San Jose is a delightful city to explore, with historic buildings, monuments, freeways and parks. It has some of the most amazing tourist spots in the world from an open air history museum to the only quilt and textile museum in the US. For those who are fond of good food and fun times, San Jose is the best choice. It has a multitude of wonderful restaurants and eateries not to mention some of the most well developed shopping complexes in the world. San Jose is one of the most picturesque cities in the US to spend 24 hours in.
By Belgrano (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Start Off At 8:00 am
8:00 am: Check out the open air history museum which is located to the southeast of the city center in Kelley Park. It has a replica of the 1881 Electric Light Tower, 1888 Chinese Temple and the Pacific Hotel with rotating exhibits within it.
Address: History San Jose
1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Telephone: 408.287.2290
Chill Out at the Pubs at 9:00 am
Visit a speakeasy lounge in Downtown San Jose which has the most amazing and custom cocktails and some of the recipes dating to the period prior to Prohibition.
Singlebarrel: Jazz Bar
Address:43 W San Salvador St
Telephone: (408) 792-7356
Original Gravity Public House: Gourmet Pub
Address: 66 S 1st St, San Jose
Telephone: (408) 915-2337
San Pedro Square Market: Home to Numerous Pubs
This pub has numerous bars namely Garage Bar, The Market Bar, Blush Lounge, Vino Vino and Market Beer Co. From craft beer to delicious cocktails and starters, this pub has it all. An additional bonus is the live musical performances.
Address:87 N San Pedro St
Solve a Mystery at 10:00 am
Winchester Mystery House is a wonderful place to spend an hour in. Admire the Victorian mansion with over 160 rooms of varying sizes and less utility. It is located at the west of the center of the city.
Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, United States
Telephone:1 408-247-2101
Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Eat Out With Comfort at 11:00 am
Enjoy a late breakfast or brunch at Psycho Donuts. With sugary connections and twisted flavors like Cereal Killer, Headbanger and S’mores, this is the ideal place for a hearty meal.
Address: 288 S Second St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-533-1034
Enjoy A Spot of Art at 12:00 pm
Visit the MACLA community art center in bay Area with hip hop music, open mic performances and experimental theater.
Address: 510 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-998-2783
Take a Bite and a Sip at 1:00 pm
At lunch time, there is no other place to be but Caffe Fascati. With the tastiest parties and paninis as well as cappuccinos which thrill and opera performances which enthrall, this is the perfect setting for a delicious and entertaining lunch. Reasonable rates and good food are sure to be a hit with the crowds.
Address: 315 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-287-0400
Get a Load of Powerful Performances at 2:00 pm
In the afternoon, California Theater has a Spanish interior which is like a cathedral and is home to Opera San Jose. It also hosts the yearly film festival, Cinequest in the months of February and March for those who are fond of movies. Visit this theater located conveniently in Silicon Valley and the charges here are nominal.
Address: 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-295-9600
Get Tech Savvy at 3:00 pm
For those who are tech savvy and fond of gadgets, the Tech Museum which covers everything from robotics to space exploration and genetics is the top draw. With an IMAX dome theater, admission for which requires an additional USD 5, different films are displayed throughout the day.
Address:The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Telephone: 1-408-294-8324
Savour History at the Cathedral at 4:00 pm
Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St Joseph which is the first church of pueblo. It was made of adobe brick and dates back to the 1800s. The present building is from around 1877 and it is located at the top of Plaza De Caesar Chavez.
Address:80 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-283-8100
Head to the Club at De Anza at 5:00 pm
For a quiet drink in pleasant surroundings, head to the Hedley Club in Hotel De Anza. The hotel itself was constructed in the 1930s and jazz combinations play at least 3 days in a week here on a nightly basis.
Address - Hotel De Anza
233 West Santa Clara St
Telephone: (408) 286-1000
Toss a Ball or Two at 6:00 pm
The Buck Shaw stadium is located in Santa Clara University and it showcases games from February to October. This is the home of San Jose Major League Soccer teams.
Address: Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050, United States
Telephone:1 408-554-4063
Take a Few Shots at Billiards at 7:00 pm
South First Billiards is the place to shoot some pool and enjoy live music and DJ nights.
Address: 420 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95112, United States
Telephone Number - 1 408-294-7800
Enjoy Vietnamese Cuisine at 8:00 pm
Tofoo Com Chay is located near the San Jose State University Campus with dishes like fake meat pho and heaped combination plates. The perfect place for an affordable dinner!
Address: 388 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone Number - 1 408-286-6335
Live it up at Blank Club at 9:00 pm
Spend after dinner hours at Blank Club, near Greyhound station and live bands jam on stage here to give you the feel of retro dance parties.
Address: 44 S Almaden Ave, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone Number - 1 408-292-5265
Get a load of NHL Games at 10:00 pm
The humongous SAP Center formerly known as the HP Pavilion is the venue for NHL games from September to April. Pay a visit here for some after dinner excitement.
Address: 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-287-7070
Take a Walk at 11:00 pm
Plaza de Cesar Chavez is the oldest public space in the city named after the founder of United Farm Workers, Cesar Chavez who lived in San Jose. Enjoy a leisurely stroll here for free.
Address: S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone: 1 408-535-3570
Get To Trials Pub at 12:00 am
Trials Pub is where the fun begins at midnight. Within easy reach, this pub located in the north of San Pedro Square has excellent ale and food which is enticingly tasty. Some after dinner tit bits can be had here. Rates are reasonable.
Address: 265 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, United States
Telephone Number - 1 408-947-0497
A complete map guide tour of San Jose in a day
