Things to Do in Sanjose in August

August Weather in Sanjose

30°C (87°F) High Temp

25°C (77°F) Low Temp

51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect sunny mornings with minimal rain until afternoon - ideal for 6am-11am outdoor activities when temperatures are 25-27°C (77-81°F)
Lowest hotel rates of the year with 30-40% savings compared to December peak season - book 2 weeks ahead for best deals
Baseball season at Municipal Stadium means electric atmosphere downtown, plus food trucks and local crowds make evenings vibrant
Santana Row and downtown farmers markets are in full summer swing with extended hours and outdoor dining until 10pm most nights

Considerations

Afternoon heat peaks at 30°C (87°F) with 70% humidity making outdoor activities uncomfortable between 1pm-4pm
Brief but intense afternoon thunderstorms 10 days of the month can disrupt outdoor plans - always have indoor backup ready
Tech conference season means downtown hotels book up quickly and rates spike during convention weeks in mid-August

Best Activities in August

Early Morning Silicon Valley Tech Campus Tours

August's cool mornings (25-27°C/77-81°F) are perfect for walking the outdoor campuses before heat builds. Campus tours run 7am-10am when weather is most comfortable and tech workers are arriving, giving authentic glimpses of daily life. Avoid afternoon heat and crowds.

Booking Tip: Book campus tours 1-2 weeks ahead as August is popular with international visitors. Tours typically cost $25-45 and include multiple campuses. Look for small group options (under 15 people) for better access. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Winchester Mystery House Indoor Tours

August's afternoon thunderstorms make this elaborate indoor mansion tour perfect for rainy day backup plans. The house stays naturally cool, and August crowds are lighter than summer peak months. Extended summer hours mean you can tour during the hottest part of day (1pm-4pm) in air conditioning.

Booking Tip: Same-day tickets usually available in August unlike peak months. Standard tours cost $26-39, specialized tours $45-65. Book flashlight tours for Friday evenings - popular with locals during baseball season. Check current availability in booking section below.

Santana Row Evening Dining and Shopping

August evenings are perfect for Santana Row's outdoor dining scene. Temperatures drop to comfortable 26-27°C (79-81°F) by 6pm, and outdoor restaurant patios stay busy until 10pm. August brings food festivals and outdoor concerts that don't happen in cooler months.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for shopping, but popular restaurants require reservations 3-5 days ahead in August. Food tours of the area typically cost $75-95 per person. Look for evening food walking tours that take advantage of comfortable night temperatures.

Alum Rock Park Morning Hiking

August mornings before 9am offer the year's best hiking conditions - clear skies, 24-26°C (75-79°F) temperatures, and dry trails. The park's 13 km (8 miles) of trails are accessible without winter mud or spring crowds. Afternoon heat makes later hiking uncomfortable.

Booking Tip: No booking required for self-guided hiking. Guided nature walks cost $15-25 and run early morning to avoid heat. Bring minimum 1.5L (50 oz) water per person for longer trails. Park entry is free but parking fills by 10am on weekends.

Japanese Friendship Garden Morning Meditation

August's dry mornings are ideal for the garden's outdoor meditation sessions and photography. Peak bloom season for summer flowers, and morning light (7am-9am) is perfect before crowds arrive. Garden stays beautiful despite afternoon heat.

Booking Tip: Garden admission $7-10 per person, meditation sessions $12-20. Early morning photography workshops cost $35-50. Best light is 7:30am-8:30am. No advance booking needed except for guided programs. Very peaceful before 9am.

Municipal Stadium Baseball Games

August is peak baseball season with evening games starting 7pm when temperatures cool to 27-28°C (81-82°F). Perfect weather for outdoor sports, and the local crowd energy is highest during playoff push. Games rarely cancelled for weather in August.

Booking Tip: Single game tickets $12-35, season varies. Buy day-of for better seat selection as August games don't always sell out. Food trucks gather outside stadium 2 hours before game time. Evening games end around 10pm with comfortable walking weather.

August Events & Festivals

Mid August

San Jose Jazz Summer Festival

Three-day outdoor music festival featuring local and international jazz artists across multiple downtown venues. Free outdoor stages plus ticketed indoor concerts, with food vendors representing San Jose's diverse communities.

Late August

Nihonmachi Street Fair

Annual Japanese cultural festival in Japantown with traditional performances, authentic food stalls, and cultural demonstrations. One of the largest Japanese festivals on the West Coast, running from morning through evening.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight cotton or linen shirts - avoid polyester in 70% humidity as it traps sweat and becomes uncomfortable by midday

Light rain jacket or compact umbrella - afternoon thunderstorms last 20-30 minutes but can be intense

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 and California sun is stronger than many expect

Comfortable walking shoes with good ventilation - expect 3-5 km (2-3 miles) of walking per day exploring downtown

Layered clothing for air-conditioned spaces - restaurants and museums keep temperatures at 20-22°C (68-72°F)

Insulated water bottle holding 750ml (25 oz) minimum - dehydration happens quickly in dry August heat

Light cardigan for evening outdoor dining - temperatures drop to 25°C (77°F) after sunset

Breathable socks (merino wool or synthetic blend) - cotton socks stay damp in humid conditions

Wide-brimmed hat for morning outdoor activities - essential for hiking and campus tours before 11am

Portable phone charger - using GPS and camera more frequently in heat drains battery 30% faster

Insider Knowledge

Morning fog burns off by 8am in August unlike other months - start outdoor activities early when locals do their exercise routines

Downtown parking meters are free after 6pm and all day Sunday - save $8-15 per day by timing your downtown visits for evenings

Grocery stores like Ranch 99 and Mitsuwa offer prepared foods and snacks that locals prefer over tourist restaurant markup - authentic Vietnamese pho costs $8-12 versus $16-20 downtown

VTA light rail runs every 15 minutes during August and connects major attractions with $2.50 day passes - much easier than driving and parking downtown during baseball season

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning outdoor activities for 1pm-4pm when heat reaches 30°C (87°F) and becomes uncomfortable - locals avoid this time completely

Not bringing backup indoor plans for afternoon thunderstorms - rain starts suddenly and many outdoor venues don't provide adequate shelter

Booking hotels during tech conference weeks in mid-August without checking convention calendar - rates double and availability disappears