Car Rental San Jose

As the Capital of Silicon Valley and an international business hub, San Jose is a city that is very well connected. It has excellent road links to all the must-see destinations in California, including iconic cities and world-class natural parks.

Driving in California will likely feel familiar. The usual limit for urban areas is 30mph (48kph) or 25mph (40kph). On most highways, the speed limit is 65mph (104kph) but in some places this rises to 70mph (112kph).

In San Jose and other Californian cities you’ll see carpool lanes, known as diamond lanes because of the diamond-shaped pattern on the surface. These lanes are to encourage ridesharing, so only vehicles with at least two – or sometimes three – passengers can use them. These lanes are usually in operation during peak travel times. If you are found to have used them illegally, you could be fined.

San Francisco and its Golden Gate Bridge are around an hour’s drive away,  80km north from San Jose on the Interstate 280 (I-280) highway. California’s biggest and most star-studded city, Los Angeles, is located about five hours south along the I-5, making it the perfect road trip destination, with some scenic stops on the way. The state capital of Sacramento is 200km to the northeast, reached in about 90 minutes via the I-680 and I-80 routes.

Other important routes in San Jose include Monterey Road, which leads south to the city of Gilroy in Santa Clara County, and the Capitol Expressway, which runs all the way through the eastern side of Silicon Valley.

Wherever your American adventure leads you, make sure to plan your journey ahead of time. San Jose is one of the most populous cities in California, so the roads can get particularly busy at peak morning and evening hours.

It’s known as the Capital of Silicon Valley, but world-leading technology is just one part of the story in this city. Car rental in San Jose gives you the freedom to explore all the highlights of the area – including the downtown, mountaintop and coastal attractions – and venture into the lands beyond to discover even more of California’s top destinations.

Heart of the city

San Jose is divided into several distinctive neighbourhoods, with the bustling downtown area at its heart. Here you’ll find major attractions including the Tech Museum of Innovation and the San Jose Museum of Art, the latter of which houses an impressive collection of works by West Coast artists from the 20^th century to the present.

This thriving part of the city is also home to the San Pedro Square Market, packed full with eclectic food vendors selling everything from freshly prepared, succulent sushi to Latin American food that packs a punch. Often, there are live music performances to enjoy while you feast.

Continue your culinary exploration of San Jose in SoFA District, just around the corner (SoFA stands for South of First Area). This is the premier arts district of Silicon Valley, where the city walls come to life with multi-coloured murals and urban installations. It’s also home to the SoFA market, a flavour-filled indoor food hall where you can sample the world, where pizza and tacos sit alongside Vietnamese, Cuban and Hawaiian cuisine.

An eastern adventure

For something completely different, dive into Japantown, where Japanese immigrants first settled more than a century ago in the Santa Clara Valley. Traditional stores and art galleries line the streets, along with atmospheric eateries serving up homemade tofu and manjū from the Land of the Rising Sun.  

To learn more about the history of this area, go to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. This Japanese-inspired building houses a number of fascinating exhibitions that shed light on immigration to the US, as well as the struggles faced by Japanese Americans during World War II.

Back to nature

For outdoor enthusiasts, a trip to South San Jose is a real must. This is a great place to escape the city and immerse yourself in the natural wonder of California, with plenty of trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Drive 15 minutes out of the city centre to Hellyer County Park where you can cycle at the velodrome. Continue on US-101 highway for another 10 minutes to Santa Teresa County Park and enjoy spectacular views of the Almaden and Santa Clara valleys.

Golf is another passion for San Joseans, with plenty of courses in this part of the city. Work on your swing at Coyote Creek Golf Club, enjoying great views of the hills and valleys across the southern tip of Silicon Valley as you play the holes.

Continue your outdoor adventures beyond the city borders, driving north on the iconic Route 101 to Marin County. This West Coast community is lined by beautiful beaches and is a popular spot for fishing, windsurfing and kayaking.

Rent a car in San Jose to discover this sun-kissed city’s charm, and unlock the door to the rest of California, the birthplace of the American dream.