Source: Wikipedia
When it’s time to find a new place to live, activities and entertainment are high on the list of priorities for most people. You want to be able to leave your home and have an array of outdoor and indoor activities available within a reasonable travel distance. San Jose offers families and singles a plethora of things to do, regardless as to how small or large your budget is. Here are some places to visit once you’ve made this your permanent residence.
Museums
If your idea of fun is a visit to the museum, then San Jose is perfect for you. Residents can choose from the classical Museum of Art with its diverse galleries and special events, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum which features a hands-on exhibit where visitors can walk through a replica ancient tomb, and the 25 acre San Jose History Museum that features a variety of home replicas from the 1800s. There’s even a Museum of Quilts and Textiles, with a collection of over 850 textiles, many of them created by famous local or national artists.
The Children’s Discovery Museum will make for a great family trip, as kids are encouraged to touch and even play with the exhibits. Designed with teaching in mind, the museums most popular exhibit is WaterWays, where both children and their parents are playfully taught about the properties of water with a working canal system being part of the demonstration).
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Bike and pedestrian trails are pretty popular, and the Los Gatos Creek Trail is an ideal spot to spend some time outdoors. The trail is a little over nine miles long, and crosses several areas in the city. Another place to enjoy the outdoors is The Almaden Quicksilver County Park. It covers over 4,000 acres and remains widely undeveloped. The area is filled with wildlife and native plants, but also has several small ponds and tunnels. This park is perfect for picnicking and hiking.
One of the more aesthetically pleasing outdoor parks is the Japanese Friendship Garden. It features beautiful waterfalls, bridges and bonsai plants, along with perfectly manicured landscapes and colored Koi fish, creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and meditation.
Restaurants and Bars
Residents of San Jose frequent the Gordon Biersch Brewery when they need to unwind and get a superb meal. The restaurant is known for its delicious garlic mashed potatoes and its fine selection of German ales.
If you’d prefer more of a party atmosphere, The Flying Martini Brothers Bar & Bistro is your go-to spot. There’s plenty of colorful drinks, sing-alongs and entertainment to keep you occupied during your visit. For those looking for a more sophisticated night out, the Hedley Club is a classy choice, featuring live jazz performances and mouthwatering dishes.
Entertainment Venues
The HP Pavilion hosts a variety of concerts and shows throughout the year. From Sesame Street to Lionel Ritchie, the pavilion offers family friendly and adult shows to suit your style. It’s one of the more popular entertainment venues in the city.
The Improv is San Joses’ famous comedy club. Headliners include comedians like Guy Torry and Bill Bellamy, as well as Eddie Griffin and Joey Medina. You can get your laugh on while chowing down on some tasty dishes. The club also hosts holiday parties and corporate events.
Shopping
After your visit to the museum or the SAP Center, you may be in the mood for a bit of shopping. San Jose has a plethora of high end and casual shops that offer everything you need. The shops on Santana Row features some well-known luxury retailers and designer fashions. Among them are Kate Spade, Brooks Brothers and Ted Baker London. The area also features a variety of restaurants for fine dining and a few places to kick back and loosen up. You’ll find Starbucks filtered in with eateries like Maggiano’s Little Italy and Amber India.
The Eastridge Shopping Center can be a welcoming place to shop, as it features many chain stores that most people are familiar with. You can pick up a few things at Bed Bath and Beyond, or pick up some eye glasses at Lens Crafters. The mall also houses a Metro PCS, Payless Shoe Source and Victoria’s Secret. San Jose has tons of great places to shop and hang out.
From parks to museums, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in San Jose. Whether you’re working with a large budget or if you only have a few extra dollars to spare, you can easily find something to do that fits within your financial boundaries. Local activities are one of the main things that people look for when considering a new place to live. San Jose doesn’t come up short in this area.
