) 993-8088
Tips
Disabled access to the first floor only. Tours available by appointment.
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Raging Waters
Raging Waters in San Jose is the Bay Area's largest water park with more than 30 slides, an interactive water fort and a wave pool. The park is located on the grounds of Lake Cunningham Regional Park just off Tully Road.
Address
Raging Waters
2333 South White Road
San Jose, CA 95148-1518
United States
Phone 1 (408) 238-9900
Fax 1 (408) 270-2022
Tips
After 3 pm: $3.00 off admissions Season passes are available. It's recommended that visitors phone ahead to confirm operating hours, since weather is a factor.
Parking
Pay
San Jose Flea Market
The San Jose Flea Market was founded in 1960. At 120 acres it is California's largest framer's market with 25 restaurants. There are over 2,000 vendors selling comic books, arts, crafts and jewelry.
Address
The San Jose Flea Market
1590 Berryessa Road
San Jose, CA 95133-1096
United States
Phone 1 (408) 453-1110
Fax 1 (408) 437-9011
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosedClosedSunriseClosedSunriseSunriseSunrise
Close Sunset SunsetSunsetSunset
Tips
Parking: $5.00 weekends and $2.00 Wednesday or Friday.
Parking
Pay
San Jose Museum of Art
The San Jose Museum of Art is located in downtown San Jose. It features a full range of exhibits but the focus is on 20th century art with contemporary artists Richard Diebenkorn and Sam Francis prominent.
Hours
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
OpenClosed11:0011:0011:0011:0011:0011:00
Close 17:0017:0017:0017:0017:0017:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Cost
Adult$ 8.00
Students$ 5.00
Senior$ 5.00
Child 6 & underFREE
All values are in United States Dollars
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Typical Visit
2 hours
Suggest Correction  Suggest an Attraction
©Copyright 1995-2012 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws.