When you think of California, you usually associate the state with endless sandy beaches. However, California has more to offer, such as Silicon Valley, the birthplace of significant technological developments. The fact that innovation and summer feeling also go together is shown by the city of San José in western California.

A portrait of San José

The former capital of the coastal state was founded in 1777 by a farmers’ association as El Pueblo de San José De Guadalupe. The city is considered the oldest civilian settlement in California and, as of 2020, is home to just over one million citizens on an area of 461.5 km². In the meantime, the city in the west of the USA is considered the capital of Silicon Valley, the country’s technology stronghold. But San José is not only known for its innovations, but also for its multiculturalism. Geographically, the city is located in the south of San Francisco Bay. The Guadalupe River flows through San José.

Must-Sees in San José

One of the most popular destinations in San José is the Tech Museum of Innovation, which supports the city’s reputation as the capital of Silicon Valley. The museum was founded in 1998 and is now better known as The Tech Interactive. Even the building stands out due to its special construction and colouring. On three floors, the mango and azure Tech Interactive has various exhibitions, laboratories and experiments to visit. For example, you can design and assemble robots under the topic of social robots. In addition, the museum has exhibitions on the universe, medical innovations and also on the future of the earth. Furthermore, there is a cinema on the premises of the Tech, which shows both current films and documentaries. Tickets for the museum are available for the equivalent of about €21 for adults and €17 for children, students and pensioners. IMAX cinema prices vary depending on the type of film. However, there are also combination tickets. The Tech Interactive is the perfect destination if you want to combine education and research with a lot of fun.

Less technological, but more mystical is the Winchester House, in the center of San José. The house, which was bought by Sarah Winchester in 1894, is considered one of California’s landmarks and has served as inspiration for many mystery and crime films and books. The house was repeatedly rebuilt and expanded until the death of the landlady in 1922 and comprises 161 rooms of various sizes, 40 of which served as bedrooms, over 1000 windows, secret passages and strange staircases. There are also doors behind which there are only walls and stairs that lead nowhere. According to many rumors, the lady of the house was afraid of ghosts and so she wanted to confuse them with the construction method.

In addition, Sarah Winchester is said to have always slept in another room so as not to be found by the ghosts. Since 1923, the house has been a museum and can be visited. Tours of the house start at €17 per person. In addition to the daily tours, extended tours and Halloween specials are also offered. In addition, you can also get married in the Winchester House.

Another attraction is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. The Roman Catholic church was completed in 1884 and can accommodate 950 visitors. However, the original St. Joseph Church was built as early as 1803. However, earthquakes and fires ensured that the basilica was constantly rebuilt and the current version is the fifth St. Joseph church. The basilica is particularly unique because of its organ. The Ordell organ from 1886 is the last of its kind in the United States. The heart of St. Joseph’s Church comprises 27 registers, each with 60 pipes. Visitors can visit the basilica free of charge, but the services must be taken into account. There are also guided tours.

Tips for a successful trip

San José is a city of multiculturalism. Spanish, Japanese, Mexican and Vietnamese influences can be found in the big city, among other places. More than 60 languages are spoken every day in the capital of Silicon Valley. That’s why it’s worth listening to a visit to San José and consciously absorbing the diversity. Even though there are many sights to explore, it is a good idea to experience the city on foot for a day. Street musicians, great encounters and delicious food are just a few things you can discover. The closest you can get to the locals is in one of the parks. The most famous is the Guadalupe River Park. In addition to relaxing greenery, it also offers an XXL Monopoly game that you can play with tourists and locals. The game pieces are life-size.

But San José is not only worthwhile for a city trip. The city in the heart of California also offers the ideal starting point for excursions across the state. Whether hiking, trips to the sea or exploring the many nearby national parks – many destinations can be easily reached from San José.

Not only a must for technology fans

The modern city is more than just the capital of Silicon Valley, but offers experiences for young and old. San José combines culture, first-hand experience of technology, beach and city trip and is worthwhile for a long weekend, a day trip or even an extended holiday. With 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s also unlikely that bad weather will spoil the holiday!

In the heart of North Carolina lies the bustling, eclectic capital city of Raleigh. The life-affirming atmosphere with the largest beer garden in the world, with many bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants is proverbial. Historic attractions meet modern buildings and facilities.

