San Jose, California from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews of San Jose, California.
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The city of San Jose (also often called the unofficial capital of Silicon Valley) is located in the northwest of California, south of San Francisco. Typically, it is tourists from San Francisco or Los Angeles who go to explore other major cities in the region for attractions - and inevitably end up in the state's third largest city, San Jose.
The city itself is located relatively far from the coastline, is rarely included in traditional excursion routes and is rather interesting for business tourists: the head offices of such large high-tech companies as Cisco Systems, eBay, Adobe Systems and many others are located here. Those who want to find work in a similar profile also flock to San Jose.
However, business tourists, job seekers, those who visited San Jose out of curiosity, and those who happen to be passing through will definitely find something to do and see in the 10th largest city in the States. Moreover, you can walk around the third safest city in the United States completely fearlessly.
How to get there
Generally speaking, San Jose Airport is one of three international airports in the region, but planes do not fly there directly from Russia, so it may make sense to get to San Francisco or another large city first, and then travel by land from there. There are trains to San Jose from San Francisco, Los Angeles and all major cities on the east coast. It's about the same story with buses. If you are traveling around the USA by car, the easiest way to get there is from San Francisco and Auckland. If you don't go during rush hours, the journey will take no more than an hour.
Search for flights to Los Angeles (closest airport to San Jose, California)
History of San Jose
A short excursion into history: San Jose, by American standards, was founded quite a long time ago, in 1777, and was the first city and administrative center of the then Spanish colony of New California. This has left a certain imprint on the modern city: more than 30% of the city’s population are Latin Americans of various nationalities, and there are the most Mexican cuisine establishments here, and they are very diverse. San Jose is generally extremely diverse in terms of national composition, including because numerous Silicon Valley enterprises employ people from all over the globe.
Transport
The city center is quite compact, and besides, all the streets are strictly parallel and perpendicular to each other, so you can explore it on foot - it won’t be difficult to get your bearings. If you need to go outside the center, then you can’t do without transport - the distances there are not small at all. Here you will be helped by buses going in all possible directions (and all at different prices - depending on the route), and the so-called Light Rail - the local representative of the monorail. The price for it is just fixed - a one-way trip will cost about 2 USD. A day pass for buses and Light Rail will cost 6 USD for an adult and 5 USD for a child. Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
Popular hotels in San Jose
Entertainment and attractions in San Jose
God himself ordered the capital of Silicon Valley to have a Museum of Science and Technology. Exhibitions at the museum in the city center tell visitors how the latest technologies affect human life. Permanent exhibitions are devoted primarily to the Internet and research into new possibilities of the human body. The museum also has an IMAX dome theater. Entrance ticket to the museum and cinema costs 31 USD. Website: thetech.org.
The San Jose Museum of Art is also in keeping with the city's spirit, having grown from a small gallery to a major contemporary art center since opening in 1969. The museum can be visited for 10 USD. Website: sjmusart.org.
Outstanding works of modern architecture include the new City Hall, opened in 2005, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, opened in 2003. The latter also has a huge amount of the most modern multimedia resources, which anyone can use - entrance to the library is absolutely free, including for tourists.
San Jose is also home to the first Patchwork and Textile Museum in the United States. Its collections are updated every three months and highlight the latest developments and trends in this field. A visit to the museum will cost you 8 USD, and every first Friday of the month you can get there for free. Website: sjquiltmuseum.org.
Neighborhoods of San Jose
Outside the city center, you can visit the Winchester Mystic House - its interactive exhibition is based on the legend of the ghosts living in the house. The entrance ticket costs from 22 USD to 44 USD depending on the chosen program. Website: winchestermysteryhouse.com.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is no less interesting. Its exhibitions are composed of artifacts from Ancient Egypt, carefully protected from archaeological excavations by members of a secret order since the 1920s. The museum recreates an ancient Egyptian tomb in detail and displays real mummies, as well as artifacts used in religious rituals. A full admission ticket costs 9 USD, for students and pensioners - 9 USD, for children from 5 to 10 years old - 7 USD, children under 5 years old will go free. Web site:
San Jose is a city in the western United States, located in the southern part of San Francisco Bay. As of 2013, the population of San Jose is estimated at 998 thousand, making it the third most populous city in the state of California. According to forecasts, the population of San Jose will continue to increase, by 2040 the growth will be 340-470 thousand people.
