from $1,580
Is San Jose just San Francisco's little brother to the
south? Not at all. America's 10th largest city is a
wonderful tourist destination in its own right. So forget
about Alcatraz, settle into a San Jose hotel and sample the
fine food, nightlife, shops and outdoor attractions that
make it such an irresistible vacation destination.
Grab a bottle of local wine and head to the Heritage Rose
Garden for the most romantic picnic of your life. Tour the
eateries of Japantown, discovering a world of authentic
Japanese cooking. Hit the city's year-round farmers' markets
or the array of boutiques in Santana Row. And then relax.
With bars aplenty, and amusement parks like Raging Waters
nearby, you can let off steam in San Jose whenever you want
to.
It all combines to form an underrated tourist gem. So give
San Jose a try for your next getaway. It won't disappoint
you.
Food is one of San Jose's greatest assets. If you love sushi, the 150-year-old Japanese community in Japantown will satisfy any gourmet with top restaurants like Okayama. There are also great Mexican eateries like Taqueria Corona, steak restaurants like Arcadia - and much, much more.
San Jose is an excellent place to base yourself if you want to explore the wineries of the Napa Valley. Companies like Liberty Limousine or Extranomical will pick you up from your hotel, show you the finest wineries and have you back in San Jose for dinner.
If you want to entertain your kids, San Jose has it covered. Visit Happy Hollow Zoo with its large petting area, ride the roller coasters and other thrilling attractions at California's Great America or get soaked at Raging Waters.
Malls like Valley Fair and upscale shopping neighborhoods like Santana Row are heaven for lovers of jewelry, art and high fashion, while the huge Berryessa Market is a superb place to find bargain souvenirs.
San Jose is a beautiful place to be. Walk with your partner in the gorgeous surroundings of the Heritage Rose Garden, walk the Los Gatos Creek Trail or head out onto golf links like Cinnabar Hills. With such great weather, you definitely won't want to be stuck indoors.
Most of central San Jose is easily walkable, but the city has an excellent light rail system which serves Downtown well. Single fares are $2 and day passes cost $6, so it's not expensive either. You might also want to consider renting a bike, as the town has a network of specially marked cycle lanes. Local businesses like Tread or Bicycle Express will be happy to provide the transportation you need.
Taxis in San Jose charge an initial meter drop of $2.50, then $2.50 for every subsequent mile and $0.30 per minute stuck in traffic. UberX is much cheaper, however, charging just $1.50 for the meter drop, then $0.85 per mile, so it could be the most economical way to get around.
Driving in San Jose is simple, with a conventional grid system and streets that increase in number as you move from north to south. Before heading into town on weekends or at peak times, check the ParkSJ app or website to find the nearest parking lot to your destination. Renting should be simple, with major companies like Enterprise, Alamo and Hertz represented both at the airport and Downtown.
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