| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in San Jose
|
San Jose is sometimes considered to be a southern suburban extension to the burgeoning Bay Area metropolitan area. However, one thing it has over many cities that exert greater influence is that it is the oldest incorporated city in the US. It has also become somewhat of a soccer powerhouse, with both men’s and women’s teams holding the national championships in 2001. San Jose is a pretty and serene city, with mountain ranges surrounding it and its city parks, gardens and trees dotting the city. The Guadalupe River Park, a 3-mile belt of trees and gardens, connects San Jose's downtown area - which contains the Tech Museum of Innovation and other top attractions - with the Children's Discovery Museum to the south. San Jose's downtown area can be easily explored on foot, with side trips by light-rail, but you'll need a car to get to outlying sights like the Egyptian Museum and the Winchester Mystery House. Other San Jose attractions include the Municipal and Heritage Rose Gardens. San Jose is also the main headquarters for Silicone Valley and is therefore home to industrial parks, computer companies, and corporate headquarters. One of the major downtown attractions is based on this theme. The Tech Museum Of Innovation (in the River Park) is possibly the most nationally recognized museum of technology. There are plenty of high-tech and hands-on exhibits and robotics that are mind boggling examples of what the future might be like. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to San Jose Within USA
|
San Jose International Airport is located adjacent the city of Santa Clara to the north-west of San Jose. The VTA provides a free Airport Flyer bus service between the Airport and the VTA Line 10 Rail Station, whereby you can access downtown or catch the Caltrain rail from Santa Clara to San Francisco. Amtrak trains are located at 65 Cahill Street (also the Caltrain Depot). Greyhound buses are located at 70 S Almaden Street – all within walking distance of downtown. San Jose’s public transport system is an extensive and integrated bus and light rail system (the VTA). The light rail system, focused on downtown San Jose, is one of the longest in the country and connects all the way to Santa Clara to its north. The bus system also connects to Fremont, which is also the end of the line for San Francisco’s BART system, thereby physically connecting San Jose with the northern metropolis. The bus system basically fills in the gaps for where the light rail does not go. The Caltrain rail system runs from San Francisco down to Santa Clara, San Jose Diridon and Tamien Stations, where connection to the VTA Light Rail system can be achieved. |
| NHL
SAN JOSE SHARKS |
The San Jose Sharks started life in the NHL in 1991. The Sharks have had mixed success, but have made the playoffs every year since 1997-98, after being in and out of the playoffs before then. |
| MLS
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES |
The MLS’ San Jose Earthquake won the 2001 MLS Cup and has become one of the most popular teams in the country. Their key US born players Landon Donovan and Jeff Agoos are two of the first players picked for the US team. |
| COMPAQ CENTER | The Compaq Center Arena (formerly the San Jose Arena) is located at 525 W Santa Clara Street, San Jose. The Centre is San Jose’s premier sporting arena and also hosts any major concerts or events that go through the city. By public transit, the VTA light rail transit runs to downtown San Jose, where a free VTA shuttle bus runs to San Jose Arena. There is also a direct service by the VTA Bus Route 22 and Route 64. The Caltrain is also across the street at the San Jose Diridon/Cahill Street Station for access to parts north, including downtown San Francisco. |
| SPARTAN STADIUM | The ‘Quakes play out of San Jose State University’s Spartan Stadium in downtown San Jose. For directions see NCAA section below. |
| TENNIS
Late February - ATP Tennis Siebel Open, Compaq Center, San Jose Ticket information to come |
Follow the same directions as indicated above for the Compaq Centre. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY |
The Santa Clara Broncos are located at 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, about 1km from downtown Santa Clara, and only about 7km from downtown San Jose. The Broncos have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The Leavey Centre (formerly Toso Pavilion) is the home of the basketball teams and is located on the campus in Santa Clara. There is a Caltrain Station at Santa Clara, which is one station away from San Jose Caltrain Station and is a small walk to the campus, as well as VTA Bus Route 300, which links the two downtown areas and goes past the campus. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE |
The
University of San Jose Spartans are located at One Washington Square, San Jose – smack
bang in the downtown area. It is an easy walk from most places in the
downtown area. The Spartans have teams in most sports, including football
and men’s and women’s basketball. Spartan
Stadium hosts the football team and is located south of the campus on
the other side of downtown - about 1.5km away off Keyes Street. The
basketball teams play out of the originally called Event Center, which has
a capacity of around 5,000 and is in the heart of the campus in downtown
San Jose. |