Distances from San Jose to:
- San Francisco - 70 km
- Sacramento - 140 km
- Los Angeles - 490 km
- Portland - 900 km
Downtown San Jose
San José was founded in 1777 by the Spanish, led by Lieutenant José Joaquín Moraga. The settlement was originally named El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, which literally means "Settlement of St. Joseph on the Guadalupe River." During the first two centuries of its history, San Jose developed and grew very slowly. By 1850, when San Jose received city status, only 4 thousand people lived in it. By 1900, the population had increased to only 21 thousand (for comparison, by this time about 350 thousand people lived in San Francisco). Until World War II, the city's economy was based on agriculture. After the war, rapid development of industry and high-tech production began. Fruit orchards have given way to research complexes and industrial parks.
Today, San Jose is located in the very center of a technologically advanced cluster, which in Russia is commonly called Silicon Valley. The English name "Silicon Valley" is derived from the word "Valley" (referring to the Santa Clara Valley - the Santa Clara Valley, where San Jose is located) and the word "silicon" ("silicon" - used to create semiconductors, actively used in the computer industry). The San Jose region is home to more than 6,600 high-tech companies employing more than 250,000 people. Among the city's largest employers are such well-known companies as Cisco Systems, IBM, eBay, Adobe and others. It is estimated that 1/3 of all venture capital funds in the US are invested in companies based in San Jose and Silicon Valley. The region's numerous universities graduate thousands of engineers each year, fueling the local economy. All this allows us to call San Jose the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”
It is worth noting that Silicon Valley and San Jose are a popular place of work for programmers, IT specialists and scientists moving there from the countries of the former USSR.
View of the valley and city at night
From 1950 to 1970, San Jose grew aggressively and annexed neighboring territories. Over these 20 years, the population has increased enormously - from 95 to 459 thousand (almost 5 times!). At the same time, the city grew in width (territorially), and not in height. The area of San Jose is 466 sq. km. Due to San Jose's rapid expansion in the post-war period, much of the city is low-rise tracts spread over a larger area.
As of 2010, there are 314 thousand buildings within the San Jose city limits. 170 thousand of them (54%) are detached, housing no more than one family. 58% are homeowners, 42% are renters. The average cost of a detached home in San Jose is $480 thousand, and an apartment in an apartment building/townhouse is $245 thousand.
Racial composition of San Jose population as of 2013:
- Hispanic (any race) - 33.5%
- Asians - 32.9%
- white - 27.3%
- African Americans - 3.0%
- mixed races - 2.8%
- Indians - 0.1%
It is worth noting that 39.3% of the city's residents were born outside the United States.
Primary language of communication at home:
- English - 45%
- any Asian - 24%
- Spanish - 23%
- others - 8%
Socio-economic indicators of San Jose:
- average income per person - $34,997
- population living below the poverty line - 12.8%
- unemployment in the region (as of June 2014) - 6.0%
- cost of living index - 140.9 (more than 40% higher than the US average).
Like most cities located in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose is an expensive place to live. The cost of living in the city is one of the highest in the country. The main reason is high prices for real estate, rent, utility bills, and services. At the same time, according to numerous studies and ratings, San Jose is recognized as one of the safest large cities in the United States.
Sights and interesting places of San Jose
- San Jose Center for the Performing Arts - performing arts center
- The Tech Museum of Innovation - science and technology museum
- San Jose Museum of Art - San Jose Art Museum
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum - a museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt
- San Jose City Hall - San Jose City Hall
- Santana Row is a prestigious European-style area with shops, restaurants, hotels and vibrant nightlife
- Japantown - Japanese neighborhood north of downtown with a number of cultural sites, shops and good restaurants
- California's Great America - amusement park (open in the summer season)
- Raging Waters San Jose - water park (open during the summer season)
- Plaza de Cesar Chavez - a small park in the city center where open-air concerts are held
- Lick Observatory is an astronomical observatory located 46 kilometers from San Jose.
In the leading North American sports leagues, San Jose is represented by 2 teams. The San Jose Sharks hockey club plays at the HP Pavilion. And the football San Jose Earthquakes (European football) plays its home matches in Santa Clara, a suburb of San Jose. There are also several other minor league teams based in the region.
