San Jose Municipal Rose Garden

Whether you have a spare 30 minutes or a whole afternoon, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is the perfect place to escape from the business and bustle of Silicon Valley. Once an orchard, the 5.5-acre (2.2-hectare) gardens are now owned by the city and maintained with the assistance of volunteers. Over the years it’s forged a formidable reputation, winning the coveted title of “America’s Best Rose Garden” in 2010.

Wander among the 3,500 elegantly arranged bushes sporting thousands of roses of nearly every variety, colour and fragrance. The garden is also a display garden for the All-America Rose Selections, and receives new varieties before official release. Every variety is tagged with a name and description, so even non-gardeners will feel like an expert by the time they leave.

At lunchtime you’ll find plenty of green space to throw out a picnic blanket. Arrive earlier in the day if you want to get a spot closer to the roses, as these spaces are in high demand. The fountain is another popular feature in the garden, so take a seat on one of the benches and enjoy the view.

The garden is at its sweet-smelling best in spring or summer, but is still worth a visit in the cooler seasons as the plants are well maintained and there are nearly always a few specimens in bloom. With free entry and parking, this is one of the best places to unwind in San Jose, just under 10-minutes’ drive from downtown. Buses from downtown stop about 15 minutes’ walk away.