San Jose, nicknamed the “Capital of Silicon Valley,” is California's third largest city and the United States' tenth largest. It is also the seat of Santa Clara County. In the Bay Area, San Jose is the largest in terms of population and industrial development. The estimated population of San Jose in July 2009 was 964,695. While in January 2010, the California Department of Finance estimated the population to have reached 1,023,083. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, San Jose has a total area of 178.2 square miles and about 1.86% of which is water. The city lies near the San Andreas Fault, making San Jose an earthquake prone area. The earthquake that occurred in 1906 had vastly damaged the buildings in San Jose. Other significant earthquake activities happened in 1839, 1851, 1858, 1864, 1868, and 1891. The 1957 Daly City Earthquake and the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 caused some damage to the city. Other faults along San Jose are the South Hayward Fault, Monte Vista Fault, Northern Calaveras Fault, and Central Calaveras Fault. The Almaden Valley along the southern part of the river is named for the mercury mines which produced mercury necessary for extracting gold from quartz during the California Gold Rush. Like most of the Bay Area, San Jose has a Mediterranean climate. San Jose experiences 300 days of full or partly sunny days with light rainfall each year. Rain usually occurs in November through April or May. San Jose is known as the Silicon Valley because of its large concentration of high-tech engineering, microprocessor, and computer companies. San Jose has been named as the “capital of Silicon Valley” being the largest city in the valley. Universities in San Jose pumped thousands of graduates from engineering and computer science courses into the local economy annually.
Before the Europeans came, the area was inhabited by groups of Ohlone Native Americans. A series of Franciscan missionaries came later and established the first in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. San Jose was founded by Lieutenant Jose Joaquin Moraga and gave the area the name Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe in honor of Saint Joseph, on November 29, 1777 and started a farming community. In 1821, San Jose was under Mexican rule after Mexico broke from the Spanish crown and became part of the United States in 1846. And on March 27, 1850, San Jose was incorporated as a city in the state of California with Josiah Belden as the first mayor.
In the beginning of World War II, San Jose's economy shifted to industrial manufacturing from agriculture, with Del Monte cannery as the largest employer at that time. During the shift to industrial manufacturing, the Food Machinery Corporation did the contracting and requested by the United States War Department to build 1000 Landing Vehicle Tracked. FMC Corporation remained as a defense contractor. IBM was first headquartered in the West Coast in 1943 and opened a research and development facility in the downtown area in 1952. Reynold Johnson later invented RAMAC and the hard disk drive that caused the technological side of the city's economy to flourish.
San Jose offers a great quality of living for the residents, and those who are contemplating of relocating in this city are very much welcome. The city has the best public safety in the nation. People from many places migrate to San Jose for the great quality of life it provides. Job opportunities, recreational activities for kids and families to enjoy, museums, flourishing economy, accessible transportation services, beautiful shopping districts, eclectic dining choices, and many others make the city a great place to live. However, the city experiences earthquakes at times because of its location along the fault lines.
On the other hand, the city has great amenities and the place is perfect for those starting a family. And for those working individuals who want to start their career in a new city can experience a quality of life here. San Jose is populated with friendly people. The city also has several schools for children, colleges, and universities that are very accessible to local residents. The city's transportation system is accessible and convenient with bus and rail transportation for the commuters. The BART provided these transportation services. Entertainment and fun are limitless here in San Jose from cultural and entertainment activities to sports events. The city is home to Lasers basketball team and the Sharks hockey team. San Jose also hosts music performances from every genre for an additional entertainment for the local residents and visitors as well.
San Jose's most popular companies with jobs are the Cisco Systems, Oracle, Google, Girard/Richardson, SanDisk, Gilead, Regional Medical Center of San Jose, Volt Information Sciences, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Robert Half Finance and Accounting, Yahoo!, and eBay. The most common occupations in San Jose are professional, management and related jobs, 37%; sales and office occupations, 22%; and service occupation, 14%. Seventy-seven percent of the workers in San Jose work for companies, and 9% work for the government, while the 7% are self-employed. The leading industries in San Jose are manufacturing, 20%; educational services, health care, and social assistance, 15% and scientific, professional, management, and administrative and waste management services, 13%. San Jose jobs have an average salary of $50,722. The city's unemployment rate is at 7.3% compared to the 6.9% national average.
