City Highlights

In San Jose, there are countless things to do, sights to see and places to go for people of all tastes and ages. With a diverse collection of dining, entertainment and recreational options, San Jose offers a wide range of experiences befit of the nation’s 10th largest city.

As Silicon Valley’s arts and entertainment center, San Jose offers numerous opportunities to check out the latest museum exhibits, take in a local production by one of our resident arts groups, or catch an appearance by a globally recognized artist. San Jose is also home to the state-of-the-art HP Pavilion and a number of historic venues.

The city offers a wide range of family-friendly activities that cater to the interests of children. Destinations like the innovative Children’s Discovery Museum and Tech Museum of Innovation have spurred the imagination of generations of Bay Area children. In addition, the city-owned Happy Hollow Park and Zoo offer youth an up-close-and-personal experience with nature.

San Jose is establishing itself as a major sports hub and is home to professional hockey, soccer, baseball and football teams. The San Jose State University Spartans also compete in numerous NCAA Division I sports, and the city regularly plays host to major events like the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and the Amgen Tour of California.

San Jose hosts numerous community events throughout the year, ranging from large-scale productions like the San Jose Jazz Festival and Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon to weekly Farmers’ Markets in neighborhoods around the city. During the holidays, Downtown sparkles with its 50-year-old Christmas in the Park and the only place in America to ice skate under the palm trees. Among the many annual celebrations are events like the International Mariachi Festival and Vietnamese Tet Festival, which reflect and celebrate the city’s rich diversity.

And whether you’re looking for curry, pho, lobster corndogs, Dungeness crab, super burritos, or a traditional steakhouse dinner, San Jose offers the best cuisine from every corner of the globe.

Read more about the best way to spend your free time in San Jose