A guide to San José, California

“Do you know the way to San José?,” croons Dionne Warwick in the 1968 song with the same title. After the FIFA World Cup 2026 games in nearby Santa Clara, many more people will answer “yes” to Warwick’s question. Located about a 45-minute drive south of San Francisco, the former Valley of Hearts Delight may be lesser known than San Francisco, but it is actually a big city unto itself — surpassing SF in both size and population. Once the capital of California, the “safest big city,” has its own bastion of amazing food, culture and sports teams. It’s also just a hop away from Levi’s Stadium.

Whether shopping on Santana Row, dining on fancy dumplings at Westfield Valley Fair Mall, exploring Little Saigon or one of the three remaining Japantowns in the US, going to a San José Sharks hockey game, getting lost at Winchester Mystery House, or staying in town for a huge concert at SAP Center, San José holds its own. There’s certainly enough to do over a weekend, and if exploring outside city bounds, the Santa Cruz Mountains and area wineries should top your list.

Is it easy to get in and around San José?

San José is big, being 180 square miles (SF is only 49 square miles). While it’s flat and parts may seem walkable, it’s also hot (for the Bay Area), being 70-80℉ most of the year. It’s best to use a car, or public transit buses and light rails operated by VTA. If coming from another city, riding the Caltrain rail is a popular way to get there.

For those flying in for the World Cup 2026 games, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is only 5.5 miles (about a 10-minute drive) south of Levi’s Stadium. SJC is also only 4.5 miles (10-minute car ride) north of downtown San José.

For short day or weekend visits, it’s easiest to stay downtown, which is centrally located and walkable to restaurants, museums, and the SAP Center Arena. Another central option is to stay in the entertainment area of Santana Row in the Winchester neighborhood, about 5 miles southwest (10-minute drive) of SJC.

When should I go to San José?

San José, being inland and south of the bay, is considered sunny (for the Bay Area) for most of the year — think in and around 80℉ — and sees a small bit of rain in the winter, with temperatures in the 60s. There really isn’t a bad time to go. Line visits up with cultural events, whether it’s hockey season to see the San José Sharks, spring to see the Japantown cherry blossoms in full bloom, or Lunar New Year in late January or February to experience the Vietnamese Tết Festival.

Like with many destinations, accommodations tend to be cheaper during the fall and winter.

How much time should I spend in San José?

While San José is large, one or two days should suffice for most visitors. Many head to San José for a San José Sharks hockey game (or other sporting event) or large concert, while some visitors stay overnight. This leaves room for a couple of delicious meals and some daytime exploring.

Top things to do in San José

Eat your way through San José

Among San José’s diverse population of about one million people are robust enclaves of Vietnamese, Mexican, and other immigrant communities that have contributed in numerous ways to San José’s culture over the decades and centuries, especially gastronomically. There’s a booming and distinctive food scene, from the famous orange sauce at La Victoria Taqueria to pho and tons of regional Vietnamese specialties in Little Saigon, and real-deal ramen in Japantown. There is so much more that San Francisco doesn't match, and this is a great starter kit to begin your self-guided eating tour.

Learn about San José’s cultural communities

While speaking of San José’s food, have a deeper look at how the city’s communities came to be, and how they contribute to the city’s character. Visit the Japanese American Museum of San José in Japantown and check out community engagement programs at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San José. In Little Saigon, History Park houses a number of small cultural heritage museums: the Việt Museum, the Chinese American Historical Museum (a.k.a. the Ng Shing Gung Museum), African American Heritage House, Portuguese Historical Museum, and more.

Revel in San José’s burgeoning arts and culture scenes

The Tech Interactive is a worthwhile family-friendly science and technology center in downtown. For modern and contemporary art, go to the San José Museum of Art. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, near the Municipal Rose Garden, actually has the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on display in western North America. For a more indie arts experience, visit the SoFA District of downtown for galleries, cafés, and shops featuring local artists and musicians. See if South First Fridays Art Walk is on during your visit. For something quirky, check out the possibly haunted Winchester Mystery House near Santana Row.

