San Jose Travel Guide

San Jose’, situated about 50 miles south of San Francisco and 390 miles north of Los Angeles, is the third largest city in California after L.A. and San Diego. It is also the oldest Californian city founded in 1777, although there are no evident signs of this as it appears a very modern city with up-to-date architecture. San Jose’ has developed at great speed becoming the capital of the Silicon Valley with more than 6600 technological companies been based there, and some of the biggest names in the industry such as Adobe and Cisco Systems. A true working city, san Jose’ is very busy Monday to Friday and quiet at week-ends except at night when it turns into a very lively place. The city offers a variety of cultural, recreational and entertaining opportunities including a buzzy restaurant scene with more than 100 restaurants Downtown covering a wide range of cuisines.
You cant’ leave San Jose’ without visiting the Tech Museum of Innovation that is based on the principle of interactive learning. There you will be able to build a satellite or a microprocessor, explore the ocean’s seabeds driving a small robot and discover the secrets of genetics; thanks to an impressive simulator you’ll also have the opportunity to experience the force of an earthquake in complete safety.
In the surrounding areas, the charming village of Los Gatos parched on the hills overlooking the city makes a nice excursion. The small town is rather smart with a good selection of shops, galleries, lovely restaurants and bars.
35 miles south of San Jose’, Gilroy has self proclaimed itself the garlic capital, with a garlic fair celebrating the ingredient on the last week-end of July. Gilroy is also famous for the 145 factory outlets on Leavesley Road selling labels at reduced prices; these shops, very popular across the US, are open everyday from 10am to 9pm (till 6pm on Sundays). A good place for shopping!