The climate in San Jose is pleasant (Mediterranean type of climate). There are more than 300 sunny days a year. Summer is warm, the average temperature in July is 21 C. In winter, snow rarely falls, the average temperature in January is 10 C. Temperature fluctuations between daytime and nighttime values are usually insignificant 5-6 C. Precipitation falls mainly from November to April. Due to the fact that San Jose is surrounded on three sides by mountains, the amount of precipitation is significantly less than in some neighboring parts of the region. At the same time, as in most of the San Francisco Bay region, San Jose has dozens of zones with their own microclimate.
At one time, I came to San Jose for the same reason that most tourists come here - the capital of Costa Rica is the largest transport hub in the country, and it is from here that lovers of eco-tourism begin their unforgettable journeys through the vast expanses of national parks and reserves .
San Jose, like other Latin American cities, is considered an unsafe city, and tourists try to leave it as soon as possible. However, if your itinerary was designed in such a way that it requires several days of rest in the capital, in no case should you be upset, much less scared. In this article, I will talk about my experience traveling to San Jose and give some tips to help make your stay in the Costa Rican capital as enjoyable and exciting as possible.
How to get there
By plane
Clue:
San Jose - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 9
Kazan 9
Samara 10
Ekaterinburg 11
Novosibirsk 13
Vladivostok 16
San Jose - weather by month
Clue:
San Jose - weather by month
Food. What to try
Things to do
How to get around the city
Ski holiday
How to get there
You can only get to San Jose from Russia by plane, as most tourists do. But if you have already flown to one of the Latin American countries, a lot of opportunities open up before you - domestic flights, intercity buses, rental vehicles and even hitchhiking, which works like a charm in Costa Rica.
By plane
Costa Rica is considered a “premium class” country among our tourists. As proof of this, tickets from major Russian cities to San Jose, as a rule, cost travelers a pretty penny.
From Moscow
- Flights with one stop depart only from Moscow. The flight is operated by major European airlines - British Airways and Iberia. They offer round-trip tickets with connections in London and Madrid starting from 1000 USD per person. A one-way flight will take you about 19 hours.
- There is a more budget option - flights with two transfers. Tickets in this case will cost only 700 USD, and the travel time will increase by only 2 hours. Aeroflot offers this opportunity in an alliance with AeroMexico. However, this option has a nuance that may complicate your travel preparations a little - connections are made in different cities, and you will need a transit visa to make a transfer.
From Saint-Petersburg
Getting to San Jose from St. Petersburg is a little more difficult than from Moscow. Flights on this route require 2 or more transfers. The best deals in this case will be from AirFrance, which operates a 19-hour flight with connections in Paris and Panama City. Round trip ticket prices start from 1000 USD per person. You can compare prices and choose the most profitable option, for example.
From other Latin American countries
You can get to San Jose for a smaller amount - from 500 USD. However, in this case you will also have to make at least two transfers, one of them yourself. In this case, I recommend buying tickets in 2 stages:
- Transatlantic flight. Search search engines or European airline websites for cheap tickets to popular Latin American destinations. For example, Alitalia flies from Moscow to for 500 USD round trip, and KLM has already twice this year “thrown away” extremely low tickets from Russia to Panama and Colombia - from 300 USD round trip.
- Flying around Latin America. Flights between the countries are operated by large Latin American companies such as AeroMexico, Interjet and Avianca. They can find tickets from the above countries to San Jose from 150 USD round trip. Planes fly to the capital of Costa Rica from, Bogota and Panama City 5-7 times a day, so it will be easy for you to choose a suitable flight for your connection.
San Jose Airport. How to get to the city center
Juan Santamaria International Airport is 18 km from San Jose. It is located right on the Pan-American Highway, near the satellite city of Alajuela. In my opinion, the airport deserves the title of one of the most modern airports in Latin America, as it is equipped with literally everything necessary to serve tourists. In addition to a clear system of work and comfortable waiting rooms, there are several cafes, souvenir shops and even tour operators who are ready to take you outside of San Jose to a real tourist paradise, as soon as you wish.
There are several ways to get from the airport to the city:
- Buses white colors await tourists right at the exit from the airport. They depart to the capital every 20-30 minutes from 4.30 am to 11 pm. It is important to pay attention that the bus is marked “San Jose”, since in addition to the capital, buses also go to satellite cities. The ticket price is 1 USD, travel time is 35 minutes. In San Jose, the bus stops near La Merced Park in the city center.
