Welcome to San Jose
San Jose is the largest city in Silicon Valley in Northern California and a major component of the greater Bay Area. Founded in 1777 as El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, San Jose was the first civilian town in the Spanish colony of Nueva California. When California was officially recognized as a state, San Jose served as the first capital. Since 1990, the city has been a major player in the booming technology industry of Silicon Valley, earning the nickname, "Capital of Silicon Valley." Besides the tech scene, a major draw is its climate. Visitors can bask in temperatures in the 80s during the summer and averages of 50s during the winter.
It's no surprise that San Jose is a popular destination for business travelers, with a revitalized downtown area and surge in start-up companies. In terms of navigation, getting around downtown is convenient with or without a car. The light-rail system links downtown to the rest of San Jose and Santa Clara County. There is also a free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) that connects bus and light rail service with Diridon Station, which is a major transportation hub.