If you only know San Jose as a "city near Silicon Valley," this article will change your mind.

This city is the third largest in California and ranks among the top ten largest cities in the United States.

However, it often goes unnoticed due to the prominence of LA and San Francisco. There is much that people do not know.

San Jose is the county seat of Santa Clara County and one of the largest cities in California. According to the 2020 census, its population exceeds 1 million, making it the third largest city in California after LA and San Diego.

It covers an area of about 176.5 square miles, which is much larger than San Francisco. Considering that San Francisco is only about 46.9 square miles, you can gauge how expansive San Jose is.

The city's history dates back to 1777. Founded as El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe during the Spanish colonial period, it is one of the oldest cities in California. It developed from the Gold Rush era into an agricultural hub, and since the mid-20th century, it has gained the nickname "Capital of Silicon Valley" due to the influx of the semiconductor and IT industries.

In terms of tourism, San Jose offers a variety of attractions. Downtown is home to cultural facilities such as the Tech Museum of Innovation, Children's Discovery Museum, and San Jose Museum of Art.

Historical sites include preserved old buildings within the History San Jose complex, and the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is a popular spot for visitors in the spring. If you're looking for traces of K-Town culture, Japantown still maintains its identity.

The food culture is also noteworthy. Given its Silicon Valley characteristics, San Jose attracts talent from around the world, resulting in significant food diversity. In East San Jose, there are many Pho and Banh Mi specialty shops.

Mexican food can be found throughout the city, and you can experience authentic taqueria culture near Alum Rock Avenue. Korean food is concentrated in the Milpitas and Berryessa areas.

Public transportation accessibility is another strength of San Jose. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is located just a 10-minute drive from downtown. Caltrain connects to San Francisco, and the VTA Light Rail links the city internally.

BART has also become more connected to the entire Bay Area with the opening of the Berryessa/North San Jose station. Major highways include US-101, I-280, and I-880.

As an additional tourism tip, San Jose enjoys pleasant weather year-round. With a Mediterranean climate, summers are hot but not humid, and winters are mild. There are even days in December when you can wear short sleeves. Therefore, you can visit without being heavily influenced by the seasons.

Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are particularly ideal for outdoor activities. It's time to stop viewing San Jose merely as a business city.