8-day Romantic Getaway: San Jose & Santa Cruz

A romantic rendezvous awaits in San Jose, where love blooms under the California sun.

22 April 2023

San Jose, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, offers the perfect combination of urban sophistication and natural beauty for a romantic trip. Couples can indulge in upscale dining, shopping, and cultural activities while also exploring the nearby scenic parks and hiking trails. The vibrant nightlife and luxurious hotels complete the ultimate romantic getaway experience.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Arrival and Relaxation

Check in to the Hotel Valencia Santana Row, a luxurious hotel known for its Mediterranean-style architecture and rooftop bar
Take a stroll through Santana Row, an outdoor shopping center with high-end boutiques and restaurants
Have dinner at Vina Enoteca, an Italian restaurant with a cozy ambiance and delicious pasta dishes

Day 2

Outdoor Adventures

Start your day with breakfast at Bill's Cafe, a local favorite known for its banana walnut pancakes
Visit the Hakone Estate and Gardens, a Japanese garden with beautiful scenery and koi ponds
Take a hike at Alum Rock Park, a scenic park with hiking trails and picnic areas
Go rock climbing at Planet Granite, a state-of-the-art indoor climbing gym
End the day with dinner at The Table, a farm-to-table restaurant with a menu that changes daily based on local, seasonal ingredients

Day 3

Cultural Exploration

Visit the San Jose Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum with a diverse collection
Have lunch at La Victoria Taqueria, a popular taco spot with authentic Mexican flavors
Tour the Winchester Mystery House, a historic mansion known for its unique architecture and mysterious design
Take in a show at the City National Civic, a historic theater that hosts a variety of performances
End the night with drinks at Paper Plane, a trendy bar with creative cocktails

Day 4

Wine Tasting and Beach Relaxation

Take a day trip to Santa Cruz, a coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and boardwalk
Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an amusement park with classic attractions
Have lunch at The Picnic Basket, a beachside cafe with fresh sandwiches and salads
Go wine tasting at the Burrell School Vineyards, a family-owned winery with a cozy tasting room and scenic views
Return to San Jose for dinner at Chez Sovan, a French restaurant with a romantic ambiance

Day 5

Shopping and Farewell

Enjoy breakfast at Sweet Maple Cafe, a charming cafe known for its homemade pastries
Spend the morning shopping at the San Jose Flea Market, a bustling market with over 60 acres of vendor booths
Have lunch at The Boiling Crab, a seafood restaurant known for its delicious crab and Cajun-style flavors
Take a walk through San Pedro Square Market, an indoor food hall with a variety of vendors and live music
Check out of the hotel and bid farewell to San Jose

Length of stay

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to San Jose is by plane. You can fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is located less than 4 miles from the downtown area. There are numerous airlines that fly into SJC, including American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest.

Car

Driving is a popular way to get to San Jose. Depending on where you are coming from, you can take Interstate 5 or Interstate 580 and then merge onto Interstate 680 to get to San Jose. From Southern California, it may be faster to take Interstate 101 and then head south to San Jose.

Train

Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to San Jose. However, you can take Amtrak to San Francisco and then transfer to a Caltrain that goes to San Jose. The Amtrak station in San Francisco is located at 700 4th St, while the Caltrain station in San Jose is located at 65 Cahill St.

Boat

Unfortunately, there is no way to get to San Jose by boat as the city is not located on the coast or any major bodies of water.

Bus

Taking a bus is a convenient way to get to San Jose. Greyhound offers numerous bus routes to San Jose, with the bus station located at 70 S Almaden Ave. Megabus also has service to San Jose, with the stop located at the Diridon Transit Center at 65 Cahill St.