If you’re planning a trip to San Jose, California, don’t forget about all the fun that awaits! From the captivating sights and experiences of downtown to the historic neighborhoods along Willow Pass Road and Alum Rock – or perhaps even venture out into one of its numerous parks for a picnic under the sun!
Whether it’s your first time visiting San Jose, or if you are an experienced traveler seeking unique experiences in this vibrant metropolis, here is a guide with suggestions for what to do and see!
San Jose is a vibrant city of over one million inhabitants, and its expansion has hardly abated in recent years. As one of America’s five most populous metropolitan areas, it’s no surprise that we have an extensive amount of things to do here!
1. Wander Through the San Jose Flea Market
The San Jose Flea Market is an intriguing excursion for any traveler. Offering an array of vendors selling handmade crafts, vintage items and collectibles, the bustling marketplace offers a captivating experience!
The Flea Market stands out as being among the most comprehensive in America, boasting a whopping 45 acres of wares. While some may claim that it could take you days to browse this expansive market – don’t despair! It can be done in one sitting without breaking stride!
San Jose’s Flea Market is open every Saturday from 9am until 2pm at its location in Downtown San Jose (see map here).
2. Visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Don’t miss a visit to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, where you’ll find an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt.
This captivating museum is housed in an exquisite structure that blends traditional architectural design with modern functionality – its juxtaposition of Old and New displaying the power of preservation within the context of change! The inventive building was constructed using recycled materials, such as concrete and glass; ultimately showcasing how artfully our society can respond to crises when faced with adversity.
The expansive array of treasures on display here are remarkable. From priceless pharaonic statuary and majestic sarcophagi all the way up to intricately-crafted coffins; it’s easy to see why this institution is considered one of the country’s leading repositories for antiques!
At the time of writing, under three percent of San Jose had been marked as open for business – all within a short span of time after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico. I visited on October 20th, 2018 and observed that almost every single place we frequented would have been closed had we not taken advantage of their opening hours in advance!
3. Visit the Winchester Mystery House
Located in San Jose’s Country Club neighborhood, the Winchester Mystery House is an architectural masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Designed as a domestic retreat for Sarah Winchester, this is the story of a matriarch who inherited more than 4 billion dollars from the famed firearm manufacturer; consequently, she undertook an ambitious project to reconstruct her former abode into one that would provide solace and peace – a sanctuary of sorts!
For over 60 years now, the home has remained much as it was during its construction: filled with confounding displays and ornate features such as stained glass windows. Visitors are welcome to wander their way through its myriad rooms, drawn like moths toward its captivating splendor; yet despite all its ostentatiousness you’ll find it oddly soothing despite being quite extravagant!
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