Guidebook for Downtown San Jose
Food Scene
Our favorite places to get really great food.
San Pedro Square Market is the foodie meet-up spot. open-air plaza, sidewalk cafe or inside the lively public market includes over 20 unique vendors selling everything cocktails, sushi to tapas.
87 N San Pedro St
87 North San Pedro StreetSan Pedro Square Market is the foodie meet-up spot. open-air plaza, sidewalk cafe or inside the lively public market includes over 20 unique vendors selling everything cocktails, sushi to tapas.
RIBS RIBS RIBS! the BEST BBQ! Super funky dive that serves up the best food. Has a bar, takes no reservations but is worth the wait!
24 locals recommend
Henry's World Famous Hi-Life
301 W St John StRIBS RIBS RIBS! the BEST BBQ! Super funky dive that serves up the best food. Has a bar, takes no reservations but is worth the wait!
Grab a coffee and European style pastry at our favorite place. The Tiramisu is divine!
7 locals recommend
BIJAN BAKERY AND CAFE
170 S Market StGrab a coffee and European style pastry at our favorite place. The Tiramisu is divine!
Kazoo Japanese Restaurant
250 Jackson StGood sushi at great prices! We're regulars there.
Our local place for a great cup of joe. Patio is fun to hang out at and people watch. Pastries and food are delish! Three blocks away.
57 locals recommend
Roy's Station Coffee & Tea
197 Jackson StOur local place for a great cup of joe. Patio is fun to hang out at and people watch. Pastries and food are delish! Three blocks away.
Vegetarian House - Vegan
520 E Santa Clara StThe BEST vegetarian restaurant in San Jose!
Swaad Indian Cuisine
498 N 13th StThe BEST Indian food in town!
Omogari
154 Jackson Stthe bomb Korean food! Just four blocks from the house.
Arts & Culture
Science and Tech nerd central. Their hand's on displays are like being a kid in a tech candy shoppe.… and they have one of the best IMAX theaters as well!
267 locals recommend
The Tech Interactive
201 S Market StScience and Tech nerd central. Their hand's on displays are like being a kid in a tech candy shoppe.… and they have one of the best IMAX theaters as well!
Great selection of art on exhibit right in the middle of downtown.
134 locals recommend
San Jose Museum of Art
110 S Market StGreat selection of art on exhibit right in the middle of downtown.
The SOFA District: Several art galleries on this street, also Higher Fire ceramics studio, a glass studio. Fun hip street vibe with cafes, restaurants, California Theater, and art galleries all mixed together. Super cool and hip. They host "First Fridays Art Walk" every first friday of the month.
South 1st Street
The SOFA District: Several art galleries on this street, also Higher Fire ceramics studio, a glass studio. Fun hip street vibe with cafes, restaurants, California Theater, and art galleries all mixed together. Super cool and hip. They host "First Fridays Art Walk" every first friday of the month.
A museum that is located within a city block sized beautiful garden and grounds that house many Egyptian styled temples and buildings. The tomb tour allows you to walk through the antechambers into a tomb. Great photo op place as well.
105 locals recommend
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
1660 Park AveA museum that is located within a city block sized beautiful garden and grounds that house many Egyptian styled temples and buildings. The tomb tour allows you to walk through the antechambers into a tomb. Great photo op place as well.
See the San Jose Opera, or whatever is playing at this historic theater.
12 locals recommend
California Theatre
345 S 1st StSee the San Jose Opera, or whatever is playing at this historic theater.
Great place to see shows, check their website to see what's playing and get tickets.
58 locals recommend
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
255 S Almaden BlvdGreat place to see shows, check their website to see what's playing and get tickets.
Local museum on the local mining in the area. Located in a beautiful park with walking trails, mine, and park.
New Almaden Quicksilver Mine
21350 Almaden RdLocal museum on the local mining in the area. Located in a beautiful park with walking trails, mine, and park.
History Park is like a walk back in time to San Jose in the Victorian time. Historic houses line tree filled streets, Train rides, trolly and train museum, old fashioned ice cream parlor, gift shop and hotel. Many historic homes house small art museums, Chinese and Vietnamese museums.
