San Jose

California’s third-largest city, San Jose is often thought of as a smaller Los Angeles because of its relentless sprawl and valley setting surrounded by mountains and water. However, there is really nothing small about San Jose. It has a large downtown area that is home to the Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose State University, and several small but enjoyable museums, including the San Jose Museum of Art and Children’s Discovery Museum. About a 10-minute drive from downtown is a charming residential area that includes the Municipal Rose Garden (one of the best in the region when it's in bloom) and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, both popular with families from around the South Bay and Peninsula. While San Jose doesn’t have the iconic tourist sights and fascinating topography of its friendly rival to the north San Francisco, it has a lot of unique neighborhoods and an energetic vibe that reflects its position as the largest city (and the southern end) of Silicon Valley.