San Jose is magical during the holiday season, with offerings for visitors of all ages! Families traveling with children can enjoy special activities and entertainment all walkable or just a short ride from your hotel. Here is a 48-hour itinerary.
Wake up in your comfortable suite at the Signia by Hilton San Jose, and start the day with breakfast at the elegant Fountain Restaurant on the first floor. Indulge in French pastries and local California produce, alongside favorites like omelets, steel-cut oats, and crisp waffles.
Once you’re fueled up, head to The Tech Interactive for Polar Play Days! Build your own virtual roller coaster at the Glacial Glider or ride like an astronaut in the Jet Pack Chair. You can even design, build, and program a robot to help you build the perfect snowman! And when your legs get tired, take in an arctic-themed IMAX feature at the stunning dome theater.
Enjoy lunch at SoFA Market, which offers a variety of different cuisines to please every appetite: wood-fired Neapolitan pies at Pizza Way, award-winning Latin cuisine at Habana Cuba, and fresh banh mi or phở at Vietnoms are just a few of the tempting options.
After lunch, it’s time for a holiday matinee! There are some wonderful live performances to see this holiday season, including The New Ballet’s San Jose Nutcracker at the historic California Theatre. This joyful holiday production transports the well-loved story to turn-of-the-century San Jose. Before the show, families can meet costumed characters and take photos in magical fairytale settings. You’ll also see inventive displays from History San Jose, with treats and toys available for purchase.
Savor a delicious dinner at Mezcal Restaurant, which features traditional Oaxacan cuisine, house-crafted mole, a dedicated children’s menu and even chapulines (fried grasshoppers with garlic and lime) for the more adventurous eater!
And speaking of adventures, cap off your evening with a stroll through Downtown’s Winter Wonderland: a carnival of lights, rides, and games celebrating the holidays. Climb aboard the Classic Carousel or brave a ride on the sixty-foot-high Ferris Wheel and marvel at the evening views of Downtown San Jose. Then it’s just a short walk back to the hotel, through decorated streets offering holiday cheer – and fun gift shopping, too!
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Uncle John’s Pancake House on The Alameda. Choose from specialty dishes like the Cuban Eggs Benedict with chipotle hollandaise, or delicious classics like a stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with strawberries, banana, and Nutella.
After breakfast, make your way to Downtown Ice! Rent some skates and glide, twirl, and people-watch for 90 minutes on the outdoor rink under the Circle of Palms, just next door to the San Jose Museum of Art.
After working up an appetite on the ice, walk to San Pedro Square Market for some of the best shopping and dining in the city. From treats like crepes and mochi donuts to authentic Latin, Asian, and European plates, the culinary choices are seemingly endless and bound to delight all tasters. San Pedro Square also houses some excellent holiday shopping opportunities: MOMENT DTSJ is a collection of pop-up retail locations for local artisans and makers!
After an afternoon of shopping and exploring, it’s time for a quick walk to Rollati Ristorante, just across the street from City Hall. Grown-ups and youngsters alike will enjoy the innovative and tasty bites like prosciutto-topped pizza and whole sea bream, as well as classics like fried mozzarella and meatballs pomodoro.
Finally, it’s time to experience the magic of Christmas in the Park, Downtown San Jose’s annual holiday tradition at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez just across the street from your hotel. Stroll through over 40 musical and animated exhibits, include a melting snowman, caroling mice and elf woodcrafters decorated by San Jose schools, community groups and businesses. Admission is free to the public (Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made online, in the Information Booth or Santa Visit Area.) Children can have their photograph taken with Santa, watch nightly entertainment and enjoy holiday themed refreshments, all free of charge, to make your final evening in San Jose a memory to cherish for years to come.
For more ideas for holiday fun with your family in San Jose, check out sanjose.org/holidays! The City has also introduced Holiday San Jose, to promote small businesses in each neighborhood. We wish you a fun and festive season with the ones you love.
