Top 10 Things to Do While Visiting San Jose

10. Catch a Sharks Game

Few cities have the fortune of being home to an NHL team.  But San Jose is home to the San Jose Sharks. 

If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching a fast-paced, thrilling ice hockey game, be sure to watch them take on Los Angeles at 5 pm, on race day, October 5, 2008. 

9.  Laugh the Night Away at a Comedy Show

Relieve race day nerves at The Improv.  During race weekend, stop into The Improv and see Henry Cho perform live. 

You might recognize Henry Cho from appearances in movies like, Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation, McHale's Navy and the Farrelly brothers' movie Say It Isn't So.  In any case, he’ll have you in stitches!   

8. Venture into the East Bay

The beauty of the Bay is the quick and easy transportation.  Between Amtrak and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), you can travel throughout the larger Bay Area and Northern California with ease.  Hop on a train in San Jose and you’ll be in Oakland in about an hour. 

Once in Oakland, the greater Bay Area is just a hop, skip, and a jump away on BART.  Before you know it, you’ll be exploring the diverse neighborhoods of San Francisco, traversing along Telegraph Ave in Berkeley, catching an Athletics or Golden State Warrior’s game in Oakland, shopping in Piedmont, sailing on Lake Merritt, golfing in Alameda and more! 

6. Visit the picturesque Monterey

Visit Monterey and you’ll never want to leave!  Monterey’s rich history, the saga of California’s Mission Trail, historic Cannery Row, 20 world-class golf courses including Pebble Beach, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a variety of shops and galleries, and a spectacular assortment of parks and natural beauties make Monterey an unrivaled coastal destination.  Just 1 hour south of San Jose.

5. Take a quick trip North…

Exquisite wine, excellent food, and exciting tours await you in Napa and Sonoma Valleys.  The heart of wine country is a 2-hour drive north.  Catch a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train and experience a gourmet-dining excursion aboard a lavishly restored 1915 Pullman car. 

4. Shop Santana Row

Fashion, food, and fun are all lined up in a row!  Santana Row is San Jose’s premier shopping and entertainment destination. 

With open pedestrian-friendly streets complete with a European flair, the fountains, farmers market, concerts, fine restaurants, and other special events have a little bit of everything for everyone.  

3. Feast Like A King

As San Jose continues to transform itself, more and more people flock to the newly developed city.  The influx of new residents has only served to diversify the city and enhance its rich cuisine with more dynamic restaurants. 

Offering everything from good ol’ fashioned American, to Italian, Japanese, Moroccan, and Vegetarian, you’re bound to find something that pleases the palate at one of the many San Jose restaurants.

2. Spoil the Kids Rotten at Great America

California’s Great America is one of the best amusement parks in northern California—both parents and kids will agree!  Located in Santa Clara, the park is 364 acres of pure fun, with 55 total rollercoasters and water rides. 

It’s endless excitement on rides like “Invertigo,” an inverted face-to-face rollercoaster, “The Vortex,” Northern California’s only stand up rollercoaster, the parks oldest ride, “The Demon,” and much more.  Go ahead, indulge your inner child at California’s Great America.

1. Get your fill of Live Music

After the race, stick around for the Post Race Concert in the park.  Then, if that hasn’t satisfied your need for live music, check out the shows at the surrounding area wineries: