Things to do in San Jose, California

Wine Tasting Santana Row Shopping Center Great America Shoreline Park Golf Course

The San Jose area offers endless variety of things to do. Choose from hiking and biking at Rancho San Antonio County Park. Rent rowboats, sailboats, canoes and kayaks at Shoreline lake. The San Jose, California, area also offers some of the best golfing anywhere. Meander along the winding Stevens Creek for 18 dramatic holes of breathtaking natural beauty at Deep Cliff Golf Course. The St. Francis Arms in Sunnyvale gives you the perfect home base to see it all.

Wine Tasting in Santa Cruz Mountains and Saratoga. One of California’s premier wine regions is just down the road from San Jose, and one of the best things to do anywhere. Top-notch area winemakers include: Testarossa Vineyards and Byington Vineyards & Winery in Los Gatos, Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino, Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery in Saratoga, and Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside are all set against the dramatic beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. For more details about visiting any of these wineries in the San Jose area, go to www.saratogachamber.org/todo/wineries.htm.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose. Sarah Winchester began construction on what would become Winchester Mystery House in 1884. For a period of 38 straight years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Winchester continuously constructed new rooms and features added onto her mansion. For more details about tours and tickets, visit www.winchestermysteryhouse.com.  [Top]

Santana Row, San Jose. Santana Row is one of Northern California’s premier shopping destinations. Shop all you like from Border’s Books to Burberrys, the upscale comfortably mingles with the chain retail outlets you shop at every day. Take in a movie, grab a bite, relax over a cup of coffee or luxuriate in a massage at one of the spas. Santana Row gives it all to you in style. For more info, go to www.santanarow.com.

Westfield Valley Fair, San Jose. Among the approximately 250 stores, find everything from nationwide chain brands to upscale boutiques and exclusive department stores at this San Jose attraction. Have a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants within the mall; choose from the food court, Lori’s Diner, Sushi Boat and The Cheesecake Factory. For stores and info, visit http://westfield.com/valleyfair.  [Top]

Stanford Shopping Center. Stanford Shopping Center is one of the nation’s only open-air shopping complexes. Experience the variety of one of Northern California's largest outdoor shopping malls. Just 20 miles northwest of San Jose in Palo Alto, the decidedly upscale mall is one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions and best things to do. For more details, visit www.stanfordshop.com.

California's Great America. California's Great America has thrill rides, family rides, live shows, Boomerang Bay Beach Club water slide park, Nickelodeon Central and KidzVille, and more. The world’s tallest double-decker carousel will delight the kids. Thrill-seeking adults will love the roller coasters. And for the truly daring there’s the DROP ZONE Stunt Tower, which drops you 22 stories in less than 4 seconds. For more info about visiting the park, go to www2.cedarfair.com/greatamerica.  [Top]

Hiking at Rancho San Antonio. You’ll have more than 3,800-acres to roam at Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve and limitless activities. Choose from hiking and equestrian trails, plus bicycling trails in designated areas. The vast grounds also include four tennis courts and an area for model plane enthusiasts. Or see cows, pigs, chickens and other animals at Deer Hollow Farm, which is also on the grounds. The working farm showcases an organic garden and authentic ranch buildings from the late 1800s. For more details, go to www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_rancho_san_antonio.asp.

Shoreline Park. Shoreline lake offers 50 acres of water fun and boating. Shoreline Café sits right next to the lake when you need gourmet snacks. Browse their picnic baskets menu. Then stake out the perfect spot to enjoy it on the park’s sprawling lawns overlooking the water. Or take a swing at golf. The Shoreline Golf Links is a public 18-hole course with pro shop and driving range. And when you want to come inside, visit the historic Victorian mansion Rengstorff House also located on the grounds of the park. For more details, visit www.shorelinelake.com.  [Top]

Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course. The Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course is a regulation public par 70, 18-hole course stretching out to 6,255 yards. An interesting collection of bunkers, water holes and dog legs pepper the Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course and provide for lively play. The course is close to nearby San Jose, making it a major attraction for visiting golfers. For more course information, green fees and reservations, visit www.sunnyvale.ca.gov.

Deep Cliff Golf Course. Enjoy top amenities at Deep Cliff, from a practice center where you can brush up with lessons to on-site dining. The course offers a prime location just minutes from Freeway 280, making it one of the best things to do in San Jose, California. An especially good choice for all skill levels with its medium length, the mostly flat setting makes it a great walker’s course. For more information about the course, visit www.playdeepcliff.com.  [Top]

Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club. The Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club claimed Golf Digest Magazine’s 3-Star Award, putting it into the ranks of the top municipal golf courses in all of the United States. The par-72, 18-hole course is the work of Robert Muir Graves. Its expert design makes the course a decided challenge for all levels of play with a rating of 72.4 and slope of 118. One-on-one lessons are available with PGA Professionals by making an advance reservation. For more information about the course and tee times, visit www.santaclaraca.gov/park_recreation/pr_golf_tennis.html.

San Jose Convention Center. The San Jose McEnery Convention Center is within just three miles of Mineta San Jose International Airport and within walking distance of downtown San Jose. The San Jose McEnery Convention Center provides the main venue, from there attendees can fan out into other buildings. In addition to the main convention center, some of the separate facilities within the complex include: The Civic Auditorium, California Theatre, Center for Performing Arts, South Hall, Parkside Hall, Montgomery Theater, HP Pavilion. For more information, please go to sanjose.org/meetings/index.

HP Pavilion, San Jose. HP Pavilion has played host to many of the top musical acts performing today. Paul McCartney, Shakira, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Metallica have all made appearances at this San Jose venue. There’s always something interesting to see at this arena with sporting events and music stars. The arena made television history in 2006, when the HP Pavilion was the scene of the Democratic National Convention on “The West Wing” series. For tickets and information, visit www.hppsj.com.  [Top]