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California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. This windery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed cc by 2.0

California is often referred to as wine country because of its abundance of vineyards and wine tasting destinations. Check out a few of the best wine spots in the San Jose, California, area. Divine Wineries Divine Wineries is conveniently located in downtown San Jose and serves some of the highest-rated handcrafted wines in the entire area. None of their unique wines are available for purchase in local stores and can only be tasted at this winery. They source their wines from the Sierra Foothills, the Santa Clara Valley, and even the Alexander Valley. Reservations are not required and they are open Wednesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. more This winery is within walking distance of nearby hotels, making it a great choice for a full day of wine tasting. Locals can also join the Divine Wineries wine club for just $35 per month. This membership includes up to three free bottles of wine each month and special discounts on wine accessories and unlimited happy hour events. Vino Vino Vino Vino is also a wine tasting destination in downtown San Jose that has 13 different fine wines available. They also serve small plates to pair with your wine tasting. Want to bring along a guest that does not enjoy wine? Vino Vino also serves local craft beers. This winery has a simple goal: to provide locals with a no-frills spot to taste local wines, share good food, and get to know their neighbors. This sports bar environment is perfect for a casual wine tasting experience, and you can easily reserve a table online. Lohr Vineyards & Wines The history of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is not only interesting but is also an important part of the California wine industry. The founder, Jerry Lohr, spent many years attempting to find the right spot for his vineyard. He eventually landed on the central California coast, paving the way for a vibrant wine industry. Both of the J. Lohr locations are open daily for free wine tastings. No appointment is necessary, but larger groups should always call ahead. You can also join the J. Lohr club. Membership includes access to VIP events, brand discounts, and free bottles of wine. Left Bend Winery The Left Bend Winery is just a short drive outside of San Jose in Los Gatos. All of the wines from the Left Bend Winery are sourced from the Santa Cruz Mountains. TThis winery handles every aspect of the winemaking process, from pre-harvest to bottling. You can order bottles of their wine and join the wine club online. Club members receive complimentary tastings, discounts on wine bottles, and four wine annual shipments of your favorite wines. The Left Bend Winery is open Thursday through Sunday from 12 until 5 p.m. Spend a day checking out the best wines of San Jose, California. Each of these local vineyards is a great choice and has special deals and memberships to ensure you have a great wine-tasting experience. Photo by dalecruse | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Santa Clara County may be known for its high-tech Silicon Valley, but this California county also offers 28 pristine regional parks and recreation areas. If you are into bird-watching, these parks and preserves represent a veritable birder's paradise, as they host not only huge residential populations but also migratory birds. Here are some places where you can go birding to your heart's content. Baylands Nature Preserve This 1,940-acre preserve is one of the largest tracks of undisturbed marshland in the San Francisco Bay area. Over 15 miles of trails give you access to a large variety of wildlife and a unique mixture of tidal and freshwater habitats. Baylands is regarded as one of the best bird-watching areas on the West Coast and is not only home to a substantial residential population, but also an important stopover during the Pacific Flyway migration. more Birds that you can view here include the endangered California clapper rail, wintering ducks such as mallards and pintails, migratory shorebird species, cliff and barn swallows, nesting black-necked stilts, American avocets, black-crowned night herons, and snowy egrets. Baylands Nature Reserve is located at 2500 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park This park, nestled in the hills east of Gilroy, is a 6,695-acre recreation area, offering 33 miles of trails that wind along breezy mountain ridges, clear streams, and through oak forests. This park is home to all kinds of species, such as reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals. If you are lucky, you can spot the rare western pond turtle or the California tiger salamander. It is also a great place for birding. Over 219 bird species have been noticed in this area, including the national bird, the bald eagle. Common species that you might spot are the American wigeon, mallard, bufflehead, ruddy duck, California quail, wild turkey, acorn woodpecker, and the California scrub-jay. Notable species that have been seen include the bald eagle, golden eagle, cackling goose, Clark's grebe, American pipit, Rufous-crowned sparrow, and the rock wren. This park is located at 10840 Coyote Reservoir Road, Gilroy, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Ed R. Levin County Park This 1,500-acre park is one of Santa Clara County's most unique regional parks and recreations areas, as it offers a combination of constructed parklands, natural bush, and hillsides. Expansive lawn areas are ideal picnic spots for the family, whereas the rolling grasslands and oak woodlands offer lovely trails that are great for bird-watching. Over 64 bird species have been spotted here, including migratory birds, shorebirds, raptors, flycatchers, and corvids. Common species that you can see here are the great blue heron, acorn woodpecker, mallard, turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and the white-tailed kite. If you are lucky, though, you might also spot a ring-necked duck, American wigeon, bald eagle, golden eagle, yellow-billed magpie, belted kingfisher, or a rufous-crowned sparrow. Ed R. Levin County Park is located at 3100 Calaveras Road, Milpitas, and they are open from 8 a.m. until sunset. If you love bird-watching, then you will be spoiled for places to go to in Santa Clara County. So, grab your binoculars and head out to the beautiful parks and preserves of this county. Photo by roseannadana cc BY-ND 2.0 | Licensed under

