The San Jose Museum of Art is a small museum with three floors of galleries in Downtown San Jose, California. It continually rotates its permanent collection of modern and contemporary paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, new media and more, as well as offers new touring exhibits throughout the year. The museum has a gift shop and cafe, which visitors may access without paying the admission fee. Families, art students, artists and modern art fans would enjoy this museum.
Best and worst time to go the San Jose Museum of Art
Visiting the museum on a Sunday is often the best time to see the exhibits at a relaxing pace. The worse time is before 3 p.m. on weekdays during the school year, September to May, when the museum offers student group tours.
Must see/do at the San Jose Museum of Art
Be sure to check out the blown glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, which hang from the ceiling in the museum lobby. Take advantage of the free tours of the exhibits led by docents every afternoon at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Also, take part in the art-making stations that the museum has set up in the galleries to allow visitors to sketch, doodle or write, while being inspired by the exhibits.
Admission to the San Jose Museum of Art
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It stays open to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. The admission fee ranges from $5.00 to $8.00. Admission is free for museum members and for children six and under.
Parking and public transportation to the San Jose Museum of Art
Public parking garages are within a four-block radius from the museum, while private parking garages are within a block away. Several Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus routes and the light rail go through Downtown San Jose, stopping near the museum. Light rail riders should get off at the Santa Clara Street stop, walk south to San Fernando Street, cross the street and turn left to the museum, which is about half-a-block away. The VTA offers a free shuttle, called DASH, from the San Jose Diridon Center, where Amtrak and Caltrain have stations.
Food at the San Jose Museum of Art
The museum has a cafe called the Café Too! that offers breakfast and lunch items. Prices range from $3 to $15. Doors open at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends, closing at 3:30 p.m.
Insider tip for visitors to the San Jose Museum of Art
When you park at a city-owned garage with the Pv symbol, you can get your ticket validated at the museum cafe for up to 40 minutes of free parking, as long as you purchase something.
Author's bio: Susan Echaore-McDavid writes a blog about Hollister and nearby areas.