Downtown San Jose, one of the most walkable cities in the world, is laid out like a cultural campus, with facilities such as the Civic Center, California Theater, and local groups such as the opera, ballet, Repertory Theater, Museum of Art, Tech Museum of Innovation and Children’s Discovery Museum all within blocks of each other. The Mexican Heritage Plaza is a short cab ride away, and eclectic galleries a short walk away in the cool SoFA District (South of First Area), which also features diverse nightlife, many of which offer live music from jazz and house to blues and rock’ n’ roll.

Day 1

Start the day at the San Jose Museum of Art and enjoy 20th-century American art, plus photography, painting and sculpture exhibits. Savor lunch at the museum’s Café Too before driving to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Planetarium. Here you can view the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts on display in Western North America. Daily tours include a visit to an underground rock tomb. Drive a few kilometers west to visit the world-famous Winchester Mystery House, an incredible and historic 160-room Victorian mansion that was once the home to Winchester Rifle heiress Sarah Winchester. It is widely speculated that Winchester believed the spirits of those killed by her family’s guns haunted her. In order to confuse these spirits, she had workers building odd features on to the mansion around the clock for 38 years, including a stairway to nowhere. Walk across the street to enjoy more dinner and an evening at Santana Row, a pedestrian-friendly, European-style complex filled with boutique shops as well as trendy eateries, as well as bars where you can listen to live jazz under the stars.

Day 2

In the morning visit the tranquil Japanese Friendship Gardens in Kelley Park in downtown San Jose. Patterned after the Korakuen Garden in San Jose’s sister city Okayama Japan, the park contains hundreds of exotic koi and quaint footbridges. Afterwards, head over to San Jose’s Japantown – one of only three remaining in the U.S. – for lunch and a little shopping. Or visit the Mexican Heritage Plaza, one of the largest Latino cultural centers in the nation. If traveling with kids, or if you’re young at heart, visit the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Tech Museum of Innovation downtown. Enjoy an evening performance of the San Jose Ballet, Opera San Jose or San Jose Rep.

Day 3

Drive to the quaint, historic town of Los Gatos for shopping and lunch, followed by winery hopping in the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Region. There are dozens of great wineries to try in beautiful settings, such as the Burrell School Vineyards, Soquel Vineyards and Testarossa Vinetards. Enjoy dinner and nightlife in downtown San Jose. In the late afternoon, discover the various galleries of the SoFA, the trendy South of First Area entertainment district. The gallery owners throw a special party the first Friday of every month. After visiting the galleries, explore the many nightclubs in the area, featuring live music and comedy. Another late afternoon option – for those visiting in the summer -- would be Music in the Park, downtown San Jose’s most anticipated concert series, featuring alternative, R&B, reggae, rock and jazz in free Thursday night performances at Cesar Chavez Park. Every June the San Jose Downtown Association also offers Metro Music in the Other Park, additional free concerts in St. James Park.