- Official taxi at the San Jose Airport will help you avoid the headache of not getting shortchanged and getting out of the airport in complete safety. When you exit, feel free to get into the red cars, and they will take you where you need to go in a matter of minutes. Taxi prices depend on your destination and traffic congestion, but I can say approximately that for a trip to the center you will pay 20-25 USD for a car.
By bus
It is impossible to get to San Jose from Russia by bus. But it will be very easy to do this from neighboring countries. Both international and intercity buses operate throughout Costa Rica.
International buses
When it comes to traveling between Central American countries, Ticabus immediately comes to mind. This is a unique bus company that operates throughout the region. Its peculiarity lies in the convenience of routes built from capital to capital. Thus, with the help of Ticabus buses it is very easy to get to San Jose from (from 30 USD for 7 hours) and Panama City (from 40 USD for 12 hours). The company offers 3-4 trips per day, alternating economy class buses with more comfortable ones. You can buy tickets at the company's private terminals, which are located in all major and tourist cities of Central America. By the way, guarded Ticabus terminals are another advantage of the company in a sometimes unsafe region.
Other companies, such as TransNica and MEPE, also operate between neighboring Latin American countries. But, in my opinion, they do not have advantages over Ticabus - tickets from these carriers are not significantly cheaper, and their terminals are often located in very remote and unsafe areas.
Intercity buses
Central America is famous for its "chickenbuses" - old school buses from , which are used in the region for passenger transportation. However, it has long since stepped up a step higher. Modern buses ply around the country, the fare of which, according to my calculations, was about 2 USD per hour of travel. Tickets can be purchased at bus stations, but in rare cases you may be directed to a driver. On the way to San Jose, especially from border towns, regular buses often require people in military uniform to check the entry stamp. Therefore, you should not put your passport far away throughout the journey.
Bus stations in San Jose
Each car company in Costa Rica arrives at its own terminal. It's not very convenient, but fortunately almost all of them are within walking distance of each other and the city center. From here you can get to any desired point by taxi or public transport, but I preferred to find a hostel nearby and check in immediately - because soon I had to move on.
By car
You can come to San Jose by rented car from other cities in Costa Rica. This is very convenient, because the city is built right on the Pan-American Highway. If you are faced with a choice of where to rent a car, then I would advise you to do it in popular tourist spots in Costa Rica: it is here that companies offer a huge selection of new cars at prices starting from 30 USD per day.
You can rent a car for traveling to San Jose either on the spot or in advance on the website of one of the many Costa Rican companies. In the second case, you will need to make an advance by transferring part of the amount to the company’s account. To conclude an agreement, you will need a passport and an international driving license. You can also search for options.
Clue:
San Jose - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 9
Kazan 9
Samara 10
Ekaterinburg 11
Novosibirsk 13
Vladivostok 16
When is the season? When is the best time to go
The weather in San Jose is very stable - daytime temperatures range from +23 to +25°C almost all year round. The rainy season throughout the country occurs from May to October - at this time, prolonged downpours descend on Costa Rica, often interfering with travel, but prices for all tourist services fall by almost 50%.
Since San Jose is not the main tourist destination in the country, and some even consider it a forced point of stay, you should not rely on the weather in the capital when planning your trip. After all, it is a surprisingly diverse country, and everyone has their own goals for visiting it. Identify them and plan your route without adjusting to the weather in San Jose - let the weather adjust to you.
San Jose - weather by month
Clue:
San Jose - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
When choosing an area to stay in San Jose, I would advise you to first consider how many days you plan to spend in the city. On the map below I have highlighted the three main areas that, in my opinion, are best suited for an overnight stay. All tourist infrastructure is located here and public transport is good. Even the police are much more active in those places where the largest number of hostels and hotels are located. If you decide to stay in a remote hotel, be prepared that for safety reasons you will have to take a taxi all the time.
I also recommend paying attention to the apartments. Residents of San Jose take their apartment rentals very seriously, which is why most of them are in excellent condition and have a stylish design. The cost of an entire apartment with a kitchen and all amenities starts from 20 USD, and the conditions are many times higher than the hostels that you can find for the same money. Choosing and booking accommodation is quite easy.
What are the prices for holidays?
