Despite its more famous cousin to the north, San Francisco, San Jose actually claims the title of largest city in the Bay Area. Originally inhabited by the Ohlone, the city was founded by the Spanish in 1777, becoming the first city in the Spanish colony of Alta California. When California became part of the United States in 1850, San Jose acted as its first capital. Today, the area is most famous for its booming tech industry, earning the nickname "The Capital of Silicon Valley." Visitors to the city explore its many museums like the San Jose Museum of Art with its world-class collection of contemporary art, hike in the many regional parks like the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve located near by, and dine at one of the restaurants in the trendy downtown area.
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Sarah Winchester was heir to the Winchester repeating rifle fortune, and she was convinced that the spirits of all those killed with that gun were haunting her. So she moved from New Haven, Connecticut to San Jose to construct her dream home. To confuse the restless spirits, she constructed one of the oddest houses ever built and kept construction in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year until the day of her death. The Victorian-style labyrinth that resulted features a door on the second floor that opens onto thin air, and others that open onto walls and stairs and corridors that lead to dead ends. It features 160 rooms but only 110 can be explored. Don't miss this intriguing attraction when in town.
Founded in 1839, Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park is one of the oldest secular cemeteries in California. It features an array of oak, sequoia, cedar and pepper trees in its 330-acre landscape, which features lovely flowers, numerous mausoleums, a variety of memorials and both flush-to-the-ground and upright monuments. The cemetery is a member of the Dignity Memorial, which is a network of more than 1,600 licensed providers in North America. Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park is a non-denominational cemetery, offering several chapels, including the Chapel of Roses, the Chapel of the Oaks and the Sunshine Chapel. The cemetery offers an on-site florist, crematory and monument shop.
The Black Power Sculpture at San Jose State University was made to commemorate two student activists–Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who won medals in the Olympic games of 1968. The sculpture shows the two athletes taking the stand at the podium and silently taking their place for human rights. They were noticed around the world for their feat and artist Rigo has captured the poignant moment with his flawless work. Materials used are ceramic tiles, fibre glass, a steel structure and the likenesses cast in bronze. Rigo has also taken help from technology and computer assisted imaging to make the full body scan of the athletes. A must see for tourists, this important landmark has to be on every sightseeing list.
Japantown is near Downtown San Jose in the Jackson and Taylor neighborhood. An ethnic and authentic ambiance pervades this historic neighborhood. The rich cultural heritage is reflected in its beautiful and quaint specialty stores and gift shops, which are maintained and preserved by shopkeepers and residents alike. The famous Japantown Farmers Market, financial, legal and medical resources, martial arts courses, Japanese performing arts, schools and a number of restaurants like the Kazoo Japanese Restaurant, Minato Japanese Restaurant, and Okayama Restaurant are all located here. Visit Japantown to experience a slice of Japan in the Silicon Valley.
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