The high demand jobs in San Jose, California include physical therapists, software engineers tied with senior software engineers, product managers, project managers, business analysts, senior product managers, registered nurses, quality assurance engineers, salespersons and customer service representatives, sales representatives, software developers particularly Java, store managers, web developers, network engineers, dental technicians, and business development managers. The government projected that these will be the fastest growing jobs until 2018: home care/personal aides, home health aides, industrial machinery mechanics, industrial engineers, biomedical engineers, pharmacy technicians, logisticians, manicurists and pedicurists, college level health specialties teachers, social and human service assistants, and computer systems analysts. Those who wish to try out a new career path are welcome here in San Jose as there are many job opportunities in the city.
San Jose has more than enough dining establishments for the tourists and locals to satisfy their appetites or simply to gratify curious palates. For a taste of Latin American cuisine, the Azucar Latin Bistro is one of the best places to go. The sexy bistro is located in the downtown of San Jose, bragging of its eclectic selection of Latin cuisine from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, with cocktails for a great drink. The atmosphere is casual, chic, and inviting. Near the corner of San Fernando St. and Second St. is the Loft Bar and Bistro located downtown of the city. The place serves great food and one can experience a wonderful dining moment at the rooftop garden patio. The menu has unique and familiar dishes like Fried Calamari and Shaved Tri Tip.
Another place to check out is the Fahrenheit Restaurant serving world cuisine. The Pan Roasted Mussels and Ahi Tuna Tartare will surely quiet the seafood lovers craving for seafood delights. Delicious dishes like Steak Satay, Asparagus Rib Eye Steak Rolls, and Fire Grilled Chicken will please any appetite. The Spencer's for Steaks and Chops serves flavorful steaks and chops cooked in a broiler at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit to seal the flavors into the meat. Other great places to wine and dine in San Jose are: Arcadia, Tarragon, California Café, Campo di Bocce, Los Gatos Brewing Company, Kaama World Food & Lounge, Capers, Brandon's Restaurant, and many others.
The museums in San Jose should not be missed. Artworks, artifacts, archaeological evidences, and many more can be seen in the majestic houses of ancient collection and fine arts. The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles is a quilt museum and a country original. The place has a permanent collection of about 450 beautiful quilts and special exhibits showcasing the history and craft quality. This museum was founded in 1977 to promote the appreciation of quilts and textiles as art. The displays also provide an understanding of the roles of these pieces in the lives of the quilt and textile makers. Children can spend some fun in the Children's Discovery Museum where learning and discovery become more interesting and exciting experience with hands-on exhibits, puzzles, programs, games, and classes.
The Tech Museum of Innovation has unique hands-on exhibits located in the heart of the downtown San Jose. The museum focuses on the functions of technology and how it has affected the lives of the people. The San Jose Museum of Art should not be missed as well. The museum focuses on artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries, especially from the West Coast artists. Lectures, poetry readings, classes, concerts and events for children are conducted here to make the learning fun. Another museum to visit in the city of San Jose is the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum that houses a vast collection of Egyptian artifacts.
San Jose attractions have invited tourists from all over the world. There is an unending adventure in the city of San Jose. Tourists and locals alike have marveled the many beautiful sights and interesting places for adventure in the city. The whole family and groups of friends will surely love it here. LeMans Karting is for the thrill seekers. This is the fastest indoor go kart racing in Bay Area, with 9-horsepower go karts that can speed up to 40-mph and a race track that measures 20 feet. For outdoor adventures, the family can head to the Alum Rock Park, a natural getaway. The 720-acre park is San Jose's first and largest park offering many recreational opportunities for the visitors like bicycling, picnicking, horse-back riding, or simply taking a scenic hike.
The Chinese Cultural Garden has a bronze and marble statue of Confucius that measures 30 feet in height. This is the centerpiece of the Chinese Cultural Garden. The History San Jose is a 14-acre complex of old buildings inside Kelley Park. The place showcases what San Jose was like before. The history park has a Trolley Barn, a print shop, a turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor, an early gas station, a Chinese-American community center and many more. The Japanese Friendship Garden Kelley Park is a relaxing place. The place was modeled after the park in Okayama called the Korakuen Park. The Mexican Heritage Plaza is a majestic place to see as well. This is a 55,000-square-foot cultural center with a 500-seat theatre. Other attractions in San Jose are the Peralta Adobe and Fallon House, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Winchester Mystery House.
