How to Spend 24 Hours in San Jose, California
Not to be underestimated, San Jose has an enormous amount to offer. So much so that it is nearly impossible to see everything there is to see within 24 hours—near impossible, but not completely. Use our guide to inspire your exploration of San Jose.
Rise and shine with some history
Kick off your morning with some history. Located in Kelley Park, History San Jose is an open-air history museum. It has a replica of the 1881 Electric Light Tower, 1888 Chinese Temple, and the Pacific Hotel, complete with rotating exhibits.
History San Jose, 1650 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 287 2290
Solve a mystery
The Winchester Mystery House is a San Jose staple. Rich with both history and mystery, this house is a world famous spot offering daily tours. Admire the Victorian mansion with over 160 rooms, all different sizes, uses (or lack of use), and even a seance room.
Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 247 2101
Brunch time
Now would be a good time to grab a bite to eat. What better place to go for breakfast, or even better, brunch, than The Breakfast Club. This diner-style restaurant has trendy and fun décor, perfect for a food photo shoot. They serve classic American food that’s as memorable as the film it’s named after.
The Breakfast Club, 1432 W San Carlos St #80, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 564 7150
Admire some art
One of the top art centers in the Bay Area, the Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) community is a multicultural art venue that offers multiple exhibitions, open mic performances, and experimental theater.
MACLA, 510 S 1st St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 998 2783
Then admire some tech
After enjoying some art, the next obvious choice is to bask in awe at The Tech Museum of Innovation, where tech and gadget enthusiasts can rejoice. Robotics, space exploration and genetics are just a few things that the museum has to offer in this tech-rich city.
The Tech Museum of Innovation, 201 S Market St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 294 8324
Grab a bite to eat
When lunch comes around, there is no better place than Caffe Frascati. This café not only has tasty items such as paninis and cappuccinos but also entertainment, including opera performances. Your San Jose lunch will be anything but boring, and you won’t have to spend much at this reasonably priced spot!
Caffe Frascati, 315 S 1st St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 287 0400
Catch a performance
The California Theatre has a Spanish interior which resembles a cathedral and is also home to Opera San Jose. Visit this theater, located conveniently in Silicon Valley, for an entertaining afternoon. If you’re lucky enough to visit San Jose in February and March, the theater is also the hosting site for the yearly film festival, Cinequest.
California Theatre, 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 792 4542
Take in even more of San Jose’s history
Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, the first pueblo church. While the original adobe brick version was constructed in the early 1800s, the present-day building opened in 1877; it stands at the top of Plaza de César Chávez.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S Market St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 283 8100
Decompress at a pub
Downtown San Jose is the place to grab a drink and wait for a second wind after sightseeing and touring the city. Visit one of the many speakeasy lounges that have some of the most amazing and custom cocktails, with some recipes dating to the period prior to Prohibition. Most are all within walking distance of each other.
Root on The Sharks during an NHL game
If you’re a sports fan, visiting San Jose during the months of September through April is a must. The SAP Center is the venue for NHL games and home to the famed San Jose Sharks. Time your stay right, and you may be able to experience the excitement on the ice for yourself.
SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 287 7070
Enjoy a Vietnamese dinner
Located right next to the San Jose University Campus, Tofoo Com Chay will dazzle you with dishes such as fake meat pho as well as heaping combination plates. It’s a perfect place for an affordable San Jose dinner.
Tofoo Com Chay, 388 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 286 6335
Head to Hedley Club at De Anza
Grab a relaxing drink while digesting at the Hedley Club inside the Hotel De Anza, built in the 1930s. The historical hotel offers jazz combinations that perform approximately three days a week or more.
Hedley Club, Hotel De Anza, 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 286 1000
Shoot some pool at The 49er Inn
Get ready for some good times at The 49er Inn. This bar has it all—from great cocktails to karaoke nights plus its very own billiards room.
The 49er Inn, 2214 Business Cir, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 279 9737
Dance through the evening at The Ritz
Later in the evening, head to The Ritz. Almost every night, this venue puts live bands on stage. And when there is not a band, talented DJs are bumping throughout the evening at this nightclub.
Head to Trials Pub
Trials Pub is where the late-night fun begins; it’s open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. It is conveniently located just north of San Pedro Square and has some excellent ale, food, and ambiance. And if you’re still feeling peckish, you can have some after-dinner bites here.
Trials Pub, 265 N 1st St, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 947 0497
Finish your day with a stroll
Plaza de César Chávez, named after the founder of United Farm Workers, César Chávez who lived in San Jose, is the oldest public space in the city. Enjoy a leisurely stroll here and soak up everything you experienced in the area.
Plaza de César Chávez, 1 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose, CA, USA, +1 408 535 3570
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.