Holiday prices in San Jose are slightly lower compared to other, more touristy regions of Costa Rica.
- Eat in a cafe you can for 3-5 USD, and the total bill for dinner in a decent restaurant will be 20-30 for two. Do not forget that in all establishments in Costa Rica, a tip of 10% is automatically added to the cost of your meals, which is why the total bill always turns out to be more than you expected.
- Prices for full-day excursions (around the city and surrounding areas) start from 40 USD. In Costa Rica, where one bungee jump can cost 60, it's pretty cheap.
- Souvenirs in San Jose are almost 2 times cheaper than in tourist spots. I learned this life hack on a trip, and it was in the capital that I bought gifts for my loved ones. This literally saved my budget, because the prices for souvenirs in Costa Rican “resorts” are simply off the charts - a magnet can easily cost 8 USD, and a nondescript mug costs 30.
Clue:
Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things
Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Costa Rican colon, ₡
Main attractions. What to see
Without even expecting it, I spent several intense, interesting days in San Jose. Although before the trip I had no idea that the city has so many fascinating museums, and such corners of untouched nature are hidden in the outskirts of the capital, in fact, San Jose has proven itself to be excellent. However, it is better to talk about all this in order.
Top 5
National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
The National Theater is the real pride of the country. Being the largest in all of Central America, it attracts hundreds of tourists yearning for cultural attractions. You can come to the theater either on a tour for 10 USD to admire its exquisite decoration, or for a performance, a ticket for which, depending on the location, can cost even less than a tour.
Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)
A visit to the cathedral will be especially interesting for those who have not traveled to other major cities in Latin America. After all, this is the real heart of every capital, which, like nothing else, reflects the greatness of the city. Entrance to the cathedral is free, and you can attend mass on Sunday mornings. I just don’t advise you to take photographs during the service - in non-tourist San Jose they won’t understand this.
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
I’m not sure that the amazing artifacts that became the basis of the gold museum’s collection were actually found in Costa Rica, because no Indian civilization has ever lived here. But, one way or another, the exhibition deserves attention, especially if you are not planning to go to Colombia, where the gold museum occupies as many as 4 floors, and a ticket costs 1 USD. In San Jose you will have to pay 11 USD for entry.
Gallery Namu
The peculiarity of this gallery-museum is that here you can find souvenirs that differ from the usual Costa Rican market stamps. The prices for the products are quite high, but it’s worth coming here if only to admire the unusual pieces of art.
La Sabana Park
This green corner of San Jose is a real salvation in the noisy and stuffy capital! Having visited at least one of the national parks of Costa Rica, you begin to experience some kind of dependence on nature, and therefore staying in the concrete jungle of San Jose becomes even more difficult. In La Sabana Park you can truly relax from the bustle of the city - have a picnic by the lake or play sports.
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
In addition to the Cathedral, there are about a dozen different churches in San Jose - mostly Catholic and Protestant. All of them are open from 9 am to 4-5 pm, admission is free, and on Sundays and religious holidays you can attend mass here. However, in my opinion, only one of them is interesting from a tourist perspective.
Current Church of La Merced (Iglesia de la Merced) is not only a landmark of the city, but also the main landmark for meetings. The church looks quite modern, it is beautifully designed both outside and inside, which is why it attracts tourists.
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
San Jose has several museums that will be especially interesting to visit for those who have not traveled to other Latin American countries, as well as for tourists who are truly interested in the history of Costa Rica. I will list the most interesting of them.
Parks
The only park in San Jose is La Sabana, which I rightfully included in the top 5. In addition, here and there in the city there are small parks and squares, but it’s not even a stretch to call them parks. Therefore, if you want to escape from the noise of the city and relax in the shade of the trees, only La Sabana will come to your aid.
Tourist streets
San Jose has a whole tourist area - Downtown. Many of the streets here are pedestrian, souvenirs and essential goods are sold everywhere, and most of the restaurants, bars and discos are located here. The area is well guarded by the police, so you can walk here even at night.
What to see in 1 day
If you come to San Jose for just 1 day, I would recommend spending it as follows.
Food. What to try
San Jose doesn't have any special regional dishes. In my opinion, the capital of Costa Rica has another advantage - unlike other cities in Central America, the restaurant business is well developed here, so in San Jose establishments you can try cuisines from all over the world. For me, after a month of traveling in Central America, where the main diet is meat, rice, beans and fried plantains, restaurants serving Asian, European and American cuisine became a real treat.
