Family Attractions & Activities in San Jose
San Jose has historic “high tech” and “big city” attractions which make it a one of a kind visitor experience. With great attractions such as the Intel Museum and Six Flags, you will never have a problem finding something to do. Look below through the wide range of activities and attractions available to you while you visit San Jose. If you need help with your hotel and car rental reservations please use the links to the left. They will guide you through our hassle-free reservation process.
San Jose is also known as “Silicon Valley”. There are very diverse sights and attractions for you to enjoy as well as the great climate. Warm summers and mild winters offer just about anything you are looking for in a vacation spot. You have the ocean close by for sailing, cruises, and guided tours. Great sights and attractions are here for your entertainment. If you are coming alone on business or with the whole family on vacation, you will have a great time.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is located in Kelley Park. The park features a variety of children’s rides and amusements as part of admission including carousels, various kiddie rides, and the puppet castle theatre. To add to the fun, there are themed play areas and picnic groves to entertain the whole family. The zoo exhibits over 50 species of domestic, exotic, and endangered animals from all over the world. For a unique hands-on experience, visit the contact area of the zoo. Happy Hollow also invites you to participate in a variety of annual special events for the entire family.
The Happy Hollow Park & Zoo first opened in 1961. The attraction was renovated and reopened in 2010. The zoo is the home to several types of lemur as well as monkeys and a rare animal known as a fossa. There are also parrots, several other birds and a few turtles at this zoo. Several amusement park type rides are at the park including a roller coaster and a carousel. Happy Hollow Park also has a puppet theatre with various shows produced throughout the year. Happy Hollow is open every day in the spring and summer and on a limited schedule in the winter.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, 748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112; Phone: (408) 794-6400
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum was built in 1966. The building resembles an ancient Egyptian temple. The current collection contains over 4,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts. The museum has several galleries each dedicated to an aspect of life and culture among the Egyptians. One gallery displays mummies and describes the funeral and burial practices of the time. Other galleries display statues of ancient gods and artifacts associated with some of the Pharaohs who ruled the land. The museum is open every day except Mondays, Tuesdays and major holidays.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum,1660 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95191; Phone: (408) 947-3635
Children’s Discovery Museum
The Children’s Discovery Museum was founded in 1990 with the goal of providing interactive exhibits to promote the further education of children. There are many interesting permanent exhibitions at this museum. Mammoth Discovery teaches children about these ancient animals and the way scientists go about learning more about these great beasts. Current Connections teaches children about electricity. Another interesting exhibition is Rainbow Pizza and Market that lets children make an imaginary pizza using only healthy ingredients. Several special exhibitions are held throughout the year. The museum is open every day except during the school year when they are closed on Monday.
Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110; Phone: (408) 298-5437
San Jose Museum of Art
The San Jose Museum of Art has a permanent collection of more than 2,000 objects. The artwork at this museum is from the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the artists featured at this museum include Llyn Foulkes, Hung Liu and Tony Oursler. Special programs for children are held throughout the year. The museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
California’s Great America
Paramount’s Great America is the thrill park with the most rides in Northern California. Soar on the new Stealth, the world’s first flying coaster. Enjoy the most family rides in the Bay Area and meet the Rugrats, Blue, and Scooby-Doo. The Santa Clara, Calif., the park is open April through October.
California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054; Phone: (408) 988-1776
Prusch Farm Park
Emma Prusch Farm Park is the result of a generous gift from one of San Jose’s pioneer families. The property was deeded to the City of San Jose with the understanding that it become a center for learning about the region’s agricultural past.
Emma Prusch Farm Park, 647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116; Phone: (408) 794-6262
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
New rides, great animals, and exciting shows! Killer whale, elephants, sharks, tigers, dolphins, NEW 15 story rollercoaster, a sensational suspended coaster, 16 fun rides and more!
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom; 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589
Intel Museum
At the Intel Museum, you’ll learn about computer chips – how they are designed, manufactured and used in personal computers, cars, traffic lights, home appliances, factory robots and a host of other devices in our lives.
Intel Museum, 2200 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054; Phone: (408) 765-5050
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The marvels of our ocean planet come to life at the world-acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium. Your visit will carry you into the hidden world of Monterey Bay – a place of ever-changing beauty at the heart of the nation’s largest marine sanctuary.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940; Customer service: (831) 648-4800
Raging Waters
Bay Area’s Premier Water theme park with over 30 water slides and attractions. Our kids LOVED the “little kid” area and we thought it was perfect for them. There were multiple slides over a few different, along with a super fun water playground, and it wasn’t overcrowded with too many kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFGWU8VHY-o
Raging Waters is a large water park that is sure to provide hours of fun for the entire family. The park has a giant wave pool and several smaller pools for all ages. There are numerous water slides including the Barracuda Blaster and Blue Thunder. A small area for picnics is available.
Raging Waters, 2333 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148; Phone: (408) 238-9900
Winchester Mystery House
Beautiful but bizarre 160-room Victorian mansion built by rifle heiress Sarah Winchester. Collection of fine craftsmanship and architectural oddities. With its witch’s hat turrets, spiderweb windows and Gothic spires, Sarah Winchester’s 24,000-square-foot Victorian house in San Jose, California, draws tourists from around the world. Capacity of 500 outdoors.
Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128