"~San Jose~" San Jose by Yaqui

San Jose Travel Guide: 376 reviews and 665 photos

Home of the Winchester Mystery House

San Jose was originally founded as Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe in honor of Saint Joseph on November 29, 1777, to establish a farming community by Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursúa, the Viceroy of New Spain by the Spanish crown. Being the first citizens of the new world, the Native people such as the Ohlone had villages that spanned from San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey County. They had flourished as with many coastal communities due to the rich soil and the abundance of sea life. Yet, the times of change were coming in 1769 when the missionaries explored and then settled up and along these costal areas establishing the fourteenth mission, Mission Gloriosísima Patriarca Señor San José in 1797.

At one time the Ohlones flourish to almost 10,000 strong, but just as in as little of 40 years, the Spanish Missionaries brought with them the many European diseases such as measles, cholera, mumps, influenza, and venereal disease. This took its toll on the population with dwindled down to almost 2,000. Let’s not forget the atrocities of violence that the Ohlones experience if they chose not to abide to the new rule or religion. Then Mexico ruled them in 1825 after it broke from Spain and became part of the US in 1846. Soon San Jose became the states first capital in 1850. After WWII the city really flourished from agriculture and around the 1970’s being part of the Silicon Valley, the economics for the area really flourish and is still seeing rapid growth.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Traffic during that time was ok, don't know about now!
  • Cons:Didn't explore much other then see the mystery house
  • In a nutshell:Lots of things to see and do in San Jose I am sure!
  • Intro Updated May 3, 2010
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (4)

Comments (8)

  • Greggor58's Profile Photo
    May 23, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Coincidentally...I'm off today to look at a house that's for sale in a community outside of Ottawa named Winchester!! Belated Birthday Greetings Dee..Its hectic up here...anyhow hope you enjoyed a nice sunny day!!!

  • Mikebb's Profile Photo
    May 8, 2010 at 1:36 AM

    Interesting house, in fact I find the history amazing!

  • Jefie's Profile Photo
    Jan 6, 2010 at 4:11 AM

    Great tips! When we were in San Francisco last September we made it a point to book a daytrip to San Jose just so we could visit the Winchester Mystery House. I loved it, such a unique place to see!

  • yumyum's Profile Photo
    May 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    I've once been to this town but didn't see no mystery house.

  • deecat's Profile Photo
    May 8, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    This is the ultimate in superstition!Excellent introduction, and dynamic photos. The map was a good idea for the reader to "get her bearings". Frightening warning tip.

  • Stephen-KarenConn's Profile Photo
    Feb 14, 2008 at 9:03 AM

    I've read of the Winchester Mystery House before. Would love to see it.

  • KiKitC's Profile Photo
    Nov 22, 2007 at 7:26 AM

    I had seen programs about that house! I'd love to visit. Very cool tips. Hope your holiday is relaxing and safe.

  • starship's Profile Photo
    Sep 24, 2007 at 4:02 PM

    Fascinating story--I'd like to visit this place!

Yaqui

“~Happy Trails & Keep the Faith~”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 0 0 7
Forum Rank:
0 0 7 6 0

Badges & Stats in San Jose

  • 4 Reviews
  • 10 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 8 Comments
  • 2,610PageViews

Have you been to San Jose?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in San Jose

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (4)

Latest San Jose hotel reviews

Dolce Hayes Mansion San Jose
302 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 4, 2013
Hotel De Anza
114 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013
White House Inn San Jose
1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Nov 1, 2011
Homestead Village - San Jose Airport
18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Red Roof Inn San Jose Airport
20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 14, 2013
The Fairmont San Jose
522 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013
Hilton San Jose & Towers
296 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 15, 2013
La Quinta Inn San Jose Airport
103 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 6, 2013
Executive Inn Suites San Jose
9 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 25, 2012
Hotel Valencia Santana Row
350 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 13, 2013
Extended Stay San Jose South
15 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 28, 2013
Howard Johnson Express - San Jose
28 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 24, 2013
Hotel Montgomery
200 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 5, 2013
Sainte Claire
203 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 12, 2013
Motel 6 San Jose Convention Center
22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 8, 2013