1 day in San Jose
 

We have one day April 16th to spend in San Jose. Any ideas for a group of people. Wine tours were mentioned?

Couple of suggestions: Mirassou Winery, Tech Museum, or drive over to the ocean at Santa Cruz. Weather should be fantastic.

Ridge Winery is a nice one and you could bring a picnic. Afterward, drive up to Skyline Blvd through the redwoods. Santa Cruz doesn't appeal to all--it's a retro, surfer town with a big commercial boardwalk. Since it's Sunday, if church appeals, the Cathedral in San Jose is lovely and then brunch at the Fairmont Hotel across the street. I hope traveler is correct that the weather will be fantastic. I have an outdoor reception planned that day and I'm a bit worried.

If the weather is indeed fine, you might want to check out the VILLA MONTALVO ABORETUM in nearby Saratoga (408.741.3421), or the HAKONE JAPANESE GARDEN, also in Saratoga (408.867.3438). For a really rustic, beautiful, and a little tight, drive to the coast, take Hwy 9 from Saratoga to Skyline Blvd. (Hwy 35); turn right (north) onto Hwy 35, and a few miles later left (west) onto Alpine Road, which connects to Pescadero Road and he coast (at Pescadero State Beach (one of my favorites). The road gets a bit narrow in places, where it passes through the redwoods, so don't take an RV. But the scenery is gorgeous, much of it looking the way CA did a hundred years ago. You could have lunch or dinner at Duarte's in Pescadero, one of California's great old dining rooms (650.879.0464).

John has a great suggestion for Duarte's which gets you to the coast and through pretty scenery. You can return on the faster Hwy 17 route. One caveat--we took guests from Chicago over Hwy 9 and they both ended up horribly car sick so ask everyone first--it's tough on the guys in the back seat, but it's beautiful. Also, find Bonny Doon Winery and stop by for a tasting and/or to purchase their wonderful herbal soap. Maybe John knows exactly where they are. They are a bit of a trip--very Santa Cruz type winery! If it's a foggy day, however, scrub this whole suggestion as there's nothing worse than being lost in the fog in the mountains. We have good friends who live in Bonny Doon and always call that morning to check on the fog. It can be bright and sunny in Saratoga and pea soup in Felton! As John says, this gives you a taste of what California used to be--a beautiful part of our country.

That's a great suggestion Kam had. Bonny Doon isn't all that far off Hwy 1 (west of Henry Cowell Redwoods SP), which makes it easy to get to if you're returning by way of Santa Cruz and Highway 17. For open times and exact directions, call 408.425.3625.

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions <BR>we will put our heads together & makes some plans, depending on the weather.