There are many options for any San Jose nightlife and that depends on how one describes it. San Jose has all the venues that fit one's style from bars with lives music, to dance clubs, pubs, lounge, bistro, and café. San Jose has everything of it. Here are some of the hot spots in San Jose for an exciting night and party. The Gordon Biersch Brewery is known for its flavor-packed menu and a good selection of German ales and lagers. On weekends, patrons between the ages of 21 and 35 come here to hangout.
To see bartenders do some trick, the Flying Martini Brothers Bar, and Bistro is the place. The place invites a crowd of party people looking for fun. Dancing and sing-along can be done here to have a great time. There are also plasma TVs for extra entertainment. Agenda Restaurant and Lounge is another option for a great night outing. The area is known for having a diverse of patrons. There are some spaces for dancing, bars, and pool tables. They have a fine collection of beverages as well, and menu is limited but has plenty of appetizers. Other fun places head to at night are Blank Club, Hedley Club, JJ's Blues Lounge, and South First Billiards Club Lounge.
Tourists and residents interested in shopping will not be disappointed here in San Jose. There are many places to go and spend some cash and keep up-to-date with fashion and style. San Jose offers a great shopping experience for all its guests. The Santana Row is considered as a premier shopping district in the city. This is home to several exclusive stores like Burberry, Tommy Bahama, Gucci, Brooks Brothers, and many others. This is like a paradise for the shopaholics and window shoppers. The Santana Row has a historic ambiance with modern amenities.
The Westfield Malls, Valley Fair, and Oakridge, located in Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, provide convenience for one-stop shopping. There are hundreds of stores from specialty shops to upscale boutiques and everything in between like Gap and Banana Republic. The Valley Fair has an eclectic 380 stores, and 23 restaurants, while Oakridge has 245 stores and 26 restaurants. The Prune Yard Shopping Center has unique treasures from new books to used CDs to sports gears. The place has many restaurants and specialty shops where tourists can find souvenirs for themselves and for their loved ones. The El Paseo de Saratoga features a line of shops, restaurants, cafes, and movie theater, where both shopping and entertainment can be experienced. San Jose's other great shopping centers and districts include the Westgate Shopping Mall, Morgan Hill, and Willow Glen.
Day spas are abundant in the Silicon Valley for the tourists and residents who want to be relaxed, get a massage, have their hair treated, nails done, and many more. Beauty, health, and fitness are San Jose's passion. These are some of the best day spas in the city. The Planet Beach is an affordable day spa with high-end automated spa services.
The place offers a wide selection of services that cater to every need of different customers like UV tanning, skin hydration treatments, sunless tanning, infrared sauna treatments, light therapy facials, and more. They have four locations in and around the city with state-of-the-art equipment, and professional and knowledgeable service providers to satisfy clients with desired results. The Aesthetechs Medical Day Spa offers massages, facials, and body treatments. The place also provides medical services like laser procedures and anti-aging treatments. Other services include reflexology which begins with an exfoliation followed by full feet reflexology massage and warm paraffin mask. Their Radiant River Rocks Massage is also a very nice treatment that allows heat to penetrate to the muscles using heated stones. Other best day spas in the San Jose are Angel Face Day Spa, Aruba Day Spa, Ayoma Lifespa, Atelier Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa, Burke Williams Spa, and Dolce Vita Day Spa.
There are many hotels to choose from when staying in San Jose, California. If you are looking to stay in a historical hotel, you might want to choose The Sainte Claire Hotel. The Sainte Claire Hotel is a well-known landmark in San Jose California. It is located downtown in the heart of the city and is within walking distance to the convention center and a number of other scenic spots. Another hotel that you might want to stay in is the Hayes Mansion Hotel. The Hayes Mansion Hotel is over a hundred years old and used to be a sprawling estate. It is now a well-known historical structure in the San Jose area. The Hayes Mansion is located near most of northern California's renowned attractions.
The Hotel De Anza is located in the heart of downtown San Jose and offers you the ease of walking to places such as the HP pavilion and the convention center. It is also near many restaurants and attractions. The San Jose Marriott and the Crowne Plaza Hotel, both located in downtown San Jose, offer you easy access to all of the major attractions that San Jose has to offer. Other hotels available downtown is the Best Western Downtown and the Holiday Inn Aurola. If you are looking to stay outside of the city, you may want to consider the Barcelo Palacio Hotel San Jose or the Doubletree Cariari Hotel. These hotels are a short drive from downtown. There are numerous public transportation options to get you around the San Jose area from these hotels.
