San Jose

by The Linguist

San Jose, California – The Capital of Silicon Valley

With over 1 million residents, San Jose is the largest city in Northern California and the 10th largest city in the United States. Known as the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is the economic and cultural center of the region. The city has a rich history that dates back to the late 18th century when El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe was founded.

History of San Jose

San Jose was founded in 1777 as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, the first city in the Spanish colony of Nueva California. It served as the first capital of California under Spanish and Mexican rule. Learn more about the history of San Jose on Wikipedia.

The city played a key role in California’s development throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, evolving from an agricultural community to a tech hub. Some of the key events in San Jose’s history include:

  • 1851 – San Jose is incorporated and named the first state capital of California
  • 1870 – Santa Clara Valley becomes one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country
  • 1950s – Rapid population growth as San Jose transitions to a technology center
  • 1957 – San Jose State University relocates downtown, fueling redevelopment
  • 1983 – San Jose International Airport opens, increasing commerce

To learn more about San Jose’s local history, visit the City of San Jose website or the San Jose Public Library’s California Room.

Economy and Major Employers

As the largest city in Silicon Valley, San Jose has a robust and innovative economy centered around the high-tech industry. Major companies headquartered in San Jose include:

  • Adobe – 345 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95110, (408) 536-6000
  • Cisco – 170 W Tasman Dr, San Jose, CA 95134, (408) 526-4000
  • eBay – 2025 Hamilton Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, (408) 376-7400
  • PayPal – 2211 N 1st St, San Jose, CA 95131, (402) 966-1000

Other major employers include Samsung, IBM, Intel, Oracle, Western Digital, and Xilinx. In total, San Jose has over 7,000 tech companies within its borders. Learn more about the Silicon Valley economy on the City of San Jose’s website.

Attractions and Landmarks

As a major metropolitan city, San Jose offers a variety of arts, culture, dining, and entertainment options. Top attractions and landmarks include:

Winchester Mystery House

525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 247-2101

The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling Victorian mansion filled with architectural curiosities. It was once the home of Sarah Winchester, wife of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction. Learn more on the Winchester Mystery House website.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

1660 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 947-3635

This museum houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America. Highlights include mummies, sarcophagi, and ancient Egyptian tomb artifacts. Learn more on the museum’s website.

San Jose Museum of Art

110 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 271-6840

With a collection of over 5,000 works, this museum focuses on modern and contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions highlight local, national, and international artists. Learn more on the museum’s website.

SAP Center

525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 287-9200

Home to the San Jose Sharks NHL team, this event venue hosts major concerts, sports games, and more. Upcoming events are listed on the SAP Center website.

GooglePlex

1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043
Not open to the public

Though located in nearby Mountain View, the GooglePlex is a major landmark of Silicon Valley. This corporate headquarters for Google covers over 3 million square feet.

Transportation

San Jose is conveniently located in the Bay Area with several transportation options:

Airports

San Jose International Airport (SJC) provides flights to destinations across the country and the world. It is located just northwest of downtown San Jose.

Public Transit

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates buses and light rail that serve San Jose and surrounding cities. Route and schedule information is available on the VTA website.

Highways

Key highways in San Jose include US 101, I-280, I-680, I-880, CA-17, CA-85, CA-87, and CA-237. Real-time traffic information is available via 511.org.

Education

San Jose is home to several school districts and higher education institutions:

Public School Districts

Colleges and Universities

To look up schools by address, visit the GreatSchools San Jose page.

Additional Local Resources

Map of San Jose, California

GPS Coordinates for San Jose Landmarks

  • SAP Center: 37.3326° N, 121.9018° W
  • San Jose City Hall: 37.3382° N, 121.8863° W
  • San Jose Airport: 37.3639° N, 121.9289° W

County Information

San Jose is located in Santa Clara County in the state of California.

Learn more about Santa Clara County here: