|
|
|
San Jose Travel Guide
|
| San Jose
|
Burt Bacharach could easily find SAN JOSE today simply by
heading south from San Francisco and following the heat
and smog. Although one of the fastest-growing cities in
California, it is not strong on identity – though
in area and population it's close to twice the size of San
Francisco. Sitting at the southern end of the peninsula,
San Jose has in the past 25 years emerged as the civic heart
of Silicon Valley, surrounded by miles of faceless high-tech
industrial parks where the next generations of computers
and websites are designed and crafted. Ironically, it's
also acknowledged as the first city in California, though
the only sign of this is the eighteenth-century Mission
Santa Clara de Asis, on the pleasant campus of the Jesuit-run
Santa Clara University.
Its
most famous landmark is the Winchester Mystery House, 525
S Winchester Blvd, just off I-280 near Hwy-17 ($12.95–22.95;
daily 9am–5pm, until 7pm June–Sept). Sarah Winchester,
heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, was convinced upon
her husband's death that he had been taken by the spirits
of men killed with Winchester rifles, and believed that
unless a room was built for each of the spirits and the
sound of hammers never ceased, the same fate would befall
her. |
| San Jose
Travels & Tours |
Santana Row
Santana
Row is the new urban district, a magnet for shopping, dining,
entertainment and accommodations in North San Jose. With
42 acres at the corner of Stevens Creek & Winchester
Blvds., and 528K square feet of luxury, lifestyle and "new
concept" boutique retail, Santana Row redefines the
entire destination experience. There is something for the
entire family: 14 full service restaurants; twice-weekly
farmers market; WiFi Internet access zones; Hotel Valencia
world-class boutique hotel; outdoor cafes, public parks,
gardens, plazas and courtyards; and 6-screen CineArts complex
(opening soon).
Raging Waters
A
recreational hot spot for the entire family, this park is
the largest of its kind in the Bay Area and has waterslides
of all shapes and sizes. Careen your way down the 500-foot-long
Barracuda Blaster or take an inner-tube ride down the Great
White Shark. There are wading areas and smaller rides designed
just for the youngsters. This park is highly recommended
for families as well as couples and folks just looking for
good clean fun.
Japanese Friendship Garden
Located
in Kelley Park, this garden is modeled after Korakuen Park
in Okayama, Japan, which is one of San Jose's sister cities.
In a very peaceful, relaxing setting, enjoy the unique bridges,
ponds and pathways that exquisitely demonstrate the fine
art of classic Japanese landscape gardening. You can even
feed the fish. You will always be immersed in a wide variety
of colors, varying from wisteria lavenders to azalea pinks
and depending on the season.
Paramount's Great America
This
is a huge theme park filled with thrill rides, cabaret shows,
and all sorts of things for the kids to do. Many special
events take place throughout the season, including encounters
with Klingons, making merry with Tweety and great musical
acts in concert. The park offers day passes as well as seasonal
ones. Children will have a great time here.
Children's Discovery Museum
Two
floors' worth of exhibits and activities include a history
of bubbles, a maze, face painting, and all sorts of things
to keep children busy and thinking. The museum is a giant,
jagged purple building straddling Guadalupe River Park,
so picnics are a common plan for visitors. CDM is right
on the light rail station, which makes public transportation
a snap. The museum offers facilities for birthday parties
and special events for groups of up to 20 people. There
is also a reasonably priced store with games, books and
toys.
|
|
|
San Jose Hotels Discounts Search
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
