things to do in downtown san jose

Contrary to what you may have heard, there are actually a ton of fun and exciting things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica! They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) Outside view of the recently renovated Fountain Alley, complete with new overhead lights, where guests now enjoy outdoor dining options on June 16. These are the best dog friendly things to do near San Jose, CA: People also liked: Things To Do With Kids. Even better, getting around San Jose is easy, so you dont have to worry about driving. San Jose's vibrant downtown is bursting with culture and houses both the Tech Museum of Innovation and the San Jose Museum of . Even if I dont rent a vehicle for the entire time, Ill get one for a few days, especially if Im traveling to La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Jaco, and Tamarindo. Mani said the project also includes a 30-foot-wide landscaped paseo, which will connect Buena Vista and Willard avenues. Cant find affordable housing in the Bay Area? This specific tourvisits a coffee plantation as well as a butterfly garden which is perfect if you plan on doing both! We get in there and bam! Tours include hotel pick-up, lunch, snorkeling, and the boat to the island! You can easily take an Uber to the plantation from San Jose, and it costs $12 USD to hike the trail. Steven Huynh, owner of Goodtime, said the space has helped him find his calling in life, leaving behind a career as an engineering manager at Apple. The project will include at least eight apartments priced below-market rate, to account for the loss of eight affordable homes, Mani said. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. A consultant's report in 2019 noted the Craftsman-style home was built circa 1925, and the seven identical floor plan bungalows in a "bungalow court" neighborhood were built around 1932. They offer large dorm rooms too. Too many options to choose from? Whether you're here for business or leisure travel, there is a lot to do in downtown San Jose. The project will also provide bicycle parking and a transit-use incentive program, as well as unbundled parking, meaning the cost to rent an apartment at the complex will not include cost for a parking space. Kimi Takeda with friends outside of Goodtime Bar in Fountain Alley on June 16. I do need to warn you, the drive is about 3 hours each way, but if you choose a good tour and guide, the drive itself will be interesting and scenic too! San Jose Attractions. This way, your guide can also explain to you all about the volcano too. One place, in particular, is The Costa Rica Beer Factory. San Jose State University was founded in 1857 and it's the oldest public university in California. This place is seriously huge and is home to over 2,700 hundred animals, of which only 2% call the center a permanent home! Plenty of developers are eyeing the area, mindful that Google intends to build its huge transit village, regardless of the current timeline reassessment. Its a very uniquetasting ice cream and is only found at this one specific store. In my honest opinion, it really depends on how much time you have to spare. 4 BEST Coffee Shops and Cafes in Banff with EPIC views & food! The National Museum of Costa Rice showcases exhibits that highlight Costa Ricas history, archaeology, anthropology, and natural history. If youre looking for a cozy dive bar or a ritzy lounge, odds are youre no more than a few blocks away. For this reason, a city tour of San Jose (free or paid) is definitely my number one pick out of all the things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica downtown area. Despite the citys large urban sprawl, San Jose itself is technically built in the middle of a tropical rain forest and it only takes a short drive outside the city limits to find humid forests and wildlife youd expect to see in Costa Rica. On Thursdays at 11:30 am, the MLK library offers free one-hour docent-led general tours of King Library's art and research collections. What are the best things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica? Entrance to the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is $30 USD and can be booked in advanceto save time and skip the line. Her enthusiasm is contagious ands she obviously takes great pride and joy in her work. We are just in the process of booking our hotels in Costa Rica (flights all booked) for this December but we can't decide the nest place to base ourselves. Luckily, the town of Jaco exists only a quick hour and a half drive away. One thing you must try is the ice cream shop called Helados de Sorbetera. -Use Uber as transportation when you can. Below: Sardines in oil with a rustic baguette, served on a vintage plate at Goodtime Bar. Both trails lead to the viewpoint, with one slightly longer for those who love to hike. You can book your stay direct or on Booking.com. People also searched for these near San Jose: What are people saying about things to do near San Jose, CA? . Sign up for a tour at the lobby Information Desk. They all have a history with San Jose and want to do something special for it, not anywhere else. After some revisions to city building standards, the developer shifted the project to a single eight-story building, Mani said. Fun Things To Do In San Jose 1. The original adobe structure was built in 1803. All Things To Do Free View all Photos Santana Row Santana Row free #1 in San Jose 3.3 miles to city center [SEE MAP] Address: 3055 Olin Avenue Entertainment and Nightlife, Free, Shopping. In fact, I love it so much that I didnt actually visit on a day trip from San Jose, and instead, I spent nearly a week in the region. