San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, a city fueled by innovation and tech giants. But beyond the world of start-ups and software, this Californian metropolis holds a few quirky surprises and fun historical tidbits. Let’s explore!
- Winchester Mystery House: A bizarre and sprawling mansion built by the Winchester rifle heiress, Sarah Winchester. It’s filled with odd features like doors that open to nowhere and staircases leading to the ceiling.
- Fruit Salad Capital: Before tech, San Jose was a massive agricultural center, earning the nickname “Valley of Heart’s Delight” for its orchards.
- Shark Tank: The San Jose Sharks hockey team isn’t named randomly – it’s a nod to the numerous shark species inhabiting the Pacific waters nearby.
- Egypt in California: The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum houses a vast collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, a surprising treasure in the tech hub.
- It’s Not All Sunshine: Despite California’s reputation, San Jose actually sees more foggy days than sunny days throughout the year.
- Massive Flea Market: The San Jose Flea Market is one of the largest in the country, a sprawling treasure trove for bargain hunters.
- Giant Monopoly Board: In San Jose’s Discovery Meadow, you’ll find a permanent, walk-on version of the classic Monopoly board game.
- Alum Rock Park: One of California’s oldest municipal parks, Alum Rock Park boasts natural mineral springs and scenic hiking trails.
- Pho-nomenal Cuisine: San Jose claims a large Vietnamese population and, therefore, some of the best pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) outside of Vietnam.
- Quicksilver Legacy: The nearby New Almaden Quicksilver Mines produced mercury essential to the Gold Rush, leaving a long-lasting mark on the region.
- Drive-Thru History: A plaque in San Jose marks the spot where a very early drive-thru restaurant, Kirby’s Pig Stand, once served hungry customers.
- Giant Chess Anyone?: Downtown’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez features huge, playable chess and checkerboards for public use.
- Electric Light Landmark: San Jose boasted an electric light tower in 1881, a marvel at the time, illuminating the downtown area.
- Tamale Festival: San Jose hosts an annual tamale festival, celebrating this delicious Latin American dish with food, music, and fun.
- Origami Pioneer: Yoshizawa-Randlett Masterworks at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose features intricate origami creations, showcasing this art form.