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As one of Californias oldest settlements, San Jose dates back to 1777. Since then it has flourished into a fantastic city where even the pickiest travelers will find it enjoyable. San Jose is known for its great dining, wines and cultural neighborhoods. There are fantastic shops, galleries and sites worth exploring. Its also close to the ocean and a few wonderful amusement parks. Theres really not a whole lot that San Jose cant provide.

There are many great sites to be found throughout the city. When you see the Light Tower in the San Jose you might think youre seeing a replica of the Eiffel Tower. The original Light Tower collapsed in 1915. Its purpose was to replace the gas streetlights but it didnt shed enough light. Nevertheless this smaller version gives you a good idea of what the first one looked like. The stunning Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is the oldest parish in California. Built in the early 1800s, the original and the following church were damaged by severe earthquakes. The third was destroyed by fire in 1875. The fifth and final building of this church began in the late 1800s and stands strong today. The beautiful building is well worth visiting and is considered a National Historic Landmark. If youre interested in classical music, the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies has a stunning collection of ,Beethovens works. Even if youre not into concertos its still quite interesting to see the many displays.

San Jose is filled with many cultures. Interested in learning about Mexican history? Make your way to the Mexican Heritage Plaza, a great museum and cultural center. When you think about a rose garden, you probably envision beautiful flowers, winding paths and ideal reading locations. The Rose Garden neighborhood in San Jose though is filled with Egyptian artifacts. Enter the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and youll be treated to a fantastic collection of Egyptian relics. Youll feel like you took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in the Nile. Its not uncommon for cities have a neighborhood that is dedicated to a specific culture, but San Jose puts most to shame with its amazing Japantown. Located just north of the downtown area, its one of the last remaining authentic Japantowns in the nation and youll really enjoy wandering through the streets and exploring what it has to offer. Recent improvements and development have been major drawing cards for restaurateurs and housing developments. Depending on when you visit, there are great festivals and a fantastic Farmers Market held throughout the year. The Art Object Gallery showcases fantastic talent and youll learn more about Japanese history at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. For a real treat though, try to catch a performance at the Okida Hall. The rhythms and beats being pounded on the drums literally shake your soul. And what neighborhood would be complete without a selection of fine restaurants. Ironically, one of the best is a Cuban restaurant. Theres also the fantastic Nobu restaurant, which is also found in Las Vegas the meals are out of this world.

If youre in the mood to shop and can last longer than an hour in the mall, youll need to visit the Great Mall of the Bay Area. Only five miles from San Jose, this Mecca of shops is one huge complex. In addition to the plethora of stores, youll also find great dining options. Kellys Cajun Grill is famous for its Bourbon Chicken and spicy dishes and the Mayflower has amazing dim sum as well as a great atmosphere. So after a long (great) day of shopping youll find the place to go and refuel.

Take a short drive to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk where youll find the oldest amusement park in all of California. If you like both old and new, youll love it here. And because its right alongside the Pacific Coast Beach, you can go for a swim when youre done with the rides. If you need a few more thrills though, the Paramounts Great America is a fantastic place to enjoy parades, water rides (lots of water rides) and rides just for kids. For the young thrill seekers traveling with you, head over to the Nickelodeon stage and get slimed. For the older thrill seekers youll have lots of fantastic options. With names like Top Gun, Vortex and Delirium you wont be disappointed.

It would be near impossible to not catch a game or show at the HP Pavilion, otherwise known as the Shark Tank, home to the San Jose Sharks. If sports arent your thing though San Jose hosts over 180 shows every year. Make sure you check out concert listings before you come. Youll probably be in town to catch a fantastic performance.

Dining in San Jose is a wonderful experience. In fact, the town was established back in 1777 as a farming region that supplied food to the military located near by. Since then its gained quite a reputation as being a fantastic place to enjoy a meal. The options range from relaxed to formal, simple to extravagant. One of its more well known restaurants is Le Papillon. This amazing French restaurant takes pride in both the taste of the meal and the ambience that surrounds it. No matter where you decide though youll be able to enjoy your meal with the perfect glass of wine. The San Jose region has continually produced award winning wines for decades. If you really enjoy wine, or would like to learn more about it, make time for a tour at the many vineyards in the area. Perhaps at the end of the day youll be able to taste the difference between Pinot Noir, Merlot or Chardonnay.