[San Jose, CA] The Rosicrucian Park

When it comes to the Rosicrucian Park, most people talk about its famous Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. Don't get me wrong, the museum is quite magnificent, (I've been there three times), and it deserves its own blogpost for sure, but their backyard is never really mentioned.

So today I want to introduce to you my favorite features the Rosicrucian Park has to offer, and why it is my number one place in my neighborhood.

Let's get the facts over with first, shall we?

Open Daily: 8AM - Sunset

Located: Naglee Ave & Park Ave, San Jose, CA

Places nearby: 

The Municipal Rose Garden (0.3 Miles)

Guadalupe River Park (1.0 Miles)

Santa Clara University (2.2 Miles)

The Rosicrucian Park is home to a world famous Egyptian Museum, the United State's first Alchemy Museum, a Grand Temple, a Historic Planetarium and a Research Library that holds some truly rare and ancient manuscripts. 

Now these are all in-door features within the park.

The out-door features is where the gems lie, in my opinion.

There are several grand entrances to reach these gems. At each entrance, you a greeted by a magnificent Egyptian doorway or Statue. In a way, I find it quite magical.

Surrounded by the exquisite Egyptian Architecture, you will find the Peace Garden, which happens to be my favorite spot in the park.

The garden is a replication of 18th Dynasty Ancient Egyptian Gardens. The layout and design is based on the remains found in the Ancient City of Akhetaten. This is one of the main reasons why I love this garden so much. It really is walking back in time. This is what gardens were like back in 1543-1292 BC. Gardens for Ancient Egyptians were not only areas to relax in, but it is also functional. Whether it is for food or medicinal, most if not all plants have a purpose.

Finally, the newest outdoor feature is the Labyrinth. I don't remember what was here before the Labyrinth, but this was a wonderful addition and I can not imagine the park without it.

The Labyrinth is inspired by the Chartres Labyrinths, a famous, four quadrant design found in Gothic Cathedrals created in the Middle Ages. It is definitely on the small side, but the simple walk is enough for you to relax your head as stroll along the wide path surrounded by native plants.

Even though this park is between two main roads (Park Avenue & Naglee Avenue), because of its walls and vegetation surrounding the area, most of the urban noise is drown out, leaving the park in its own little, tranquil bubble. I just love spending an hour or two here, just walking the grounds, and taking in the beautiful and relaxing scenery. I also love the time travel aspect of the place. Even though I may never really know what life was like back in the Ancient times, this place definitely steers the imagination in the right direction. 

The outdoor features and a few of the park's indoor features are free to visit. There is also free parking at the parking lot along Chapman and Naglee, but you can always find street parking nearby. 

So if you ever have an itch for Ancient Egypt while you are in the Bay Area, come here, the Rosicrucian Park will definitely scratch that itch for you.

Happy Wandering! Alice