Why Go to San Jose
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley and quietly bigger than its famous neighbor, San Francisco. It also gets more sunshine than much of the Bay Area. Beyond the tech campuses and suburbs, the city has a growing downtown full of culture, entertainment and good food.
Explore the hands-on exhibits at The Tech Interactive, see California art at the San Jose Museum of Art and visit the mysterious Winchester Mystery House, the sprawling mansion with staircases to nowhere. Catch an NHL game with the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center or a show at the historic California Theatre. Families can spend a day at California's Great America theme park, and shoppers will enjoy the upscale Santana Row. San Jose was also California's first state capital, and its history goes back to Spanish colonial days.
San Jose has a convenient airport and makes a great base for exploring Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz's beaches and the wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains. I'll plan a business-plus-leisure trip or a family getaway.
BEST FOR
Business travelers, families, museum visitors and urban explorers
BEST MONTHS
April–June and September–October typically suit outdoor touring, depending on weather and event schedules.
EXPLORE
Downtown San Jose has cultural venues and restaurants; Santana Row and nearby Valley Fair offer shopping. Willow Glen features a neighborhood main street and cafés.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
San Jose
North America › West Coast › USA › California
Silicon Valley culture with easy Bay Area connections
Tech
Silicon Valley
Business
Museums
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Cluster downtown museums and San Pedro Square on one day, then pair Santana Row with the Winchester Mystery House on another.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Reserve extra time for interactive exhibits and check special-program schedules.
The Tech Interactive
Discover hands-on science and technology exhibits in downtown San Jose.
Select a tour appropriate to your mobility and comfort with stairs.
Winchester Mystery House
Tour an eccentric historic mansion famous for its unusual layout and architectural details.
Try lunch before the evening rush.
San Pedro Square Market
Enjoy a lively food hall and gathering place near downtown’s historic district.
Bloom levels are seasonal; spring and early summer can be rewarding.
Municipal Rose Garden
Stroll landscaped paths among extensive rose plantings in a residential neighborhood.
Check reopening and maintenance notices before heading over.
Japanese Friendship Garden
Explore a landscaped Japanese-style garden in Kelley Park.
Full-service downtown hotel near the convention center and cultural attractions, practical for business trips and city breaks.
Signia by Hilton San Jose
Downtown San Jose
Hotel Tags
Historic boutique-style hotel with Art Deco character, positioned for downtown restaurants and entertainment.
Hotel De Anza
Downtown San Jose
Hotel Tags
Contemporary hotel convenient to business destinations, performances and downtown dining.
AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown
Downtown San Jose
Hotel Tags
Upscale boutique hotel in the Santana Row shopping and dining district, suited to a stylish walkable stay.
Hotel Valencia Santana Row
Santana Row / West San Jose
Hotel Tags
Straightforward centrally located hotel useful for convention visitors and travelers exploring the downtown museums.
Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown
Downtown San Jose
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in San Jose
High 66°F · Low 46°F · Rain 1.33 in
Shorter days make museums and heritage visits practical; plan around weather. For a destination-specific November plan, consider Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.
Mild periods in spring and fall are pleasant for sightseeing. Summers are often warm and dry, with cooler evenings.
Best Times to Visit San Jose
WHEN TO GO
06
Rideshare & Walking
Use rideshare between neighborhoods and walk clustered downtown sights.
05
Car Rental
A car provides flexibility for scattered attractions and Silicon Valley excursions; budget for parking.
04
Caltrain
Commuter rail links San Jose with destinations up the Peninsula toward San Francisco.
03
VTA Bus
Local buses extend coverage beyond the rail network, though transfers may be necessary.
02
VTA Light Rail
Light rail serves parts of downtown and the South Bay; review stop locations for each attraction.
01
San Jose Airport
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport serves the area; check ground transfers to your hotel.
Downtown is walkable in sections, but many South Bay attractions require a car, light rail, bus or rideshare. Caltrain connects San Jose with Peninsula destinations.
Getting Around San Jose