5 hours in SJC San Jose - what to do?
Jul 15, 2018, 2:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,045
5 hours in SJC San Jose - what to do?
Hey everyone. Happy Sunday!
I booked a sweet MR few months ago to SJC. Schedule change has goofed things up quite a bit! Looks like my best option is to take an earlier flight out of NYC and then layover about 5 hours in SJC . Small carry on bag is all I will have so re-clearing security at SJC is easy peasy.
I arrive about 1pm and likely will take 7:15p flight to SEA. So what to do with my time??
A nice lunch? museum? I'm not familiar with SJC at all so any suggestions are welcome. any public transport or is uber my best bet?
Thank you thank you
I booked a sweet MR few months ago to SJC. Schedule change has goofed things up quite a bit! Looks like my best option is to take an earlier flight out of NYC and then layover about 5 hours in SJC . Small carry on bag is all I will have so re-clearing security at SJC is easy peasy.
I arrive about 1pm and likely will take 7:15p flight to SEA. So what to do with my time??
A nice lunch? museum? I'm not familiar with SJC at all so any suggestions are welcome. any public transport or is uber my best bet?
Thank you thank you
Jul 15, 2018, 3:18 pm
#4
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Jul 15, 2018, 3:18 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
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I’d recommend the Computer History Museum in Mountain View (open until 5, closed Mon)
Jul 15, 2018, 4:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Go get some pork soup dumplings (xiao long bao) from Din Tai Fung.
Jul 15, 2018, 4:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MEL
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Had a similar layaover a few weeks ago. The airport is close to downtown so you can get in an Uber/taxi and head to San Pedro Market Square for a nice meal and a drink or two. There are plenty of interesting choices there if you like gastronomic delights Downtown San Jose | San Pedro Square Market
Jul 15, 2018, 6:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CLD
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Posts: 579
I second this.. Last time I gave myself half a day to this museum, and I only finished 1/3 of it.. It's a fascinating place.. I will definitely visit again if I'm in the area..
I’d recommend the Computer History Museum in Mountain View (open until 5, closed Mon)
Jul 15, 2018, 6:15 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
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+1
The closest In-n-Out is on the other side of the airfield from the terminal, next to Avaya stadium (home of the MLS SJ Earthquakes).
I would also recommend taking a walk around Santa Clara University, which is only a couple of miles west of SJC. The campus church was one of the California missions.
Another possibility is spending a couple of hours in Fry's, which is on Brokaw Road about 1.5 miles east of SJC ; this is one of the largest (and greatest) electronics stores in the world, and you'll have a great time browsing. The store itself was built to resemble an Aztec temple.
If you play poker, the new Bay 101 Club is at 1788 N. First Street, which is not much more than a mile from SJC
Or, as noted above, you could just pay $40 and spend the afternoon at The Club at SJC, which is an adequate airport lounge (I've been there; I don't think it is as nice as the Delta Sky Clubs, but it is good enough). When I visited, there were two direct flights to the orient from SJC, and the business class pax crowded the lounge; when they left, it got very quiet and spacious.
The closest In-n-Out is on the other side of the airfield from the terminal, next to Avaya stadium (home of the MLS SJ Earthquakes).
I would also recommend taking a walk around Santa Clara University, which is only a couple of miles west of SJC. The campus church was one of the California missions.
Another possibility is spending a couple of hours in Fry's, which is on Brokaw Road about 1.5 miles east of SJC ; this is one of the largest (and greatest) electronics stores in the world, and you'll have a great time browsing. The store itself was built to resemble an Aztec temple.
If you play poker, the new Bay 101 Club is at 1788 N. First Street, which is not much more than a mile from SJC
Or, as noted above, you could just pay $40 and spend the afternoon at The Club at SJC, which is an adequate airport lounge (I've been there; I don't think it is as nice as the Delta Sky Clubs, but it is good enough). When I visited, there were two direct flights to the orient from SJC, and the business class pax crowded the lounge; when they left, it got very quiet and spacious.
Jul 15, 2018, 8:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
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The airport is close to downtown San Jose but downtown isn't very exciting. If you like shopping and eating, Santana Row and Valley Fair aren't far from the airport. Of if you want something cute, downtown Los Gatos is about 20 minutes away down 880/17.
Jul 15, 2018, 8:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO/TPA
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Posts: 199
Short Uber ride to Winchester Mystery House, the mansion that Sarah Winchester built...and built...and built...over nearly 4 decades, supposedly to make space for the ghosts of who met their demise via her husband's famous rifle. Stairs to nowhere, windows opening on to walls...it's huge, bizarre, has hundreds of rooms, unique. Open 7 days a week, you buy tickets for the tour in advance. https://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
Jul 15, 2018, 10:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
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Posts: 2,874
Computer history museum is probably a bit far but pretty good. The Tech Museum is right downtown and a great visit. Downtown San Jose isn’t the greatest, but San Pedro Square Market (kind of hidden off San Pedro Square) is very cool to wander around. Reminds me of Chelsea Market a little. There are food trucks throughout, a beer market (you can take the open beer to go). Farmers union is a good spot for a bite/drink. Same with the steakhouse/bar at the Fairmont.
Take Uber. There’s a convenient light rail through downtown SJ but you need to take a shuttle / bus from
thecairport to the station. You’ll just use up time.
Take Uber. There’s a convenient light rail through downtown SJ but you need to take a shuttle / bus from
thecairport to the station. You’ll just use up time.
Jul 16, 2018, 12:26 am
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: MM / UA 1K
Posts: 473
If you opt to visit Downtown San Jose or Santana Row, you should check out Falafels Drive In - it's not a chain from elsewhere but a place famous for their falafel sandwiches and banana shakes, loved by locals.
Jul 16, 2018, 11:18 am
#15
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
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