San Jose Downtown Walking Tour (Self Guided), San Jose

San Jose is California's third-largest city and the second-largest city in Northern California. From 1849 to 1851, San Jose served as the state's first capital, which is still a local source of pride. The city has formally incorporated in 1850 and has been a center of innovation from the late 19th century, starting with agriculture and food processing.

During World War II, several military contractors set up operations in the city, and the 1950s and 1960s saw expansion into the suburbs. Some of the most popular Silicon Valley companies have their headquarters here, including Apple, Adobe, Roku, Paypal, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. The technology business drives much of San Jose's economy.

Popular outdoor areas include Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Circle of Palms Plaza, and St. James Park. Check out the Tech Museum of Innovation for fun exhibits on science and technology or the San Jose Museum of Art to get a look at some of the city's most noteworthy artwork.

San Jose is also famous for its impressive historic buildings. Stop by Peralta Adobe to see the city's oldest building, preserved in Spanish style. Don't forget to stop by San Pedro Square, which has an assortment of contemporary restaurants and bars in one the city's oldest squares.

To see the most important attractions in downtown San Jose, follow this self-guided walking tour!