In 2026, all eyes will be on San Jose. With Levi’s Stadium set to host both the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup matches, the South Bay is preparing for a global spotlight unlike any in its history. Yet even beyond the headline-making events, San Jose stands as a destination in its own right—a city of unexpected sophistication where culture, cuisine, and innovation converge. California’s third-largest city offers the energy of a metropolis, the intimacy of distinctive neighborhoods, and a wealth of experiences that extend far beyond the tech industry that made it famous.
A hub for innovation, this unofficial capital of Silicon Valley features an atmosphere that reverberates with an intoxicating intellectual energy. Yet, it’s so much more. It’s a destination in its own right, with the cosmopolitan offerings to prove it. Here, luxury is woven seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life. Sumptuously appointed resorts share space with historic mansions and high-design hotels. Michelin-recognized chefs experiment across a kaleidoscope of global cuisines. Designer boutiques, cultural institutions, craft distilleries, and art festivals thrive across diverse and undiscovered neighborhoods, making San Jose one of California’s most complete urban experiences.
Where to Stay
San Jose’s hotel scene offers more than just business-trip basics. A surprisingly diverse range of stays cater to every kind of traveler. For resort-style tranquility within city limits, Hayes Mansion delivers a grand, Mediterranean-Revival estate set amid palm trees and peaceful gardens. Once a private family mansion, this historic Curio Collection by Hilton hotel now blends old-world charm with modern amenities, including a serene outdoor pool and a quiet sense of remove just minutes from downtown.
In contrast, Hotel Valencia on Santana Row offers a livelier, European-style experience in the heart of the city’s premier shopping and dining district. Sleek and stylish, it’s perfect for couples or solo travelers who want to skip the car and stroll to boutiques, wine bars, and tapas joints.
Signia by Hilton is a good option for those craving a more urban luxury experience. Overlooking Plaza de César Chávez, this downtown high-rise hotel offers spacious rooms, a well-equipped gym, and one of the city’s few rooftop pools, ideal for unwinding above it all after a day of tech tours or art walks.
Where to Dine
San Jose’s culinary scene is a global passport—diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the region’s multicultural identity. From Michelin-starred Portuguese to modern Peruvian and ingredient-driven Californian fare, nearly every corner of the world is represented with thoughtful execution.
Start with Adega, the city’s crown jewel and the only Michelin-starred Portuguese restaurant in the U.S. Adega celebrates the elegance of Portuguese cuisine through refined tasting menus, rare wines, and a reverence for heritage that extends from the tile-lined walls to the salt cod on your plate. The Carreira family also run Pastelaria Adega, a friendly, fast, neighborhood-centered bakery offering coffee, pastéis de nata, bread and light bites. Their second restaurant concept, Petiscos earned Michelin Bib Gourmand kudos. It provides a more relaxed, tapas-style Portuguese dining experience.
For something casual yet ambitious, Eos & Nyx inside a former movie theater brings a breezy, globally inspired Californian menu to sleek surroundings. With dishes like harissa lamb, handmade pastas, and imaginative cocktails from a rotating bar wall that travels two stories, it’s a favorite among locals and visiting creatives alike — social yet soulful.
At one end of celebrated Santana Row, Suspiro delivers a fresh take on Peruvian seafood. Helmed by Chef Valerio Silva, the restaurant pairs bright ceviches and Nikkei-style crudos with pisco-forward cocktails in an airy space.
For fans of Italian cuisine and lively market atmospheres, Eataly is part food hall, and part restaurant collection celebrating Italy’s culinary traditions with artisanal cheeses, fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and an extensive wine list. Whether grabbing a quick espresso or settling in for a leisurely meal, Eataly is a go-to spot for both locals and visitors seeking authentic Italian flavors.
A Bit of Nightlife
San Jose’s after-dark scene is evolving. It’s less about thumping megaclubs and more about curated experiences with personality. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the dual-concept destination housing Still O.G. and Alter Ego Cocktail Club, two distinct venues under one roof that together offer a night out with range and intention.
Still O.G. is the casual side of the coin: part vinyl-spinning DJ bar, part comfort-food hangout. The vibe is nostalgic but fresh, with a rotating soundtrack of classic records, a menu of draft cocktails and highballs, and craveable bar fare like smash burgers and craft sausages. It’s approachable, unpretentious, and an easygoing place to start (or end) the night.
Step through the velvet curtains to Alter Ego, and the tone shifts dramatically. This newly opened cocktail bar is mixing drinks with rare spirits, regionally inspired gins, and bartenders whose cultural roots shape each creation. The menu reads like a global itinerary. Vintage pours and obscure finds add to the sense of discovery, while thoughtful design and storytelling elevate every sip.
What to Do
San Jose’s reputation as a tech capital often overshadows its more surprising side — like the fact that it has a working winery within city limits. Tucked into the rolling foothills of New Almaden, Alamitos Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned operation producing elegant, estate-grown wines in a setting that feels worlds away from Silicon Valley sprawl. The outdoor tasting room overlooks vineyards and oak trees, with views that stretch all the way to the Santa Cruz Mountains—a perfect day escape without ever leaving the city.
For whisky enthusiasts, a stop at 10th Street Distillery is essential. Founded by Virag Saksena, an Indian American engineer turned distiller, the brand was born from a single moment of longing: the realization that a beloved Scotch he once enjoyed was no longer in production. What began as a quest to recapture that flavor evolved into a meticulous craft, blending technical precision with a deep passion for tradition. Today, 10th Street produces award-winning whiskies that honor old-world methods while carving out a distinctly Silicon Valley identity.
And then there’s the Winchester Mystery House, San Jose’s most famous and delightfully strange attraction. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, the 160-room mansion is a labyrinth of staircases to nowhere, secret passages, and architectural oddities — all born of superstition and sorrow. Even more surreal: it’s located right in the middle of town, surrounded by glassy high-rises, big-box stores, and upscale shopping. The result is a fascinating contrast of past and present, as if a Victorian fever dream landed in the middle of Silicon Valley.
Shoppers can split their time between the stylish boutiques of Santana Row and the luxury-meets-tech playground of Westfield Valley Fair.
And for a dose of culture, explore The Tech Interactive, San Jose Museum of Art, or the historic charm of Japantown, where San Jose’s global identity comes vividly to life.
Culture: Music, Art & Festivals
San Jose pulses with creativity, offering a rich tapestry of music, art, and cultural festivals that showcase the city's diverse spirit.
The annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (held in August) features jazz, blues, R&B, Latin, salsa, and more, with international stars like Mavis Staples, Common, Femi Kuti, and José James. Part of a global celebration, Make Music San Jose (held every June) invites musicians of all levels to perform in public spaces across the city on the summer solstice. From sunrise to sunset, enjoy free performances in parks, museums, restaurants, and more, fostering a community of music lovers and creators. Hosted by the San José Museum of Art, CityDance San Jose offers free monthly dance events at the Circle of Palms. Each event features live music, professional dance instruction, and a vibrant atmosphere for all ages.
Why You Should Go
San Jose often takes a back seat to splashier Bay Area locales. Yet, the city’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and innovation creates an authentic experience that rivals any major metropolitan area. From world-class dining and distinctive nightlife to hidden vineyards and iconic landmarks, San Jose stands confidently on its own. It’s a city that rewards those willing to look past the stereotypes—offering sophistication, surprises, and a vibrant spirit all its own.
Photos courtesy of Visit San Jose, unless otherwise noted
