High Tech or High Fun?

Ways to Play in San Jose, California

By Amy Carey Bowman

When you're planning your next vacation, you might not think of San Jose, Calif., the "Capitol of Silicon Valley," as a family travel destination. Certainly, San Jose is widely known as a hot spot for high-tech business trips, but did you know San Jose is the perfect place to bring your family for fun in the sun, no matter what the season?

"San Jose is a good mid-point from many great places, and yet it is less costly to stay here," says Nadine Siguenza, a long-time resident of the San Jose area and mother of two. Jamie Jarvis, a mom herself and owner of www.bayareakidfun.com in Palo Alto, Calif., agrees. She touts San Jose's affordability, easy access to the beach and mountains and eternally pleasant weather.

"Our temperature variation is minimal," says Daniel Fenton, president and CEO of the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Ten months a year, the weather is very desirable." (December and January are high risk for rain.) In fact, according to Cityrating.com, San Jose has 160 clear-sky days a year. And less than 20 inches of rain annually. It's rarely hotter than 80 degrees in the summer, with mild spring days in the 65-degree Fahrenheit range.

All this near-perfect weather is the ideal backdrop for activities everyone in your family can enjoy – whether you have teenagers or toddlers. Stay in downtown San Jose and you'll feel comfortable walking to any of the more than 100 restaurants, even after dark. "We are the safest large city in America," Fenton says. Rick Jensen, communications manager of the San Jose Downtown Association, agrees. "[San Jose has a] beautiful, clean and safe downtown. Hotels are affordable ... the downtown is very walkable and there's a good energy."

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