Budget
Budget establishments include a variety of eateries that sell sandwiches, falafel or tacos. The cost of snacks starts from 2 USD.
- Falafel Drive-In;
- Veggie Grill;
- Sweet Tomatoes;
- In-N-Out Burger.
I also advise you to pay attention to cafes where locals eat. They may often have no signs, and the menu will be limited to 2-3 dishes, but here you can have a satisfying meal for 3-5 USD.
Holidays
There is an important event in San Jose when the city is literally packed with tourists from all over the world. This is a holiday CApote, which lasts from December 25 to January 8. It is named after the area in San Jose where the event takes place each year.
In simple terms, Zapote is a multi-day bullfight that has acquired the status of a national holiday. In addition to bullfights, dozens of attractions, entertainment, street food stalls and independent discos open in the area. That way, when you've had your fill of bullfighting, you won't have to leave Zapote, a two-week celebration that's always with you.
Safety. What to watch out for
San Jose, by all means, cannot be called a safe city. Despite the fact that the police closely monitor order in tourist areas, the metropolis itself is fraught with many potential dangers.
To avoid trouble, remember a simple rule: as soon as you leave the areas of the historical center or Sabana Norte, pay attention. Do not leave your belongings unattended and do not display equipment on display. If you've been out late, go home in an official taxi, which the administration of any city establishment can call for you. These simple rules will help you have a good and, most importantly, peaceful time in San Jose.
Things to do
When all the sights of the city were explored, I simply walked along the streets of San Jose and found something interesting every day: student meetings, street concerts and performances. One day (I still don’t understand for what reason) food was being prepared on the street, which everyone was given to try for free.
The main thing in such walks is not to go into narrow deserted streets. And if you have no desire to explore the restless capital, take time for shopping and buying souvenirs - it will be much more enjoyable.
Shopping and shops
San Jose has many large malls and shopping centers where you can find clothes from European and, most importantly, American brands at good prices. Most of them are located far from the city center, however there is one great exception.
The San Pedro Mall is located just 3 km from the city center. You can easily get here by taxi, public transport and even on foot. The choice of clothes and accessories is simply huge, and you won’t notice how you’ll spend a good half of the day here. The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., address: Rotonda de la Fuente de La Hispanidad, Provincia de San José.
Bars. Where to go
Downtown San Jose has dozens of nightlife spots open in the evenings. These are mainly Cuban bars with live music and English pubs. These establishments are aimed at tourists, so the prices here will not be very low - on average, you will have to pay from 5 to 8 USD for a glass of beer or cocktail. Bars open at 18:00 and close after midnight.
Below I will list a few of the most interesting of them.
- Stiefel Pub;
- Costa Rica Beer Factory;
- Central Pub;
- Xcape Bar & Lounge.
Clubs and nightlife
If after visiting the bar you want to continue, then there, in Downtown, you will find several nightclubs. Entrance to most of them is paid (5-10 USD), establishments are open from 10 pm to 3-4 am. Security at the entrance does not allow entry only to those visitors who can no longer stand on their feet.
I can recommend a couple of establishments.
- Castro's Discotheque;
- Club Alcazar;
- Pepper Disco Club;
- Paradise.
By the way, gay culture is quite developed in San Jose. The city even has several themed establishments. Therefore, do not be surprised if, unknowingly, you accidentally end up at a “themed” party.
Extreme Sports
There are no extreme sports in San Jose itself. But if you contact one of the travel agencies in downtown or the airport, they will be happy to offer you a one-day excursion to suit every taste: rafting, bungee jumping, zip-line and much more.
The cost of a full-day excursion starts from 80 USD - not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, if you are going to one of the tourist regions after San Jose, I would recommend choosing active entertainment already on the spot - believe me, there will be no shortage of choice there.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
A standard set of Costa Rican souvenirs are sold in San Jose, which you can read about here. The only advantage of the capital is that you can buy them here at half the price. To do this, I went to the souvenir market, which is conveniently located in the city center.
Despite the fact that the prices at the market after other regions of Costa Rica will seem simply magical to you, do not forget to bargain, especially if you are buying several things at once.
