Car Rental San Jose Airport (SJC)

Parking in San Jose

• Downtown San Jose – there are plenty of parking garages in Downtown San Jose. Head for the Market and San Pedro Garage (95113) or to St John Garage (95112) as each lot has over 1,000 spaces. There are also plentiful spaces available at City View Plaza (95113).
• Free parking – it is possible to find free parking across the city with parking validation available in some areas of San Jose. This includes free parking for two hours on weekdays before 6pm, from 6pm to 6am the next day, and all weekend from 6am on Saturday or Sunday until the next day.
• Street parking – on-street parking is available across San Jose, but it can be tricky to grab a space. It is usually payable at the meter using dollars, coins or card payments, with some app payments also available.

Traffic in San Jose

Traffic picks up in San Jose in both rush hours with the Silicon Valley commuters heading to work. In the morning this is usually between 7am and 9:30am. In the afternoon, traffic picks up from 3pm to 6pm, easing off into the evening.

Roads and freeways

Main routes in San Jose

San Jose is well connected to the rest of California by these three main highways:

• Interstate 280 (I-280) running north along the western side of San Francisco Bay, this 57-mile road connects the two cities.
• Interstate 880 (I-880) to head north out of the city take the I-880 towards Oakland.
• Route 101 – stretching for 808 miles, Route 101 is the most scenic way to drive from the airport down to Los Angeles.

San Jose Airport to San Jose

San Jose airport is well connected to the city, just 3.9 miles and a short ten-minute drive away from San Jose along the CA 87S. You can access the airport from Airport Blvd. (off Coleman Ave.), Skyport Drive, and Airport Pkwy.

San Jose to San Francisco 

The 48-mile route from San Jose Airport to San Francisco takes just under an hour. Head north on the US-101 to take in the stunning coastal views along San Francisco Bay. 

Things to do in San Jose

Go on a technological trip back in time

Although nearby Silicon Valley often steals the limelight, the original headquarters of some of the world’s most famous tech companies are in San Jose. Apple, Google and HP all started here and you can visit their humble beginnings, which are now all recognized as national landmarks.

Visit the Winchester Mystery House

Go on a tour of this incredible, sprawling mansion. Once an eight-bedroom farmhouse, this ginormous house has a fascinating history. Built by Sarah Winchester (heiress to the Winchester Arms fortune), it has staircases leading nowhere and empty rooms – all to confuse the spirits who were said to haunt the home.

Have family fun at the theme parks

Enjoy the thrills and spills of one of California’s favorite theme parks on a visit to California’s Great America. With eight different rollercoasters, family-friendly shows, and rides for smaller children, it’s the ultimate San Jose day out.

The best places to eat in San Jose

Adega

For fine dining in the Silicon Valley, Adega is top of the list. Tuck into exceptional Portuguese style cuisine at San Jose’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. The owners are renowned for their incredible cooking in both Porto and Lisbon.

Falafels drive in

Loved by locals and tourists alike, Falafels Drive In is a San Jose institution. Delicious gyros, filled with fresh falafel, tasty humous, lemon juice and garlic oil await you at the takeout window. Be sure to add the extra jalapenos if you like it spicy.

Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant

Dine at Zeni for an authentic Ethiopian-inspired culinary adventure. Opt to sit on cozy floor cushions while you’re served lentils and finely chopped beef in a delicious mix of turmeric, garlic and ginger.

Where to stay in San Jose

Hyatt Place San Jose Airport

Located five minutes away from the airport terminal and ten minutes’ drive away from San Jose’s theme parks, Hyatt Place is in an ideal location for exploring the city with a family. The hotel is complete with an outdoor pool for relaxing and has an onsite gym.

DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose

Modern and contemporary the Double Tree Hilton boasts both an in-house sushi bar and steakhouse. All rooms have a polished décor, with a rooftop pool perfect for catching that California sunshine.

Courtyard by Marriot San Jose Airport

Based in North San Jose, the Courtyard is perfect for exploring some of the city’s most famous tech neighborhoods. The rooms are comfortable and modern with a fitness center and swimming pool, with some of the city’s key attractions such as Great America and the Levi Stadium under ten minutes away.

Best museums in San Jose

The San Jose Art Museum

Discover exciting contemporary works of art by North California artists at the city’s largest arts museum. With exhibits influenced by the San Jose’s connection to technology, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, it has some truly unforgettable pieces on display.

Tech Museum of Innovation