Monday, January 17, 2011

All About San Jose

San Jose

San Jose is the third-largest city in California, and is a vibrant city full of things to do and places to see. Visitors to San Jose enjoy the city's many attractions, as well as the dining, shopping and nightlife offerings.

The history of San Jose dates back to 1777, when San Jose was founded as the first town in the Spanish colony of Nueva California. It was primarily a farming community, and served the purpose of supporting the Spanish military installations. When California became a state in 1850, San Jose was the original state capital. San Jose spent the majority of its early years as a center of agriculture in the area. However, as World War II began, the city's industry shifted towards industrial manufacturing. The city experienced a lot of growth in the 1950's and 1960's, due to the large number of arriving suburban newcomers, and the housing development market boomed. Today, San Jose is the 10th largest city in the United States, situated in heart of the technology-focused area referred to as the "Silicon Valley."

California is "wine country", and San Jose is home to a number of wineries. Visitors to the area often enjoy spending time visiting, touring and tasting their way through the various wineries. The city also hosts a number of wine-related events throughout the year which are very popular with visitors and residents alike.

San Jose enjoys a rich ethnic diversity, which is reflected in the many dining options that the area has to offer. From traditional Mexican cuisine and California-influenced cuisine, to Italian, French, and Asian dining establishments, there is something for everyone to enjoy and try. San Jose also has a rich nightlife, with a wide array of music venues and clubs to be enjoyed.

There are many museums to enjoy in San Jose. Art museums in the area include the San Jose Museum of Art and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. The Tech Museum of Innovation provides a glimpse into how technology works, and provides ample opportunities for hand-on exploration. A good place for children to explore is the Children's Discovery Museum, which lets children interact with exhibits and displays to better understand how things work. It's one of the largest exploratory children's museums in the United States. Visitors and residents can also learn more about the area's rich history by visiting facilities such as the Mexican Heritage Plaza and the History Museum and Park of San Jose.

Because of its location in "Silicon Valley", San Jose is also a popular destination for business travelers. There are a number of facilities designed to accommodate the needs of businesses, such as the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

Shoppers in San Jose have many choices, and often spend the day exploring the unique offerings in the Downtown area. There are also a number of shopping centers, including the large and expansive Vanity Fair, and the Oakridge Mall and Eastridge Shopping Center. Santana Row offers a luxurious shopping experience, while the San Jose Market has long been a California tradition, and offers one of the largest open-air market shopping experiences in the country.

Whether visiting for business or pleasure, San Jose offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Finding a Good Inn, Motel, Hotel in San Jose

Finding a Good Motel / Hotel in San Jose 

When traveling, we all want to find a great hotel at a great price. However, it takes some shopping around to find a good deal. By following a few simple guidelines, it's possible to book a room at a good hotel at a good price.

If you are unfamiliar with the hotels in the area that you are traveling to, you will want to do your homework to insure that you find a good hotel that will meet all of your needs. One of the best ways of finding a good hotel is if you know somebody who has traveled to the area who can recommend one. However, most times this won't be the case, and you'll have to do your research by another means.

You can use online resources and travel sites to compare hotels. They usually use a "star" system to indicate the amount of features and amenities they offer. These types of sites also often feature reviews of the hotel written by others who have stayed there. It's often a good idea to check a few different travel and hotel rating sites, to compare. Once you have your choices narrowed down to two or three hotels, you can call the hotels themselves to continue your comparison.

In addition to making sure the hotel gets good reviews and will offer you everything you require for your stay, you want to make sure to get a good price on your room. The best prices are often achieved by traveling during the off-season months. While this can successfully get you good rates on your hotel room, you have to consider whether the less expensive rates are worth visiting the area during the off-season. Additionally, if you are traveling on the weekends, you can usually find good hotel values at hotels in business park areas. Because they cater to the weekday traveler, hotels in business areas may be less crowded and quieter during the weekends, and may also offer weekend discounts.

Whether you choose to visit the area during peak season or off-season, you will benefit by planning your trip and booking your hotel as far in advance as possible. By shopping early, you will have plenty of time to not only check online agencies for special deals, but also call hotels directly to inquire about the rates. Sometimes calling a hotel directly will actually result in a better deal than the online discount sites can offer. However, some hotels guarantee that their lowest rates are available by reserving through their Web site. Again, by doing a little homework, you will be able to get the best rate possible.

Finally, don't forget that additional savings can be achieved by utilizing any frequent guest programs that you may be participating in, or by checking for special rates offered, such as military discounts, AAA discounts, or senior citizen discounts. By utilizing all the available discounts, and shopping carefully, you'll be able to find a hotel that suits both your travel needs and your budget requirements.