For your viewing pleasure, see what live performances are on at the San José Theaters. SAP Center is great for large touring acts, like Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga.

See the big games

San José’s sports teams make the city destination-worthy for sports fans. The SAP Center has been home to the NHL’s San José Sharks since 1993. Its nickname is even the “Shark Tank.” But there’s more: TechCu Arena is home to AHL hockey team San José Barracuda. Both the National Women’s Soccer League’s Bay FC and Major League Soccer club San José Earthquakes play at PayPal Park.

My favorite thing to do in San José

While I mentioned it a little above, I love San José’s Vietnamese food. As diverse as San Francisco is, it has a different demographic make-up than San José, and is much smaller. San José has one of the largest Vietnamese populations outside of Vietnam, and SJ’s Little Saigon is anything but. While the community is more than just about food, there are dishes I’d be hard-pressed to find in SF, whether it’s for cơm tấm (broken rice) at Cơm Tam Thiên Huong, sizzling filet mignon with a crisp baguette at Bò Né Phú Yên, royal food at Hue Vietnamese Restaurant, or fresh bánh mì at Duc Huong Sandwiches (or modern, creative banh mi at newcomer Mommy’s Bánh Mì).

How much money do I need for San José?

San José is only slightly cheaper than San Francisco, as no one would really characterize any of the Bay Area as a bargain destination. Being in Silicon Valley, electronic forms of payment like Apple Pay are accepted almost everywhere. However, do bring some cash for some mom-and-pop operations that may be cash-only.

• Night at a downtown hotel: from 175 US dollars (more expensive during the FIFA World Cup)

• Single ride on VTA bus or light rail: US$2.50

• Filtered coffee at hipster café Academic Coffee: from US$3.75

• Bánh mì sandwich from popular local chain Duc Huong: US$8

• Pint of craft beer from Hapa’s Brewing Company: from US$6

• Bowl of ramen from Kumako Ramen Den: from US$14.95

• Ticket to San Jose Sharks game: US$50–150 on average (though the season will be through by the time the FIFA World Cup arrives in town!)

Where to stay

San José accommodations are more affordable than their San Francisco counterparts, though will be costlier during major events like the World Cup. Mandatory charges for most hotels include those for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), CA Tourism Assessment, the City of San José and Hotel Business Assessment (HBID).

Budget

Four Points by Sheraton San José Downtown: Built in 1911 as a classic grand hotel and remodeled in 2004, the basic-but-clean hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown and walkable to restaurants and museums. Friendly service, limited overnight parking for about US$45 per night.

La Quinta San José: Clean and sleek with a daily breakfast and fitness center, the La Quinta is situated between the airport and Levi's Stadium. Light rail and other public transportation options are a quick walk away, making this a convenient and comfortable place to base yourself.

Family

Hayes Mansion San José, Curio Collection by Hilton: This is a former Gilded Age family mansion estate remodeled by Hilton in 2020, with an outdoor pool and croquet. In a quiet residential area near the Eden Vale Gardens Regional Park (16-minute drive south of SJC). Parking is US$22 per night, though there is also street parking. The property is also pet-friendly.

Hilton San José: Conveniently located downtown, with comfortable beds, but otherwise this option doesn't have many frills. There is an outdoor pool and and the hotel is pet-friendly. Parking US$45 per night.

Luxury

Signia by Hilton: Convenient downtown luxury hotel with rooftop pool, Nespresso machines and 300 thread-count sheets. AJI Bar & Robata is a notable on-site Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) restaurant.

Marriott San Jos é: Downtown high-rise hotel whose state-of-the-art fitness center includes Peloton bikes. Other amenities include a rooftop pool, plush bedding and the option to bring your pet.

Boutique

Hotel De Anza: Art Deco boutique hotel located downtown with 10 stories and 100 rooms, originally built in 1931. Renovated in both 2015 and 2024. The Hedley Club features live jazz and a full bar.

Hotel Valencia: Boutique luxury hotel located on Santana Row, located right by the Winchester Mystery House and Westfield Valley Fair Mall.