City guide

Things to do in San Jose

Things to do in San Jose: 56 outings from the Santa Clara County guide, each linked to its source. Details can change. Check with the venue before you go.

Every listing links to its source · Updated

San Jose's History Park is a 14-acre site of original and reproduction homes and businesses, complete with running trolleys and an old-fashioned ice parlor. Museums, shows, library programs and holiday events in the city are listed below. Source: historysanjose.org

Free and budget-friendly in San Jose

Free entry, free admission days and low-cost outings from across the site.

15 picks
Free and budget-friendly outings across Santa Clara County →

Family outings in San Jose

Family-friendly events and outings everyone can enjoy together.

29 picks
Family outings across Santa Clara County →

Date ideas in San Jose

Evenings out, scenic spots and shared experiences for two.

22 picks
Date ideas across Santa Clara County →

Friends and groups in San Jose

Escape rooms, bowling, trivia nights and other group activities.

10 picks
Friends and group outings across Santa Clara County →

Senior outings in San Jose

Senior discount picks, accessible venues and calm, easy-paced outings.

2 picks
Section: Senior outingspark

Martial Cottle Park

Where: 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136Map of Martial Cottle Park (opens in new tab)

A 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).

Hours
8am-sunset
Cost
$6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate; hourly parking also available
Senior outings across Santa Clara County →

Outdoors and nature in San Jose

Parks, trails, beaches, gardens and nature reserves.

4 picks
Section: Outdoors and naturepark
Free

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Where: 21785 Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95120Map of Almaden Quicksilver County Park (opens in new tab)

4,163 acres on a former mercury mining site, with over 37 miles of trails, historic mining remnants and the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. No entry fee.

Hours
8am-sunset; trails open at sunrise
Cost
Free entry
Section: Outdoors and naturepark

Hellyer County Park

Where: 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111Map of Hellyer County Park (opens in new tab)

178-acre creekside park with a 30-foot play structure, a toddler area, fishing at Cottonwood Lake, a dog park and an Olympic-size velodrome.

Hours
8am-sunset
Cost
$6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
Section: Outdoors and naturepark

Joseph D. Grant County Park

Where: 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road, San Jose, CA 95140Map of Joseph D. Grant County Park (opens in new tab)

The county's largest regional park, 10,882 acres of grassland and oak woodland at the base of Mt. Hamilton, with a 51-mile trail system and fishing.

Hours
8am-sunset
Cost
$6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate
Section: Outdoors and naturepark

Martial Cottle Park

Where: 5283 Snell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136Map of Martial Cottle Park (opens in new tab)

A 287-acre historic ranch celebrating the valley's farming heritage, with over 3 miles of paved trails, picnic areas and the Walter Cottle Lester Visitor Center (hours vary).

Hours
8am-sunset
Cost
$6 daily vehicle entry; free for vehicles with a valid disabled placard or plate; hourly parking also available
Outdoors and nature across Santa Clara County →

Arts and shows in San Jose

Theater, concerts, dance and comedy.

16 picks
Arts and shows across Santa Clara County →

Museums in San Jose

Art, history and science museums.

7 picks
Museums across Santa Clara County →

Food and markets in San Jose

Farmers markets, food festivals, cooking classes and food halls.

5 picks
Section: Food and marketsfestival
Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Free

Winter Wonderland in Downtown San José

Where: Paseo de San Antonio, San José, CAMap of Winter Wonderland in Downtown San José (opens in new tab)

Rides and attractions from a 60-foot Ferris wheel to a classic carousel, holiday photo opportunities, a gift market and a rotating selection of food trucks and booths serving holiday treats. Admission is free; rides require tickets.

Dates
Run 1: November 27 - December 16, 2026; Run 2: December 17, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Cost
Free admission; rides $1.50 per ticket, $40 unlimited-ride wristband
Alum Rock Village Farmers' Market in San Jose
Section: Food and marketsmarket
No entry fee listed

Alum Rock Village Farmers' Market

Where: 23 N White Rd., San Jose, CAMap of Alum Rock Village Farmers' Market (opens in new tab)

PCFMA farmers' market located at James Lick High School, open year-round on Sundays. Ample parking available adjacent to the market.

Hours
Sundays 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost
No entry fee listed
Evergreen Farmers' Market in San Jose
Section: Food and marketsmarket
No entry fee listed

Evergreen Farmers' Market

Where: 4055 Evergreen Village Sq., San Jose, CAMap of Evergreen Farmers' Market (opens in new tab)

PCFMA certified farmers' market at Evergreen Village Square, open year-round on Sundays and Wednesdays; seasonal highlight: peanuts. Street parking available.

