San Jose Attractions | Staff Picks

Make Me A Match

When Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, it instantly became a classic.

The beloved musical won 9 Tony Awards and set quite a few Broadway records including the first musical to have more than 3000 shows. Broadway San Jose will be putting on a delightful rendition of this favorite from May 21 - May 26 at the Center for the Performing Arts which is only about 15 minutes from the Alura Inn. Fiddler on the Roof tells the timeless tale of parents and their children, and the struggle to retain family and religious traditions in the face of a constantly progressing world. With incredible renditions of favorite songs like “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” and “To Life,” the cast of Broadway San Jose’s Fiddler on the Roof will bring new life to this classic. You and your family will fall in love with the theater all over again, and you may even introduce a new generation to one of the finest musicals in Broadway history.

Lend A Helping Hand

It won’t be difficult to put 2020 behind us this year. It has been a long, challenging time for many. But what you can do to make this mostly-sour year a bit sweeter is lend a helping hand to those who need it.

To make things simple, you can visit volunteermatch.org and search for volunteer options available in San Jose, California. There are even virtual volunteer opportunities if you’d prefer not to leave your hotel room on your stay here at the Alura Inn.

From virtually teaching a skill to a child, to weaving a fence for the community, there’s plenty of options for a quick act of service or donation. So spend these last few days of the year feeling thankful, grateful, and perhaps a little generous. It’s been a trying time, let’s turn the year around.

Fantasy of Lights

Take a moment to imagine you and your family riding through a beautiful display of Christmas lights from the comfort of your own car.

Now, prepare to make that little daydream a reality at this year's Fantasy of Lights display in Vasona Lake County Park.

Located just 20 minutes from Alura Inn, the Fantasy of Lights celebration is a 1.5 mile stretch of holiday magic that the entire family will enjoy. This annual event stuns every year, and the displays have only gotten bigger and better each year. What's more, you'll be socially distanced and comfortable being in your own car.

You and your family are sure to remember this beautiful drive for many years to come. You may even want to make it a yearly tradition.

Spooky Season, 2020 Style

This year, you and your family can celebrate Halloween 2020 style in San Jose with a kid friendly drive-in movie.

It's no doubt things are a bit different this year. But that doesn't meant that the Halloween festivities have to be put on hold. In San Jose, it just means we get to be more creative with our celebrations. And this year? We've decided that a drive-in movie is the perfect way to spend the 31st.
Located just 16 minutes from Alura Inn at San Jose Open Bible Church, this socially distanced festivity is the perfect alternative to trick or treating– and it's something the whole family can enjoy.

Make it even more fun by wearing a spooky mask and bringing snacks to share, or to keep all for yours

Take A Swing At The Shoreline Golf Links

There is truly nothing like playing a round of golf at a breathtaking course on a beautiful summer day. The Shoreline Golf Links offers some of the best and most exciting golf available in the area.

What’s more, the course is conveniently located less than twenty minutes away from Alura Inn. Scratch golfers and weekend hackers alike will not want to miss this challenging and scenic golf experience.

The Shoreline Golf Links is open most days from sunrise until sunset, so early birds, late risers, and everyone in between can find a tee time that works for them. Groups of two, three, and four should book a tee time online in advance to guarantee the experience that you are looking for. One of the perks of the course is that players are allowed to choose between walking the course or renting a golf cart for the day. Currently, tee times online are for walking and single-rider carts, although players from the household may ride together.

With all of the beautiful scenery in Northern California, it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk the gorgeous fairways and green while taking in the surrounding nature. Some of the highlights of the highly-rated course include over 16 acres of water hazards and a 50-acre sailing lake across from the 10th hole. Be sure to arrive well before your tee time so that you can utilize the course’s outstanding practice facilities that include four putting greens, a short game area, and a driving range. Even non-golfers will find the beauty of the course worth their time. Those not interested in playing golf can simply walk around the tracks and enjoy the birds, plants, and other wildlife that this unbelievable area has to offer.

After a golf experience that you will not soon forget, head back to Alura Inn for a cozy evening indoors. There are plenty of nearby restaurants that offer takeout and delivery to round out the perfect day.

Shoreline Golf Links: 2940 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA 94043

Make Yourself At Home Here

Who doesn’t love spending a cozy evening indoors after a long day of work or play? Here at Alura Inn, we make it easy to unwind.

First, beat the summer heat by catching up on some reading indoors. Grab your favorite paperback novel or pick up a tablet and allow yourself to become immersed in the story.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, indulge in some of San Jose’s best restaurants without even leaving your room. A delicious meal is just a phone call or click away. Ask our front desk concierge for a few of their favorite places nearby and call in for delivery on order online.

