City or town
Things to see in San Jose, California (United States): 61 places and when to go
San Jose, California is a major city in United States with around 1,668,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 61 places in and around it, mainly Nature (26), Food and drink (19), Mountains (18). The best known are Winchester Mystery House, Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph and Loma Prieta. The best time to come is March to October; also possible: November to February. In June there are 14 h 33 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 27. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- United States · 37.3019, -121.8519
- Population
- About 1,668,000
- Places
- 61 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (26) · Food and drink (19) · Mountains (18) · Wildlife (7) · History (6) · With kids (4)
- Best time
- March to October.
- Also possible
- November to February.
- Nearest airport
- SFO San Francisco, 58 km as the crow flies
- Highest point
- Mount Hamilton, at 1,279 m.
What to see in San Jose, California
The places in and around San Jose, California, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Winchester Mystery HouseMansion in San Jose, California9.0 km
- Cathedral Basilica of St. JosephCatholic church in San Jose, California4.9 km
- Loma PrietaMountain in California, United States21 km
- Mount HamiltonMountain in the United States19 km
- Rosicrucian Egyptian MuseumBuilding in San Jose, California, United States7.2 km
- Mount UmunhumMountain in California, United States16 km
- Monument PeakMountain in Santa Clara and Alameda counties in California, United States20 km
- Mount AllisonMountain in United States of America22 km
- Mount BielawskiMountain in United States of America23 km
- Mount BoardmanMountain in United States of America39 km
- Mount OsoMountain in United States of America48 km
- Mount SizerMountain in United States of America32 km
- Mount ThayerMountain in United States of America16 km
- San Jose Municipal Rose GardenHistoric American rose garden in San Jose, California7.6 km
- Tulare HillMountain in United States of America12 km
- Castle Rock State ParkState park in California, located along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains and almost entirely in Santa Cruz County, with parts extending into Santa Clara County and San Mateo County25 km
- El Sereno Open Space PreserveOpen space preserve in Santa Clara County, California, United States17 km
- Happy Hollow Park & ZooZoo and amusement park in San Jose, California2.8 km
- Japanese Friendship GardenNature2.4 km
- Joseph D. Grant County ParkPark in California, United States16 km
- Mount ChualMountain in California, United States of America20 km
- Rooster CombMountain in the United States of America44 km
- San Jose Flea MarketShopping mall7.6 km
- San Jose Museum of ArtArt museum in San Jose, California, United States4.9 km
And the other 37, by what you come to do:
- History: Sunol Water Temple, Hotel Montgomery, Hotel De Anza, John Steinbeck House
- Nature: Ed R. Levin County Park, Henry W. Coe State Park, Mission Peak, Mount Mocho, Mount Stakes, Mount Wallace, Rose Peak, Santa Teresa County Park
- Temples: Gurdwara Sahib of San Jose
- With kids: Aqua Adventure, Raging Waters San Jose, Rosicrucian Planetarium
- Food and drink: 10th Street Distillery, Big Basin Tasting Room, Big Dog Vineyards, Black Ridge Vineyards, Clandestine Brewing, Coterie Winery, DTSJ, Five Points, Loma Prieta Winery Tasting Room, Many Friends Brewing Company, MJA Summit Tasting Room & Vineyards, Narrative Fermentations, S27 Alehouse & Brewery, Strike Brewing Co., Testarossa Winery, Uproar Brewing Company, Villa Del Monte Winery, Wrights Station Winery
- Hiking: Bay Area Ridge Trail, Ohlone Wilderness Trail
- Stargazing: Montgomery Hill Observatory
When to go to San Jose, California
The best time to visit San Jose, California is March to October; also possible: November to February. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible9:42
- FebPossible10:37
- MarBest time11:43
- AprBest time12:58
- MayBest time14:00
- JunBest time14:33
- JulBest time14:20
- AugBest time13:26
- SepBest time12:14
- OctBest time11:01
- NovPossible9:57
- DecPossible9:27
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 33 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 27. In April, 60 of the 61 places are at their best.
When to go to United States in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to San Jose, California
The nearest main airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO, San Francisco), 58 km as the crow flies. How to get around United States (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Mountain View25 places23 km
- Gilroy34 places36 km
- Santa Cruz, California38 places40 km
- pescadero7 places41 km
- Livermore13 places42 km
- San Mateo, California29 places50 km
And all of United States, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in San Jose, California?
The best known: Winchester Mystery House, Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, Loma Prieta, Mount Hamilton, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. In all, 61 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit San Jose, California?
March to October; also possible: November to February. In June there are 14 h 33 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 27.
How do you get to San Jose, California?
The nearest main airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 58 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with San Jose, California as the destination and these 61 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- United StatesBefore travelling to United States: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed, but you do need an electronic authorisation, the ESTA, applied…
- Nature6499 places for nature in United States, from Niagara Falls to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to October. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.