Silicon Valley is home to technology giants such as Facebook, Google, and Apple. The humble garage from which William Hewlett and David Packard started developing the famous HP computer brand, is regarded by many as the "birthplace" of Silicon Valley. If you are interested in seeing such a site, as well as many other places of interest in the world of technology, head to Silicon Valley. Here are some interesting places to see. Googleplex A popular sightseeing destination in Silicon Valley is the Googleplex headquarters and campus of this search engine and information giant. Unfortunately, there are no Googleplex or Google campus tours available, and you can only gain access to campus buildings if you are escorted by an employee. more If you should have a friend who works there and you can gain entry, check out the multicolored bicycles that "Googlers" use to get between campus buildings, as well as strange works of art, such as a life-size Tyrannosaurs Rex skeleton, sometimes adorned with pink, plastic flamingos, and a collection of stone busts depicting celebrities and scientists. There is also an on-campus Google merchandise store, jumbo cartoon figures representing each version of the Android operating system, and a sand volleyball court. Googleplex is located at 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View. Computer History Museum Find out about the history of computers at this museum, and the surprising similarities between innovations in our distant history and the technology of today. The museum showcases many different and exciting exhibitions, such as "Revolution: The First 2,000 Years of Computing," which features 19 galleries, 1,100 objects, and multimedia experiences that chronicle the history of computing from the abacus to the smartphone. "Where to? A History of Autonomous Vehicles" is an exhibition about the decades-long challenge of bringing self-driving cars to the public. The museum also exhibits the world's largest collection of artifacts relating to the history of computing, including hardware, software, documents, photos, and moving images. Interesting talks are regularly presented at the museum, as well as educational programs. Computer History Museum is located at 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. Intel Museum This museum provides interactive exhibits, guided tours, and hands-on classes in the Learning Labs, in order to connect people with the technologies that shape their modern world. Free field trips are available for students, during which they are taught the history of the Intel microprocessor, silicon chip design, and chip fabrication. The Intel Museum is located at 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. NASA's Ames Research Center This center has played an important part in NASA's research into space technology and is a key facility for many of its missions and projects. The public is allowed into the Ames Visitor Center, where they can learn more about the work that is done here. Current exhibitions include "Science on Sphere," which offers visitors a new look at the planets of the universe, and "Kepler," which gives visitors the chance to learn about the Kepler mission that is designed to survey our region of the Milky Way. The Ames Research Center is located at Moffett Field, Mountain View. If you are a computer geek, or just interested in technological innovations or history, Silicon Valley is just the place for you. Photo by rjshade | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

The West Coast of America has plenty of forests, deserts, mountains, valleys, and other natural beauty, which is why there are plenty of state and national parks from one end of California to the other. For those starting out in San Jose and the local area, you can enjoy several state parks just a short drive away in a Ford vehicle. Henry Coe State Park The Henry W. Coe State Park is a short drive east from Morgan Hill and other towns along US-101. Coe Park covers 87,000 acres of California wilderness, and it's open year-round to hikers, campers, and mountain bikers. You won't have any trouble finding places to hike, either, because the park contains 250 miles of hiking trails and ranch roads. The park even has an old hot springs resort on the southwestern edge, but unfortunately the Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs Resort is still in the middle of a big restoration project. more The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park Head straight south to Santa Cruz, go east to Aptos and go north to make your way to the Forest of Nisene Marks. The forest doesn't see too many visitors each year since most people in the area want to enjoy the beaches, but that's perfect if you want to see some great spots without worrying about sharing the moment with a big crowd. You can only take bikes or horses on certain tracks, but you can hike through most of the forest and admire the young and