Raleigh was founded in 1792 to be the new capital of North Carolina . At the same time, Raleigh also replaced the previous administrative center of Wake County in New Bern . The county, Wake County, has since been governed from Raleigh. The name is a reminiscence of the explorer of the North Carolina coast, Sir Walter Raleigh. Curiously, however, the Englishman was never here, but steered the expedition from London .

Today, Raleigh is the second largest city in North Carolina. It invests a lot of education and training facilities and thus attracts young innovative entrepreneurs. In association with the neighbouring towns of Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham, research and training capacities have been pooled. Under the term “The Triangle”, the focus is on technology from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. In this way, the region has created attractive conditions for young companies, students and young professionals. This explains a predominantly young population and a diverse cultural scene.

Historic Raleigh

Even though modernity has found its way into the city, history and historical sites are still cherished and cared for.

• The North Carolina State Capitol now houses only the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor. It is one of the most impressive old buildings.
  Historic buildings that are worth visiting are often located in beautiful, well-kept parks. For example, a walk through the “Mordecai Historic Park” leads to the birthplace of the 17th President Andrew Johnson. Five generations have lived in the house and visitors today get an impression of what everyday life was like back then.
• In “The Historic Oak View County Park” you can recreate country life in the 19th century. It is vividly depicted with the house of a large landowner. A pecan nut plantation and a gin museum complete the picture. In front of the historic houses, where well-known personalities have lived, there are signs pointing out the prominent residents.
• History also lives in downtown Raleigh in the historic district, “Historic Oakwood”. Mighty oak trees have given the district its name and line the streets flanked by beautiful old houses.
• One of the most exciting projects is the “Dorothea Dix Park”. In the heart of downtown, historic architecture on rolling hills and mighty trees combines with stunning views of Raleigh’s modern skyline.

Raleigh’s Museum World

The “City of Raleigh Museum” shows the history of the city in changing exhibitions. The building alone is worth seeing. The “Briggs Building” from 1874 has retained its special features. The museum gallery is spanned by a remarkable tin ceiling.

Captivating, state-of-the-art exhibits introduce the history of science with extensive collections at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.
For children, the “Marbles Kids Museum” is exciting. They discover child-friendly exhibitions and educational programs and in the Marbles IMAX they experience an oversized film.

Raleigh’s nickname as the “Smithsonian of the South” comes from the abundance of high-quality, free museums and attractions.

Sports activities in and around Raleigh

As the third most athletic city in the USA , Raleigh has a special reputation. Rock walls for climbing, golf courses, tennis parks, ice rinks and aquatic centers, and horseback riding compete with parks and lakes. Outside the city, a total of 180 miles of greenway trails invite you to hike and bike. The best mountain biking trail is in Lake Crabtree County Park.

The “Neuse River Greenway Trail” is popular. It goes over beaten paths, over bridges, through picturesque swamp landscapes and past historical sights. As part of the “Mountains-to-Sea Trails” long-distance hiking trail, it leads through all of North Carolina.

Due to the mild winters and warm summers, Raleigh is in season all year round.

Raleigh’s Dining Scene

In the “Morgan Street Food Hall” or in the “Transfer Co. Food Hall”, an abundance of fresh seafood tempts you to try bagels, tacos and gourmet ice cream.
International restaurants such as the “Garland” offer exotic delicacies. Specialties from Laos are available in the “Bida Manda”.

America’s best chef, Ashley Christensen, has built a wide-ranging food scene. She serves at Poole’s Diner, is also the owner of a burger joint, a “chicken and waffle” spot, an underground liquor bar and runs a wood-fired contemporary restaurant.

For “Happy Hour” people meet in the “Raleigh Beer Garden”. With 350 types of beer, the world’s largest selection of different beers is available.

Beer is a big topic in Raleigh. More than 10 years ago, Sumit Vohra started to give space to his passion and started producing high-quality ales. His “Lonerider Brewing Company” now has a reputation as one of the best beer producers in the country. This means that a West Texas-style brewery that produces a German-style Hefeweizen is run by a man from India . When night falls in Raleigh, Raleigh becomes a welcoming Southern small town.