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The exciting trip to Downtown San Jose may include night spots, restaurants, visiting tech museums, watching theatre, exploring Santana Row, visiting the Municipal Rose Garden, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and many more. Goodtime Bar, by design, offers San Jose residents vibes that were once exclusive to places like San Franciscos Bar Part Time or Oaklands Snail Bar. I grew up in Costa Rica. One of the most important things to note about visiting Poas Volcano is the best time to visit. Selina is located only 700m from the National Theatre. 1. This museum is a great place to visit for a broad understanding of Costa Rica and I consider it one of the best attractions in San Jose, Costa Rica. The spaces in which Urban Communitys tenants operate are small by San Jose standards about 1,000 to 1,500 square feet lowering the barrier to entry for new businesses. Vu signed a lease in 2020 but didnt open until 2022, in the meantime perfecting his recipe (the secret, he said, is using brined chicken breasts to stand out from ubiquitous thighs). These are the best things to do with kids near San Jose, CA: People also liked: Dog Friendly Things To Do. Did you rent a 4X4, asking as I plan to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna (multiple route options here) to Liberia and back down to Monte Verde and San Jose. Included are two glasses of wine or two beers too! You will see it for yourself just from walking around San Jose! A five-minute walk east along Avenida Central will bring you to the small newly renovated Jade Museum, an archeological museum that sheds light on Costa Rican culture and pre-Columbian communities. For more detailed info on the best areas to stay in San Jose as well as hotels and hostels, check out our blog about where to stay in San Jose, Costa Rica! Okay, so this technically isnt an activity to do in San Jose, but I think its important to mention anyways. Then in April, a new downtown manager, Nathan Donato-Weinstein, whose job is to oversee city services, maintenance and events, was elevated from his previous position as head of business development. There is also a zipline experience for those who want a little extra thrill. Find fun things to do in San Jose - Discover top tourist attractions, vacation activities, sightseeing tours and book them on Expedia. It is reputed to have a laid-back vibe. As I mentioned above, the trail opens at 5:30 am with the last hikers allowed on the trail at 2 pm. There are lots of fun things to do in La Fortuna! Next door, patrons sip funky wines beneath a disco ball at the new Goodtime Bar, San Joses first natural wine bar, which opened in April to widespread acclaim. Dont expect to see lava here though, what you will see is a bright blue geothermic lake in the volcanos crater- it looks almost like something from another universe! George Avalos is a business reporter for the Bay Area News Group who covers the economy, jobs, consumer prices, commercial real estate, airlines and airports and PG&E for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! Here you can find out the importance of jade to the Costa Rican people as well as how jade artifacts are made. This new tool can help, Cant afford a single-family home? It is a very large mansion with all kinds of unique design elements. Because of the BOA thing, there was a bigger crowd here which meant we" read more, "Phenomenal experience! We forgot to do this, but luckily there is a small shop 2.5 kilometers before the ticket gate where you can buy tickets for a small fee (extra $4 USD per person.). Sardines in oil with rustic baguette, served on a vintage plate at Goodtime Bar on June 16. The Lakehouse neighborhood includes many homes that were built from 1885 to 1925. The Arenal Volcano is one of the most magnificent sights in Costa Rica just look at it! My recommendation is to go when they open at 9 am to enjoy the center without the crowds. I would recommend this museum to anyone who loves art and history! Mani told San Jose Spotlight the project was listed on the market for $41 million earlier this year, but her organization recently reduced the price to $36 million. The National Museum itself is actually an old fort called the Bella VistaBarracks and old bullet holes can still be seen in the walls that surround it. You can also do coffee tours at La Chimba, and there is a gorgeous restaurant on the property where you can eat surrounded by birds! This blog may contain affiliate links. Since Goodtime opened its doors, Urban Community also invested in decorative lights outside, giving the previously underused alley a warm, inviting feel. If you can spare an extra day, then spend a day on either side of your trip (if youre flying in and out). Shuttles pretty much cost $50 USD per trip between major destinations. From San Jose, you can book an organized tour that will bring you to the park entrance where your day will begin. The Guadalupe River Park is a three-mile stretch of urban parkland that runs along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Downtown San Jose. The bus is cheap but very slow and indirect on some trips. It's a great place to take visitors and familybecause everyone in the group can get something they want. San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. 