old redwoods that fill it. Big Basin Redwoods State Park The Big Basin Redwoods State Park is straight southwest of San Jose, and it's easy enough to find by following Big Basin Way (CA-9) out from the city limits. The park has its own highway because it's the oldest in the state, established in 1902, and the reason it's the oldest state park is because that big basin contains the largest group of old-growth coast redwoods south of San Francisco. Bay Area residents have been visiting this park for over 100 years, and the park allows biking on all fire roads and hiking throughout the park. Castle Rock State Park Castle Rock State Park is so close to San Jose that you have to pass it on your way to the Big Basin Redwoods. The park covers much of southwest of San Jose, including Castle Rock itself. The peak gets its name from the great view you can get of all your surroundings, and you can get to the peak on a day trip thanks to a one-mile trail loop you can take from the main parking lot. Plenty of Ford vehicles can be your ticket to seeing the best side of nature, especially when you live near so many great state parks and forests. The southern Bay Area offers mountains, valleys, and forests full of ancient and new redwoods, and the only question is which state park you should visit first when you decide to take a day trip. Photo by MiguelVieira | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Ice cream in the United States is almost as old as the country itself. The first ad for the sweet treat was published in the New York Gazette in 1777 and first President George Washington reportedly spent $200 in ice cream on the summer of 1790. History lessons aside, whether you're a classic vanilla or chocolate fan or into more far-fetched flavors, it's not hard to find a place in San Jose with your very favorite. Take a look at our suggestions of where to find the best ice cream in San Jose. Treat Ice Cream Company If you don't feel like spending too much time deciding what flavor to get, you know you've come to the right place when you enter the Treat Ice Cream Company. Sometimes, less is more. more For chocolate ice cream fans, there are at least five different variations on the menu, but the Brownie a la Mode and the Cookie Mint Krunch are the house's favorites raking in the highest praises from customers. Address: Downtown at 11 South 19th Street Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cre'Me Paris To say that Durian fruit is an acquired taste is an understatement. Unless you've lived in Southeast Asia all your life and are used to it, Durian's smell and flavor are hard to overcome (and forget). However, at Cre'Me Paris they've turned what's probably the world's least favorite fruit into an ice cream flavor. If you're brave enough to try it, dig in. If not, there are plenty of other creamy options to choose from. Address: East San Jose at 2200 Eastridge Loop Hours: Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Willow Glen Creamery Sometimes you don't want complicated flavors. All you want is a giant dose of ice-creamed sweetness. Well, that's exactly what you get at Willow Glen Creamery. This locally owned business blends its own frozen yogurts in the store every day, with locally sourced ingredients. What's customers' favorite frozen yogurt flavor? Surprisingly, vanilla. If you think this is the blandest ice cream flavor of all times, pay a visit to this place and it will change your mind. Address: Willow Glen at 1100 Lincoln Avenue Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Sweet Rendezvous Slightly hidden in a little corner, this is the kind of ice cream you'll only find by chance or if you're really looking for it. That's part of the Sweet Rendezvous' charm. Don't overthink what to order, just follow the employee's suggestions. They never get it wrong.  And forget popular flavors. Everyone's favorite thing about this place? The free teaser scoop of any other flavor you want to try beyond the ones you just ordered. Address: Blossom Valley at 668 Blossom Hill Road Hours: Every day from noon to 9 p.m. Ice cream at these spots in San Jose is so delicious that it'll be hard to choose just one spot...or just one flavor! Photo by Maria Eklind | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

Ella Fitzgerald sang, "Summertime, and the livin' is easy," and there isn't a better time in the year to wind down and enjoy some cool events in the city. Whether you're on vacation or are getting ready for the weekend, here are five summer events where you can soak in the sun and relax. Music in the Park No matter how big or small the bands are on stage, the Music in the Park summer festival is all about good music and good fun. There are plenty of food and drink options available at the venue, so all you need to bring along is your good mood. For extra comfort, blankets and low-back chairs are allowed in the area. more The event happens every year from June to August at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $15. San Jose Jazz Summer Fest Jazz takes over the city for three days in August with famous and up-and-coming artists performing on 12 different stages. Plaza de Cesar Chavez has been the festival's central venue since its inception in 1990. Despite its growth, the atmosphere is still very much like those early days in San Jose, where you can listen to live performances of jazz, fusion, and funk. Tickets are available as single entries, starting at $15, or as 3-Day Passes, starting at $50. The event kicks off on Friday, Aug. 10, at 5:30 p.m. and continues through the weekend, with stages opening at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Sunset Thursdays Who says summer fun only happens on weekends or on vacation? Every Thursday