Things To Do
Local Favorites
There's plenty to do not far from the wedding venue! Here are a few of our picks: Things to do: San Jose Rose Garden (where Anthony proposed!), Computer History Museum, Campbell Farmer's Market (Sundays), Castle Rock State Park, Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Valley Fair Mall and Santana Row, Stanford Campus (where Rachel works - neat architecture and the Cantor Arts Center is free to visit) Places to eat: Luna Mexican Kitchen, Barefoot Coffee, Manresa Bread, Mendocino Farms, Oren's Hummus
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a beach town with a laid back vibe and great hiking trails. Hang out at the beach and watch people surf (or try it yourself!), walk along the Santa Cruz Wharf and spot the sea lions, and hike through the redwoods (Henry Cowell State Park and the Forest of Nisene Marks are two of our favorite parks in the Santa Cruz area). (~40 minutes from San Jose)
San Francisco
San Francisco is an iconic city with so much to do. Ride the trolleys, sample some sourdough bread, see the Golden Gate Bridge, walk through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, eat dim sum in Chinatown, take a ride in an autonomous car (Waymos are everywhere), and admire the unique architecture. (~1 hour from San Jose)
Pacific Coast Highway
California's Highway 1, known as the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH for short), is a scenic highway that runs along the coast of California, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Head south on the PCH to check out quaint coastal towns like Monterey and Big Sur, see the elephant seals near San Simeon, and visit the Hearst Castle, the ornate estate owned by William Randoph Hearst. Alternatively, head north to sample fresh seafood in Bodega Bay, stay at a charming bed and breakfast in Mendocino, and make your way further north to hike the Redwood State and National Parks. (~1-1.5 hours to access the PCH from San Jose, depending on which direction you go)
Sonoma County
If you're interested in exploring California's wine country, we'd recommend skipping Napa (way overpriced!). Instead, check out the many high-quality wineries in Sonoma County. The towns of Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, and Petaluma all have charming downtown areas with tasty restaurants and many nearby wineries. We've also had several wonderful stays in Guerneville where you can sample excellent pinot noirs from the Russian River Valley AVA and hike in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. (~1.5-2 hours from San Jose, depending on location)
Yosemite National Park
We've visited Yosemite National Park several times over the years, and we always want to go back to explore more! With dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and sequoia trees, Yosemite is definitely an awe-inspiring place. While Yosemite Valley is where you can find most of the well-known landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome, we highly recommend taking Tioga Road through the northern part of the park as well. There you'll find fewer crowds, alpine lakes, and incredible views (Olmsted Point as a favorite stop to see Half Dome and watch the sunset). (~3 hours from San Jose)
