"San Jose - Silicon Valley" Top 5 Page for this destination San Jose by trvlrtom

San Jose Travel Guide: 376 reviews and 665 photos

San Jose State University - San Jose
San Jose State University
Do you know what to do in San Jose?

Suburbs and strip malls define much of the San Jose area. There are, however, some notable locations that merit attention. Downtown is slowly revitalizing, if not as a shopping district, as a place for dining and going to clubs and bars. Neighborhoods like the Rose Garden, Naglee Park and Willow Glen have many examples of fine residential architecture, including Victorian, Craftsman and many mid 20th century Eichlers. Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen is very popular for having a thriving small business district, with various shops and restaurants.

As the metropolitan area expanded throughout the San Francisco Bay area after World War Two, what were once small towns grew together. Today these areas still have attractive shopping streets that have a healthy pedestrian life, with restaurants, coffee shops etc. Close to San Jose are downtown Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Mountain View. Further up the penninsula toward San Francisco are Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Mateo and Burlingame, each with their own attributes and local attractions.

One of the advantages of San Jose is its central location in northern California. There is a train that runs to San Francisco and takes about an hour, with a link to SFO airport. From San Jose it is also just a quick trip over to the coast. A popular destination is Santa Cruz, known for its beach scene, the mountains and wineries, the University and the cosmopolitan atmosphere that comes with it.

Old and New
Downtown San Jose - San Jose

Downtown San Jose

San Jose is in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, and has experienced tremendous growth in the last 50 years. Newer buildings characterize much of the downtown as well as surrounding communities and suburbs. San Jose and many communities, however, have older core areas and neighborhoods. Adjacent to the old Peralta Adobe in San Jose, for example, you will see new skyscrapers going up.

San Jose was the first city to be founded in California, by members of the de Anza expedition from what is now Arizona. An original adobe building from that era, the Peralta adobe, sits nearly under the shadows of this new building. The new condos with "sexy views" serve as a backdrop for an old statue of early settlers. Neighborhoods adjacent to downtown have many examples of old homes, some beautifully restored and maintained, others in a sorry state that may lead only to demolition. Another old, original adobe house, the Roberto Adobe, sits quietly and almost hidden between downtown and the well-established Willow Glen neighborhood, south of highway 280. It is an example of the small architectural and historical surprises that one can find in Silicon Valley.

Palm trees by the HP Pavilion, aka Shark Tank
Downtown palm trees - San Jose

Downtown palm trees

Many San Jose streets are lined with palms. You will find them downtown as well in some residential zones. Most of the trees are not native species, however.

San Jose's only national sports team, the hockey San Jose Sharks, have their home just behind these palms. An odd mix, don't you think? Palm trees and hockey.

  • Intro Updated Dec 14, 2008
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (51)

Gate at Hakone Gardens - San Jose Visit Hakone Japanese Gardens Things to Do (25)

Hakone is a wonderful place to visit, for its beautiful gardens, architecture and as an oasis of calm. It's the oldest... more travel advice

Jagertee - a change from Jagermeisters - San Jose Old World Atmosphere Restaurants (18)

Teske's has been a fixture in downtown San Jose for many years. I first was here back in the early 1990's and felt like... more travel advice

Trials Pub photo - San Jose Voted best local pub Nightlife (2)

Trials is an fun little pub with an authentic old time atmosphere. It is located in an old, historic 19th century... more travel advice

Go for a beautiful hike - San Jose Go for a beautiful hike Off The Beaten Path (1)

While the orchards of Silicon Valley are now gone, it is surprisingly easy to find off the beaten track hiking and... more travel advice

Comments (8)

  • Reply
    hopang's Profile Photo
    Sep 26, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    San Jose looks wonderful and interesting to visit and explore. Thanks for the virtual tour. Thanks also for visiting our Malaysia travel page. ~ho & pang

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Jan 6, 2009 at 1:34 PM

    Interesting tips on your home city! I think I would like the Tech Museum. I used to live and work in Berkeley, but have never really been in (through, yes) San Jose. Glad to hear there is train service to San Francisco.

  • Reply
    Ewingjr98's Profile Photo
    Nov 17, 2008 at 3:56 PM

    Though the Sharks look tough again, I still think Detroit's the team to beat out west. I hope they lose b/c it would be a just reward for Hossa bailing on the Pens, but...

  • Reply
    jumpingnorman's Profile Photo
    Sep 27, 2008 at 5:11 PM

    Yes Santana Row is very nice and we like to eat in that Italian Rest - Maggiano's? Thanks for nice tips on San Jose - will be there Oct 2008

  • Reply
    Gypsystravels's Profile Photo
    Sep 11, 2008 at 6:26 AM

    Hola Tom, estuve en San Jose unas semanas atras, que cambio!! Pase una tarde comiendo y de compras...espero regresar de nuevo muy pronto!!

  • Reply
    Yaqui's Profile Photo
    Nov 21, 2007 at 9:37 AM

    Awesome page with loads of tips Tom, you deserve a TOP 5! I've visited the Mystery House, that was awesome and spooky to see. I will be sure to check out your page again when I pass thru your lovely city again. Happy Trails!

  • Reply
    canuck68's Profile Photo
    Oct 19, 2007 at 7:06 PM

    I enjoyed my trip through your town thanks to your San Jose Page. That is quite and amazing city hall. Your tips and pictures are very good. Thanks, Diane

  • Reply
    sue_stone's Profile Photo
    May 11, 2007 at 12:11 AM

    Great food, and wine tasting nearby - sounds like a great place to live! : )

trvlrtom's Related Pages

San Jose Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
trvlrtom's Profile Photo

trvlrtom Lives Here!

trvlrtom

“There's no place like anywhere”

Online Now

Male

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 5 0 7
Forum Rank:
0 0 3 0 5

Badges & Stats in San Jose

  • 51 Reviews
  • 60 Photos
  • 1 Forum posts
  • 8 Comments
  • 11,225PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (19)

Have you been to San Jose?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in San Jose

Photos in San Jose

See All Photos (60)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (93)

Friends

See All Friends (17)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (3)

Latest San Jose hotel reviews

Dolce Hayes Mansion San Jose
291 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Hotel De Anza
111 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 7, 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
19 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 3, 2013
The Fairmont San Jose
501 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Hilton San Jose & Towers
280 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013
Hotel Valencia Santana Row
342 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Executive Inn Suites San Jose
9 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 25, 2012
La Quinta Inn San Jose Airport
100 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Extended Stay San Jose South
13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Howard Johnson Express - San Jose
28 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 24, 2013
Hotel Montgomery
197 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 11, 2013
Ramada Limited San Jose
64 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Motel 6 San Jose Convention Center
22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 8, 2013