evening, from June to August, San Jose locals gather at Plaza de Cesar Chavez from 5 to 9 p.m. to enjoy live music, play lawn games, and taste the best dishes of the food trucks available that day. This event is open to the public and free to enter. Follow the organizer's Facebook page for up-to-date information on live acts, food trucks, and upcoming events. July Passport Celebration Day For wine enthusiasts, Passport Celebration Day is the one event in the year they most look forward to. These special Passport holders can visit over 50 participating wineries throughout the year, during opening hours. But, on specific dates, four times a year, wineries are open for tastings and other experiences all day long. The passport costs $65, and the July event falls on the 21st, beginning at noon. It takes place at participating Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries. Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic Tennis fans flock to attend this week-long women's professional tournament, the first sports event of the U.S. Open Series. Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, and Williams sisters Venus and Serena are some of the names on the list of former champions of this nearly-50-year-old tournament. From July 30 to Aug. 5, all tennis roads lead to San Jose State University. Ticket prices vary according to location. Finals Weekend ticket packages start at $300. Weeklong Championship Series ticket packages start at $850. Individual tickets start at $31. Each day begins at a different time, so be sure to check the schedule to arrive on time. Throughout the summer, there are all kinds of events for all tastes and budgets. The one thing they all have in common? They are all meant for you to have fun. Photo by Toolstotal | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

San Jose is a hilly city in Northern California. It is often known for its warm weather and consistent sunshine. You might be surprised to learn that some of your favorite TV shows and movies were set right in San Jose. Flubber We all remember Robin Williams and his comedic scientific role in "Flubber." The 1997 movie was a remake of "The Absent-Minded Professor" from 1961. Williams lived in nearby San Francisco, which could have influenced the film's location. There are actually a few different scenes in "Flubber" that are shot in actual San Jose locations. more The "Flubber" main characters live in a house in the Rose Garden district of San Jose. Some home scenes are also shot on University Avenue nearby the house. Many of the academic movie scenes are also shot right in a classroom at San Jose State University. Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is often known as the technology hub of Northern California. It has produced some of the leading technology designers and companies of today. It is no surprise then, that many of today's tech-based movies and TV shows, including "Silicon Valley" are also filmed here. "Silicon Valley" follows the life of a computer programmer that wants to reinvent the internet. Other scenes in "Silicon Valley" are filmed throughout the Bay area, including in Los Angeles and Palo Alto. Additional tech shows filmed in the San Jose Silicon Valley area include "Betas," "MythBusters," "The Social Network," and "Steve Jobs." Beverly Hills Cop III It does not matter that it took it until the third installment of "Beverly Hills Cop" to film in San Jose, many locals were excited at the additional filming location. This 1994 movie featured Eddie Murphy on an action-packed experience as a Beverly Hills Cop. One particular scene in the movie portrays him dangerously hanging from a large Ferris wheel called the Spider. The actual Ferris wheel filmed was called The Triple Wheel and was a part of Paramount's Great America Park. Although you can no longer ride The Triple Wheel, you can still see it in "Beverly Hills Cop III." Winchester You might not yet recognize this movie name because it was just released this year. Much of the filming of the thrilling horror movie "Winchester" took place right in San Jose. The movie is claimed to be inspired by true events and involves the mysterious events at a local haunted house. The haunted house is a prison for ghosts seeking revenge on the Winchesters. Not only does the haunted house reside in San Jose, California, but you can also book a tour. Sarah Winchester is a real person and the house is a real place. You can tour the 110 rooms of the large mansion, which includes mysterious items like a window on the floor, doors that open into nothing, and the number 13 randomly scattered around the house. You do not have to head to Los Angeles to see the film sight of some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Many of them were filmed right here in the city of San Jose, California. Photo by the_tahoe_guy | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