After dinner (and maybe even dessert) it’s time to get ready for bed. Once your nighttime routine is complete, hop into your PJs, jump into bed, and find your favorite movie channel. Drifting off to dreamland is just moments away.

Mysterious Mansion

The name Winchester has been part of the American lexicon for over 150 years.

When her husband William Winchester died, the widowed Sarah Winchester began an architectural project that lasted until her death in an effort to appease the spirits of those killed by the weapons made by the family company. Those efforts are maintained in her mansion which is more commonly known as the Winchester Mystery House. Located about 10 minutes from the Alura Inn, the Winchester Mystery House offers tours and access to 110 of the 160 rooms in the curiously designed home. Of course, a place has to earn a name like mystery house, and this one does with features like a window built into the stairs, stairs that lead to the ceiling, doors that open to blank walls, and even rumors of paranormal activity. Mansion Tour tickets also include access to the Victorian Gardens, Historic Firearms Museum, and Specialty Gifts and Antique Products Museum.

The Concept of Caring at Alura Inn

In partnership with our parent company Concept Hotels, Alura Inn is tremendously proud to announce our newest program, the Concept of Caring, a multifold initiative that supports the sentiment and spirit of our highest priority, taking care of our guests.

The program has allowed us to nurture existing partnerships and foster new ones as we rethink, enhance, and further our commitment to protecting the well-being of our guests and employees, all whom we consider family.

We have leveraged our longstanding relationship with Ecolab to ensure that proper products are being used for the sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization of our guest rooms and all public areas of our hotels; and we have partnered with the medical experts at Stanford Health Care to train our team on best practices for hygienic standards.

We are fully compliant and adhering to guidelines put forth by the experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), California Hotel Lodging Association (CHLA), American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA) and the State of California/California Department of Public Health/California Department of Industrial Relations. We are also CHLA certified Clean + Safe.

To learn more about Concept Hotels’ unwavering standards of cleanliness and the current measures in place at our hotel, please refer to our full Cleanliness Page. We can’t wait to welcome you back to experience our Concept of Caring for yourself!

Sanborn County Park

San Jose happens to be surrounded by spectacular natural areas. The trails at Sanborn County Park are currently open on weekdays for safe, socially distanced walking and hiking.

Less than 30 minutes from Alura Inn, Sanborn County Park makes for the perfect day trip to escape the city for a bit. We’ll share some information about this enormous, 3,453-acre wooded area for future visits.

It turns out you don’t have to wander far from San Jose to find redwood forests. Nestled between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard, this is a lushly forested area, and even has a sequoia grove or two.

Taking John Nicholas Trail about half-a-mile upwards you’ll reach Lake Ranch Reservoir, a pleasant little pond that sometimes is home to ducks, frogs, and egrets.

The park is open year-round from 8 am to sunset, and vehicle entry fees are collected. So for your next visit to Alura Inn, plan for some snapshots in the wild wooded areas outside of San Jose.

San Jose History

Many know that San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area and in NorCal—and the third-largest city in California. But not all visitors dig into the interesting history of this Silicon Valley city.

For thousands of years, this area was inhabited by several groups of Ohlone Native Americans.

El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe was the first pueblo not associated with a mission or a military post (presidio) in upper Las Californias, founded in 1777. This tiny farming community of Mexican colonists was formed to provide food to the presidios of San Francisco and Monterey.

In 1781, the Spanish Governor designated the first two secular pueblos in California: Los Ángeles and San José.

San Jose also had a role in the Gold Rush. Ohlone people had decorated the chapel at Mission Santa Clara with red powder from cinnabar deposits: the largest mercury mines in North America, just south of the city. Mercury was so important during the Gold Rush that to this day, our local paper is dubbed the Mercury News.

In 1850, San Jose became the first incorporated city in the U.S. state of California and served as the state’s first capital.

Let It Be

The Beatles, The Fab Four, those lovable boys from Liverpool, are one of the most famous and popular bands that the world has ever known.

Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience is more than just a tribute band; it is a tribute concert experience. By combining the look, sound, style, and cool of The Beatles, Come Together is able to take the audience on a tour through the iconic band’s entire history. The perfect place to see such a show is the Montgomery Theater, just 10 minutes from the Alura Inn. At the show on March 21, Come Together will delight the audience with some of The Beatles’ biggest hits like “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “ Love Me Do,” “She Loves You,” “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” With their incredible stage presence and era accurate outfits, Come Together will make you think you are seeing John, Paul, George, and Ringo all together again.

Legends of Improv

The popular Improv television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? debuted on American television screens in 1998 and continued until 2007.

