What to do/see in San Jose

[bobby_guz_man]

13. The First Unitarian Church and the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Church surrounding St. James Park. Both churches are very close to St. Joseph Basillica. When you're in that area, walk down 2nd Street slightly from St James Park and you can check out the Chromatic Coffee Roasteries, housed in a very nice Beaux Arts building.

14. The Five Wounds Portuguese Catholic Church aka "The Pink Church" on Santa Clara Street and 25th/26th Street. I don't think you can get an inside tour--but if you can, it's pretty nice. It's just right outside of to the west of downtown.

15. Mark's Hot Dogs on the corner of Alum Rock Avenue and Capitol Avenue. It's been there since the 1930's and was built with the California Roadside Strip architectural style by Frank Pohl. It's like a step back in time when you're there. It's a Designated Historic Landmark.

[bobby_guz_man]

16. The Downtown Main Library, one of the largest west of the Mississippi 8 floors. You can look up the websites to find all the "quirks" built into that Main Library, such as the famous "revolving wall shelves" where you can hide and surprise people. Also, the small Beethoven Museum is on the 5th floor of the library, holds some very cool instruments.

[bobby_guz_man]

Originally Posted by Billy Millennium

I forgot about this. Could be up OP's alley.

Of course you forgot *rolls eyes* We all know you hate San Jose, but seriously, if you don't have anything nice to say, then stay out and let the locals help out the OP.

I do agree with everyone that Winchester Mystery House is a dud. We locals roll our eyes whenever anyone out of town ask about that place. The exterior is photo-worthy though.

Saratoga would take OP a full day to go through. OP, if you are still interested in Saratoga, that would be a full day trip. You can visit Villa Montalvo (check their schedules to see which art galleries they're featuring, always free to attend), Hakone Japanese Garden (much better than San Jose's, I'll admit that), Mountain Winery, and Saratoga's own little downtown. It would take you a full day.

I suggest you take two days in the area--one for San Jose, and one for the little town of Saratoga

[Botev1912]

Is Saratoga a suburb? Residential place?

[Billy Millennium]

Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man

Of course you forgot *rolls eyes* We all know you hate San Jose, but seriously, if you don't have anything nice to say, then stay out and let the locals help out the OP.

I do agree with everyone that Winchester Mystery House is a dud. We locals roll our eyes whenever anyone out of town ask about that place. The exterior is photo-worthy though.

Saratoga would take OP a full day to go through. OP, if you are still interested in Saratoga, that would be a full day trip. You can visit Villa Montalvo (check their schedules to see which art galleries they're featuring, always free to attend), Hakone Japanese Garden (much better than San Jose's, I'll admit that), Mountain Winery, and Saratoga's own little downtown. It would take you a full day.

I suggest you take two days in the area--one for San Jose, and one for the little town of Saratoga

Strong unnecessary rudeness. Please re-read my previous post (in entirety) below:

Originally Posted by Billy Millennium

I forgot about this. Could be up OP's alley.

And if visiting Willow Glen; gotta eat at La Villa . Casual Italian deli with sandwiches/pasta etc.

1) I don't hate SJ.

2) I further recommended the Egyptian museum and even a good place to eat in WG.

3) OP showed an interest in photography; and I thought Saratoga could be of interest due to the Japanese gardens/quaint dtown etc. Hence my recommendation.

[bobby_guz_man]

Billy, seriously...c'mon. Unnecessary rudeness? What is this then?

Not much in the way of touristy stuff; not that kinda place. The only true tourist spot I can think of is the Winchester Mystery House. But I wouldn't bother with that.

Since you like taking photos; do some research on neighboring Saratoga.

Look, lately I noticed you toned down your vitriol towards your former residence of San Jose. Thanks. It kinda surprised me actually. But I guess sometimes you just can't leave it well enough alone, can ya?

[bobby_guz_man]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Is Saratoga a suburb? Residential place?

OP, it's a city in its own right, albeit very tiny. It sits to the Southwest of San Jose, next door to the city of Monte Sereno. But for its tiny size, it does punch far above its weight in terms of worthwhile "touristy" stuffs.

[cardinal2007]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Is Saratoga a suburb? Residential place?

Yes, and yes, but I think he was getting at the fact that it used to be a really small town at the foothills of the mountains, and still has a little downtown area. Downtown Los Gatos is also nice.