Things To Do
Marufuku Ramen Cupertino
This is our favorite ramen place in the Bay Area (15 minute drive from Hilton San Jose). We frequently go after work, and it was actually take-out from this restaurant that we were eating when Alden proposed. Go if you can, and order our favorite: the Hakata Tonkotsu DX. The chicken karaage is also very good.
The Tech Interactive
Awesome for both adults and kids, this tech museum is highly interactive. Additionally, the Tech Museum is a nostalgic location for Jackie who went often as a child. Fantastically, the Museum is less than a 10 minute walk from the San Jose Hilton!
Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges is one of our go-to beaches in Santa Cruz when we spend the weekend with our UC Santa Cruz friends. If you time it right, the drive down from San Jose is 50 minutes through the redwoods on highway 17. Whatever you do, just don't drive down Saturday morning otherwise it could be 2 hours!
Paper Plane
One of our favorite bars in Downtown San Jose, Paper Plane, goes all out on every cocktail they provide. It's a 13 minute walk from the San Jose Hilton, and you just might find us there after the wedding! Be warned - past 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night you'll wait 40 minutes to get in.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Great for adults and kids, this aquarium is world-renown and another nostalgic location for Jackie. It is about 1.5-2 hours away from the San Jose Hilton.
California Museum
The Uprooted exhibit in the California Museum in Sacramento features Alden's grandma (Alden's mom's mom) who recounts her experience as a child in the Japanese internment camp during World War II. We highly recommend it to anyone interested; it is worth the 2-3 hour drive from San Jose.
Hachi Ju Hachi
Hachi Ju Hachi is some of the best traditional Japanese food in the Bay Area. It is very close to Hakone (roughly 20 minutes from San Jose) and one of our go-to places to celebrate. While pricey, we love the Set A (for two) which gives you a taste of everything.
55 South
55 South: A Craft Cocktail Bar and Lounge - Fun Cocktails/mocktails and some foods. Open til 2 am, Friday, Saturday, Sunday til 12 pm.
My Milkshake
My Milkshakes- Milkshakes and fries!
Hinodeya San Jose
Japanese based ramen shop. Has a great variety including pork, seafood, chicken and many vegetarian and vegan (!) options. Daily 11am -9:50pm, Friday and Saturday til 10:50pm.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Live animals, rides, picnic and playgrounds.
History San José
A collection of historic San Jose buildings and train and museum exhibit. Free. Open most days. Trolley rides and Docents available on weekends.
Printers' Fair & Wayzgoose
The free Bay Area Printers’ Fair and Wayzgoose will be there on Saturday, April 26.
Japanese Friendship Garden
San Jose’s sister city, Okayama, Japan, was integral in creating this garden. It emulates Koraku-en, one of the top three gardens of Japan and where we Iritani’s enjoyed a summer festival. The sophisticated design and plantings are beautiful and well maintained. Two of three of the ponds are in process of being repaired due to flooding a few years ago.
Winchester Mystery House
Westfield Valley Fair
Restaurants and shopping; Eataly, Din Tai Fung (Taiwan’s Soup Dumplings), etc.
Santana Row
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Paul McCartney photographs; Wayne Thiebaud- painter