About San Jose, California
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Photo Credit: San Jose Convention
and Visitor's Bureau |
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San Jose, a bustling metropolis in the heart of
the Silicon Valley, is ranked among the safest and most livable
large cities in America. Often referred to as the "Gateway
to the Bays," San Jose is just a short drive from cities
like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Monterey, and is located a
mere 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
San Jose blends a rich history—after a surge
of innovation and population from the California Gold Rush it
became the first city established in California—with new
technologies and forward-thinking ideals. With the largest concentration
of technology expertise in the country—more than half of
the adult population holds a college degree—the city attracts
people from all around the world and encourages growth and development.
Plus, with companies like Adobe Systems, eBay, Hewlitt Packard,
and IBM flourishing in the region, San Jose truly lives up to
its reputation as an emerging technological Mecca.
Whether visiting one of the city's 150 gardens,
or stopping by the largest public library west of the Mississippi,
one is never short on things to do in San Jose. The city boasts
a rich cultural community, including one of three "Japantowns"
in the nation, plus arts and entertainment from around the world.
Nestled in the heart of the city is the San
Jose McEnery Convention Center, where the Labs21 2008 Annual
Conference will be held.
Additionally, Mayor Chuck Reed, a visionary in helping
the city move toward a sustainable future, recently announced
a plan for a "Green San Jose." This plan calls for 25,000
new clean-tech jobs, the planting of 100,000 new trees, and the
addition of 60 miles of new trails. Mayor Reed also plans to cut
the city's energy consumption by 50 percent over the next 15 years. He will provide opening remarks during the Labs21 2008 Annual Conference Opening Plenary session.
Labs21 is proud to hold the 2008 Annual Conference
in such an environmentally-focused city. Find out more about what
Labs21 is doing to "green the conference."
Getting Around San Jose
There are several public transportation options available for attendees to get around San Jose. Go green and plan to walk or take public transportation as much as possible while in town.
Getting to and from the San Jose Marriot Hotel from the Mineta San Jose Airport
The distance between the San Jose Marriott Hotel and the Mineta San Jose Airport is approximately five miles. Conference attendees can use the following public transportation options to travel from the airport to and from the hotel:
- "The Airport Flier" and Light Rail Transit System
- Traveling to the San Jose Marriott Hotel from the Mineta San Jose Airport:
- The Mineta San Jose Airport operates a continuous-loop bus shuttle, "The Airport Flyer," from the airport to the local Light Rail Transit System. From Terminal A, take bus #10 towards the local Light Rail Transit System. Get off the bus at the Light Rail station, "Metro/Airport."
- Once at the Light Rail station, take the "901 - Alum Rock-Santa Teresa" line in the direction of "Santa Teresa." Get off at the seventh stop, "Convention Center." The San Jose Marriott is one-half block from the Convention Center light rail stop at 301 South Market Street.
- Traveling to the Mineta San Jose Airport from the San Jose Marriott Hotel:
- Walk one-half block to the "Convention Center" Light Rail Transit System stop on W. San Carlos Street. Get on the "901 – Alum Rock-Santa Teresa" line in the direction of "Alum Rock." Get off the Light Rail at the seventh stop, "Metro/Airport."
- Once off the light rail, locate bus #10, "The Airport Flyer," the Mineta San Jose Airport's continuous-loop bus shuttle. Get on the bus in the direction of the airport. Get off at Airport Terminal A.
- The Airport Flyer fare is $1.75 and the trip takes approximately 15 minutes one-way. The light rail fare is $1.75 and takes approximately 20 minutes. You should allow at least 45 to 50 minutes for your one-way trip to account for locating, transferring, and walking between stops
- Taxi
- Taxis are available at both the airport and the San Jose Marriott Hotel. Taxi service one-way is less than $20.
Getting Around Town
There are plenty of options for getting around town once you’re in San Jose. Here are some suggestions:
- Walking
- Downtown San Jose (restaurants, shops, and museums) is easily accessible by foot and safe for walking both day and night. Use the most efficient form of transportation you have and get some exercise by walking to your destinations! Map of Downtown San Jose
(1 pp., 388 KB)
- Taxi
- Taxis are readily available and safe to get around in downtown San Jose. Most fares will be $10 to $20 one-way.
What is There To Do in San Jose?
There are many activities available within a short distance of the San Jose Marriott and San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Here are a few ideas (the following links ):
- The Tech Museum of Innovation [0.3 miles from the San Jose Marriott Hotel]
201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA 95113, 408-294-TECH
- San Jose Museum of Art [0.3 miles from San Jose Marriott Hotel]
110 S. Market St. , San Jose, CA 95113 , 408-271-6840
- Monopoly in the Park [0.5 miles from San Jose Marriott Hotel] Discovery Meadow in San Jose 's Guadalupe River Park and Gardens
438 Coleman Ave., San Jose, CA 95110, 408-995-MITP
- Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose [0.6 miles from San Jose Marriott Hotel]
180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110, 408-298-5437
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium [2.5 miles from San Jose Marriott Hotel]
1342 Naglee Ave., San Jose, CA 95113, 408-947-3636
- Winchester Mystery House [4.5 miles from San Jose Marriott Hotel]
525 S. Winchester Blvd , San Jose, CA 95128 , 408-247-2101
Where Can I Go To Eat in San Jose?
San Jose offers a variety of cuisines and price ranges to fit all tastes and budgets. Most downtown restaurants are within a short walk of the San Jose Marriott and the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Visit the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau for additional details.
What’s Near San Jose?
For more information about San Jose, visit the San
Jose Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site.
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