How to spend 3 days in San José, CA (with kids!)

Let’s travel to sunny San Jose! Known as the capital of Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area’s San Jose has endless things to do that appeal to the whole family. 

Colorful museums where little ones are encouraged to touch everything? Check. Breweries with world-class beers and outdoor games so parents can sit back while the kids play? Check. Easy and rewarding hikes with stunning views of the valley? Check.

Let’s get started with where to go and what to do in this city that boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year. 

Day 1

Fly in to San Jose Airport and grab a rental car, you’ll need one as things are a bit spread out in this large city. For ideas for where to stay, from quirky airbnbs to luxurious yet affordable hotels, see our tips here.

1. MORNING – Recharge and fuel up after your travels with coffee and pastries at Voyager Craft Coffee (the Santa Clara University location). Spread out on their modern, boho furniture. If that location isn’t close to where your lodging is, you can’t go wrong with any of these coffee shops. Kids will fit right into the coffee culture with their own flavored kids steamers at Voyager Craft Coffee. Don’t leave without ordering their signature Matcha Brownie or the Strawberry Matcha for some extra pep in your step for your next activity.

2. MORNING – head to Happy Hollow, part zoo – part amusement park that’s incredibly popular with the 10 and under crowd. As a parent you’ll love it too, being out in nature with your kids with dozens of activities to explore. Make sure you catch a glimpse of the giant anteater, jaguar, alligator, and cute wallabies. The amusement park rides are perfect for little kids to big kids, with different rides for different ages. Catch a puppet show or help feed the animals at one of the animal talks. Don’t forget to take ride on Danny the Dragon, a large train that wheels through the park. Grab a healthy lunch at their cafeteria. If you prefer to have lunch outside of the zoo, Naglee Park Garage is a nearby spot for classic American dishes.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Address: 748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA

Hours: 10am – 5pm (hours vary each month, check their website)

Cost: $18, $10 parking

3. AFTERNOON: Our family always needs a rest after a big outing, so once you’ve got your energy back, venture to Santana Row. This outdoor, European-inspired shopping mall is a beautiful place to explore with more food, cafe, and shopping options than you can imagine. Some of our favorites places to shop here are Makers Market, Crate&Barrel, Madewell, Mejuri, Paper Source, Maido, and Faherty.

4. For some mid-shopping energy, stop by the trendy Blue Bottle Coffee. Each beverage is individually brewed from high-quality, single-origin, freshly roasted artisanal beans. Treat yourself to the brown butter blondie or an affogato waffle. Grab a comfy chair under the giant oak tree outside the cafe and do some people watching.

5. If you have bubble tea lovers in your group, you’ll find a shop at just about every shopping center here in the Bay Area. One of our favorites is Boba Guys, which recently opened a location at Santana Row! The long line is worth it and moves quickly. You can’t go wrong with anything you order, from their classic Black Tea Boba to a more exciting Ube Latte.

6. NIGHT – Once you’ve hit all the shops you have energy for, it’s time for dinner. With so many great options, it’s hard to narrow down just one. From creative Mediterranean dishes at Meso, to unique handmade dumplings at Dumpling Time, to fresh, local ingredients at Pizza Antica. Since you’re trying to please a family, your best bet is Sauced BBQ & Spirits. Enjoy authentic Southern bbq in a laid-back atmosphere. With tons of tasty options on their kids’ menu, like mini sliced brisket sandwich and cornbread, everyone will be satisfied at the end of the meal. A few highlights on the menu are the swamp fries (waffle fries topped with chopped brisket and poblano queso), cheesy cornbread fritters (hushpuppies), the plucked chicken sandwich, and of course, their bbq plates!

7. NIGHT – For dessert, get ice cream at Smitten Ice Cream while your kids watch the liquid nitrogen machines make your ice cream on the spot. Try their Brookies & Cream, which are brownies and cookies folded into sweet cream. The ice cream shop opens onto a large turf area and playground where the kids can get some energy out and parents can take a rest on the cafe style chairs.

Day 2

1. MORNING – Start your day at The Breakfast Club at Midtown. You can find classic All-American breakfast dishes here, with some fun twists like their red-velvet pancakes, banana apricot French toast, or crab cakes Benedict. Kid-friendly with changing tables, stroller parking, and many menu options to make little ones smile. It’s a popular spot so be sure to get there early or have someone in your party put your name on the list.

1. MORNING – Next head to the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San José. No matter the age of the people if your group, everyone will enjoy exploring this fun, hands on museum. Everything here is meant to be played with and manipulated, as well as teach through play. A few of the highlights are a life-sized ambulance you can climb inside, giant dinosaur bone replicas, a water play area, a nature-themed outdoor playground, and an art studio with a new artist-in-residence each month. It’s easy to spend 2-4 hours here exploring all the exhibits.

1. NOON – Grab lunch at LUNA Mexican Kitchen, a staple in the area for amazing farm-to-table Mexican food. There may be a wait but it is worth it! Great food and warm service. Make sure you try their guacamole and elote, and check out their list of margaritas.

1. AFTERNOON – Take a stroll through the Rose Garden, a peaceful and manicured 5.5 acre garden with a fountain and over 180 rose varieties. Make a whole afternoon of resting in nature by grabbing snacks from the nearby Zanotto’s Family Market. Lay out a picnic and take a break from the busy city.

1. NIGHT – For dinner, head to San Pedro Square Market, a popular collection of eateries, cafes, and bars in a unique space. You can find live music every night, and cuisines from all over the world. Grab a wood-fired, made to order pizza at Pizza Bocca Lupo or the signature dish at Urban Momo, which is a Nepali steamed dumpling filled with minced vegetables or ground meat served with a side of achaar, a dipping sauce. It’s easy to get food from different vendors to suit everyone’s tastes, then meet up at an outdoor table to enjoy the weather and live music. San Pedro Square is also home to two national historic landmarks, the Peralta Adobe and Fallon House. The Peralta Adobe was built in 1797 and is the oldest building in San Jose. The Fallon House is an Italianate mansion built in 1855 by Thomas Fallon, mayor of San Jose from 1859 to 1860. (wikipedia)

1. NIGHT – Walk a couple blocks to Insomnia Cookies for the most chewy cookies you’ll find.

Day 3

1. MORNING – For breakfast, head to
2. MORNING – Vasona Lake
3. LUNCH – Picnic with food from
4. AFTERNOON – Emma Prusch Farm Park
5. EVENING –
6. NIGHT –