San Jose flights and travel guide

This northern Californian city is best known as Silicon Valley, home to high-tech companies such as eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Intel and, perhaps of most use if searching for cheap flights to San Jose, Google. 

San Jose has much to offer leisure travellers. Just a 45-minute drive south of San Francisco and 60 minutes northeast of Monterey, the capital of Santa Clara has a rich heritage. Founded in 1777, San Jose is California's oldest civil settlement and the site of the first state capitol. It's California's third-largest city after Los Angeles and San Diego and the tenth-largest city in the U.S. 

Surrounded by tree-dotted hills in a broad valley that was once full of orchards, the city itself has a recently revitalised downtown core with buzzing restaurants, fine hotels and shops. Story Road is the Vietnamese business area, home to some 200 stores and restaurants and the Museum of the Boat People and the Republic of Vietnam. Japantown, along Jackson Street, is one of three remaining Japantowns in the U.S. Along with the restaurants and shops, Japantown boasts the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.

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San Jose climate

San Jose gets about 300 sunny days a year. Summers are warm with temperatures in the 20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit). July is the hottest month, the average maximum temperature is 29C (84F). Winters are cool; temperatures hover about the low teens (50s F). The coldest month is December, and the average minimum temperature is 5C (41F). Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

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When to fly to San Jose

San Jose, with 300 sunny days a year, is a four-season destination. Leisure travellers take cheap flights to San Jose mostly during the summer months. Business travellers jet in to San José International year-round.

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Getting downtown San Jose

There are about ten major car rental companies with desks at Mineta San José International. Taxis are accessible from Terminals A and C. All trips from the airport cost a minimum of $15. Limousine, door-to-door shuttles and hotel courtesy shuttles are available.

Scheduled buses: Monterey Airbus costs about $35 per adult, $15 per child.

Public transportation: the VTA Airport Flyer makes frequent stops between the Airport and the Metro Light Rail Station.

Caltrain - VTA Airport Flyer makes frequent stops between the Airport and the Santa Clara Caltrain
Station.

Bay Area Rapid Transit - Board Airport Flyer (VTA #10) at Airport. Exit at the Metro Light Rail
Station. Board Light Rail at Metro. Exit at Civic Center. Take the VTA #180 Express Bus to Fremont Bart Station.

The Greyhound Station is 5km from the airport, but there is no bus or shuttle to Greyhound. Amtrak is also about 5km from the airport, and there is no bus or shuttle from the airport to Amtrak.

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Getting around San Jose

You can take the San Jose train through the city’s centre every day. Information about fares and schedules is posted around the city. The historic trolley cars run on a loop through downtown San Jose in the Christmas season and on weekends from April to September. The public buses run all year. You can also book a Super Shuttle minibus for door-to-door service.

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San Jose insider information

• Alum Rock Park, just minutes from downtown, is California's first municipal park. It is located in a canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Range. The 3sq km park has 21km of trails, picnic areas, a visitor centre, and a playground. 
• Calabazas BMX Park is one of San Jose's newest parks. It's on S. Blaney Ave. at Rainbow Drive. 
• Kelley Park, on the corner of Story and Senter Roads, is one of the city's oldest parks. It covers hundreds of hectares, has more than 100 picnic tables and 34 BBQs. The zoo is closed for renovation until the end of next year but the Japanese Friendship Garden is a tranquil and beautiful space. 
• The History Park Museum offers a glimpse of early 20th-century San Jose. 
• The San Jose Flea Market is open at weekends. It is said to be the largest open-air flea market in America, combining locally grown produce with a Mexican mercado vibe and the bargains you'd find in a garage sale. Mariachi Groups perform from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays at two locations in the Flea Market. 
• The San Jose Downtown Farmers' Market is open between the start of May and the middle of December (10am-2pm). Find it at San Pedro Square. Apart from delicious locally grown produce, pick up edible gifts, such as honey and fruit preserves, or lunch.

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San Jose airports

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