There’s always something to do in the San Jose area, and many of these activities are within a few minutes of Microtel Inn & Suites-first class family attractions like Winchester Mystery House and Great America; the water sports heaven at the Morgan Hill’s Aquatic Center (literally across the street) and tasty, tantalizing Gilroy Garlic Festival. You’re never at a loss when you stay with us.

Here are a few of many top attractions:
Aquatic Center at Morgan Hill. Opened in June 12, 2004, this exciting new 8.5 acre aquatic center has four pools:  a 50-meter, all-deep competition pool; 5,000 square-foot, activity pool with play structures and water slides, wading area, and splash play area; a six-lane lap / instructional pool; and splash play area for tots. For more information, call (408) 782-2134 or contact www.mhaquaticscenter.com.  [Top]

Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. This one-of-a-kind attraction includes rides, theme gardens, a gigantic green house, antique cars, food concessions, an event plaza-and some very unusual Circus Trees. Most of these trees are more than 50 years old and were rescued from the Tree Circus in Scotts Valley to become Bonfante Gardens’ main attraction. For more information, call  (408) 840-7100 or contact www.bonfantegardens.com.  [Top]

Gilroy Garlic Festival. Started in 1979, The Gilroy Garlic Festival celebrates the “Stinking Rose.” You’ll feast on food laced with over two tons of fresh garlic, enjoy three stages of musical entertainment, shop for arts and crafts, and view the great garlic cook-off-all with a fun bunch of garlic-loving people. For more information, call (408) 842-1625 or contact www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.  [Top]

Henry Coe Park. Coe Park is the largest state park in Northern California, with over 87,000 acres of wild open spaces. The park is rugged and beautiful, with lofty ridges, steep canyons, and a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion. It’s open year-round for hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, equestrians, and car campers.  For more information, call (408) 779-2728 or contact www.coepark.org.  [Top]

Bay Area Golf. The Bay Area has something for every golfer. You can choose from a variety of local courses that vary in difficulty, including Coyote, Cinnabar Hills, Eagle Ridge, and San Juan Oaks. And, of course, for the more expert player, there is the thrill of Pebble Beach and Cypress Hill in nearby Monterey.  [Top]

Winchester Mystery House. In 1884, Winchester Rifle heiress, Sarah L. Winchester began construction of her 160-room Victorian mansion. It is filled with so many unexplained oddities- including 47 fireplaces, 17 chimneys, rambling roofs, inlaid parquet floors, and gold and silver chandeliers-that it was called the Winchester Mystery House.  For more information, call (408) 247-2101 or contact .www.winchestermysteryhouse.com.  [Top]

Paramount's Great America. Northern California's most thrilling park has more than 50 rides (including water rides), coasters, and attractions (the most rides in Northern California). The 100-acre park is located on Great America Parkway between highways 101 and 237, in Santa Clara, Calif. Open March through October. For more information, call (408) 988-1776 or contact  www.paramountsgreatamerica.com.  [Top]

San Jose Airport. The Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport,  located in the heart of Silicon Valley,  is a self-supporting enterprise, owned and operated by the City of San José. Annually, the airport serves around 11.1 million passengers and handles approximately 240 million pounds of air cargo.  It has 183 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 30 nonstop destinations. For more information, call (408) 501-0979 or contact  www.sjc.org.  [Top]