11 Best Things to Do in Milpitas, California

By VacationIdea Staff on January 25, 2023 - Updated

Courtesy of Harris Shiffman - Fotolia.com

Located within Silicone Valley in Santa Clara County, Milpitas rests in the northeast section of the South Bay and offers several attractions and activities to enjoy. Take a picnic to the Ed R. Levin County Park and spend the day with the family; sample some of the region’s finest wines at the family-owned Big Dog Vineyards; get fit with a range of exercise classes and activities at the Milpitas Sports Center; or tuck into traditional Mexican cuisine at Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Milpitas.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Ed Levin County Park

Ed R. Levin County Park is a large municipal park in Milpitas that offers a variety of recreational facilities ranging from a dog park and horseback riding areas to a hang gliding and paragliding area. Located in the chaparral foothills of Diablo Range east of the Santa Clara Valley, the park has two lakes, the Spring Valley Road and Sandy Wool Lake, both of which collect runoff water from the hill to the east. The park is home to the Ed R. Levin County Park Trail, a 6.2-mile loop trail that is rated as moderate and boasts beautiful views of the lakes. Ed R. Levin County Park is a dog-friendly park, but they must be leashed.

3100 Calaveras Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-262-6980

2.Shirdi Sai Parivaar

Shirdi Sai Parivaar (SSP) is a volunteer-based non-profit, spiritual and charity organization in Milpitas that is based on the teachings and philosophy of the great Indian saint, Shirdi Sai Baba. Sai Baba was famous for teaching the unity of all religions, compassion for all living beings, and universality of spirit in all existence. The organization offers activities such as Bhajan/Kirtan/ Vocal Music, Dhuparti (Evening Aarti), Kakad Arthi (Morning Arthi), Madhyanha Aarti (Noon Aarti), and Shejarti (Night Aarti). Shirdi Sai Parivaar (SSP) also conducts various religious, charitable, and community activities throughout the year.

1221 California Cir, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-909-1221

3.BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a sacred Hindu place of worship that represents the earthly home of Bhagwan and serves to foster and further personal and collective worship. Devotees come to mandir to offer prayers before the murtis, or sacred images, as well as to attend social classes and religious services known as sabhas. The spiritual leader and guru to BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj aims to cultivate peace within communities and connect individuals to Bhagwan. In addition to religious practice, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir teaches the arts, language, music, and philosophy that are the roots of Hindu heritage. BAPS mandirs also hosts a variety of charitable events and functions for local communities throughout the year.

1430 California Cir, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-263-2277

4.Shreemaya Krishnadham

Shreemaya Krishnadham is a Haveli and Cultural Center that was established serve the growing needs of the Vaishnav community and to create a platform to promote humanitarian, educational, cultural, social and spiritual activities centered on Hindu culture. The center also aims to teach, commemorate and celebrate various Hindu Vaishnav festivals, rituals, and events (Utsav) promote the personal development of youth and children by emphasizing activities that foster the universal values of Vaishnav tradition, irrespective of race, caste or religion. Activities at the center include Annakut, Mahaprabhuji Prakotsav, Janmastmi, Monthly and Ekadashi Satsangs, Spiritual discourses by visiting Acharyas, Philosophers, Scholars Cultural and Social- Makarsankranti (KiteFlying), Holi (Festival of colors), Picnic,Raas/Garba, “Pushti Sandhya” musical concerts, Educational- Gujarati classes, Bal PushtiVidyalaya, skits / dramas, folk dances, elocutions, Humanitarian- Gujarat Earthquake Relief, and tsunami relief.

175 Nortech Pkwy, San Jose, CA 95134, Phone: 408-586-0006

5.Jose Higuera Adobe Park, Milpitas, California

The Josè Higuera Adobe Park is a family-friendly public park that is set around the 700-foot historical Jose Higuera building, an indoor facility that is ideal for social gatherings and meetings for up to 50 people. There are picnic tables and a barbecue pit behind the building, and there are several exhibits about the history of the Higuera Adobe in the building. Josè Higuera was granted land in 1821 by the last Spanish governor of California, Pablo Vincente de Sola, and built an adobe-style house near Arroyo Calera and just south along the creek. The adobe was surrounded by a prickly pear cactus hedge, part of which can be seen today just east of the adobe, as well as historical pepper, fig, and olive trees, which were planted by Josè Higuera in the 1830s.

