Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

Exploring San Jose, California in 6 Days

Viewed by 73 travelers

Day 1: Downtown Exploration

San Jose, California

8:00AM

Breakfast at Bill's Cafe

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Bill's Cafe, known for its hearty omelets and pancakes.
Walk or short drive to Bill's Cafe
$15, 1 hour

10:00AM

Visit The Tech Interactive

Explore the hands-on science and technology exhibits at The Tech Interactive, perfect for all ages.
Walk to The Tech Interactive
$20, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at San Pedro Square Market

Head to San Pedro Square Market for a variety of food options from local vendors in a vibrant setting.
Walk to San Pedro Square Market
$10-$20, 1 hour

3:00PM

Explore San Jose Museum of Art

Discover contemporary and modern art at the San Jose Museum of Art, located nearby.
Walk to San Jose Museum of Art
$10, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Original Joe's

Enjoy a classic Italian-American dinner experience at Original Joe's, a San Jose institution.
Short drive to Original Joe's
$30-$40, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in San Jose

Day 2: Day Trip to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

8:00AM

Breakfast at Walnut Avenue Cafe

Start your day with a cozy breakfast at Walnut Avenue Cafe in Santa Cruz.
Drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz (Approx. 45 minutes)
$15, 1 hour

10:00AM

Explore Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Spend the morning at the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, known for its amusement park rides and seaside fun.
Walk from Walnut Avenue Cafe to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
$40 (for rides), 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at The Picnic Basket

Enjoy a fresh and casual lunch at The Picnic Basket, offering gourmet sandwiches and salads.
Walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to The Picnic Basket
$10-$15, 1 hour

3:00PM

Visit Natural Bridges State Beach

Explore the natural beauty of Natural Bridges State Beach, known for its rock formations and tide pools.
Drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to Natural Bridges State Beach (Approx. 15 minutes)
$10 (parking fee), 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Oswald

Indulge in a farm-to-table dining experience at Oswald in Santa Cruz for dinner.
Drive from Natural Bridges State Beach to Oswald (Approx. 10 minutes)
$30-$50, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Santa Cruz

Day 3: Exploring Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley, California

9:00AM

Breakfast at Buck's of Woodside

Start your day with a unique breakfast experience at Buck's of Woodside, a historic spot known for its tech industry connections.
Drive from San Jose to Woodside (Approx. 30 minutes)
$20, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Visit Computer History Museum

Explore the evolution of computing at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley.
Drive from Woodside to Computer History Museum (Approx. 20 minutes)
$15, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at The Counter

Enjoy a build-your-own burger experience at The Counter, a popular spot for customizable burgers.
Drive from Computer History Museum to The Counter (Approx. 15 minutes)
$15-$20, 1 hour

3:30PM

Explore Stanford University

Stroll through the beautiful campus of Stanford University, known for its architecture and landmarks.
Drive from The Counter to Stanford University (Approx. 20 minutes)
Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Bird Dog

End your day with a modern and innovative dining experience at Bird Dog in Palo Alto.
Drive from Stanford University to Bird Dog (Approx. 10 minutes)
$40-$60, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Silicon Valley

Day 4: Wine Tasting in Livermore Valley

Livermore Valley, California

9:00AM

Breakfast at Denica's Real Food Kitchen

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Denica's Real Food Kitchen before heading to wine country.
Drive from San Jose to Livermore Valley (Approx. 45 minutes)
$15, 1 hour

11:00AM

Wine Tasting at Concannon Vineyard

Discover award-winning wines at Concannon Vineyard, one of the oldest wineries in California.
Drive to Concannon Vineyard (Approx. 15 minutes)
$20-$30, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Campo di Bocce

Enjoy a delicious Italian meal and play a game of bocce ball at Campo di Bocce in Livermore.
Drive to Campo di Bocce (Approx. 10 minutes)
$20-$25, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Visit Wente Vineyards

Experience the picturesque vineyards and wine tastings at Wente Vineyards, a family-owned winery.
Drive to Wente Vineyards (Approx. 20 minutes)
$20-$40, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Posada

End your day with a Latin-inspired dinner at Posada in Livermore.
Drive to Posada (Approx. 5 minutes)
$30-$50, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Livermore Valley

Day 5: Outdoor Adventure Day

San Jose, California

8:00AM

Breakfast at Lou's Coffee Shop

Start your day with a classic breakfast at Lou's Coffee Shop, a local favorite known for its cozy atmosphere.
Drive to Lou's Coffee Shop
$10, 1 hour

10:00AM

Hike at Alum Rock Park

Explore the scenic trails and natural beauty of Alum Rock Park, perfect for a morning hike.
Drive to Alum Rock Park (Approx. 20 minutes)
Free, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Trail Dust BBQ

Enjoy a hearty barbecue lunch at Trail Dust BBQ, a Western-themed restaurant with delicious ribs and brisket.
Drive to Trail Dust BBQ (Approx. 15 minutes)
$15-$20, 1 hour

3:00PM

Visit San Jose Municipal Rose Garden

Stroll through the beautiful rose gardens and vibrant blooms at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden.
Drive to San Jose Municipal Rose Garden (Approx. 10 minutes)
Free, 1 hour

6:00PM

Dinner at Orchard City Kitchen

Indulge in modern Californian cuisine at Orchard City Kitchen for dinner, known for its innovative dishes.
Drive to Orchard City Kitchen (Approx. 15 minutes)
$40-$60, 2 hours
Find Hotels in San Jose

Day 6: Cultural Day in San Jose

San Jose, California

9:00AM

Breakfast at Academic Coffee

Start your day with a specialty coffee and breakfast at Academic Coffee, a trendy spot in San Jose.
Drive to Academic Coffee
$10, 1 hour

11:00AM

Visit Japanese Friendship Garden

Explore the serene Japanese Friendship Garden, a hidden gem offering peace and tranquility in the city.
Drive to Japanese Friendship Garden (Approx. 15 minutes)
$10, 1.5 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Falafel's Drive-In

Enjoy a quick and tasty lunch at Falafel's Drive-In, a local favorite for falafel sandwiches and shakes.
Drive to Falafel's Drive-In (Approx. 10 minutes)
$10-$15, 1 hour

3:00PM

Explore History Park

Step back in time at History Park, a living history museum showcasing the heritage of San Jose.
Drive to History Park (Approx. 15 minutes)
$8, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at The Table

End your day with a farm-to-table dinner experience at The Table, highlighting local ingredients and flavors.
Drive to The Table (Approx. 10 minutes)
$30-$50, 2 hours
Find Hotels in San Jose
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version
Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed

Plan Your San Jose, California Trip

Cost Estimator
Estimate your trip budget
Packing List
Get a custom checklist
Weather Expert
Check weather & best time to go