Often known as "The Capital of Silicon Valley," San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area, 3rd largest in California, and the 10th largest city in the United States. For the 5th year in a row is named the safest big city in the US.

Attractions

 • Downtown. Offices, shops, hotels, numerous restaurants, a convention center, the SoFA (South First Area) nightclub district, the weekly San Pedro Square farmer's market, San Jose State University, City Hall, the main library, the Guadalupe River trail, parks, cultural events, theaters, art galleries, and museums.
 • San Jose Museum of Art, 110 South Market Street, (408) 294-2787. Focuses on contemporary art. Free admission.
 • The Tech Museum (Museum of Science and Technology), 201 South Market Street, (408) 294-TECH. Numerous exhibits on technology, many of them interactive.
 • Winchester Mystery House, 525 South Winchester Boulevard, (408) 247-2101. The legend is that Sarah Winchester was afraid of being cursed by the ghosts of those who had been killed by Winchester guns. She thought that as long as construction kept going on, the ghosts would be kept at bay and she would keep on living. Construction did keep going on, resulting in a fantastic house full of mazes, stairs that go nowhere and other odd architecture. Mansion tour $17.95. Behind the Scenes tour $14.95. Combined tour $24.95.
 • Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 1342 Naglee Ave, (408) 947-3636. One of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts in the United States.
 • Japantown. The neighborhood surrounding Fifth and Jackson streets (a mile from Downtown) has several good restaurants, retail shops, cultural facilities, etc. Festivals are held several times a year.
 • Willow Glen. Lincoln Avenue near Willow Street is a charming shopping district, once the center of a town separate from San Jose.

Drink

Downtown San Jose used to be too dangerous for any kind of night life, but things have really turned around.
 • Agenda Lounge, 399 S. First St.
 • The Fairmont Lounge (in the Fairmont Hotel), 170 S. Market St. Upscale and pricey piano bar
 • The Caravan and Cinebar. 98 S Almaden Avenue and 69 E San Fernando Street, respectively. Dive bars of a dwindling type. The Caravan is neighbor to (and was once a tenant of) a Greyhound station, no less. Neither to be confused with the upscale cocktail lounge Dive Bar, 78 E Santa Clara Street.
 • Hookah Nites. 371 S First Street. Coffees, teas, snacks, and hookahs. The sweet smells of tobacco and fruit smokes spread across the street as patrons enjoy hookahs at sidewalk tables each afternoon and evening.
 • JJ's Blues, 3439 Stevens Creek Blvd. 243-6641. One of the best places in the Bay Area to hear live blues music, and one of the few clubs with live music every night of the week.

Lodging

 • Best Western Airport Plaza, 2118 The Alameda, (408) 243-2400, Fax: (408) 243-5478
 • Best Western Gateway Inn, 2585 Seaboard Avenue, (408) 435-8800, Toll-free: (800) 437-8855, Fax: (408) 435-8879
 • Best Western Lanai Garden Inn & Suites, 1575 Tully Road, (408) 929-8100, Toll-free: (866) 295-2624, Fax: (408) 929-8140
 • Best Western San Jose Lodge, 1440 N 1st Street, (408) 453-7750, Fax: (408) 437-9519
 • Courtyard San Jose Airport, 1727 Technology Drive, (408) 441-6111, Toll-free: (800) 627-7468, Fax: (408) 441-8039
 • Crowne Plaza Hotel, 282 Almaden Blvd, (408) 998-0400
 • Fairfield Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, 1755 North First Street, (408) 453-3133, Toll-free: (800) 793-9121, Fax: (408) 452-1849
 • The Fairmont San Jose, 170 South Market Street, (408) 998-1900, Toll-free: (800) 527-4727 - Luxury hotel located near the McEnery Convention Center. Heated rooftop pool, underground valet parking.
 • Holiday Inn, 399 Silicon Valley Blvd., (408) 972-7800
 • Holiday Inn Express, 2660 Monterey Rd., (408) 279-6600
 • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1350 N. Fourth Street, (408) 467-1789
 • Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa Clara Street, (408) 286-1000, Toll-free: (800) 843-3700 - Restored historic luxury hotel.
 • Motel 6 San Jose Airport, 2081 North 1st Street, (408) 436-8180, Fax: (408) 441-1656
 • Motel 6 San Jose South, 2560 Fontaine Road, (408) 270-3131, Fax: (408) 270-6235
 • Residence Inn San Jose South, 6111 San Ignacio Avenue, (408) 226-7676, Fax: (408) 226-9916
 • San Jose Doubletree, 2050 Gateway Place, (408) 453-4000. Mostly known for the location of many conventions (see Events above), the Doubletree is within half a mile of the San Jose airport. Free wireless in the bar area. Lots of meeting space.
 • San Jose Hilton & Towers Hotel, 300 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, (408) 947-4450. One of the finest in the downtown. Excellent location for convention attendees (conference center is conjoined with this with the newly constructed Marriott)
 • San Jose Marriott, 301 South Market Street, (408) 280-1300, Toll-free: (800) 314-0928, Fax: (408) 278-4444 - This hotel rises above the southern tip of Plaza de C'ar Ch'ez, home of California's first state capitol (1849-1851) and San Jose's former city hall (1889-1958), both now demolished.
 • Staybridge Suites, 1602 Crane Court, (408) 436-1600
 • TownePlace Suites San Jose Cupertino, 440 Saratoga Avenue, (408) 984-5903, Fax: (408) 984-5904
 • Wyndham San Jose Hotel, 1350 North First Street, (408) 453-6200 -