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Do you like playing tour guide in your own town? Great — stick around until the end of this piece to share your expertise.
If you’d rather leave the fun fact-sharing and finger-pointing to the pros, we’ve got you covered with five tours around San Jose. This list is great for new residents, visiting friends, or longtime locals who want to dive deep into the great 408.
Go in style
- San Jose Brew Bike | $50 | 2 hours | The perfect way to drink up San Jose’s nightlife. 🍺
- Silicon Segway | $90 | 2 hours | Roll through Downtown’s history + tech culture, and Guadalupe River’s wildlife.
Take a walking tour to discover the local connections to this historic protest at the 1968 Olympics.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
For the history buff
- Public Art as Resistance in San José | Free | 2 hours | These 12 pieces of art will explore local social justice history. 🎨
- History Park Walking Tour | Prices vary | 1 hour | Take a step back in time with insights on historic architecture + notable San Joseans.
- Hidden Histories of San Jose Japantown | Free | 1 hour; three tour options | This augmented reality experience shows this neighborhood’s diverse past on top of its present day streets. 📱
For the adventurer
- Operation City Quest | $20+ | 2 hours | Find clues to solve riddles in this scavenger hunt around town.
- Mount Hamilton Walking Tour | Free | Time varies | Reach for the stars in this tour around Lick Observatory + get rewarded with some of the best views in the valley. ⛰️
Did you know that 62% of our readers have lived in San Jose for 20+ years? You probably know SJ as well as — or better than — we do. So, tell us how you play tour guide.
