Exploring Great Museums In San Jose

While it may be hard to imagine, the beauty of San Jose is its flawless fusion of glass and steel aesthetics and Spanish colonial architecture. The contrast of the gleaming future and the adobe past has made the Heart of Silicon Valley an amalgam of five-star hotels, quaint 19th Century churches, and delectable restaurants. Of course, the museums in San Jose have emerged from San Francisco's long shadow.

Perhaps the most visited museums in San Jose is the Tech Museum. Once it was nothing more than a dream of the Junior League of Palo Alto, today it is a dynamic center for delving into the history and future of technology. Known locally as "The Garage," the Tech Museum -- located on San Carlos Street -- has become an invaluable resource for kids in the Greater Bay Area. Yes, they come from as far away as Marin County, Freemont, and Oakland to learn.

Turning from the hi-tech to the ancient, there is the venerable Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. What began with H. Spencer Lewis's small statue of Sekhmet the Lion Goddess, has turned into the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the United States. Rosicrucian students, according to its mission statement, "study, along with other subjects, the wisdom of the ancient mystery schools, including those of ancient Egypt." The Museum sees more than 100,000 visitors per year, including more than 20,000 school children.

Of course, if you're eager to view some modern and contemporary art collections, then you would best served at the San Jose Museum of Art. The SJMA has steadily become the heart of the art scene in the South Bay. Founded in 1969, the SJMA display both modern masterpieces and works created by region and national artists. With a permanent collection of over 1,400 works, the SJMA has distinguished itself from the SFMOMA by focusing on West Coast-based artists.

Lastly is a unique museum many tourists overlook: the Japanese Art Museum of San Jose. Opened in 1987, the JAMsj was an outgrowth of academic research on native Japanese American farmers who immigrated to work and live in the Santa Clara Valley. The research project not only involved personal stories and photographs, but also significant works of Japanese art. Over the course of two decades, the JAMsj has focused more and more on its archival mission. Today, it's located on North Fifth Street, near downtown San Jose.

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The finest museums in San Jose are located with a one mile radius of downtown. Reserve your room in a downtown hotel and enjoy walking to some of the finest museums in the country.