A revival that began in 2013 continues to be popular with the viewing audience. The current lineup, Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray, are taking the show on the road with a tour called Whose Live Anyway? They will be stopping at San Jose Civic on February 15. San Jose Civic is the perfect event space for this kind of show, and it is only about 10 minutes from Alura Inn. The live show features some of your favorites bits and games from the television show as well as some new inventions for a live audience. As always, audience participation is encouraged, so you have the chance to be a part of the show. These comedy veterans are sure to have you laughing all through their 90-minute performance.

Do the Margarita Crawl

Although the stories on the origins of margaritas vary, one thing is for sure; they are incredible to drink.

Some say that it is simply a modified version of the Spanish Daisy, with tequila substituting for tequila. Others try to pin down the actual Margarita or Margaret who the drink is named after. Regardless of where margaritas got their start, they have become a favorite drink throughout the world ever since Prohibition. If you enjoy the delicious mix of tequila, lime, and ice, then you will want to participate in the Margarita Crawl on January 18. While on this unique pub crawl, you can help determine who has the best margaritas in all of San Jose. All crawl long there will be giveaways and prizes, and your ticket includes plenty of Margarita Swag. You can get your tickets here, but you will want to act fast because an event like this is sure to sell out in a hurry.

holiday sheet music with christmas ornaments

Family Fun for the Holidays

At times, the holidays can get a little stressful with parties to plan, gifts to buy, and family to visit.

During these hectic times, it is a good idea to carve out some family time to truly remember what the season is all about. On Thursday, December 19, The Disney Jr. Holiday Party on Tour will be performing at the San Jose Civic Center. Located about 15 minutes from the Alura Inn, San Jose Civic is the perfect place to catch all of you and your children’s favorite Disney Jr. stars in action. Throughout the performance, the audience will be delighted by live renditions of the most popular Disney Jr. songs as well as some holiday classics. In addition to famous characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Vampirina, Pluto, Doc McStuffins, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse, there will even be a special visit from the big guy himself: Santa Claus!

Celebrate the Harvest

The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is famous for long lines, incredible sales, and stores crowded with eager holiday shopping.

If you are looking for a way to support independent and local businesses this year, then you will want to attend the 2019 San Jose Harvest Festival. The festival takes place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, just 10 minutes from the Alura Inn. The San Jose Harvest Festival is one of the largest indoor art and craft shows in the entire country, and it is the perfect place to begin your holiday shopping. Throughout the festival, there will be hundreds of artists, artisans, and craftspeople displaying a wide variety of art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and photography. Additionally, you will want to come hungry because there will be delicious food from local vendors offered throughout the day. Plus, there will be live entertainment, music, and even a Kids’ Zone, which makes this festival a fun event for the entire family.

Happy Haunted Halloween Nights

As you make your way through each one of the three unique mazes at Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions, you will be chased by all manner of monsters, ghosts, goblins, and ghouls.

Located only about 10 minutes from the Alura Inn, Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions is the premier haunted house experience in San Jose. This year’s mazes are called Midway of Terror, a horrifying pre-show filled with circus freaks and scary clowns, Seven Deadly Sins, based on the worst offenses from the Bible (pride, envy, sloth, wrath, gluttony, lust, and greed), and Demon House which is a terrifying glimpse into a hellish landscape. All three of these attractions are worth the price of admission which why Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions is one of the most popular haunted houses in all of California. Visitors beware; some of the attractions might be a bit intense for the faint of heart.

A Festival for History

These days, Silicon Valley is best known for the tech industries that call the area home like Google, Facebook, and Apple.

However, before the tech boom, Silicon Valley was famous for the fertile orchards that once filled the entire area. In fact, it was previously known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight. On September 28, The 2nd Annual Harvest History Festival will be presented by the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View and the City of Mountain View. The festival will take place at Heritage Park, just 15 minutes from Alura Inn. Throughout the festival, which runs from 9 am until noon, there will be tours of the gardens, fresh produce tastings, children’s activities, art projects, and live music. This free event also includes garden demonstrations. With its family-friendly feel, the Harvest History Festival is the perfect way to kick off the start of the school year and welcome fall.

Outdoor Movie Magic

As summer vacation winds down, it's the perfect time to plan one more evening outside before the kids have to go back to school, and the dark of night starts a little earlier.

On Wednesday, August 14, at 8:30 pm, the Disney/Pixar film Ratatouille will be shown at the Los Altos History Museum. The set-up at the museum is perfect for an outdoor film experience, and it is conveniently located just 25 minutes from the Alura Inn. Ratatouille tells the story of Remy the rat, who dreams of becoming a world-famous chef from his home base, a five-star restaurant in Paris. With the help of his protege Linguini, Remy is able to outwit food critic Anton Ego and find success as a restaurateur. This event offers free admission for all, and you're encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic to enjoy while you watch the family-friendly film.

