San Jose Area Guide
Central Silicon Valley
Two miles to San Jose International Airport and San Jose Convention Center
Just off of I-880 and in the heart of the Silicon Valley, our Pavilion Inn Hotel is ideally located for both business and leisure travelers. Mineta San Jose International Airport, SAP Center, and San Jose Convention Center are all within two miles. Reach area attractions with the San Jose light rail service, just three blocks from our hotel.
The Winchester Mystery House, an enormous Victorian mansion with secret passages, doors that open to walls, and staircases that lead to the ceiling. California's Great America theme park offers fun for the entire family. With three malls nearby — Westfield Valley Fair, Great Mall, and Santana Row — shopping opportunities abound. Santa Clara Convention Center is just six miles away.
About San José
Founded on November 29, 1777, as El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, San José was California's first civilian settlement. San José was also the site of the first state capital. With the booming tech industry in the 1990s, San José earned its moniker as the Capital of Silicon Valley. With more than one million residents, San José is the largest city in Northern California and the 10th largest city in the United States
San José Historic Sites
The City is home to several buildings and destinations with rich historical importance.
Alviso Historic District
The Alviso Historic District, encompassing nine acres and a number of historic structures, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Alviso was first settled in the 18th century and, at one time, was the boating and shipping port of San Josè, when steamboats traveled regularly to and from San Francisco. The city was consolidated with the City of San José in 1968.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, a Roman Catholic church in Downtown San José, was originally built in 1803. The original adobe structure was damaged by earthquakes in 1818 and 1822.
Circle of Palms Plaza
A group of palm trees encircling the California State Seal makes up the site of California's first state capitol (1849–1851). The Circle of Palms Plaza is located on Market Street near Plaza de César Chávez Park in Downtown San José.
Downtown Historic Buildings
The old Bank of America Building is one of the oldest buildings in San José. It was constructed in 1925 and was formerly the San José branch of the Bank of Italy. Designated a San José historical landmark, it is located at 12 South 1st Street. Downtown buildings on the National Register of Historic Places include:
- Building at 27-29 Fountain Alley
- De Anza Hotel
- Hotel Montgomery
- Hotel Sainte Claire
Hayes Mansion
The Hayes Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a Spanish Colonial Revival-style manor was purchased by the City of San José during the 1990s and has been meticulously renovated and transformed into a luxurious hotel, conference center, resort, and spa.
New Almaden Mine
The New Almaden quicksilver mine is located in the Santa Teresa Hills just south of San José and is part of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. At one time, it was the most productive mercury mine in the United States.
What's Nearby / Things To Do:
Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, which was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester.
The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech Museum of Innovation, or simply The Tech, is a museum located in the heart of Silicon Valley, in downtown San Jose, California, United States. The Tech is a registered 501 nonprofit.
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose
Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM) is located on Woz Way in downtown San Jose, California. Woz Way is named after Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, whose nickname is "Woz," and who was the single largest private donor during the original capital campaign that funded the museum.
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a theosophical museum devoted to Ancient Egypt, located at the Rosicrucian Park in the Rose Garden neighborhood of San Jose, California, United States. It was founded by the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a small 16-acre zoo and amusement park in San Jose, California, which originally opened in 1961. It was closed in 2008 for major renovations, and opened its gates again on March 20, 2010.
San Jose Flea Market
Crafts, vendors & food stalls in a vast, kid-friendly market with a carousel & mini Ferris wheel.
Japanese American Museum of San Jose
The Japanese American Museum of San Jose is located at 535 N. Fifth Street in San Jose, in the heart of Japantown
Picchetti Brothers Winery
The Picchetti Winery, also known as the Picchetti Ranch, is a winery located at 13100 Montebello Rd., Cupertino, California in the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve.
Emma Prusch Farm Park
Emma Prusch Farm Park is a 43.5 acre (176,000 m²) park in East San Jose, California. Donated by Emma Prusch to the City of San Jose in 1962 to use to demonstrate the valley's agricultural past, it includes a 4-H barn (the largest in San Jose), community gardens, a rare-fruit orchard, demonstration gardens, picnic areas, and expanses of lawn. The park is host to an annual Harvest Festival and is operated cooperatively by the San Jose Parks and Recreation Department and the non-profit Emma Prusch Farm Park Foundation
Raging Waters San Jose
23-acre Aquatic Park boasts high-speed waterslides, a wave pool & an interactive themed water fort.
Casino M8trix
Casino M8trix is a cardroom in San Jose, California. The 8-story casino offers table games and a poker room. Founded in 1946 under the name Garden City Casino, the casino secured one of the 15 card room licenses in San Jose.
Bay 101
Bay 101 is a cardroom in San Jose, California. Like other California cardrooms, Bay 101 offers poker cash games and tournaments as well as special "California" style table games.
California's Great America
California's Great America is a 100-acre (40 ha) amusement park located in Santa Clara, California. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, it originally opened as Marriott's Great America in 1976 as one of two parks built and operated by the Marriott Corporation. The park has appeared in 1994 films Beverly Hills Cop III and Getting Even with Dad and features over 40 rides and attractions. One of its most notable attractions, Gold Striker, has been featured as a top-ranked wooden roller coaster in Amusement Today's annual Golden Ticket Awards publication.
