Travel to San Jose

Travel to San Jose

San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley, is located just 50 miles to the southeast of San Francisco and is one of Americas largest and safest cities. Known for its associations with some of the worlds biggest hi-tech companies such as Adobe, Cisco and EBay, San Jose also boasts 300 sunshine days a year and has a history stretching back to the American Revolution. In addition to its impressive statistics, Californias first capital city is also loaded with some outstanding attractions and offers an array of restaurants.

Transportation to San Jose

Mineta San Jose International Airport is the principal gateway to San Jose, and although it is the smallest airport in the bay area, it handles an impressive 11 million passengers per year from destinations the world over. If you cannot find a direct flight to San Jose for whatever reason, San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport are both relatively close to San Jose.

Transportation options to San Jose from all three airports are good and you can be in your hotel or downtown San Jose within minutes from Mineta San Jose International Airport.

You can also get to San Jose from within the United States via Amtrak trains, which roll in from the east via Sacramento and from San Francisco on the way to Los Angeles and vice versa. Greyhound buses also serve San Jose from San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Cruz and Los Angeles, with connections to cities further afield available at these destinations.

Getting to San Jose by car is also straightforward, with two major interstate highways approaching the city: I-80 from the east and I-5 from the north and south, while smaller, convenient interstates and state highways provide fast access from other parts of the bay area. Some attractions are well spread out, so hiring a car during your stay could be a good option, with plentiful parking options and a straightforward grid system downtown.

What to see

San Jose offers some fantastic sightseeing options, with lots of history under its belt and plenty of old buildings and museums to look at. San Jose Historical Museum and the Winchester Mystery House are two of the best examples in the city. Additionally, the 100 year old Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph and the intriguing Sikh Gurdwara are also well worth a look.

For respite, there are several parks and gardens within the city, the most extensive being Kelley Park in downtown San Jose. Apart from its beautiful greenery and colourful gardens, Kelley Park also offers a myriad of attractions such as the Historical Park and the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.

Daytrips

The bay area is awash with urban sights including Oakland and San Francisco, while the vibrant coastal town of Santa Cruz is just to the southwest. Santa Clara is also worth a look and has one of the most fun attractions in the region for families; Paramounts Great America Parkway, with its many rides and games.

If you are really into your driving and feeling adventurous Yosemite National Park is a few hours drive to the east and is one of Americas most outstanding natural attractions. Note that during the winter time much of Yosemite is inaccessible due to snow.

Activities and leisure

San Jose is surrounded on three sides by mountains, and Mount Hamilton in the Santa Clara Mountains to the east of town is one of the most popular areas for hiking, trekking and rock climbing. Nearby Copernicus Peak is also popular, while several large lakes and reservoirs dot the landscape to the south of San Jose, where water sports are becoming increasingly popular in the warmer months.

Safety issues

San Jose is the safest big city in the United States and the great majority of visitors will enjoy this attractive city unhindered. However, basic safety precautions need to be taken to ensure you have a hassle-free stay. The driving can be aggressive so take special care when hiring cars. Also, remain vigilant in busy tourist areas as pickpockets do operate here. Taking out travel insurance before travelling to San Jose is a must.