Surrounded by the rolling hills of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a city where innovation meets cultural diversity. From its architectural landmarks to the buzzing Bay Area, the Capital of Silicon Valley will steal your heart and never let go. If you haven’t already visited, we’ll give you seven reasons to add San Jose to your bucket list.
#1. Foodie Heaven
Lonely Planet describes San Pedro Square Market as exploring a world on a plate for gourmands.
Here you’ll find everything from sushi to tapas to burgers. The market is bustling during weekends and becomes a meeting place for friends who enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
The open-air plaza opens to sidewalk cafes, restaurants and bars where live music fills the silence. The aromatic smells emerging from food vendors will have your tastebuds working overtime.
Willow Glen is another area worth visiting. You’ll find mostly locals here as they escape the tourist haunts for a more subdued scene. The Bohemian vibe makes it a great place for brunch or antique shopping.
Stop by Lincoln Avenue lined with locally-owned boutiques, and on Saturdays, Willow Glen hosts the neighborhood’s small morning farmer’s market.
#2. Thriving Cannabis Culture
The Bay Area is home to one of the biggest cannabis farms in the U.S., a testament to California’s relaxed attitude to marijuana use.
From January 2018, it became legal for adults 21 or older to possess and consume cannabis. Since then, cannabis culture has been more widely accepted in the state, especially in San Jose.
Edibles and flavored vapes are the preferred methods of cannabis use with people purchasing their products from cannabis shops and dispensaries. For a unique and personalized experience, most cannabis users opt for a vaping experience with a disposable vape pen.
Premium cannabis disposable vapes by Sluggers are just one of many brands connoisseurs have a taste for.
Cannabis tourism is also on the rise in the city. Driven by THC products, the sector is reaping the economic rewards by boosting employment and tax revenue.
However, if you are going to be participating in the culture, Sluggers Hit warns that cannabis laws vary from state to state. Check the regulations before traveling with your cannabis products across state lines and into California.
#3. Thrills and Spills
Macabre tourism is very much alive, and even more so in San Jose. If you’re unfamiliar with the Winchester Mystery House, consider looking it up online.
Who doesn’t love a creepy mansion with secret passages and hidden rooms? Even if you aren’t easily scared, this place will give you the heebie jeebies.
lovePROPERTY says the peculiar mansion’s history is just as chilling. Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester Rifle Company, transformed an eight-bedroom farmhouse into an architectural marvel through 36 years of near-constant renovations.
The reason? Winchester believed she was haunted by the spirits of gun violence victims who cursed her family.
Hollywood spotlighted Sarah Winchester’s tragic legacy in the 2018 film Winchester, starring Helen Mirren.
#4. Art and Artifacts
Art lovers will revel in all the options. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is only one of a few museums with rare attractions.
The museum claims to have the largest ancient Egyptian artifact collection on display in Western North America, including a 3,500-year-old board game.
Founder H. Spencer Lewis was a member of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), an organization said to trace its roots to the mystery schools of ancient Egypt. The museum now houses over 4,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts.
It shares space with a research library and a peace garden inspired by Egypt’s 18th dynasty.
The SoFA district offers a more eclectic version of the arts. Until the 1980s, it was the city’s red-light district.
The precinct managed to shake off its scandalous past and is now better associated with Instagram-worthy posts and artsy cafes.
Home to the Institute of Contemporary Art, art galleries and vibrant street murals, the district is the cultural and entertainment hub of San Jose.
#5. The Spanish Connection
An hour south of the city is San Juan Bautista. Originally established as a Spanish mission, San Juan Bautista is steeped in a colorful history that’s celebrated to this day.
Staying true to its Spanish roots, the village takes special pride in preserving its heritage. The nationally registered historic district is a main street with original buildings dating back two centuries.
The local community hosts annual festivals and street fairs to keep culture and tradition alive. The celebrated El Teatro Campesino is the gold standard for Latino theater and attracts theatergoers from around the U.S.
#6. Interact with Tech
You can’t visit San Jose without stopping by The Tech Interactive. In the heart of downtown, the science and technology center is the perfect playground for kids of all ages.
All the galleries and exhibitions are interactive and offer hands-on exploration of how innovation is changing our world.
How about peeking beneath your skin with a full-body visualization of your bones, muscles, and nervous and circulatory systems?
Body Worlds Decoded is an exhibition that delves into anatomy with a Silicone Valley twist on plastinated human bodies. Visitors can examine organs and body systems through immersive 3D models.
#7. Stop and Smell the Roses
The Municipal Rose Garden is the jewel in San Jose’s crown. Encompassing 5.5 acres, the property has green lawns and blooms showing off under the California sun.
According to the city, the rose garden draws thousands of visitors because of the one-time prune orchard but also features over 4,000 rose shrubs with 189 varieties.
The garden is as important to the All-American Rose Selections. The national independent rating organization sends new varieties to the garden for testing before release to the general public.
Well, there you have it; seven reasons to leave your heart in San Jose!
While it’s much older and famous cousin San Francisco has all the flash and grandeur, San Jose has a vibe and culture that gets under your skin, making it hard to escape.
But then again, who wants to leave a city that wears its heart on its sleeve?
