San Jose is the capital of Silicon Valley and the third largest city in Northern California.
The city is home to many of the world's biggest tech firms and is considered one of the wealthiest major cities in the world, with the third-highest GDP per capita and the fifth-most expensive housing market.
It is home to one of the world's largest overseas Vietnamese populations, a Hispanic community that makes up over 40% of the city's residents, and historic Japanese and Portuguese neighborhoods.
San Jose sits at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay in Santa Clara County and is considered a gateway to the city by the bay.
You can find a lot to do in San Jose, but it could be your base camp for more fun in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.
Here are some of my favorite attractions in the area: