There are some beautiful parks in Milpitas, California, as well as some other fun attractions. Tucked within the world-famous Silicon Valley, Milpitas boasts proximity to some of the area’s popular destinations like San Jose. Still, while in the city, drop by Ed R Levin County Park or Hidden Lake Park. They are definitely worth the look if traveling to Milpitas for a nice little vacation. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Milpitas, California.
1. Golfland
This amusement center on Jacklin Road looks like a mini Disneyland for golf lovers! Let your kids come and practice their swings. The colorful outdoor installations and playscapes will encourage them to bring out the Tiger Woods in them. Better yet, celebrate your 10-year-old’s birthday with Golfland, which features not only miniature golf courses but also arcades, bumper cars, laser tags, and a pizza parlor. Food and fun under one roof - that is what you can expect at Golfland.
Golfland
Address: 1199 Jacklin Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Website: Golfland
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
2. Dharmapala Institute
A Buddhist temple is a refreshing sight in a western city like Milpitas. Whether you are a follower or a curious guest, you are welcome to visit Dharmapala Institute and explore Buddhism practice. The concept of Dhamma is central to Buddhism. It sums up the laws that govern a person and the universe. It is, therefore, the path of righteousness. While Dharmapala Institute functions as a temple and a school, it allows laypeople to take a peek at the Buddhism world through one-off programs such as meditation sessions and talks. For instance, they have “Dhamma Sundays” that feature teachings and observances, and you are welcome to attend.
Dharmapala Institute
Address: 409 S Temple Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Website: Dharmapala Institute
3. Milpitas Sports Center
Deal with work stress healthily. Get active at Milpitas Sports Center. Whether you want to run, swim, or attend a dance fitness class, this multi-use sports complex has the right facilities to offer. Sports fields and courts are up for rent too. For your basketball or football rehearsals, you are welcome to train in groups for the day at Milpitas Sports Center. Its modern gym will suit you fine if you are in town for a day or two, and you need an intense sweat session to take a breather. But make fitness a lifestyle choice and enroll in regular lessons at the sports complex.
Milpitas Sports Center
Address: 1325 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6am - 9pm; Fri: 6am - 5pm; Sat: 8am - 1pm (closed on Sun)
Price: From 5 USD
4. Mook Art Gallery
Have you been scratching your head for souvenir and gift ideas? Have a look around Mook Art Gallery and take home an exquisite piece of art for your best friend’s upcoming wedding anniversary. The store has lots of beautiful oil paintings of various themes and subjects that will suit your taste. Since 1997, this premier gallery and studio has provided beautiful paintings and good-quality custom frames to clients from Milpitas and possibly from all over California. If you do not find the need to commission artworks, swing by for an art window shop - it’s therapeutic.
Mook Art Gallery
Address: 122 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Website: Mook Art Gallery
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm
5. Big Al's
Everyone in Silicon Valley must know Big Al’s. Nope, he is not your friendly neighbor. Big Al’s is the town’s favorite bowling place where dogs are also welcome. At this recreational center, the fun does not stop at the lanes. You can indulge in unlimited games at its state-of-the-art arcade, complete with laser tag mazes and multi-player racing games. You can also sip your beer at its sports bar, watch games, or even play pool. The food at Big Al’s tastes delectable. Wrap up your group day out at its onsite restaurant with your favorite steak bites and chicken strips.
Big Al's
Address: 27 Ranch Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Website: Big Al’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri: 12pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
6. IBU Taproom & Bottle Shop
Spend your weekends with friends at IBU Taproom & Bottle Shop, one of the best places to hang out with friends, beer, pizza, and chicken wings. Here, you do not just get to taste 1 or 5 kinds of beer but probably over 10 or more! This beverage store keeps a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits for onsite drinking or takeaway. But if you want the good old craft beer fresh from the tap, they too have it. Here, you can watch your favorite sports show while sharing stories with your pals. The atmosphere is made livelier with IBU Taproom & Bottle Shop’s occasional game nights.
IBU Taproom & Bottle Shop
Address: 1422 Dempsey Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2pm - 8:45pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 8:45pm
7. Ed Levin County Park
A beautiful national park, Ed Levin County Park is one of the best parks in Milpitas. The park really caters to picnickers, with plenty of benches and tables under pavilions. There is a playground for the kids, a lake for adults to fish in, and tons of hiking and horse back riding trails. There is even an area in the park that dogs can roam free in, as long as their owners are watching them of course. The park is maintained by local forestry staff so the park is always clean and looks its best for visitors. A beautiful day in the park is just what the doctor called for!
Ed Levin County Park
Address: 3100 Calaveras Rd, Milpitas, California 95035
Website: Ed Levin County Park
8. Peter Gill Park
Peter Gill Park is a shortened version of Peter D. Gill Memorial Park. On the grounds you will find handball courts, a basketball court, and some tennis courts that make for great practicing. For those who want to picnic in the area, there is a little pavilion with tables underneath that visitors can use. There are also some nice barbecue grills for those who want to make some great food on the grill for the family and friends.