Parents have the option of sending their children to private, public, or charter schools in San Jose, California. The city is home to four high school districts, fourteen elementary districts, and four unified school districts that serve both high school and elementary schools. The San Jose Unified School District is the largest district in the city. San Jose has fifty private schools spread throughout the city, most of which are faith based.
San Jose State University is the largest university in the city and is only one among many higher education facilities. There are over sixteen private and public colleges and universities in San Jose offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. There are several technical and certified training schools for students who choose not to go to a traditional four year school. The student population in San Jose is rapidly growing. Many students enrolled in primary and secondary education are not native English speakers. The city offers charter schools to assist non native English speaking students in succeeding and graduating from school without falling behind. Programs offered to non native English speakers help to encourage students to go on to earn degrees which enable them to get higher paying jobs. Because of these schools, the city is hoping to see a decline in the rate of high school dropouts.
Thanks in large part to the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) and its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs (STEM) San Jose, California is trying to educate and improve the skills of its K-12 students. For the past several years San Jose has had trouble finding and employing good, qualified math and science teachers. With help from SVEF and STEM, San Jose is working towards hiring and keeping math and science teachers to help its students understand and excel in math and sciences in a nation that lags behind other countries as a whole in both subjects.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is a popular mode of transportation in San Jose. The VTA offers multiple services to accommodate different types of travelers throughout the city. The VTA offers light rail and bus services. Riding with the VTA cuts down commuting time, saves the city and its resident's money, and is better for the environment.
Residents and travelers can choose to ride the bus. There are several routes throughout the city. Express bus routes go directly from point A to point B cutting down on traveling time. Another option is to ride the Light Rail system which is faster and has room for bicyclists to store their bikes while riding. The rails are easily accessible which makes boarding and exiting faster. The rails are also accessible to riders in wheelchairs eliminating the need for chair lifts. The city has several bicycle and pedestrian bridges as well as bike trails on and off the city streets. With today's costs of automobiles and fuel and the push to go green, more and more people are looking for alternative modes of transportation. The city of San Jose has taken steps in recent years to make biking around the city easier and safer. The Santa Clara County Bicycle Plan (CBP), in operation since 2008, continues to work on bringing San Jose's bicycling agencies together to make the best trails available to its riders.
Another option for people who want to save money or do their share to protect the environment is the 511 Regional Rideshare Program. This program brings people in the San Jose area together who live or work near one another. The program encourages people to carpool, vanpool, or even ride bikes together to their shared destination. The program is free and is also run by the VTA.
San Jose offers services through local government offices around the city. Go to the Clerk´s Office for details on council meetings and their agendas. A copy of the city charter can also be obtained here. The Office of Economic Development has up to date and accessible information on all projects and initiatives going on in the city and the City Manager´s Office can give details of city budgets, emergency services, economic development, and employee relations. The Building Department administers the Planning and Building Code of Ethics (PBCE) for the city and is the place to go for permit information and applications. The Environmental Services Department ensures that all matters which will affect the city environmentally are managed properly and information on the requirements and checking procedures are available to the public from here. The Green Building Initiatives of the city take this work further and (in connection with the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department) this department keeps San Jose a city with a comparatively low carbon footprint.
Information on the city´s cultural offerings is available from the Office of Cultural Affairs and the Convention and Cultural Facilities Department is responsible for promoting the city as a prime location for large events. Further details can be found at their offices or at www.sanjoseca.gov. San Jose prides itself on its Economic Development Programs and the City Manager´s office holds information on both active and planned initiatives of the city. The Public Works Division is responsible for the “Building Tomorrow, Today” scheme, an ongoing initiative to ensure San Jose remains a forward thinking area. The city´s Transportation Department administers the transport networks which provide the city with both local and interstate links and the Police Traffic Safety Department maintains peace and order within these. Visit the San Jose Police Department for further details.
Housing services are provided by the Housing Department, the Development Centre and the Public Works Department all of whom deliver support to homeowners and tenants as well as neighborhoods as a whole.
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