Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business San Jose is the largest city in Silicon Valley, a sunny, diverse place where tech museums sit beside historic missions, a classic Japantown and some of the best Vietnamese food in America.
San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley and one of the most diverse cities in California. Behind the tech headlines you will find a walkable downtown, quirky landmarks, rose gardens and hills with views over the whole South Bay, all under around three hundred days of sunshine a year.
This food hall in a historic block is the easiest place to sample local food, with stalls for tacos, pizza, oysters and craft beer around a lively courtyard.
San Pedro Square Market is a lively food hall downtown. Photo: Cristiano Tomás, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The bright orange Tech Interactive is a hands on science museum where visitors design, build and test their own ideas. It is a great stop with children.
The Tech Interactive is a hands on science museum. Photo: GualdimG, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The palm lined plaza at the center of downtown hosts festivals and the winter holiday park, with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph just across the street.
Sarah Winchester kept building her sprawling Victorian mansion for decades, leaving behind staircases to nowhere, doors that open onto walls and a maze of rooms. Guided tours tell the strange story.
The Winchester Mystery House is famous for its odd design. Photo: The wub, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Set in an Egyptian style park, this museum has one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts on display in western North America, including mummies and a replica tomb.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum holds ancient artifacts. Photo: The wub, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Thousands of rose bushes bloom in this free city garden from late spring into fall. It is a favorite spot for picnics and photos.
The Rose Garden blooms from late spring into fall. Photo: The wub, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
San Jose's Japantown is one of only three historic Japantowns left in the United States. Visit the Japanese American Museum, browse family shops and stop for ramen, mochi and the Sunday farmers market.
Japantown is one of three historic Japantowns in the United States. Photo: Cristiano Tomás, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
West of downtown, Santana Row is an open air district of shops, restaurants and outdoor cafes, busiest on warm evenings.
Santana Row is an open air shopping and dining district. Photo: Steffen Schmitz (more photos), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Along Story Road and nearby streets, Little Saigon has bakeries, pho shops and markets serving one of the largest Vietnamese communities outside Vietnam.
Tucked into the eastern foothills, Alum Rock Park is one of the oldest city parks in California, with creekside trails, old mineral springs and canyon views.
Alum Rock Park sits in the eastern foothills. Photo: Advyth Ramachandran, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A winding road climbs Mount Hamilton to the historic Lick Observatory, where the views over the valley are as rewarding as the telescopes.
San Jose is one of the best places in the country for Vietnamese food. Start with a steaming bowl of pho and a crusty banh mi from a Little Saigon bakery. Taquerias serve excellent tacos al pastor across the east side, Japantown has classic ramen and sweets, and garlic fries are a nod to nearby Gilroy, the garlic capital.
Popular dishes to try in San Jose
Downtown San Jose is walkable and close to the convention center, arena and light rail. Santana Row offers stylish hotels steps from shopping and dining, while North San Jose near the airport is practical for business trips.
Where to stay in San Jose
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CleverTech - San Jose is an IT support business providing service repair, data recovery, and maintenance services for Windows and macOS devices in California.
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San Jose has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are dry and warm, spring and fall are often the most pleasant, and most of the rain falls between November and March.
San Jose Mineta International Airport is just north of downtown. VTA light rail and buses cover the city, and Diridon Station has Caltrain service to San Francisco. BART reaches the Berryessa station in north San Jose. A car is useful for the hills and day trips.
Tour the Winchester Mystery House, shop and dine on Santana Row and finish with a stroll in the Rose Garden.
Explore Japantown in the morning, visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and end with dinner in Little Saigon.
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