United States of America > California > San Jose
Overview
San Jose is the third largest city in California and can be found in the northern region of the Golden State in the Santa Clara Valley, about 50 miles (80km) south of downtown San Francisco. With the proliferation of high-tech corporations in the city, San Jose is known as the capital of Silicon Valley, and contributes impressively to the San Francisco Bay Area's reputation as a business powerhouse.
Although often overshadowed by its neighbour San Francisco, San Jose has plenty to offer visitors. Travellers, whether visiting on business or leisure, can appreciate a variety of attractions. San Jose has serious outdoor allure and many of the city's tourist attractions can be enjoyed out in the sun, such as the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, or the San Jose Flea Market, which is the largest open-air market in America.
Located in an agriculturally rich region, San Jose is also home to many fruit farms and some spectacular wineries, some of which offer vineyard tours and wine tastings; a clear favourite among tourists.
If stopping in San Jose on business, travellers should consider some cultural sightseeing in between meetings, as the city has many world-class museums and galleries. The San Jose Museum of Art, the History Park, The Tech Interactive science and technology cente, as well as the many theatres and the Centre for the Performing Arts are highlights on the cultural to-do list. The Rosicrucian Park, with its Egyptian Museum and Planetarium is also worth visiting.
The revitalised downtown region of the city is always abuzz with vibrant restaurants and boutique shops to explore and enjoy. While often visited for more commercial purposes, San Jose is a lively city with much to see and do all year round, making it a great spot for top-class art, culture and recreation.
Climate
San Jose is located in the San Francisco Bay area, and is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by mountains that also provide relief from the rest of the area's typically high rainfall. It has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, with temperatures varying from 43ºF (6ºC) to 82ºF (28ºC) year-round, and rarely dropping below 34ºF (1ºC) or rising above 91ºF (33ºC). The warmest months fall between June and September, which is a good time for summer holidaymakers to visit. For the most part, temperatures in this season range between 56ºF (13ºC) and 82ºF (28ºC), and the area receives minimal rain. Winter, which falls between December and February, is colder and brings with it more cloud cover and rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain (cm) | 79 | 61 | 61 | 31 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 56 | 58 |
| Rain (inches) | 3.1 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 2.3 |
| Average Temperature (°C) | 9.4 | 11.6 | 12.6 | 14.3 | 16.7 | 19.3 | 20.7 | 20.7 | 19.9 | 17.1 | 12.7 | 9.4 |
| Min Temperature (°C) | 4.4 | 6.3 | 7 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 12.1 | 13.4 | 13.5 | 12.7 | 10.4 | 7.2 | 4.5 |
| Max Temperature (°C) | 14.5 | 16.9 | 18.3 | 20.9 | 23.6 | 26.5 | 28.1 | 27.9 | 27.1 | 23.8 | 18.3 | 14.4 |
| Average Temperature (°F) | 48.9 | 52.9 | 54.7 | 57.7 | 62.1 | 66.7 | 69.3 | 69.3 | 67.8 | 62.8 | 54.9 | 48.9 |
| Min Temperature (°F) | 39.9 | 43.3 | 44.6 | 46.0 | 49.8 | 53.8 | 56.1 | 56.3 | 54.9 | 50.7 | 45 | 40.1 |
| Max Temperature (°F) | 58.1 | 62.4 | 64.9 | 69.6 | 74.5 | 79.7 | 82.6 | 82.2 | 80.8 | 74.8 | 64.9 | 57.9 |
Getting Around
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates an extensive local bus network covering San Jose and surrounding areas, many of which connect to the VTA light rail or Caltrain stations. Rail service to and from San Jose is provided by Amtrak, Caltrain (the best option for getting to San Francisco), ACE, and a light-rail system operated by the VTA. Bike and pedestrian routes are also available throughout the city. Many visitors to San Jose find that the city's sprawling layout is best explored by car, and hire vehicles from one of the companies located in town and at the airport. Ride-hailing taxi services, such as Uber, are available.