How to get around the city
If you live in one of the tourist areas of San Jose, you can cover many distances on foot. To travel to the outskirts or in the surrounding area, it is better to use a taxi - this will provide you with maximum safety. If you plan to often travel outside the city, it will be more profitable to rent a car. You can also travel along the main streets by bus. I will tell you more about each method below.
Taxi. What features exist
There are official taxis in San Jose. These are modern red cars that are hard not to recognize. You can order them by phone at any establishment in the city or catch them on the street. Taxi drivers in the official service are quite honest and work according to the meter, but the fares themselves in the capital are very high - from 1.2 USD per kilometer.
Unofficial taxis actively use this - by offering a lower price, they try to attract the attention of tourists. But the result of such a deal can be disastrous - among such taxi drivers there are many not only scammers, but also robbers.
Buses
You can quickly (and most importantly - cheaply) travel along the main streets of the city by bus. The cost of one trip does not exceed 1 USD, and choosing the right bus is quite easy - all stops are written in large print on the windshield of the transport, so you do not need to know the language to quickly find your way around. The only advice I would like to give to drivers who take a car rental - take care of a reliable parking place for your new vehicle. I would not recommend leaving your car on the streets of San Jose. However, most decent hotels have free parking spaces for their guests. Recommendation
San Jose is a charming, industrialized, cultural and industrial center of the United States. Capital of Santa Clara County. The population is about one million people. Its closest neighbor and bitter rival is the city of San Francisco. The climate is most favorable, the weather is little windy, warm with minimal precipitation. San Jose is home to a huge number of historical, architectural and cultural attractions. For lovers of active recreation, the city offers a lot of all kinds of entertainment.
City `s history
In 1777, the city of San Jose was built on the territory of the Alta California colony, owned by the Spaniards. The purpose of construction is the development of agriculture. To do this, each resident was given free tools and seeds, provided with livestock, and was also assigned a monthly salary of $10. Gradually, more and more farms began to appear on the territory of the colony. The only drawback that prevented an increase in population density was frequent illness. The region's population slowly died out. The Gold Rush that broke out across the country did not leave California aside. As a result, the urban population has increased significantly. And in the mid-19th century, San Jose was already the capital of California. In 1864, a railway line was built through its territory, and trade (mostly in fruits and vegetables) and the city's economy were actively developed. And thanks to the well-established railway connection, San Jose has become a major transport center in the region.
Attractions in San Jose
City museums
There are a large number of museums located in San Jose. Among them is the Museum of Science and Technology. Its exposition is dedicated to modern technologies created in the field of science and technology. Mainly it is the Internet and its impact on human life. The museum also houses a small themed cinema. The Art Museum is incredibly popular in San Jose. Its doors first opened in 1969. From a small run-down gallery it eventually grew into a magnificent museum of modern art. Unique works by artists and sculptors of the last century are collected here. Today, the museum hosts numerous exhibitions and opening days. Another attraction of San Jose is the Patchwork and Textile Museum. The museum's exhibition is constantly updated. By visiting the excursion, you can learn a lot of interesting things about the history and development of the textile industry. History buffs have the opportunity to visit the Egyptian Museum of San Jose. It contains unique artifacts of Ancient Egypt found as a result of archaeological excavations.
House of Winchester
On Winchester Boulevard stands one of the most mystical sights of the city - the Winchester House. It is known that in 1884 it was purchased by Sarah Winchester, the daughter-in-law of the famous rifle inventor. The death of her only daughter and the loss of her beloved husband made the woman wonder if this was an accident. In search of answers, Sarah went to a Boston medium. After a seance, the witch told the woman that the Winchester family had suffered a curse, which was retribution for all the deaths caused by the legendary rifle. She advised Sarah to build her own house, in which she could hide from spirits seeking revenge. The woman did just that; it is now the original three-story building located on Winchester Boulevard. Inside, the house is more like a labyrinth - many intricate staircases, narrow winding corridors, several dozen rooms, thousands of doors and dead ends. Thus, Sarah tried to hide from the spirits. Today, the Winchester house is a “haunted museum.”
Martin King Library
In 2003, the Martin Luther King Library was opened in San Jose. Countless different books are collected within its walls. Among them are ancient manuscripts, historical reference books, maps, autobiographical publications, etc. The library is equipped with the latest multimedia resources. Internet is available inside the building. Anyone can come here, entry is free for everyone.
