San Jose is the most populous and largest city in Northern California, both in terms of population and area. The city, which is located on the southern shore of San Francisco Bay, has a plethora of exciting things to do.
The city is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, surrounded by the splendor of Wine Country. Silicon Valley, home of Apple Computer, PayPal, eBay, IBM, Adobe Systems, Samsung, Hewlett Packard, Cisco Systems, and Western Digital, to mention a few, is widely regarded as the genuine cradle of contemporary technology.
Silicon Valley boasts the world’s third highest GDP per capita, trailing only Zurich, Switzerland, and Oslo, Norway. But aside from that, there are plenty of exciting things to do, see, and visit in the city whether you’re staying for a week, a weekend, or longer.
Places to visit
There are a variety of sights to see, activities to participate in, places to visit, and things to do in this city that will make your visit memorable.
The city is just a few miles away from other cities in California including Sunnyvale. Driving into this city is a breeze just make sure your car is in good running condition. Visit a Sunnyvale auto body repair shop for a quick check-up and fix. To know more about the auto body shop in Sunnyvale, just click here.
We’ve narrowed down the greatest places in San Jose, California, from among the many prospective places to visit.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a remarkable museum built in the architectural style used by ancient Egyptians to immerse you in their culture.
It also houses the western United States’ greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. On the site, there is also a planetarium with weekend events.
The Cathedral Basilica
Originally, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph was a tiny adobe church built for the benefit of settlers rather than native Indians.
The settlement was formerly known as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, and construction began in 1803. The previous construction was destroyed beyond repair by earthquakes in 1818 and 1822, therefore a second adobe chapel was erected to replace it beginning in 1835.
In the 1868 Hayward Earthquake, the second church was also severely damaged. A fire in 1875 destroyed the third church, which was built in 1869. A fourth makeshift shelter was constructed a few blocks away. The majestic Basilica that stands today is the sixth and final structure.
Construction began in 1876, and the Vatican accorded the cathedral Basilica title in 1997. The stained glass windows alone make this one of California’s most gorgeous spots.
Mystery House
Sarah Winchester, the widow of Winchester Rifle tycoon William Winchester, created Winchester Mystery House in 1884. It was originally seven stories tall, but the 1906 San Francisco earthquake caused some damage. The house is now four floors tall.
Sarah’s idea that the house was haunted by individuals killed by a Winchester rifle drove her to have her house erected without the help of an architect throughout the entire 38-year construction period.
As a result, there are several oddities in the structure, such as stairwells and doors that lead nowhere. There are 40 bedrooms in the mansion, but just one operational bathroom. She believed that by taking these actions during building, she was confusing the spirits.
The house is currently a major tourist attraction in the city. The American FireArms Museum is located on the grounds of the Winchester property.
Museum of Art
The San Jose Museum of Art boasts an exceptional permanent collection of works by 20th and 21st century West Coast painters. There is a historic wing that was erected for the city’s Post Office in 1892 and was in operation until 1937.
The building served as the city’s Public Library from 1937 to 1969. The Fine Arts Gallery Association bought it, and the museum’s new wing opened in 1991. This is one of the few museums dedicated to painters from the West Coast.
Tech Museum of Innovation
Its purpose is to give visitors a taste of how computing technology is brought to life within the walls of Silicon Valley’s numerous firms. It’s also supposed to motivate future generations to keep up with and surpass current technology.
Due to its popularity, this museum used to be located in a garage before shifting to its current 132,000 square foot location. The museum’s interactive nature makes it one of the best locations to visit in the city.
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the IMAX theater’s current offering. The eight-story view-screen provides a really unique experience and is one of the top things to do in the city.
