Today was the annual garden vegetable plant sale. The prices were good for a wide variety of tomatoes, corn, herbs, chiles, okra, cabbage, lettuce, you name it they had it. There were also seeds and cow compost for sale. Hand made items were on sale by a large variety of vendors. Many of the historical homes and museums were open, and the Pacific hotel ice cream shop was also selling ice cream. There were several food trucks and carts selling food for lunch. It was a warm sunny day and the History park was packed, but parking was not bad and walking around was pleasant. There were many friendly people and many master gardeners dispensing advice on the plants they were selling. I bought three varieties of tomatoes and three varieties of chiles. The prices were 3 for $10, which is a good deal. It is best to come early as the plans sell out quickly. Awesome event is held annualy.

History Park is a hidden gem here in San Jose, CA! I'm embarrassed to admit I've lived in this city for almost 50 years and just visited History Park for the first time yesterday. The park contains all sorts of buildings, machines, vehicles, and interesting artifacts from the earlier days of San Jose (from the mid 1800's to the present.) It's set up like a little town, with old SJ houses, trolley car, post office, gas station, bank, and much more! We had a very friendly Tour Guide who was knowledgeable about everything we saw in the tour. Although the tour cost $10 (unless you're a member), the park is open and FREE most every weekend from 12-4 pm. I would definitely come here again, and I urge you to bring your kids as well to see what San Jose looked like in the 'old' days! Even well behaved dogs on leashes are welcomed!

What a beautiful hidden gem! I Absolutely love this park!! Hidden behind on the other side of Happy Hollow, this place is quite a Charm! There are many historical buildings all around, such as Portuguese museum, Chinese, and Vietnamese Victorian buildings, clean well kept gardens, Candy gift shop, Pacific Hotel, and even an old-fashion ice cream shop within the park. This History park reveals Santa Clara Valley's past, many businesses, best kept landmarks and various other best attractions. Completed with running trolleys, paved peaceful streets, and through 32 original and reproduction homes, this park offers the charm and the ambiance of times gone by. With so much to learn and many things to explore, this Historical town just keeps me coming back for more!

The 'park' itself is very nice and for being a free place to take kids or adults to learn of the SJ/Santa Clara Valley past you can't beat it. I will say the fact that all of the signage points you one direction for the parking lot and then walking 2 blocks another way for entry is very odd. There is a gate right there that is not being used!!! It could use more of an 'entry' education area as you walk through a gate and don't know where to start. Its like if you all the sudden found yourself at SpaceShip Earth at Epcot but didn't remember paying to get in, looking at informational signs, or having apps to lead the way. Worth going. Parking is $6 flat for the day (visit the Japanese Gardens too) or street parking

Every year the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners have ta sale of mostly rare, regular and heirloom vegetables. Booths such as the succulent table and succulent advice to sharpening garden tools, classes teach interesting and useful gardening knowledge, numerous plant vendors, it's a faire for plant nerds, food gardeners and beginning gardeners. My personal faves are Green Zebra, Yellow Pear, Big Rainbow, Brandywine from Croatia ,and Sungold tomatoes This combo makes a multi-colored salsa. Google Santa Clara County Master Gardeners to discover this years schedule. Free , no cost. If you want something specific, get there early, people come hours early with wagons..

Came across this place when I visited San Jose on a weekday. The entrance is completely free! (Parking fee depends on the location of the parking lot. $6 for the one next to the park entrance, $10 for the one next to the zoo). Unfortunately most of the museums are open only on weekends. It was still a really nice and eye-opening walk, for the first timer. A lot of building has historical info sign in front of it. Go around the back/side of the parking lot and you will find Japanese Garden. It is also free entrance.

I am beyond grateful and amazed at all the work it took to move Christmas in the Park to History Park. If Christmas in the Park wasn't already unique enough to San Jose, now it's added to History Park, which holds so much of San Jose's past. It was a feats for the eyes. Make sure to follow the music and the lights - they're synched. If I had to choose 3 favorites , it would be the Spirit of 45 display, the gas ⛽ station, and the "You Matter" tree

Walking back into history with this fine little park is a wonderful and free experience. Trolly car runs still, older ones are being restored in the "barn". There are special museums for the various ethnic groups who had a great deal to do with forming San Jose into it's wonderful present. The Portuguese & Vietname homes are filled with history that will enlighten you and make you grateful for these people and their contributions.