Hours
Sundays and Wednesdays 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cost
No entry fee listed
Section: Food and marketsmarket
No entry fee listed

Farmers' Market at Westfield Oakridge

Where: Westfield Oakridge Mall parking lot, 5540 Winfield Blvd (Thornwood Drive & Winfield Blvd.), San Jose, CA 95123Map of Farmers' Market at Westfield Oakridge (opens in new tab)

Formerly known as the Blossom Hill Farmers' Market, with over 40 growers and food producers at peak season, including local Santa Clara growers. The market has public transportation access; during weekend parking lot events it moves across the street next to Bowlero Bowling Alley.

Hours
Every Sunday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost
No entry fee listed
Section: Food and marketsmarket
No entry fee listed

Willow Glen Farmers' Market

Where: Willow Glen Elementary, 1425 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125Map of Willow Glen Farmers' Market (opens in new tab)

Open weekly, year 'round, rain or shine, at Willow Glen Elementary. EBT customers receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $15 to spend on fruits and vegetables; WIC, Veggie Rx and Beet Bucks also accepted. See the market schedule for closure dates.

Hours
Saturdays 9 am - 1pm
Cost
No entry fee listed
Food and markets across Santa Clara County →

Rainy day and indoor in San Jose

Indoor outings for wet or cold days.

5 picks
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Section: Rainy day and indoormuseum
Indoor

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Where: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110Map of Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (opens in new tab)

Children's museum with Museums for All access.

Hours
Tue-Fri 9:30am-1pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm (also open Veterans Day, Wed Nov 11, 9:30am-4:30pm)
Cost
Child (1-17) $22; Adult (18-59) $22; Senior $20; under 1 free
Section: Rainy day and indoorlibrary
No entry fee listedIndoor

San José Public Library - Dr. MLK Jr. Library

Where: 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112Map of San José Public Library - Dr. MLK Jr. Library (opens in new tab)

Storytimes and early education programs for ages 0-5, kids, pre-teens and teens; free library card.

Cost
No entry fee listed
Section: Rainy day and indoormuseum
Indoor

The Tech Interactive

Where: 201 S. Market St, San Jose, CA 95113Map of The Tech Interactive (opens in new tab)

Hands-on science and technology center; admission includes one educational IMAX film.

Hours
Vary by season; see daily schedule
Cost
Adults $38; children 3-17, students and seniors (65+) $28
Rainy day and indoor across Santa Clara County →

Pet-friendly in San Jose

Places that welcome dogs, with each venue's own pet rules.

1 pick
Section: Pet-friendlyfestival
Dec 6 – Dec 19, 2026FreePets OK

Paws at the Park: Pet-Friendly Days at Christmas in the Park

Where: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San José, CAMap of Paws at the Park: Pet-Friendly Days at Christmas in the Park (opens in new tab)

Bring your pet to Christmas in the Park on its Pet-Friendly Days. Admission to Christmas in the Park is free.

Dates
Sunday, December 6 and Saturday, December 19, 2026
Hours
10am-3pm
Cost
Free admission
Dogs
Pets welcome on the designated Pet-Friendly Days.
Pet-friendly across Santa Clara County →

Party venues in San Jose

Venues that host kids' birthday parties.

1 pick
Section: Party venuesparty venue

Birthday parties at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Where: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110Map of Birthday parties at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (opens in new tab)

Purple Party Package: a 2-hour room reservation with 20 admission tickets, a cake-cutting kit, full museum access and room cleanup. An 18% service fee is added to each party.

Cost
$870 ($670 members); $22 per additional guest; $100 each additional hour
Party venues across Santa Clara County →

Seasonal and holiday in San Jose

Pumpkin patches, holiday lights and seasonal festivals, with dates.

16 picks
Seasonal and holiday events across Santa Clara County →

Questions about San Jose

How many outings are listed for San Jose?

56 outings in San Jose, from the Santa Clara County guide. The most are in Family outings (29), Date ideas (22), Arts and shows (16). Listings can be in more than one section.

What is free to do in San Jose?

11 listings list free entry, including STEM Club Mondays at King Library, First Fridays: November 2026 at SJMA, Opening Celebration: Irving Norman: Fight for Life at SJMA and Holiday Bath Bombs at East San José Carnegie Library.

What can we do indoors in San Jose?

5 listings are indoors, including Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San José Museum of Art and San José Public Library - Dr. MLK Jr. Library.