01 of 10 Take in Some History Hisham Ibrahim/Getty Images Address 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113, USA Phone +1 408-535-3570 The downtown association estimates the area is still roughly 10,000 residents short of a critical mass that could sustain more mixed-use and retail developments that many locals say is important to revitalizing San Joses urban core. The proposal goes before the city . All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The place works in an organized fashion, the staff was friendly and was there to help, and the flight lesson was amazing. This new tool can help I was shocked to see how cheap the clothes were (especially in comparison to how expensive clothes were in Puerto Viejo.) Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose 180 Woz Way San Jose, CA Located in downtown San Jose, the Children's Discovery Museum has been engaging and delighting Bay Area children for 25 years. The most expensive part of the rental is the mandatory insurance (by the Costa Rican government) that third-party booking sites wont tell you about. The entire project would be built on a 1.3-acre site located at 1530-1544 W. San Carlos St. on the southeast corner near Buena Vista Avenue, city reports said. Gran Hotel The Gran hotel is arguably the nicest hotel in San Jose. I find that walking tours are the best way for me to get orientated quickly in a city and find some places I want to return back to. Any help would be much appreciated. We're partnering with local shop Headliners for a fresh line of merch. When we see a turnaround like the one at Fountain Alley, I think its a good microcosm of how little differences can add up, Donato-Weinstein said. All of these things can be reached on foot from any downtown parking lot or transit center. The applicants are seeking San Jose government approval of the project through a streamlined review process made possible by provisions of SB 330, a state law. When I saw the locals enjoying it I thought yuck, that looks gross. But once I tried it, wow! Thanks for all your help! Be sure to include these awesome things to do at night in San Jose when you visit California. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off, a meal and snacks, as well as a professional guide. Things to Do in San Jose del Cabo Popular things to do Day Trips City Tours Art Galleries Ports of Call Tours Cultural Tours 4WD Tours Bus Tours Self-guided Tours Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours Sporting Events Airport & Hotel Transfers Snorkeling Top Picks Private Sightseeing Tours Luxury & Special Occasions Likely to Sell Out Shopping Tours It is situated in downtown San Jose and is the perfect place for visitors curious about Costa Rican cuisine and culture. Above left: Scratch Cookerys signature fried chicken sandwich and tenders served with fries. Behind those is Fox Tale Fermentation Project, a brewery nationally renowned for incorporating fruits and vegetables in its beer. A number of the residences are one-story homes built in the Queen Anne style. What are some things to do with a large number of reviews near San Jose, CA? Some dishes you should look out for include; Gallo Pinto, a rice and bean dish with tons of flavor; Sopa Negra, a black bean soup; and Arroz con Leche, which is a tasty and creamy dessert! Its safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years! "However, it seemed a lot more ~quiet~ than Cal Academy's Nightlife in that the Exploratorium's music." more. If you visit on your own, allow 3 to 5 hours at La Paz Waterfall garden, depending on how long you spend at each attraction (thats on top of the 1.5 hours drive each way its a full day!). These are some things to do with a large number of reviews near San Jose, CA: What are the best dog friendly things to do? And if you want to see baby sloths while in Costa Rica, this is one place where you can! There are several affordable hostels with different vibes spread throughout the various barrios of downtown San Jose.. Casa del Parque - located in Barrio California, across the street from San Jose's Central Park. A fermented fruit and flower mock tale non-alcoholic drink at Fox Tale Fermentation Project. With that said, I personally came for the waterfalls. The updated project only requires an approval by the city planning director to move forward. You'll be delighted by the the vast historic experiences and sights waiting to be discovered, as San Jose's vibrant past is celebrated by people, places and events . See you soon. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Things to do near Homewood Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport-Silicon Valley Things to do near Hayes Mansion San Jose, Curio Collection by Hilton Things to do near San Jose Marriott Things to do near Extended Stay America - San Jose - Downtown Things to do near Hyatt House San Jose Airport Things to do near Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott San Jose North/Silicon Valley Things to do near . Things to Do in San Jose Popular things to do Top Picks Private Drivers Parks Special Offers Walking Tours Points of Interest & Landmarks Cultural & Theme Tours Ports of Call Tours Specialty Museums Multi-day Tours Food, Wine & Nightlife Gardens Nature and Wildlife Tours Theaters Ways to tour San Jose Afterward, wander through an enclosure filled with butterflies and take a closer look. There's a lot of history in San Jose: San Jose was the first city in California not associated with a church or military site and it was California's first state capitol. This is a placeholder "Really fun one of a kind experience! 1. 