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Old 07-31-2015, 11:28 PM
 
536 posts, read 639,413 times
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Hi, I'm currently in SF getting a feel for the Bay Area. I was planning on taking Caltrain either this Sunday (8/2) or sometime next week to Downtown San Jose to get a feel of San Jose, as well as possibly getting off for a short time in Downtown Palo Alto and Mountain View. I was wondering if it is better to visit these downtowns on Sunday or during the week. Are they slightly more lively/interesting during the week vs. on a Sunday? How about how crowded the trains are? I know Caltrain only runs once an hour during weekends so that is a factor as well.

Obviously I'm new to the area so any advice would be much appreciated! Since I do not have a rental car here I am just planning to stick to the downtown areas near the Caltrain stops. I know the area is primarily suburban in nature. Thanks!
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Old 08-01-2015, 12:14 AM
 
Location: Bay Area
402 posts, read 538,675 times
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Regarding San Jose, I would prefer weekends because you get a bonus as free parking in SJ downtown.

In general, I do not think there is a huge difference when to visit all of these places. Mountain View and Palo Alto downtowns are probably a little bit more crowded on weekends with families, and probably SJ is opposite because office workers are at home (it is my personal feelings). Trying to find something interesting when visiting these places, I think it is a good idea to check on Internet if there are any free public events like Art and Wine Festival, Local Parade, Concert in the Park, etc. Just google it -- there are plenty of different web-sites that inform about future events in the Bay Area.

Do not worry about Caltrain. If you go not in rush hours, you always have a seat )
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Old 08-01-2015, 12:17 AM
 
881 posts, read 1,815,314 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shunketsu View Post
Hi, I'm currently in SF getting a feel for the Bay Area. I was planning on taking Caltrain either this Sunday (8/2) or sometime next week to Downtown San Jose to get a feel of San Jose, as well as possibly getting off for a short time in Downtown Palo Alto and Mountain View. I was wondering if it is better to visit these downtowns on Sunday or during the week. Are they slightly more lively/interesting during the week vs. on a Sunday? How about how crowded the trains are? I know Caltrain only runs once an hour during weekends so that is a factor as well.

Obviously I'm new to the area so any advice would be much appreciated! Since I do not have a rental car here I am just planning to stick to the downtown areas near the Caltrain stops. I know the area is primarily suburban in nature. Thanks!
Keep in mind the ride is pretty long unless you get one of the baby bullet (very limited run on weekends), check the schedule.

I would visit downtown SJ on a week day, particularly Friday when the market is on at San Pedro Square.

Palo Alto & MV I would do on a Sunday. Definitely hit up the farmer's market in MV on Sunday morning.
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Old 08-01-2015, 12:21 AM
 
Location: Washington state
7,029 posts, read 4,896,331 times
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Why not just drive down if you're going on a weekend? It's not that far, what, about 45 - 50 miles.
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Old 08-01-2015, 01:30 AM
 
1,696 posts, read 2,861,042 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodentraiser View Post
Why not just drive down if you're going on a weekend? It's not that far, what, about 45 - 50 miles.
OP already stated that they have no rental car.
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Old 08-01-2015, 01:38 AM
 
1,696 posts, read 2,861,042 times
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SJ Downtown is better to visit during Friday or Saturday evenings. But if you must visit SJ during the weekend during daytime, then Saturday is best.

This weekend in San Jose Downtown has quite a bunch of stuffs for daytime activities:

1) SVBeerWeek in SJ Downtown, check out the schedule here:
Events

2) Renaissance Faire in SJ Downtown at Discovery Meadow:
5th Annual San Jose Renaissance Faire

3) Target Summer Pops Free Concert at SJSU:
Target Summer Pops | Symphony Silicon Valley

At night time, the bars and lounges of Downtown SJ will be ready for you all along 1st, 2nd, 3rd, San Fernando, Santa Clara, and at San Pedro Square Market
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Old 08-01-2015, 08:54 AM
 
536 posts, read 639,413 times
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Thanks everyone for the advice!
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Old 08-03-2015, 10:30 PM
 
Location: Washington state
7,029 posts, read 4,896,331 times
Reputation: 21893
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobby_guz_man View Post
OP already stated that they have no rental car.
I was thinking the OP just didn't want to rent a car. My bad.
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