Wessex Pl, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-586-3210

6.St. John The Baptist Catholic Church

Established as a mission in 1866 to serve the large Portuguese immigrant population of Catholics who arrived in Milpitas from the Azores, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish church became a parish in 1877. The Roman Catholic Church was initially built as a steeple wood frame which burnt down and a second church was built on the same site. After suffering severe damage from the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the church was demolished to make way for a newer facility and today, the St. John's complex includes a new church building, a rectory, a bell tower and hall, a K-8 school, and Catholic Education office.

279 S Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-262-2546

7.Milpitas Sports Center, Milpitas, California

The Milpitas Sports Center is a modern, fully-equipped fitness center in the heart of Milpitas that features a 33-piece fitness center, three swimming pools, a large gymnasium, two aerobic studios and separate male and female locker rooms with showers. In addition to offering a comfortable environment in which to exercise and get fit, the Milpitas Sports Center also offers a variety of recreational programs for all ages, ranging from youth and enrichment classes, aquatics and swimming lessons, fitness classes and sports leagues to seasonal and summer camps, nutrition management, case management services and day trips for adults over 50 years of age.

1325 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-586-3225

8.Banana Leaf, Milpitas, CA

Located in the McCarthy Ranch Marketplace, Banana Leaf is a vibrant and energetic restaurant that serves delicious Malaysian and Thai cuisine in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant serves a menu of authentic Malaysian, Thai and vegetarian dishes, along with set-price dinner specials that have been inspired by Malay, Indian, Chinese and Thai cultures and freshly prepared from scratch in the open kitchen. Signature dishes include crispy multi-layer Malay-Indian-style pancakes called Roti Canai and Prata; skewers of roasted meat dipped in peanut sauce known as Malay Satay, and prawns and peppers in a spicy mango sauce called Mango Prawn. Other favorites include Melaka Salmon, Rendang Beef, Indian Mee Goreng, and desserts like Thai Sweet Black Sticky Rice with Mango.

182 Ranch Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-719-9811

9.Big Dog Vineyards, Milpitas, California

Nestled in the East Bay Hills overlooking Silicon Valley, Big Dog Vineyards is a family-owned winery that produces small-batch, handmade wines. Opened in 2009, the boutique winery produces wines from 12-year old vineyards and the highest quality grapes, using traditional techniques from grape to glass. The estate has a modern tasting room with a charming patio which is open to the public every weekend for a sampling of the winery’s finest wines. Visitors can bring picnic baskets and snacks and enjoy their favorites wines on the patio or the grassy lawns surrounded by the stunning landscapes.

4545 Felter Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-935-9194

10.Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant, Milpitas, California

Located in the Milpitas Commercial Center, Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant that serves a menu of authentic of traditional Mexican cuisine and handcrafted margaritas. Named in honor of the Aztec Indians of Mexico, Casa Azteca means the ‘House of the Aztecs’ and has taken pride in giving every diner an unforgettable dining experience since it opened in 1980. The restaurant serves mouthwatering dishes such as enchiladas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, chicken mole, and authentic salsa. The full-service bar has a range of tequilas and offers signature cocktails, handmade margaritas, and other libations. Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

20 N Abel St, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-946-0466

11.Zahir's Bistro, Milpitas, CA

Zahir's Bistro is a charming white-tablecloth bistro on South Main Street that serves an eclectic American-Italian menu in a refined and stylish atmosphere. Owned by restaurant entrepreneur Zahir Quddus, the eatery’s menu features several of the chef’s classic dishes such as Steak Zahir, Pecan Chicken, and Fettuccini Jambalaya, as well as fresh seafood plates, pasta, and steak entrées and mouthwateringly decadent desserts. The full-service bar offers a small menu of lighter fare to accompany signature cocktails, fine wines from around the world, craft brews, and happy hour specials.

579 S Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035, Phone: 408-262-2200