What are fun things to do with friends in San Jose?
We checked 56 real places in San Jose, CA from OpenStreetMap, including 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+) and 8 sights. Squad Plan's three day plans below draw on these places, and your group can vote on the one you like best.
Last updated 2026-10-14
We found 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+), 8 sights, 8 parks and outdoor spots, 8 game spots, 8 sports venues and 8 places to shop in San Jose, from OpenStreetMap map data.
Three ready-made day plans
Costs are rough estimates per person in US dollars. Check hours and prices before you go.
Plan A
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo to M.S. Gaslight Bar
Slow pace, good food, plenty of time to talk. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
1300 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Vista Montaña Park
4041, San Jose, CA 95134
Free
12:30Lunch at Pho Mai #1 Noodle House
3074 Landess Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at Golfland USA
Winfield Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95118
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at Tech CU Arena
1500 South 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse The Garden at Willow Glen
1165 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Sendo Sushi
3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at M.S. Gaslight Bar
233 South White Road, San Jose, CA 95127
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan B
Japanese American Museum of San Jose to Vintage Wine Bar
A fuller day of sights and new places. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit Japanese American Museum of San Jose
535 North 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Townsend Park
Berryessa, San Jose, California
Free
12:30Lunch at Sendo Sushi
3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at Round1
2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at PAL Stadium
680 South 34th Street, San Jose, CA 95116
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse Westfield Oakridge
925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Gyro Express
3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Vintage Wine Bar
368 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan C
Little Italy Museum and Cultural Center to Back Bar
High energy from start to finish. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit Little Italy Museum and Cultural Center
323 West Saint John Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Florence Park
Evergreen, San Jose, California
Free
12:30Lunch at Sri's Kitchen
3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at SAP Center
525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Grand Century Mall
1111 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95122
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Watch a movie at AMC Eastridge 15
2190 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Okayama Xpress
2587 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95131
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Back Bar
North 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
$12–30 (estimate)
Family friendly things to do in San Jose
Real places in San Jose for a day out with kids.
Visit Alum Rock Science & Nature Center
A good first stop for a family day. Check the hours before you go.
Free to $25 (estimate)16260 Penitencia Creek Road, San Jose, CA 95127
Visit Crescent Village Garden
Free to visit, with room to run around. Bring snacks and water.
FreeSan Jose, California
Eat at Pho Mai #1 Noodle House
A sit-down meal for the whole family. Call ahead for a big group.
$12–20 (estimate)3074 Landess Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
Go to 4th Street Bowl
Mini golf, bowling and arcades are easy for kids. Check the hours before you go.
$15–30 (estimate)1441 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Go to The Tech Interactive IMAX
Movies, games or bowling for a rainy or hot afternoon. Check showtimes and hours first.
$15–30 (estimate)South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Snack stop at Ozon Cafe
A quick stop for drinks and a snack between activities.
$8–18 (estimate)2056 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
Pho Mai #1 Noodle House3074 Landess Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
Ozon Cafe2056 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
Sendo Sushi3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
Gyro Express3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
Sri's Kitchen3730 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134
Okayama Xpress2587 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95131
The Grind2050 Concourse Drive, San Jose, CA 95131
Heytea1628 Hostetter Road, San Jose, CA 95131
Bars and nightlife (21+)
M.S. Gaslight Bar233 South White Road, San Jose, CA 95127
Tap & Pour1701 Airport Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95110
Vintage Wine Bar368 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128
LVL4444 South Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95113
Cash Only78 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Back BarNorth 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95113
The Caravan Lounge98 South Almaden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95113
ISO BeersEast Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Sights
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo1300 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95112
Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch372 Manila Drive, San Jose, CA 95119
Japanese American Museum of San Jose535 North 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum1660 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126
Chinese American Historical Museum635 Phelan Avenue, San Jose, CA 95112
Little Italy Museum and Cultural Center323 West Saint John Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Alum Rock Science & Nature Center16260 Penitencia Creek Road, San Jose, CA 95127
Jeff Garcia Hall of ChampionsSouth 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95192
Parks and outdoor spots
Vista Montaña Park4041, San Jose, CA 95134
Crescent Village GardenSan Jose, California
Townsend ParkBerryessa, San Jose, California
Brooktree ParkBerryessa, San Jose, California
Cataldi ParkBerryessa, San Jose, California
Florence ParkEvergreen, San Jose, California
Rocksprings ParkSan Jose, California
Bestor Art ParkSan Jose, California
Game spots
Golfland USAWinfield Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95118
The Tech Interactive IMAXSouth Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Round12200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122
Cinemark Century Oakridge 20 XD and ScreenX925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123
Lost Worlds Funtropolous5401 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124
AMC Eastridge 152190 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122
4th Street Bowl1441 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
CineArts @ Santana Row3088 Olsen Drive, San Jose, CA 95128
Sports venues
Tech CU Arena1500 South 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
The Park San Jose1650 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95112
PAL Stadium680 South 34th Street, San Jose, CA 95116
South Bay Sports Training995 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95116
Brigit Whims Memorial FieldWest Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95126
SAP Center525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
San Jose Batting Cages474 Piercy Road, San Jose, CA 95138
Waterworks Aquatics1120 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
Places to shop
The Garden at Willow Glen1165 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Pars Kosher Market3986 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95124
Westfield Oakridge925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123
Downtown San Jose Farmers’ MarketNorth San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Capitol Flea Market3630 Hillcap Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136
Grand Century Mall1111 Story Road, San Jose, CA 95122
Mexican Farmers MarketSouth 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95122
EastridgeSan Jose, CA 95121
How much does a day out with friends cost in San Jose?
Across the three day plans above, a day out with friends in San Jose costs about $69 to $210 per person, from the lowest plan to the highest. Each total adds up the typical price of its stops, so treat it as a rough estimate and check prices before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What can a group do in San Jose for free?
Free places on our list include Vista Montaña Park, Crescent Village Garden and Townsend Park. Plans also leave time to wander around town at no cost.
Where can friends eat in San Jose?
Good places to start are Pho Mai #1 Noodle House, Ozon Cafe and Sendo Sushi. The day plans above include food stops from this list.
What is there to see in San Jose?
Sights on our list include Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch and Japanese American Museum of San Jose. The full list is in the places section below.
What are good things to do with kids in San Jose?
Try visit Alum Rock Science & Nature Center, visit Crescent Village Garden and eat at Pho Mai #1 Noodle House. Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good date night ideas in San Jose?
Try coffee at The Grind, walk through Brooktree Park and look around Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. Start small with coffee or a walk, and save dinner for when it is going well.
What are good things to do with a large group in San Jose?
Try bowling at 4th Street Bowl, play at Cinemark Century Oakridge 20 XD and ScreenX and park time at Cataldi Park. Book ahead for a group this size, and send the link so everyone can vote on the plan.
What can friends do on a weekend in San Jose?
Try saturday morning: Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch, saturday lunch: Pho Mai #1 Noodle House and saturday afternoon: Rocksprings Park. Every stop is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good birthday ideas for adults in San Jose?
Try birthday dinner at Pho Mai #1 Noodle House, play at CineArts @ Santana Row and drinks at The Caravan Lounge (21+). Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What can friends under 21 do together in San Jose?
Try play at Golfland USA, see a movie at The Tech Interactive IMAX and get active at The Park San Jose. Every idea here is a real mapped place. Costs are rough estimates.
Can Squad Plan make a custom plan for San Jose?
Yes. Pick the city, your group and the vibe, and Squad Plan gives you three plans your friends can vote on. It is free for 5 plans a week.