You can try delicious cocktails in bars with live music and various types of beer on the roof of the largest beer garden in the world. Nightlife pulsates in five entertainment districts of the city.

Portland has always been a port of call for individualists and free spirits. The metropolis in the northwest of the USA, which has a good 650,000 inhabitants, is not far from the Canadian border. The region is known for its excellent air quality, thanks to the nearby mountains and many green spaces in and around Portland. In addition to artists and creatives, many sports enthusiasts have settled in Portland and shape the city’s image. Although Portland is a big city, small-town flair flows through the streets here. Perhaps this is partly due to the fact that the city can be easily explored by bike. The nightlife also has a lot to offer. Since the 1980s, Portland has been a hotspot of the American independent and alternative scene.

Portland and art

To see the works of great artists in Portland, you don’t necessarily have to go to a museum. There are so many artists based in the city that a more than lively creative scene has established itself here. It is worth wandering through the small galleries and taking a look at the results of the creative work of these artists. If you are lucky, you can unearth many a treasure and buy a painting by a still unknown artist at a reasonable price, which will soon be worth a lot. If you like it more orderly, visit the Portland Art Museum of Modern Art, which is located in the Southwest District. It was founded in 1892 and is one of the oldest museums on the West Coast of the USA . Visitors can linger for a long time at the more than 42,000 exhibits. Works by indigenous artists are strongly represented. If you are looking for art on a small budget, you will find it at one of the many craft markets, which can be visited every weekend between March and December.

Wandering through Portland’s parks

Portland is one of the American cities that has the highest number of parks and gardens. Thus, the city is a true paradise for all passionate walkers and nature lovers. When visiting Portland, you should not miss Washington Park. The park is located a little elevated on a hill and thus guarantees wonderful views. Visiting the huge park area is particularly popular with families with children. Because on the grounds of Washington Park there is a children’s museum as well as the Oregon Zoo. This is the largest zoo in the entire US state of Oregon. The animal domicile, which opened in 1888, can be moved around on foot or by narrow-gauge railway. There are numerous animals such as elephants, bears, lions or penguins to see.

Furthermore, Washington Park also houses the Japanese Garden, a section for friends of the Far Eastern garden style. This landscape park exudes endless peace, especially in autumn. Also part of Washington Park is the International Rose Test Garden. Portland is climatically very suitable for rose cultivation, which can be verified here on the basis of the collection of 8,000 roses. There are also several botanical gardens in the city, such as the Berry Botanic Garden and the Leach Botanical Garden. In the Lan Su Chinese Garden, a visit to the Chinese tea room is worthwhile. Finally, in the Forest Park, all hiking enthusiasts get their money’s worth. The forest area is natural and has numerous well-marked hiking trails that bring visitors very close to American nature.

Going out in Portland

Whether you’re looking for a dignified meal or a party in Portland, the city has something for everyone. If you like to follow the trend of culinary diversity, you can choose between around 600 different food trucks in the city of Portland. From these, unusual and local dishes are sold. Basically, Portland’s landlords attach great importance to quality and regionality. This can be felt on every corner in the stationary restaurants. So if you like to eat healthy, as well as vegetarian or vegan, you will have no problems in Portland with skilful and appropriate food. If you want to go out really nicely, you should head for the Old Town Chinatown district. It’s home to Portland’s hottest clubs and plenty of cocktail bars serving up new and exciting creations. In addition, music bars are lined up here, which help young and talented artists to perform live. And friends of stand-up comedy are also in the right place in this nightlife district.

Must-see attractions in Portland

One of Portland’s best attractions is the city itself. The best thing to do is to rent a bike and cross the water-rich metropolis on the Willamette River. The individual districts are connected by opulently designed bridges. You should definitely visit the Morrison Bridge, a bascule bridge. Especially after dark, the colorfully illuminated bridge looks spectacular. The St. Johns Bridge suspension bridge impresses with its Gothic-inspired architectural language. The Pittock Mansion is an old villa from the early 19th century, which already looks more than stately and enchanted from the outside. The interior houses a regional history museum. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a technology museum located directly on the Willamette River. The museum includes a submarine that lies in the river and can be visited. In the centrally located Alberta Street, you can relax by strolling through cool shops and fortify yourself in a hip restaurant