All 13 Museums in San Jose, California, 2023

Museums in San Jose have the ability to meet your curiosity because San Jose is a city of diversity and innovation.

As you know, San Jose is one of the most technologically advanced city in California, so San Jose also has a variety of technology museums.

San Jose museums are also one step forward in the art, texture, culture, and history.

Therefore, today we bring the best museums in San Jose with maps, addresses, contact information, and more.

Museums in San Jose

museums in san jose
Museums in San Jose

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, The Tech Interactive, Children’s Discovery Museum, and San Jose Museum of Art are the most popular museums in San Jose as of 2023.

List of museums in San Jose:

  1. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
  2. San Jose Museum of Art
  3. The Tech Interactive
  4. San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles
  5. Children’s Discovery Museum
  6. Winchester Mystery House
  7. New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
  8. Monterey Bay Aquarium
  9. Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
  10. Computer History Museum
  11. Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose
  12. Lick Observatory
  13. Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

1. Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

rosicrucian egyptian museum
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San Jose, CA

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is the biggest Egyptian museum in San Jose, California.

Now Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum has more than four thousand artifacts.

AMORC in America owns Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. This Egyptian museum is hosts over a hundred thousand guests every year.

As a recharge and education institute, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is now well-recognized all over the United States.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is now open, and they also consistently arrange events and exhibitions.

For ancient Egypt art and knowledge enthusiasts, this museum is recommended to visit.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Tickets:

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum tickets price is:

  • Adults – $10.00
  • Adults (65 and older) – $8.00
  • Students with ID – $8.00
  • Children – $8.00
  • Children 6 and under – Free

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Map:

Address: 1660 Park Avenue, San Jose, California 95191

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Hours:

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum opens at 10:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday. It opens at 11:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Contact:

See Also: Parks in San Jose, California

2. San Jose Museum of Art

san jose museum of art
San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA

San Jose Museum of Art is located in downtown San Jose. San José Museum of Art, short for SJMA, is a museum of modern and contemporary art.

In 1996, San José Museum of Art was established in San Jose bay area. Now, this museum has more than 2,600 collections of modern art.

San Jose Museum of Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

San Jose Museum of Art is run with the support of California Association of Museums.

Every year San Jose Museum of Art serves more than 100,000 people, including forty thousand school children.

San Jose Museum of Art Tickets:

  • Adult – $10
  • Senior 65 and over – $8
  • Teacher with ID – Free
  • College student with ID – Free
  • Youth 7–17 – Free
  • Children 6 and under – Free
  • Museum Members – Free

San Jose Museum of Art Map:

Address: 110 South Market Street, San Jose, California 95113

San Jose Museum of Art Hours:

San Jose Museum of Art does not open Monday to Thursday. From Friday to Sunday San Jose Museum of Art opens at 11:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm but on Friday, it closes at 9:00 pm.

San Jose Museum of Art Contact:

3. The Tech Interactive

the tech interactive
The Tech Interactive, San Jose, CA

The Tech Interactive is the best science and technology museum in San Jose, California.

The Tech Interactive museum area is a total of 132,000 square-foot situated in the heart of downtown San Jose.

Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta is the designer of The Tech Interactive museum.

More than four hundred thousand tech enthusiasts have visited The Tech Interactive museum per year since 1998.

The Tech Interactive Tickets:

  • Adults – $25
  • Child (3 to 7) – $20
  • Student – $20
  • Senior (65 to older) – $20

The Tech Interactive Map:

Address: 201 South Market Street, San Jose, California 95113

The Tech Interactive Hours:

From Tuesday to Sunday, The Tech Interactive museum opens at 10 AM and closes between 3 PM to 5 PM.

The Tech Interactive Contact:

4. San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

san jose museum of quilts and textiles
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA

If you are interested in fabric, quilts, and textiles, you should visit San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles museum to improve your knowledge.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles is the first quilts and textiles museum in the United States.