1. Urban villages are areas of San Jose where officials envision focused growth with dense housing and commercial spaces near transit lines. Luckily, we decided to have a coffee at the on-site cafe, and after 45 minutes, the sky cleared, and they let us (after begging) go back up and see the volcano. You are guaranteed a memorable experience. So, below are my recommended hotels in San Jose city center! I love Monteverde! Youll explore a flat and easy hiking trail to reach the beach. $19/person =[ The "bodies" exhibit. The church is still active and holds mass seven days a week. Costa Ricans are quite proud of their fairly new craft beer industry. History Attractions Peralta Adobe and Fallon House Read More Computer History Museum Read More Get your white logo tee in black here, and look out for more to come. Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Each museum represents a different cross-section of Tico life and you can explore them in roughly historical order. This is a review for things to do near San Jose, CA: "Had loads of fun playing their Squid Game Immersive experience. In lots of the touristic destinations around Costa Rica, you will find international food at fancy restaurants but this isnt traditional Costa Rican food. Read our disclosure policy for more info. Now, people are lining up on Fountain Alley the bricks sparkling clean for businesses like Scratch Cookery, named recently one of The Chronicles best fried chicken restaurants in the Bay Area. Its the perfect place for the real budget traveler because its so cheap, but dont expect amazing facilities (I really didnt like the lack of bathrooms!). There are a ton of companies to choose from. When the state of California was founded in 1850, San Jose became the first capital and has been an important place in California history since the city was founded in 1777. 560 South 1st St., San Jose, CA 95113 Phone Number: (408) 283-8155. Important info: Foreign visitors pay $8 USD to enter or $4 USD with a student card. Everything was smooth and easy, and our friend really enjoyed it. So while this article will cover all the amazing things to do in San Jose, its also going to let you know a little bit about the city itself, how to plan your trip to San Jose, and some of the citys dangers. The facilities here are really good! You can also join a food and drink tour and meet some new people while sampling all of the best food (paired with beer) that Costa Rica has to offer. Originally, it reached seven stories in height; however, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did some damage. Costa Rica Backpackers Costa Rica Backpackers is another budget option located in central San Jose. Mani manages another investment group that will be pursuing a 256-apartment project on the lot immediately east of the current project, which will also make use of the paseo, she said. The development sites perch at the corner of Delmas Avenue and West San Fernando Street places it across the street from the footprint of Googles proposed transit-oriented neighborhood near the SAP Center and Diridon train station. The tour was rich with historical facts, architecture, as well as interesting stories. San Jose residents Gloria Koh and her partner Sam Tang now frequently walk to the alley, taking their usual seats at Goodtime Bar two or three times a week. Going on a coffee tour will allow you to learn about the entire coffee-making process. Really great info. @destinationlesstravel, There are also knock-off running shoes for sale everywhere for about $12 USD a pair. This tour is a full-day experience jam-packed with incredible experiences around Arenal Volcano. San Pedro Square Market is a popular public food market with dozens of different food stalls, bars, and cafes. Locals in San Jose are more than willing to help and youre sure to find a great restaurant or bar from a local suggestion. So be sure to watch the website and purchase the tickets available before booking last minute. If you're looking for a cozy dive bar or a ritzy lounge, odds are you're no more than a few blocks away. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. A city tour of San Jose is hands down the best way to get to know the city, find your bearings, and get settled into the city overall. This makes San Jose a great base for day trips in and out of the city as youll read below! Here youll learn about many Costa Rican animals, the threats they face, and how the efforts of lovely people are ensuring their survival. At present, a trust headed up by Paramjit Kaur and Surinder Singh owns the two-parcel site where the apartments could be built, county property records show. Sure, it isnt actually in San Jose, but it is easily accessible, and for that reason, many people visit Arenal on a day trip from San Jose. Over the last decade, with major efforts by the city to attract investment and build a walkable downtown,Downtown San Jose has grown into a lively urban community with lots of things to see and do. Fox Talesfermentations extend to a seasonally rotating menu of food and pickles, plus nonalcoholic options like kombucha and mocktails like the Nocturnal Dance with fermented strawberry, lemon verbena syrup and sparkling butterfly pea flower. . We absolutely loved our stay at Guacima Escondida Hotel Boutique. For any traveler unsure about the city, (this is great news!) Its kind of been its own filtering process. Here are some top picks for the bestthings to do in Downtown San Jose. Tours through the gardens usually start with an informative video explaining the life of butterflies as well as some interesting facts about them. Mall San Pedro square is only a 10-15 minutes walk from the main downtown area (but only 2 minutes from where we stayed.) Expect ziplining, waterfalls, and of course, relaxing in hot springs. The hotel included a delicious breakfast, a gorgeous pool, and very friendly staff. All of these things can be reached on foot from any downtown parking lot or transit center. Some favorite Downtown restaurants and pubs are Nemea Greek Taverna, Mezcal, Picasso's, Original Gravity Public House, and Good Karma Cafe. These . It was very tranquil with only a few rooms available on the property. