Tickets are free for SJSU students! I've been here twice and both times the exhibits were…read moreinteresting and the place, well maintained. Although the museum is small they change their exhibits every now and then which means I'll definitely be back. It's also, a super short walk from campus which is a bonus. There's no food allowed inside but the staff held onto ours at the front which was really nice.

Are you bored out of your mind in the endless suburban sprawl of Silicon Valley? Is the SF's arts…read morescene too far a drive? Look no further than the SJMA, which delivers everything the city has to offer...but smaller and less interesting. If it wasn't for the free tickets, I would feel a little ripped off for coming here, given the price to exhibit ratio. I'm the type of museum goer to browse the displays, read the occasional description, and examine deeply on some art pieces I find interesting. Walking at a relatively slow pace, it took me about 30-45min to complete. The museum really isn't that big, and the exhibits aren't really as interesting as SF's, for SJ being a major city. Parking is limited, but make sure to lookup ParkSJ for free parking instead of parking in the garage behind the museum. I would only come here if the tickets were free, but it's hard to imagine paying $20 unless you're really into the arts.

"Hidden gem" is a hackneyed phrase that I generally avoid, but it is quite apt for this fine little…read moremuseum just a short distance from Santa Cruz Avenue. We stumbled across this museum while searching for new opportunities through our local library's Discover and Go program. If you aren't familiar with this program, you are advised to check it out because it provides free or reduced admission at many places around the Bay Area. Anyways, three of the four of us were able to score free entry, and the fourth got in at a reduced student rate. Regular admission is $10 as of this writing. There was ample parking in the lot on this Saturday afternoon. The person at the front desk was super friendly and chatted with us about the current exhibitions. There was a fascinating exhibition of the multimedia works of Jody Alexander, who took the cloth bindings of old books and incorporated them into new works of art, sometimes with the Library of Congress call numbers still intact. Also on display were the art of Thomas Campbell (including delightfully chaotic installation piece) and the photographs of r.r. jones of the people he met on his travels. It was well-curated with excellent and easy-to-read descriptions. The basement of the museum focused on the history of Los Gatos and the surrounding area. There are various relics of the town and the area's past, and the story of Mountain Charley and the plight of the Muwekma Ohlone tribe. All in all this was a wonderfully engaging museum and well worth a visit. Check their website for opening hours and current exhibits, and do check out the Discover and Go program for other cultural opportunities.

Incredible little hidden gem tucked away by the library…read more Parking is accessible. Entrance is a little hard to access. The front is by the water fountain opposite the town hall. You can enter also through the LG library bookstore. Exhibits are colorful, thoughtfully curated, and interesting. Lots of things to see and learn. Kid tables with crafts, too. Service was exceptional as well!! We will be back!

High-end artwork from artists located throughout the United States. Pieces are handcrafted and are…read moreall original works of art.

Hand & Mind offers a wide variety of handmade art. When you walk in, you may have to rush past the…read moredizzying number of clock pendulums swinging merrily on the walls. This will take you to the jewelry, hand-blown glass pieces, and metal sculptures. I particularly liked their glass wind chimes and their few ceramic offerings. Some of the work is functional (like vases) but a lot of it is just for display. All of their offerings are in the price range you would expect from Santana Row.

Such a beautiful park maintained jointly by the Montalvo arts center and santa clara county parks…read more It's truly a hidden gem in Saratoga with beautifully maintained lawns, and ample trails. The Great Lawn in front of the main building ie the Montalvo Center allows picnics without reservations - just set up camp under a tree. There's a very well maintained Italian garden right next to the great lawn with varieties of succulents, a pagoda like structure and cedars. Also saw a wedding in progress while we were there and it is such a beautiful location for it! I will definitely visit again to explore the trails. Parking can be a little hard on weekends but you gotta just wait till a spot opens. If the event venue is booked out - that makes parking harder since they reserve a lot for guests. Free entry and free parking

Beautiful place but it doesn't close at 8pm like it says it closes at 5pm and they kick everyone…read moreout.

