A Bay Area Local's Guide to Staying Close to Home
I've lived in the Bay Area most of my life. When people come to visit, they always ask me to take them to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, or Napa Valley.
I enjoy showing people San Francisco, but there are only so many times you want to see Haight-Ashbury, the Coit Tower, or ride the Double Decker bus. Santa Cruz is fun with the Boardwalk, trails, and beaches, but it's a bit of a drive and always has traffic. Napa is beautiful too, but I don't even like to drink that much, so it's not a spot I always want to explore.
So what is there to do right here in Santa Clara County (San Jose)?
🎢Great America & South Bay Shores
If you enjoy amusement parks, there's Great America. Santa Clara does have hot summers and some days it reaches the 90s, so the attached water park South Bay Shores could be an option for all ages.
🔬The Tech Interactive
Living in Silicon Valley with all the technology and gadgets is interesting. Understanding it is all another subject. Check out The Tech Interactive located in Downtown San Jose. It allows you to engage in hands-on science and technology exhibits. It's also a great family-friendly activity that features an IMAX theater.
🏚️Winchester Mystery House
Halloween is spooky, but the Winchester Mystery House is just as spooky. Explore all the rooms, basements, and hallways of this eccentric historic mansion in San Jose. You can include a self-guided access to the basements, known for reported paranormal activity. Explore the Victorian gardens, stables, and greenhouse, or try the onsite Sarah's Attic Shooting Gallery.
🏺Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a wonderful place if you want to explore Ancient Egypt. There are authentic artifacts displayed behind glass, including human and animal mummies. There's a tomb replica where you can explore a full-size replica of a rock-cut tomb from Beni Hasan, offering an immersive experience of an ancient resting place. The museum hosts various workshops (mummification, hieroglyphics, perfume) and events including the tranquil practice of "forest bathing" in the park.
🏎️K1 Speed
There is something for everyone in Santa Clara County. If you love speed, racing, and arcade games, check out K1 Speed and go kart racing around the track.
💻Intel Museum
Silicon Valley got its name from the creation of microchips and super computers. I started my tech career in the photomasking business. You can see how these chips are created at the Intel Museum. You can engage in hands-on activities like writing your name in binary code, seeing the difference between 4G and 5G speed demos, and trying on a bunny suit cut-out photo.
🏈49ers Museum at Levi's Stadium
There is even something for the sports fan. There's a museum for the San Francisco Forty Niners. Yes, they play in Santa Clara County despite the name San Francisco. The Niners have a rich football history with 5 Super Bowl victories and great players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott. The museum is in Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
🎨Triton Museum of Art
There are places for lovers of art at the Triton Museum of Art. You can view art from local artists.
⛰️Almaden Quicksilver County Park
If your friends are interested in the outdoors, there's plenty to experience. There's Almaden Quicksilver Park, where you can find California's first and richest mine in the museum. You can hike the trails and enjoy nature.
🌳More Natural Beauty
We have a beautiful Mediterranean climate here in Santa Clara County, so there's more to explore if you're into nature: Ulistac Natural Area, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and Vasona Lake County Park.
I'm not saying not to explore Santa Cruz, San Francisco, or Napa. But check out what Santa Clara has to offer, and I'm sure you will enjoy the experience.
