10 Best Places to Go Shopping in San Jose

Westfield Valley Fair on Stevens Creek Boulevard is an upscale shopping mall that houses 30 luxury retailers the likes of Balenciaga, Burberry, Cartier, Prada, and an Apple flagship store. With over 250 boutiques in the mall, you’ll also find mass-market retailers with products ranging from fashion to tech to health and beauty, as well as the Macy’s department store.

Integrating fashion, food, and entertainment, this mall also attracts mall-goers to its movie theatres and the food court serving a wide variety of dishes from different cuisines. Standalone dining options here include several fast-food restaurants, American eateries, 2 ramen restaurants, and a Din Tai Fung outlet, as well as several bakeries and dessert kiosks.

Westfield Oakridge is a family-friendly mall that caters to mid-range budgets. Anchored by Macy’s and Target and with stores like Forever 21, H&M and Nordstrom Rack, fashion shoppers will find something that suits their budget here.

Besides shopping, you can catch the latest blockbusters at the movie theatre. Kid-friendly spots here include a jungle gym, and Fun Factory, an arcade where children can play their favourite video games. You’ll also find several dining options including restaurants and food courts with a variety of cuisines, ranging from Asian to American.

San Jose Market Center, located in downtown San Jose and close to the airport, is a small and cosy outdoor plaza featuring big box stores, casual restaurants and grocery shops. Visitors usually come for stores like Target, Michael’s, and Trader Joe’s for their shopping needs.

Although it’s a chain store, Cost Plus World Market is an interesting shopping option especially for visitors to San Jose. It has a diverse selection of products from around the world, ranging from food and drinks to fashion and jewellery to cute gifts for friends and family back home.

Santana Row offers a mix of brand-name shops, local boutiques, restaurants and a hotel, and attracts shoppers with its trendy stores and lively atmosphere. This outdoor mall features restaurants and bars on the left bank and several stores on the right ranging from homeware to fashion. Bibliophiles will love the Amazon bookstore's incredible selection of titles, while those looking to squeeze in some self-care time can take their pick from several onsite spas and salons. 

Lined with palm trees, Santana Row exudes a laidback tropical vibe in the summer. In the evening, you can watch live musicians perform as they get people moving and dancing to their tunes.

San Jose Flea Market spans 120 acres with 13-km-long aisles with space for over 2,000 vendors to sell their goods. Open since the 1960s, the market ground also contains a vintage carousel, an arcade, 3 playgrounds, and carnival rides for children.

Along with beer and soda, the flea market also features travelling food carts and restaurants selling Mexican and American food. This flea market still attracts loyal customers who’ve been coming since childhood to buy produce in bulk from California’s farmers, as well as plants, fabric, electronics and thrift finds. If something catches your eye, feel free to bargain with the vendors for a lower price.

Eastridge in East San Jose is the go-to mall for residents in the area, known for its low-priced shopping options at major American chain and department stores like Macy’s, JC Penney, and Aeropostale, to name a few.

Apart from the retailers, the arcade, multiplex cinema, roller rink and bowling alley offer some entertainment and fun for visitors with kids looking to kill some time. Most of Eastridge's dining options are limited to fast food and restaurant chains like Subway, McDonald’s, and Olive Garden. For a special occasion, head to Tomi Sushi & Seafood Buffet where you can enjoy dozens of Asian-influenced entrees and desserts.

Downtown San Jose Farmers Market may be small, but you can sample great selections of local produce, from fruits and veggies to honey, baked goods, and handmade sweets. The seasonal fresh produce here comes from more than 20 regional growers handpicked by the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association. 

Focusing on organic products, handmade goods, fresh flowers and handicrafts, vendors and items on sale at the market change weekly. On some weeks, food vendors sell fresh sweet-salty kettle corn, Mexican food, Indian naan wraps, and rice bowls.

Berryessa Farmers’ Market features a selection of fresh Asian fruits and vegetables like bitter melon and wing beans that you won’t usually find at Asian supermarkets. There’s also a wide variety of apples, grapes and peaches of different kinds when they’re in season.

Other produce at this market includes honey, almonds, stuffed potatoes, kettle corn, hummus, and fresh fish. Most shoppers come here to buy fruits as samples are offered to customers before purchase. In the summer, you can even enjoy live music performances as you shop.

Alum Rock Village Farmers' Market in San Jose runs year-round, offering locally grown fruits and vegetables from regional farms. Here, you can also find fresh-cut flowers, delicious baked goods, and other high-quality local products like fresh eggs, local honey, and fresh fish caught from Monterey Bay.

The fresh produce is seasonal and you’ll come across a mix of American and hard-to-find Asian fruits and vegetables sold at competitive prices. Come early morning for the freshest goods and bring cash as most booths don’t accept card payments.

Evergreen Farmers’ Market in South San Jose runs year-round but unsurprisingly offers a wider variety of produce in spring and summer. Besides fresh fruits, veggies and seafood, you can also purchase speciality products like fresh farm eggs, organic honey, and tasty snacks at reasonable prices.

Shoppers at this market love the toasted peanuts, freshly made kettle popcorn, artisanal bread, and homemade pies. Occasionally, there will be live music entertainment at the market on Sundays, which adds to its lively atmosphere. Come early for choice picks or after 12.30 pm for products at reduced prices.