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. If my flights are really late at night, I get the car delivered to my hotel first thing the next morning it works perfectly for me. Housing | Send me an email and I can help you with your plan between San Jose and La Fortuna. And, be sure to check out the rest of our Costa Rica blogs for more travel advice and important information! San Jose a great base for day trips in and out of the city, paid tour with transport and lunch included, a guided day trip from San Jose that includes transport, border crossing between Panama and Costa Rica, things to do in San Jose Costa Rica Downtown. Look for the 1910 Spanish Revival style Tower Hall (the oldest building on campus) as well as the Olympic Black Power statue (a tribute to two former SJSU track stars who, when they won medals at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City used their global podium to raise their fist in silent protest of human rights violations and racial injustice). On top of that, the tour includes a delicious lunch! What are some highly rated things to do near San Jose, CA? Located near the airport, this small city area is only 25 minutes and around $7 USD by Uber from the downtown area. In 2023, new Mayor Matt Mahan took office, alongside new city Council Member Omar Torres, who represents the downtown area. If you want to see some very cool wildlife as well as support a great cause, then taking a tour at a wildlife center is a must in San Jose. Its a really nice exhibit with some amazing gold artifacts. Favorite exhibits include the (terrifying) earthquake simulator and a space simulator that lets you see what it's like to wear a NASA jetpack. But flying into a big city can be daunting, especially if you havent been to San Jose before! On this specific tour, youll be transported from San Jose and guided around the gardens to explore and learn. But instead of a concrete jungle, you can stay among the gorgeous forest you came to Costa Rica to enjoy. It also includes meals and comes very highly rated by past guests. One of the best ways to get to know a city or country is through its food. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA degree in broadcasting and journalism. Manuel Antonio National Park is easily one of, if not, the best national park in all of Costa Rica. There are a few options around the city depending on how far you want to travel and what you want to see. It wasnt immediately clear whether the Singh and Kaur group would develop the high-rise if San Jose city officials approve the project. As I said, San Jose is a common base for those who want to explore more of Costa Rica, and the things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica wont satisfy most visitors. This brings me to our next question! These days, the theatre still operates and you can come and watch a show here or just have a look around. For example, a San Jose city tour will only take an hour or two and costs next to nothing. Not only do you have the freedom to explore hidden gems along the highways and in between destinations, but youll also save a lot of money. Ye we did rent a 4wd to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna. Its really a resort town and there are lots of beautiful hotels to choose from. The market houses numerous shops and shacks selling beautiful souvenirs and traditional foods. Thats why one of the best things to do in San Jose is to eat typical food. If you dont join a tour, entrance to the volcano is $15 USD, and youNEED to book your ticket in advanceand pick a time slot. Even if you didnt plan on it, while walking around downtown San Jose you will likely stop and do a bit of shopping. With performances happening across the city every night of the week, its easy to find something for everyone to jam to, laugh at, or sing along with. 4. The next few things to do on this list include the best museums to check out in San Jose, starting with my personal favorite, the National Museum! It hosts the most extensive collection of Egyptian treasures in the western United States. Are we better to base around the north, Guanacaste or is there somewhere better to meet all these needs? Here are some top picks for the best things to do in Downtown San Jose. More travel. Taxi drivers will charge up to three times as much as Uber. These are some highly rated things to do near San Jose, CA: Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides (5/5). These next few destinations are places that I would recommend going to, which are easily accessible from San Jose: If you have a bit more time you could also cross the border to Panama to check to the famous backpacker spot of Bocas del Toro. We booked 2 side by side rooms for 8 people. St. Josephs was the first church of the Pueblo de San Jose and the oldest non-mission church in California. However, if you really want to travel to the country and get to know its people, then visiting its most important city is a must!

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