10 Reasons You'll Love San Jose
From holding our own as a respected sports destination, to a deeply rooted influence in contemporary rock music, to a unique global food scene inspired by our diversity... Here are the top 10 reasons you'll love San Jose!
1. We’ve Got Sunshine
San Jose’s sunshine shines bright. With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, you’re bound to enjoy the perfect weather in any of our wide-open spaces. Jog by the water at Lake Cunningham Park or Almaden Lake Park, then have a picnic and soak up the sun in the Municipal Rose Garden.
2. We’re Living in the Future
The future is now in San Jose, home to over 6,000 tech companies like Samsung, Cisco and PayPal. Explore where innovation begins by going on a self-guided tech tour.
Don’t forget to drop by The Tech Interactive for a family-friendly science and technology experience, including their IMAX Dome Theater, which boasts the world’s first dome laser projector on the largest IMAX® dome screen in the West!
3. There are Pho-nominal Noms
San Jose is home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam so you can’t leave San Jose without slurping a huge bowl of authentic pho. The Vietnamese noodle soup is a comfort food that can be shared across all cultures. Little Saigon offers countless spots to get your pho fix. Add a cold milk tea with boba for the perfect pairing.
4. We’re Family Friendly
San Jose isn’t just a grown-up tech playground – kids can have fun too! The Children’s Discovery Museum includes several interactive exhibits that provide fun for the whole family. After exploring the museum, play a giant game of monopoly at Monopoly in the Park at Discovery Meadow. Catch a glimpse of some critters at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo – complete with a petting zoo and amusement park. Want to step back in time with family? Check our Emma Prusch Farm Park or History San Jose’s History Park to see how families of the past lived.
5. Even the Dead Don’t Want to Leave
If you’re looking for a spooky adventure, look no further than the Winchester Mystery House. The puzzling mansion will leave you scratching your head and looking over your shoulder. Once home to Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearms mogul William Winchester, it’s believed the ghosts of the Winchester rifle victims, along with former employees and other spirits, haunt the house.
6. San Jose is a Shopping Paradise
Shop ‘til you drop at Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair. The Row offers upscale shopping and dining. You can spend a day there or also head across the street to Valley Fair. The newly expanded shopping center has everything you need from basic essentials to high-end and luxury goods. The mall also offers extensive dining options to satisfy every craving.
If you’re looking to support the local economy and small businesses, Willow Glen is the spot. The walkable Downtown offers a variety of shops and restaurants. Stroll down Lincoln Ave. and feel like a local.
7. Art is Everywhere
Elements of San Jose’s art scene can be found across the city. SJ Walls murals line the streets Downtown and beyond, telling the stories of San Jose’s people and culture.
San Jose has unique art museums and art walks that showcase local and global artists – San Jose Museum of Art and MACLA are just a few must-see collections. If you’re around on the first Friday of each, stop by the SoFA District to enjoy the exhibits in nearby art galleries, street artists, vendors and food!
8. Bay Area's Ultimate Sports Destination
San Jose isn’t just Sharks Territory. Alongside hockey, San Jose is home to Major League Soccer’s Earthquakes, the National Women’s Soccer League's Bay FC, who are playing their inaugural season at PayPal Park in 2024, and Minor League Baseball’s San Jose Giants.
Along with these professional teams, San Jose also offers sports action at the collegiate level. Catch a game from San Jose State’s athletic program.
Regionally, San Jose is six miles from Levi’s Stadium where you can watch the San Francisco 49ers, and 35 miles from the NBA’s Golden State Warriors or their minor league team, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
9. Music Is In Our Blood
The local music scene can be found scattered around Downtown San Jose. SoFA District is a main hub for the local scene with The Ritz, BackBar and The Continental – all providing music ranging from jazz to punk to hip-hop.
San Jose sees music festivals year-round with San Jose Jazz’s Winter and Summerfest, SoFA Street Fair in the fall and spring, and the local favorite summer series Music in the Park.
10. Surrounded by Wine
San Jose is surrounded by not one but three iconic American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) that are distinct with its own unique climate and soil conditions, contributing to the flavor profile of the wines produced there.
San Jose's only winery, Alamitos Vineyard has also been recognized with industry awards for their wine production — a feat for a brand that's only a few years old!
Whether you’ve been to San Jose before or are looking to explore the city for the first time, there’s plenty of reasons to spend time in this city. You can trust us when we say it’ll be worthwhile!