Sir Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is one of the most successful individuals in the history of pop music.

Of course, he is most famous for his work with George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr as a member of arguably the most popular band of all time, The Beatles. However, Paul McCartney has had a successful post-Beatles career as a solo act and as a member of Wings. On July 10, you have the opportunity to see this living legend in person. He will be performing at the SAP Center, just 10 minutes away from Alura Inn. At his shows, Paul McCartney is known to play all of the hits from his long career like “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” “Letting Go,” “Hey Jude,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Love Me Do,” and many more of your favorite songs. For his contribution to the world in the form of music, McCartney was knighted in 1997. You do not want to miss your chance to see this global treasure in person.

Root for the Home Team

The San Jose Giants are the Class A affiliate for the San Francisco Giants, and they have held that distinction since 1988.

They play at historic Excite Ballpark which is less than 15 minutes from the Alura Inn. Class A is the perfect setting to see minor league baseball players hone their skills as they pursue their dreams of becoming Major League Baseball players. You get to witness young pitchers like Aaron Phillips, Frank Rubio, and John Gavin as they tinker with new pitches and learn how to handle professional hitters. You will be amazed at the raw power and unlimited potential of hitters and fielders like Ryder Jones, Peter Maris, and Ronnie Freeman. In June alone, the Giants have exciting home games against Visalia, Modesto, and Stockton, all of which are sure to be competitive displays of athletic prowess. Dreams are started at Excite Ballpark, so you do not want to miss your chance to be a part of the next great Giants’ story.

little girl on easter wearing bunny ears

A Mysterious Easter Egg Hunt

The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most interesting and mysterious architectural structures in the world.

Therefore, it is only natural that the most unique Easter Egg Hunt takes place at The Winchester Mystery House’s Victorian Gardens on April 20. The Winchester House is only about 10 minutes from the Alura Inn. All of the fun starts at 10 AM, and the Easter Egg Hunt itself begins at 10:30. There will be a big bouncy house for the kids to expel some of their energy and even a booth to get glitter tattoos. Additionally, Mr. Jelly Belly will be handing out free samples throughout the day. Other highlights of the event include an Easter-themed photo booth filled with fun props and plenty of delicious food and drinks. Of course, the star of the show is the egg hunt. The Easter Egg Hunt will feature over 5000 eggs filled with candy and prizes, and 13 golden surprise eggs that are the ultimate treasure for the little hunters.

Meet a Legend

Former 49ers and current Miami Dolphins running back, Frank Gore, is one of the most prolific rushers in the history of the NFL.

In fact, he currently ranks fourth in all-time rushing yards with almost 15 thousand yards. On Saturday, March 16, you will have the opportunity to meet Frank Gore, get his autograph, and maybe even take a picture or two. The Meet and Greet is taking place at World of Sports from 11 AM until 2 PM. This popular sports memorabilia store is only about 15 minutes from the Alura Inn. In addition to being an incredible football player, Frank Gore is a wonderful man who is sure to entertain fans with stories that range from his days at the University of Miami to his time in the Bay Area, Indianapolis, and Miami during his NFL career. When his career is finally over, and who knows when that will be, you will be glad that you met this legend in person.

A Film Celebration

The 2019 LUNAFEST Women’s Film Festival, put on by the San Jose Woman’s Club, will take place on February 22.

The film festival will be held at the San Jose Woman’s Club and Landmark Ballroom which is only about 10 minutes from the Alura Inn. LUNAFEST: San Jose 2019 consists of a collection of short films made by women specifically for women. The main characters of the films are also women. In essence, LUNAFEST is a celebration of women. Throughout the night, you will have the opportunity enjoy a nice dinner, screen the full slate of short films, grab some movie snacks, and even learn about some cancer prevention tips. In addition, there will be a boutique featuring items from companies aimed at health and wellness. This year’s event will benefit three charities: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Sempervirens Fund, and the SJWC Charitable Giving Program. You will not want to miss this celebration of women that is also for a good cause.

Small Works, Large Beauty

Throughout the month of January, the Viewpoints Gallery in Los Altos is featuring a large and unique collection titled “Small Works.”

As the name suggests, this incredible collection is made up of original, small works of art. Viewpoints Gallery is conveniently located less than 25 minutes from the Alura Inn. The showcase will be made up of original works from 15 artists in mediums as diverse as oil, acrylic, pastels, ceramics, jewelry, and watercolors. If you are already an avid art collector, a piece from the “Small Works” showcase is the perfect addition to your growing collection. If you are an art lover looking to start your collection, then a piece from “Small Works” will help jump-start your new hobby. Either way, you are sure to be amazed at the talent on display at the Viewpoints Gallery. Sometimes, even the smallest work of art can contain the most beauty.

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