San Jose Travel Guide

Visiting San Jose can present something of a challenge because it is so big. Much like Los Angeles, San Jose is an urban sprawl, so it's good to have a plan.

Municipal Rose Garden Downtown, you'll see the massive San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Nearby are the San Jose Civic Auditorium and Montgomery Theater, built during the 1930s. Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park is the original plaza of the first Spanish pueblo, and today contains the Tech Museum of Innovation. Enjoy dinner at Mongo's barbecue restaurant.

San Jose Museum of Art The San Jose Museum of Art is an architectural mix of old and new. At the corner of Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park is the stately Cathedral Basillica of Saint Joseph. Grab a bite to eat at the Mediterranean 71 Saint Peter. A few blocks away is Saint James Park and the San Jose Repertory Theater, cloaked in post-modern, neo-industrial metal.

Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Also downtown are the architecturally bold Lord of the Dance (San Jose Center for Performing Arts), art-deco elegant Hotel De Anza and expansive Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. They are all within a block or two of each other. For some expressive contemporary art works, try the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, then dine at Picasso's Restaurant.

Municipal Rose Garden The Municipal Rose Garden and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium are practically across the street from one another. Enjoy a hearty meal at the Grill on the Alley. There are live performances at Discovery Meadow, near the Children's Discovery Museum.

Santa Clara Located in nearby Santa Clara is the Triton Museum of Art, which offers displays and special lectures highlighting the importance of cultural diversity. The Intel Museum celebrates the history of Silicon Valley. Enjoy the family-style dining at Tony & Alba's Pizza or the Mexicali Grill, and tour the University of Santa Clara campus.

If you'd rather have someone else do the planning for you, consult a professional touring company. They'll get you there in everything from buses to boats.

Bus Tours Royal Coach Tours ( +1 408 279 4801/ http://www.royal-coach.com/ ) United Brothers Tours ( +1 408 297 1155 ) Mercury Travel ( +1 408 239 0774/ http://www.mercurytrip.com ) San Jose Charters ( +1 408 360 9883/ http://www.sanjosecharters.com/ )

Boat Tours Pacific Yachting Sailing School & Charters ( +1 831 423 7245/ http://www.pacificsail.com/ ) Cruising Yachts Inc ( +1 510 521 5544/ http://www.cruisingyachts.net/ ) Tartan C & C Yachts ( +1 510 769 9400 )2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 280