Peter Gill Park
Address: 611 Paseo Refugio, Milpitas, California 95035
9. Shirdi Sai Center
Now known as Shirdi Sai Parivaar, this little gem is a Hindu temple. The place is so clean and well kept with friendly staff wondering about occasionally. The building is always very quiet, so it is the perfect place to do some praying if visitors are religious. Guests can also just sit and enjoy the solitude, since it is a great way to truly be at peace with oneself. Whether travelers are religious or not, it doesn’t matter, the quiet of the building and the peaceful surroundings will bring on a wonderful calm over those that visit here.
Shirdi Sai Center
Address: 1221 California Cir, Milpitas, CA 95035
Website: Shirdi Sai Center
10. Hidden Lake Park
Hidden Lake Park is a beautiful sight to behold. Open from dawn until 10 pm at night, Hidden Lake Park is a great place to relax. They have barbecue grills available for visitors to use, plenty of seating and the huge lake attracts a lot of ducks. The ducks can be fed but the park staff requests that guests be careful with how much they feed them. There is to be no fishing in the lake but it’s pretty just to sit and watch for a short time. The calm sight really makes traveling to Milpitas a wonderful decision.
Hidden Lake Park
Address: N Milpitas Blvd & Escuela Pkwy, Milpitas, CA 95035
Website: Hidden Lake Park
11. The Great Mall
The Great Mall is for the great shoppers that are traveling to Milpitas. Shoes, clothes, jewelry and toys will keep anyone who visits here busy for a while. There is an Adidas outlet store, Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic Factory, Bed, Bath and Beyond and so many others. There are also a bunch of eateries inside the mall so visitors don’t have to leave the whole complex just to find something to eat - Kelly’s Cajun Grill, Burger King, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Coldstone Creamery, Charley’s Philly Steaks and so much more. Guests will want to allow a few good hours of shopping time since there is so much to look at and enjoy.
The Great Mall
Address: 447 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035
Website: The Great Mall
12. Jose Higuera Adobe Park
Jose Higuera Adobe Park is the perfect place to take little ones. This is a big beautiful park with grassy hills and picnic tables to snack on. There is a little bit of playground material here, like slides and swings, which is most often enough to keep any little kid busy for hours. There are trees here for some shade, so the park isn’t all sunny and the kids don’t get too much sun when they are here. Be sure to bring a soccer ball if one’s available for kids to kick around and have fun.
Jose Higuera Adobe Park
Address: 715 Wessex Place, Milpitas, California 95035
Website: Jose Higuera Adobe Park
13. Big Dog Vineyards
Big Dog Vineyards is for the adults traveling to Milpitas. The business is open on the weekends only, so it’s important that guests plan accordingly when looking into visiting this vineyard. Big Dog Vineyards is a family owned business, so the staff is small but they are all very friendly. They help explain how different wines taste so guests can choose one that is right for them. Guests can sit inside the building or they can sit out on the patio to enjoy their adult beverages. Visitors can enjoy a sampling of five wines in their tasting, or they can buy by the glass or bottle if they know what they want. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere here, but it is recommended to bring food since there is no food served here. Picnics are allowed, so don’t be shy when planning a visit to the vineyard.
Big Dog Vineyards
Address: 4545 Fetter Rd, Milpitas, California 95035
Website: Big Dog Vineyards
14. Golfland
Golfland is a miniature golf park that brings in people of all ages. Mini golf is always fun with friends or family, although it does bring out the competitiveness in almost everyone who plays. And while a lot of people don’t know it, Golfland is also an arcade, so inside and outside there are activities to do for kids of all ages. There are rides too, like bumper cars and a laser maze that will make anyone who plays feel like a spy. Whatever kind of game the kids choose to play, it’s going to be while before they will want to leave.
Golfland
Address: 1199 Jacklin Rd, Milpitas, California 95035
Website: Golfland
15. Chaparral Ranch
Chaparral Ranch is the perfect place to visit for some quiet horseback riding on some wonderful trails. They offer riding lessons, trail rides, parties, and horse training. The nice thing about Chaparral Ranch is that is actually has trails that connect it and Ed Levin County Park, so guests could see two attractions of Milpitas at once if they wanted to. That staff is really friendly and helpful, so if someone has never been on a horse before, they work with their customers and make sure they feel safe on the horse before letting them go off on their own if they want to ride on the trails. And don’t be afraid to ask questions to the workers, they are pretty knowledgeable about the horses and like sharing the information.
Chaparral Ranch
Address: 3375 Calaveras Rd, Milpitas, California 95035
Website: Chaparral Ranch
Pleasant times in Milpitas
There are plenty of things to do in Milpitas to keep visitors of all ages busy. Arcades and mini golf, horseback riding, and a lot of parks for kids and play in. Be sure to bring the sneakers along since there are beautiful walking trails at Ed Levin County Park and be sure to check out Big Dog Vineyards for a nice adult evening.