One good way to bond with your family is to spend time in nature. Getting outdoors lets you enjoy the fresh air and get away from the stresses and demands that ordinarily keep you apart. Consider the following family-friendly parks near Morgan Hill the next time you want to enjoy outdoor activities. Calero County Park Head to Calero County Park to enjoy 4,471 acres of land nestled along the Santa Cruz Mountains and the California Oak backcountry. There's also a large reservoir, which offers a number of great recreational water activities, including power boating, kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing. If you've come for fishing, just keep in mind that the reservoir is catch and release. more Once you've cooled off on the lake, head to the backcountry to enjoy 18.9 miles of trails for hiking, horse riding, or walking your dog. You can even take the Serpentine Loop Trail to get to the nearby Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. End the day with a nice meal at one of the many picnic and barbecue sites that are located in the park. Uvas Reservoir County Park For a quieter experience, the Uvas Reservoir County Park makes a nice stop. This park, which is located in the shadows of the Santa Cruz Mountains, offers you 1,017 acres to explore. Because the reservoir is used for underground aquifers, no boating or swimming is allowed. This results in a peaceful atmosphere that's great for family relaxation, fun, and unwinding. Spend the day fishing, enjoying a nice picnic, or walking your dog around the lake. Public facilities are limited at this park, so plan on using your imagination to entertain yourself. Bring a football or Frisbee to toss around, as well as a camera to capture some amazing nature shots. Anderson Lake County Park Anderson Lake County Park includes Santa Clara County's largest reservoir, which offers nearly limitless opportunities for a fun day on the water. This 4,275-acre park and 953-acre lake provide a mix of land- and water-based activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, horse riding, picnicking, and more. One of the most popular things to do is cruise along the lake, as power boats are permitted. Keep in mind that water levels vary and are sometimes too low for boats, so check with the Santa Clara County Parks website before you head out with your speedboat in tow. In the meantime, why not try your hand at fishing? Just keep in mind that, like Calero Park, it's a catch and release lake. Anderson Lake also provides numerous hiking trails, most notably a 15-mile paved trail that runs along Coyote Creek and connects to Coyote Hellyer County Park. The trail is mostly flat, making it great for smaller members of the family to ride their bikes, run, and play. These are just a few of the parks in the area. Spend some time going to each to find your favorite spot, and make it a tradition to visit it whenever your family is in need of an outing. Photo by donjd2 | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

In the beautiful suburb of San Jose, California, sits an iconic landmark that, until recently, has been well-known mostly to local residents. With the upcoming release of the movie inspired by this breathtaking mansion, however, the Winchester House has become famous all over the world. What is it about this house that has everybody so suddenly intrigued? Here are four interesting facts about the Winchester Mystery House. The House Is Named After Its Original Owner A common misconception about the Winchester Mystery House is that it derives its name from the city of Winchester in England. In fact, many people believe that's where the house is located. You may be surprised, then, to discover that the house is actually located on the West Coast of the United States. The mansion was named for its original mistress, Sarah Winchester, who purchased the property when it was nothing more than an unassuming farmhouse. more The House Was Under Construction for Nearly 40 Years When Sarah Winchester bought the original property, she immediately began construction to make it the mansion that exists today. Sarah was so obsessed with the construction of the house that a team of workers worked in rotating shifts nonstop. The house was under construction day and night, seven days a week, for 38 years. Construction would have likely continued indefinitely, had Sarah not passed away in 1922. Accounts of Sarah's death claim that construction stopped so abruptly, there are still half-hammered nails sticking out of walls all over the house. Nobody quite understands why Sarah was so obsessed with the mansion's construction, but many believe she was building out of fear because a psychic medium said her family's money was built on innocent blood. The house wasn't just for Sarah. It was for the souls of the innocents who lost their lives so the Winchesters could build their fortunes. The Entire House Is Designed to Be Confusing The entire mansion is filled with secret doors and passageways. Even those that weren't intentionally hidden are a confusing maze that weaves all over the interior of the home. Sarah was the architect and designer, with no master building plans ever being found, which has led to the belief that Sarah had no specific design in mind for the house. It is believed that the secretive and unusual design was meant to confuse the ghosts Sarah believed lived in the house with her to give her some respite from their constant torment. New secrets are constantly being discovered and it's entirely possible that the house may never be fully understood. The Winchester Mystery House is a conundrum that has stumped paranormal investigators for years. Sarah Winchester is the only one who really understood everything about the house. Since she's no longer around to question, the best that can be done is to rely on the accounts and records that are available for review. For more information, consider visiting the house yourself. Photo by HarshLight | Licensed under cc by 2.0