Raging Waters Waterpark
A favorite place for many tourists is the San Jose water park. It provides a huge selection of fun attractions, several swimming pools for adults and children, and water slides. Numerous cafes are open on the territory of the water park. Inside it resembles a multi-colored candy; all the attractions are painted in different colors. A variety of exotic plants are planted around the entire perimeter.
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch Amusement Park
No less popular is the Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch amusement park, created in the form of a farm. Here you can learn a lot of interesting things about growing vegetables. Tourists are offered a tour of pumpkin fields. Next, you can visit a small cannery located within the park.
Rotary Playgarden
The Rotary Playgarden is a great place for the whole family to relax. There is a large playground in the center of the park. The decoration is original sculptures of giant insects and funny animals. There are excellent sports grounds and fun attractions for children. Along the entire perimeter of the park there are cozy gazebos with benches and tables.
Jeffrey Fountain Park
Jeffrey Fountain Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Tourists have the opportunity to go hiking or cycling. There are excellent playgrounds for the youngest guests. All lovers of a calm, quiet holiday flock here. Many people come to the park to escape from everyday worries, take a break from the bustle of the city, and, finally, just get some fresh air.
San Jose Zoo
One of the most visited places in San Jose is the city zoo. Its territory is home to several hundred different animals. Children can play on the sports fields or go on the rides. Comfortable gazebos are equipped for adults.
Tourist information
You can get to San Jose via one of the highways - I-680, US-101, CA-82, I-880. You can use train or bus services. There is a large international airport in the vicinity of the city. It receives dozens of domestic and international flights every day. There are several private airports nearby.
San Jose is a very important city for the USA. Although it has long been behind the back of its great neighbor San Francisco, today it has taken the lead in innovative technologies, as well as the development and implementation of new technological projects. Thanks to the fact that it was located in the famous “Silicon Valley”, back in the mid-90s there was a noticeable growth in business, followed by population and infrastructure. Today, San Jose is a major technology business center. It houses the offices of all the world's major corporations: Google Inc, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Ebay, IBM and many others.
This city is unlike any other, everything here is saturated with technology and commerce. But there are still unresolved problems with the very high cost of housing and lack of territory. The landscapes of San Jose are similar to the expanses of a tech city of the future - large glass and concrete houses, construction sites. But, as experience shows, not everything is so smooth. Just remember the fall of the Internet market in the early 2000s. Then many companies became bankrupt and people became unemployed. So, although a small town managed to become a big business center, we should not forget that there is not only profit and success, but also the other side of the coin.
An important feature of San Jose is its beautiful parks; Kelly Park is considered one of the largest and most interesting. It is a real open-air cultural and entertainment center; here, among the spreading trees and landscape decorations, there are several unique objects. Visitors to the park will be able to stroll through the beautiful Japanese Garden, decorated in the best traditions, and also visit the miniature zoo and botanical garden, which contains a collection of rare plants. There is also a small historical museum in the park, which will be interesting to visit for both adults and children. The park has a beautiful artificial pond with ducks that you can feed. Copyright www.site
The most mystical attraction of San Jose is considered to be the Winchester Mystery House. It was built by the widow of the famous inventor, who presented his unique rifle to the world. If you believe the legends, then after the death of her husband, the souls of dead people who died from a rifle began to appear to her. To put them to rest, the woman ordered the construction of a luxurious house. If you believe the stories of local residents, then many incredible legends are associated with the old mansion; some townspeople are afraid to pass by it even during the day.
The city has many interesting museums, among which the Children's Discovery Museum is especially noteworthy. It is aimed at children of all ages and presents visitors with interesting interactive exhibits; even adults will be delighted with some of the museum’s exhibitions. The museum introduces visitors to the basic physical and chemical laws, as well as the amazing features of the surrounding world. Many of its exhibits can and should be touched; during the excursion, visitors will be able to conduct interesting experiments with their own hands.
A special cultural institution for the city is the Textile Museum; there are very few museums of this type in the United States. It introduces visitors to one of the most important national crafts; back in the 18th century, the first textile factories opened in the city, work at which became one of the main means of livelihood for local residents. The exhibition of the modern museum includes samples of old factory equipment, and the museum also displays samples of textile products that were produced in local factories more than a hundred years ago.