Over 1400 European and American historic art quilts, and old textiles collections are now available in San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles museum.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles every year gets more than ten thousand visitors, including students and children.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Tickets:

  • Student – $25
  • Active Military – $25
  • Adults – $50
  • Dual/ Family – $75

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Map:

Address: 520 South 1st Street, San Jose, California 95113

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Hours:

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles museum is open at 11 AM and closes at 3 PM every day.

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles Contact:

5. Children’s Discovery Museum

children's-discovery-museum
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose, CA

Children’s Discovery Museum is especially for children and families. Children’s Discovery Museum was established in June 1990 in San Jose, California.

Mexico City-based architect Ricardo Legorreta also designs Children’s Discovery Museum, and the area is 52,000 square feet.

This museum is one of the popular children’s museums in California. Children’s Discovery Museum holds around 10 million visitors every year.

Children’s Discovery Museum is not only for kids this is also a super family-friendly museum.

Children’s Discovery Museum Tickets:

  • Adults (18-59 years) – $15
  • Child (1-17 years) – $15
  • Senior (60+ years) – $14
  • Infant (under one year) – Free

Children’s Discovery Museum Map:

Address: 180 Woz Way, San Jose, California 95110

Children’s Discovery Museum Hours:

From Wednesday to Sunday, Children’s Discovery Museum opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 12:30 PM.

Monday and Tuesday, Children’s Discovery Museum remains closed.

Children’s Discovery Museum Contact:

6. Winchester Mystery House

winchester mystery house
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA

Winchester Mystery House is not only a museum; it’s more than that because of other activities like ax throwing, Halloween experiences, and events.

Since 1923, Winchester Mystery House has been used as a public museum. 

The Winchester Mystery House belongs to Sara Pardee Winchester, who built this mystery house.

Winchester Mystery House has more than 10 thousand windows, 2 thousand doors, 160 rooms, six kitchens, and a total area is 24,000 square feet.

Winchester Mystery House Tickets and Activities Price:

  • Daily Estate Tours – $19.99
  • Houdini’s Spirited Escape – $19.99
  • Ax Throwing – $24.99
  • The Sarah Winchester Garden Tour – $9.99
  • ADA Tour – $19.99

Winchester Mystery House Map:

Address: 525 S Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, California 95128

Winchester Mystery House Hours:

Winchester Mystery House museum opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM every day.

Winchester Mystery House Contact:

7. New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum

new-almaden-quicksilver-mining-museum
New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, San Jose, CA

To get knowledge regarding mercury mining history, local community lifestyle, and some important exhibitions, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum can be the best source all over California.

The mercury mining started in 1845 by Mexican Cavalry officers Captain Andres Castillero. Chinese and Mexican mining labor’s history still exists in this museum.

Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum offers guided tours that will show you everything about this museum.

On most major holidays New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum stays open.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum Tickets:

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum takes $2 donations per person.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum Map:

Address: 21350 Almaden Road, San Jose, California 95120

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum Hours:

Monday to Thursday, New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum does not open.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum opens at 12 PM and closes at 4 PM from Friday to Sunday.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum Contact:

8. Monterey Bay Aquarium

monterey bay aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Jose, CA

If you love to watch sea plants, species and animals you should definitely visit Monterey Bay Aquarium museum.

Monterey Bay Aquarium holds more than 80 thousand plants and animals that you are able to see. Monterey Bay Aquarium is also famous as a zoo in San Jose.

Monterey Bay Aquarium arranged more than two hundred exhibitions.

Some famous exhibitions are Tentacles, Life on the Bay, Kelp Forest, Open Sea, and more. 

Over 47 million visitors visited Monterey Bay Aquarium museum. This museum is family and kids friendly, so visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium can be a great family gateway.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Tickets:

  • Adults (18-64 years) – $49.95
  • Child (5-12 years) – $34.95
  • Youth (13-17 years) – $39.95
  • Senior (65+ years) – $39.95
  • Infant (under 4 year) – Free

Monterey Bay Aquarium Map:

Address: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California 93940

Monterey Bay Aquarium Hours:

Monterey Bay Aquarium opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM every day.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Contact:

9. Cinnabar Hills Golf Club

cinnabar-hills-golf-club
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, San Jose, CA

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club is more than a golf club because it is also a golf museum.