Spring is here, with summer right around the corner. That means fresh air and farm-fresh food. If you're looking for a great way to spend some time outdoors, consider spending an afternoon at one of the San Jose area's amazing farmer's markets. You'll find a lot to love at each of these, so the hardest part is going to be deciding which one to visit next. Campbell Farmers Market The farmers market in Campbell has been voted one of the best open-air markets in the area. You'll find fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers here, as well as an exciting calendar of events. There's always something new going on at the Campbell Farmers Market, including festivals, live performances, and arts and crafts lessons. more The Campbell Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown San Jose Farmers Market From May to November, every Friday, San Jose's San Pedro Square transforms into a lively open-air farmers market. More than 30 local growers come to the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market to sell their wares every year, and you'll always find the freshest seasonal produce available here. If you can't wait to get home and cook up some delicious meals with your purchase, there are plenty of hot food vendors offering up some truly tasty menu options, so you never have to go hungry during your trip. There are plenty of other live events taking place downtown as well, so a trip to the farmers market is a great way to see everything there is to experience. The Downtown San Jose Farmers Market is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa Clara Farmers Market The Santa Clara Farmers Market has one feature that sets it apart from many other open-air markets in the area. It opens every Saturday, rain or shine, all year long. While most other farmers markets in the area close during the winter months, this is one place you can count on all the time. Even better is the fact that the market is open on Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas weekend, and New Year's Eve weekend. Located in the heart of downtown Santa Clara, the market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunnyvale Farmers Market The Sunnyvale Farmers Market is located on Murphy Avenue at Washington and offers fresh produce from many of the same local growers you'll find at the Santa Clara market. Also similar to its sister market in Santa Clara, the Sunnyvale Farmers Market only closes once a year, for the annual Art and Wine Festival. The Sunnyvale Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. With so many great open-air farmers markets in the San Jose area, you've got plenty of reason to get out and enjoy the region's beautiful weather. This is also a great opportunity to meet some new people and explore the area's local culture. California and the San Jose area are well-known for top-notch community events, and visiting a local farmers market is a great way to discover everything else going in the area. Photo by gmtbillings | Licensed under cc by 2.0

Museums aren't just about ancient history. The San Jose area has a surprising variety of museums that feature exhibits ranging from prehistoric fauna to modern art and technology. We've compiled this short list of our favorites to help you plan your day on the town. The Tech Museum of Innovation Visit The Tech Museum of Innovation to learn about modern science and technology in a hands-on, family-friendly manner. The organization's interactive exhibits will give you the chance to glimpse the frontier of cutting-edge science. more For example, the BIO Design Studio allows visitors to experiment with the “building blocks of life” by applying the principles of bioengineering. The Social Robots exhibit involves designing and building your very own robot utilizing sensors, controllers, and actuators. Computer-savvy guests are likely to enjoy the Cyber Detectives exhibit, which demonstrates the strides that cybersecurity professionals have made in recent years. If you prefer a more passive experience, the museum also has an IMAX theater. San Jose Museum of Art Modern and contemporary art is the focus of this museum, which receives about 100,000 visitors per year. The organization strives for inclusivity by representing the work of artists from many cultures and backgrounds. The museum also makes contributions to art history scholarships and programs. Visit during the spring and summer of 2018 to see paintings of California landscapes by Raimonds Staprans, as well as a collection of American lithographs and wood engravings gathered from early 21st-century history. Another must-see exhibit is The Propeller Group's examination of global culture, presented through video footage and staged reenactments. The Propeller Group represents a cooperation between artists based in both Los Angeles and Vietnam. Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose If you have children, you won't want to miss this unusually interactive museum experience. The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose places emphasis on allowing its guests to get hands-on with all of its exhibits. Guests won't be constrained to just looking at an art gallery; they'll also have the opportunity to create their own artwork. Scientifically-inclined children are sure to be drawn to the Mammoth Discovery exhibit, where they can see a mammoth skeleton and practice fossil excavation in the museum's special dig pits. The museum even caters to the youngest children, who can climb artificial trees and crawl through tunnels in the Bill's Backyard exhibit. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Featuring the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is a great example of a classic ancient history museum. A visit to this museum will reward you with fascinating information about this culture's burial practices and mummification. There are exhibits focused on Ancient Egypt's gods, religion, and belief in an afterlife. But some of the more mundane artifacts are even more interesting, as they provide visitors with a look into the daily life of regular Egyptian citizens. Visiting a museum is usually an educational experience, but that doesn't mean it has to be dry or boring. Any one of these San Jose museums will give you an experience that's both engaging and interactive. Photo by donjd2 | Licensed under cc by 2.0