History Park
635 Phelan AveHistory Park is like a walk back in time to San Jose in the Victorian time. Historic houses line tree filled streets, Train rides, trolly and train museum, old fashioned ice cream parlor, gift shop and hotel. Many historic homes house small art museums, Chinese and Vietnamese museums.
Sightseeing
Beautiful trails along the Guadalupe creek are perfect for biking, running, walking or skating.
31 locals recommend
Guadalupe River Park
438 Coleman AvenueBeautiful trails along the Guadalupe creek are perfect for biking, running, walking or skating.
Beautiful historic home and gardens. Open for tours.
141 locals recommend
Filoli Historic House & Garden
86 Cañada RdBeautiful historic home and gardens. Open for tours.
Such a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, mysterious, and has an amazing gift shop.
302 locals recommend
Winchester Mystery House
525 S Winchester BlvdSuch a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, mysterious, and has an amazing gift shop.
Essentials
Where to buy groceries, do laundry, and other mundane (but necessary things).
Japantown, one of the three remaining authentic Jtowns in the US. Food: sushi, Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Shaved Ice, shopping, and Roy's Coffee shop, our local favorite!
Japantown San Jose
Japantown, one of the three remaining authentic Jtowns in the US. Food: sushi, Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese, Mexican, Shaved Ice, shopping, and Roy's Coffee shop, our local favorite!
Great market for organic foods, upscale goods. Within the market is also an excellent Cheese shop, Pastry shop, Salad bar, Deli, Pizzeria, Coffee cafe, and BREW HOUSE!
350 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
777 The AlamedaGreat market for organic foods, upscale goods. Within the market is also an excellent Cheese shop, Pastry shop, Salad bar, Deli, Pizzeria, Coffee cafe, and BREW HOUSE!
Walgreens
1399 W San Carlos StLocal pharmacy located near us.
Costco Wholesale
150 Lawrence Station RdClean, safe, well lit place to do your laundry. Closest laundromat to our house.
Launderlux Santa Clara Street
987 East Santa Clara StreetClean, safe, well lit place to do your laundry. Closest laundromat to our house.
Drinks & Nightlife
Hukilau
230 Jackson StGreat bar and Hawai'ian food! (Try the Gekko cocktail, yumBO!)
Splash Bar Inc
65 Post StFun gay bar for the younger set.
Casino M8trix
1887 Matrix BlvdOur local Casino about 7 miles from the house.
Parks & Nature
[They may still be closed from the fires, call to check] Beautiful towering redwoods that are a thousand years old. Deep ancient forests and stunning hiking trails.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way[They may still be closed from the fires, call to check] Beautiful towering redwoods that are a thousand years old. Deep ancient forests and stunning hiking trails.
Shoreline Lake and wetlands area is a perfect place to walk along the bay and see wildlife. It's an excellent birding spot. There's a boat launch, boat rentals, and kite flying area.
96 locals recommend
Shoreline Lake Boathouse
3160 N Shoreline BlvdShoreline Lake and wetlands area is a perfect place to walk along the bay and see wildlife. It's an excellent birding spot. There's a boat launch, boat rentals, and kite flying area.
A city block sized rose garden that holds many heirloom varieties that smell heavenly.
60 locals recommend
Municipal Rose Garden
1649 Naglee AveA city block sized rose garden that holds many heirloom varieties that smell heavenly.
Los Gatos Creek Trail
Los Gatos Creek TrailGreat park to walk, run and explore. A more rural setting with trails.
95 locals recommend
Alum Rock Park
15350 Penitencia Creek RdGreat park to walk, run and explore. A more rural setting with trails.
Closest walking/jogging and bike trail to the house. Just a short walk to the trail. If you head West (left), the trail goes all the way to Los Gatos at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you head East (right), the trail goes all the way to the bay and the bird sanctuary. May be too long for a walk, but good for a long bike ride across fairly flat terrain.
Guadalupe River Trail
Guadalupe River TrailClosest walking/jogging and bike trail to the house. Just a short walk to the trail. If you head West (left), the trail goes all the way to Los Gatos at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. If you head East (right), the trail goes all the way to the bay and the bird sanctuary. May be too long for a walk, but good for a long bike ride across fairly flat terrain.
Getting Around
San Jose Diridon Station
65 S Montgomery StTrain Station