In 1998, The Lee Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum opened in conjunction with Cinnabar Hills golf course.

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club is the most famous golf course in San Jose, California.

If you are interested in Golf history, Cinnabar Hills Golf Club museum is recommended for you.

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club Tickets:

Only Cinnabar Hills Golf Club members can access the Lee Brandenburg museum.

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club Map:

Address: 23600 Mckean Road, San Jose, California 95141

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club Hours:

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club opens at 6 AM and closes at 8 PM from Monday to Sunday.

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club Contact:

10. Computer History Museum

computer history museum
Computer History Museum, San Jose, CA

Computer History Museum is one of the best technology history hubs in San Jose.

From computers invented to today, every detail of innovations in computers are showcased in Computer History Museum.

Technology lovers and enthusiasts join Computer History Museum exhibition every week.

For the convenient location of Computer History Museum are also popular. This museum is located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Marc Weber founded Computer History Museum in 1996. Dan’l Lewin is now chief executive officer of Computer History Museum.

Computer History Museum Tickets:

  • Adults (18-64 years) – $17.50
  • Child (0-7years) – $0.00
  • Youth (8-10 years) – $6.00
  • Senior (65+ years) – $13.50
  • Military (Active) – $13.50
  • Student (With ID) – $13.50

Computer History Museum Map:

Address: 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, California 94043

Computer History Museum Hours:

Computer History Museum stays open only on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Computer History Museum Contact:

11. Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose

institute-of-contemporary-art-san-jose
Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, San Jose, CA

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose is another art museum in San Jose, California.

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose shortly ICA was founded in 1980 in downtown San Jose.

The whole building of Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose musume is 7,500 square-foot. ICA organizes more than ten exhibitions every year.

Each year Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose (ICA) attracts more than 20 thousand visitors.

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose Membership:

  • Individual – $40
  • Partner – $75
  • Friend – $150
  • Collectors – $250

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose Map:

Address: 560 South First Street, San Jose, California 95113

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose Hours:

The Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose museum stays open from 12 PM to 5 PM on Thursday to Sunday.

Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose Contact:

12. Lick Observatory

lick-observatory
Lick Observatory, San Jose, CA

If you are interested in Astronomy, you should visit Lick Observatory museum. 

Lick Observatory was founded in 1888, and the University of California owns and operates Lick Observatory musume.

Now Lick Observatory musume is used for recharge. Lick Observatory is a 4,209 square-foot astonishing building.

Lick Observatory Tickets:

Visiting Lick Observatory is free.

Lick Observatory Map:

Address: 7281 Mt. Hamilton Road, Mount Hamilton, California 95140

Lick Observatory Hours:

Lick Observatory is open from Thursday to Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Lick Observatory Contact:

13. Santa Cruz Surfing Museum

santa cruz surfing museum
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, San Jose, CA

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is the world’s first surfing museum, founded in 1986.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum has made a massive contribution to protecting surfing heritage and artifacts.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum also has a shop that specializes in surfing books, gift items, and many more surfing-related items.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum Tickets:

Visiting Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is free.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum Map:

Address: 701 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, California 95060, United States

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum Hours:

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum opens at noon and closes at 4:00 PM except Tuesday and Wednesday.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum Contact:

Conclusion – Museums in San Jose

Museums in San Jose give you every experience of your life, from technology to astronomy.

San Jose is a technology hub in the United States, so you find more tech museums than any other city in California.

Museums like Computer History Museum and The Tech Interactive are the most popular tech museums in San Jose.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is another popular museum that specializes in ancient Egypt.

For your children, you should visit the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, which your kids are going to love.

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