In this world, with rise there is decline, with birth there is death, with coming together there is separation. Everything by nature is temporary. What we possess today may not last forever, and what we gain today may not always be ours. However, what we lose today may be ours again tomorrow. Indeed, Our minds are free from obstruction, because there is no obstruction . Life is just a dream; we must return to our natural state.

Hidden Gem of Historical Information! This small recreation of a town is quaint and charming with it's repurposed and recreated period buildings. Aside from providing a home for historical records and mini-museums representing many of the founding cultures that make up the bay area, but they also have some salvaged landmarks. I was here for a school tour, but I would love to go back another time and dig a little deeper.

This place is full of interesting historic stuffs. You can also enjoy laid-back time here. You can have free historic trolley ride here in scheduled weekend. Sometimes, they drive the trolley along the Senter road to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo and back. Don't forget to donate and support them because they are volunteers and need budgets to maintain trolleys and pay electricity bill to give everyone free rides.

History Park was a fun experience. Walking through the history of San Jose was one of the best tourist attractions in San Jose. To me... It was the best we went to. The staff who were dressed up in costumes fitting the era makes the place. Several of the old replica homes and businesses were open for a walk through. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Cool experience. It was free.

History San José is a living museum that teaches people through reenactment and display. The blacksmith uses tools to show how they were used to mold, bend, and forge. The print shop shows how printers worked with type, ink, and machinery produced news print. Some of the display collections like steam tractors and railroad engines are fascinating.

most of the times that I have been here have been for automotive related events which this place makes a great background for. Even with out the auto events though this place is a great spot to visit. Plenty of exhibits plus a lot of info on the history of the area. A great spot for Holiday photos as well once their decorations are up.

A true gem of San Jose, over 35 historic structures, many which are unique cultural non-profits that discuss culture and arts. Best part, it's free to the public on most days unless there is an event planned. Check out the Light Tower and ice shop. I can't wait to see how the history park grows to encompass new non-profits.

This is a really cool part of Kelly Park. This is basically a resting place for buildings from San Jose's past, including the light tower, and numerous homes belonging to important people from San Jose's history. The printing press (still working) and locomotive museum are really cool. Includes a working ice cream shop.

Heritage light show is a must see. Help the history park to preserve to past. It will be more wonderful if "all" the heritage buildings have Christmas lights on them and are open for the public to see. Besides watching the light show others can explore the buildings to learn more about San Jose's history.

Honestly, this is hands down of my fave places in San Jose. Really well kept site and super friendly staff. Every building has a cool story and the volunteers do an awesome job explaining the background story and answer questions. Being able to ride on the streetcar was also fun!

Parking can hold about 12 cars and free, most building are closed, so you'll be able to enter about 4 of 20 of them. Nice place to walk. Edit: I went back during the week and the site was open but all building closed. Still nice, but you can walk the whole site in 30 minutes.

History San Jose is always a delightful and informative place but during the holidays it istransformed with colorful decorations and a very nice drive through the park of holiday lights. A great way to enjoy a family evening or to visit the engaging exhibits during the day.

Not a big fan. Not too much to do there. Just some buildings in a tiny area. I don't think I will visit again. Some Lunar New Year celebration. The event was so tiny, but they made it seem big on the website. Also very rundown, including the bathrooms.

One of the best places to visit in SJ! The park is wonderful, so many historical buildings and recreations. You get to walk around, talk to very knowledgeable people about SJ history, you can even get delicious ice cream in the cafe. Love this place.

Highlights: the trolley, the train barn, the printing press, and the old fashioned chocolate shakes. And it seems like at least half the times we go something exciting is going on, like gardening day, or junior archaeology day.

Amazing event venue. By itself it is a wealth of information about San Jose in times past. From the hotel to the candy/ice cream parlor, the fire house to the trolley. Great place. I learn something new every time I go.

More days of operation in the summer would be appreciated. It was like a ghost town. 90 degrees and no place for refreshment inside the historic area. It was beautiful and I wish some things would have been open.

I went here October 1st for the NAMI walkathon and it looked a lot smaller this time, than when I went with the girl scouts when I was tiny. But the ice cream is still good!

Welcoming staff very friendly. Loved the free ice cream and trolley rides. Great fireworks. Best place to see them with no traffic issues

My family and I enjoy all the festival hosted here, we also like all the Victorian homes located here. Definitely a piece of history.

Their children’s Christmas event was a lot of fun! Definitely an underutilized, interesting part of San Jose

It's a beautiful park and so much history. I absolutely love it