“Why I love San Jose”
San Jose is one of the largest cities in California, and I am proud to call it my home. There are numerous activities for every age group, and world famous attractions within a two hour drive. I love spending every minute of every day here, so come join me in my California adventure.
First, I would like to talk about my community in Almaden Valley, a small suburban town located on the outskirts of San Jose. For the outdoors-type, there are numerous hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, my favorite being the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. (Towards the beginning of the trail, there is a small rope swing that hangs over the narrow river). On the trail, which is parallel to the serene creek filled with frogs, lizards, and ducks, my family and I enjoy biking nine miles from our home to Almaden Lake Park, which hosts the annual Almaden Art & Wine Festival in September. Another hotspot in Almaden is the Calero Reservoir, where friends and families enjoy picnics, barbeques, and jet skiing. It is also a sight for taking remarkable photographs, especially when the sun sets between the mountains and casts a reflection across the lake. There are also great local restaurants, such as Almaden Sushi and Holder’s Country Inn, a must for the food-buff because this diner is known for its delicious “golden brown hash browns” and always-friendly staff.
Just a 20 minute drive south on Highway 101 is downtown San Jose, home to the Tech Museum of Innovation, the San Jose Museum of Art, and the HP Pavillion. At the Tech Museum, there are hands-on activities for adults and children. For example, in the Health and Biotech Gallery, individuals can learn about new genetic advancements and even grow their own jellyfish bacteria. One of the most popular attractions for the youth is the Test Zone, and I still remember when my friends and I designed and virtually rode our own rollercoaster. A few blocks down is the Museum of Art, which carries a variety of beautiful artwork and hosts several public events for families in an effort to “inspire creativity” for all generations. For the sports or music fan, HP Pavillion is a stunning, large stadium that hosts a number of concerts and sporting events—for San Jose Sharks fans, the Pavillion is a second home. Downtown also caters to the diverse crowd of San Jose with many Mexican, Chinese, and Indian and Pakistani eateries.
If you are already in San Jose, it would be a shame not to take the two hour drive north to San Francisco, home to the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. My favorite things to do in the city are shopping in Fisherman’s Wharf, eating ice-cream at Ghirardelli Square, and taking pictures of the sea lions on Pier 39 (August is the prime month for visiting because breeding season has just ended). Other worthwhile attractions include Alcatraz Island; you can take a boat to the island, where many enjoy the visual exhibits and audio tours about prisoners such as Al Capone. Another must-see is Lombard Street, which is like no other; I love the peaceful and scenic drive down the beautiful, narrow, and twisty brick road. There are also many bus tours available if you want to see San Francisco’s museums, theatres, sports stadiums, and more.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my travel blog and decide to visit San Jose one day!
In my next entry, I’ll be sure to write about adventures in Monterey and San Diego as well. Until then, bon voyage!
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