A unique collection and buying experience for art enthusiasts! Mona (the owner) spent hours with me…read moreexplaining how she met the artists, what style of painting they used and talking about each piece with such passion. I walked out with two pieces and still have a third on my mind! Highly recommend stopping in and taking a peek!

I've been wanting to try a sip and paint place and I was so excited when my friend wanted to come…read morehere for her birthday celebration! We were a party of 7, and we don't paint. If we have, it was definitely years ago LOL. It was cool that they had a small bar and drinks were a reasonable price! Our initial impression was that we were kind of anxious, considering our lack of experience, short time frame, and complexity of the painting. However, Heather (our instructor) began the session by explaining that if it's easier for us to just paint whatever we want or not paint at all, that would be fine. We weren't going to do that but having the reassurance made us feel so much more relieved! It was very easy to follow along the steps and it was actually really fun for our group! Towards the end, we did feel rushed because we were past the session and have not gotten to the last steps, but Heather was able to quickly run us through them and then when she finished, we were still free to sit for a bit to finish up the painting. The experience was very enjoyable for my first time here and even though my painting wasn't the best, I would definitely come back!

This was my first painting event, and overall it was a great experience. When I arrived, I didn't…read morerealize there was an entrance from the parking lot that served as the main/front door, so I came in through the back and waited to be seated. After a few minutes, a staff member guided us to the front to order drinks before we were seated. The painting portion was a pleasant experience, especially with Heather as the instructor. She explained each step clearly and demonstrated how to paint the picture in an easy to follow way. No prior painting experience is needed, which makes it perfect for first timers. That said, the class felt very structured, almost like being back in school with constant instructions. While I did enjoy the experience overall, I think it might feel a bit stressful as a team bonding activity. Trying to keep up with the pace while also wanting to talk with friends gave me flashbacks to college classes.

I went to the Campbell Historical Museum because they were having a FREE Family Fun Day on Sun…read more10/21/07 plus it was just around the corner from Oktoberfest so I was in the area anyways. It's a small historical museum. The coolest thing is the 1921 Reuch & Lang Electric Coach that's been restored. Cool cannery tools cuz Campbell used to be a town for canning apricots & prunes Old fashion washers Scales Organ Music players Admission fee: $5 for ages 4 and up Hrs: Th-Sun 12-4 website: http://www.ci.campbell.ca.us/museum/index.htm

Probably not the most popular attractions when it comes to Campbell, but I was pretty impressed by…read morethe historical content and exhibits that this small location in the middle of Downtown presented. This was from a few years back that I first visited, but there was no one else visiting, so I had the place all to myself. The Campbell Historical Museum is only open Thursday thru Sunday from Noon to 4 PM.

Small but incredibly powerful museum in Japantown. We were fortunate to have a docent spend over an…read morehour with us, sharing not only the history but also her own personal stories, which made the experience incredibly engaging and meaningful. There is so much packed into this small space, and we walked away with a much deeper appreciation for the Japanese American experience. It's important to understand our history, both the good and the bad, so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past. An easy 5 stars and absolutely worth a visit.

In the United States, there is not too many "Japan Town." Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), San…read moreFrancisco, and San Jose built by the Japanese immigrants to the west coast. The history and legacy of the immigrants are depicted and displayed in a tasteful and meaningful manner in this small, yet impactful museum. The highlight of the Americans of Japanese ancestry are the displays of the ten incarceration camps where 120K+ personnel of Japanese ancestry, the majority American citizens were forcibly removed from the west coast to the camps. In the back is a replica of a simple barrack room where families were dropped off to re-build their lives in a small area during the war. From the camps, men volunteered to fight in the European Theater (100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team) and the Pacific Theater (Military Intelligence Services). Their heroics are displayed as well. At the end of tour, the fight for the Reparations for the incarceration is displayed. San Jose's own Norman Mineta has a place of honor in the museum as well. A "must" visit when in the area - the museum is one that memorializes the history and experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry in America.