Car Hire San Jose Airport (SJC)

San Jose Airport Mini Guide

What is San Jose all About?
It’s a fantastic city to visit. Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, it follows the line of the other major settlements there in its wealth being based on hi-tech manufacturing and research. For those interested in this aspect of the city, the Tech Museum is a must-see. There you can find out all about how technology impacts on our lives and how the effect has grown exponentially since the invention of the transistor. Another great place to visit is the Winchester Mystery House, supposedly haunted but fascinating for its dozens of rooms which were built so that the house could never be thought of as complete, a superstition followed by the owner who feared the ghosts of those shot with Winchester rifles.

Can you Tell me the way to San Jose?
Ignoring the song title for a moment, the best way is to fly into San Jose Airport, found right on the outskirts of the city, less than two miles from the centre. Although classed as an international airport, its only flights outside of mainland USA are to Hawaii and Mexico. A number of ways into the city are available including buses, limousines, taxis and rental cars.

What is the Airport Like?
It has recently finished the main phase of refurbishment and expansion plans. This has meant that there’s an extra concourse for Terminal B and an extension and refurbishment for Terminal A. Plans for an additional concourse for Terminal B have been put on hold until passenger number pick up post-recession.

What can I Expect When I Land at San Jose?
Terminal A handles the international flights and ones from the major US carriers. International arrivals use one concourse which has jet bridges from the aircraft and which leads, after a short walk, to the security checkpoint. At San Jose, the concourses, baggage reclaim and the arrivals hall are all on the same level so once you’re in the main hall, you’ll see the airport information desk centrally situated along the back wall. There, you’ll get help on airport directions, facilities and onward transportation. There are also currency exchange facilities in the hall as well as ATMs. Car hire offices are found in the dedicated centre opposite Terminal B whilst Terminal A arrivals must get the shuttle transport to the building. Public transport is available from outside both terminals.

What Will my Experience be Like When I Leave San Jose?
There’s not a huge range of shops once you’ve checked in and deposited luggage. Stores include a bookshop, news stand, gift shop and a family business selling home-made confectionery.  You may be better off spending your time sampling the airport’s food. From Gordon Biersch Brewing Company’s excellent bar/bistro to the Japanese restaurant or perhaps a taste of Mexican fused with Californian, all of the main restaurants offer excellent eating options. Once food and shopping are exhausted, if you still have time to kill, you could settle down with your laptop and enjoy the complementary Wi-Fi on offer at the airport.

San Jose is the third biggest city in California and considered to be the capital of the high tech industrial area, Silicon Valley. To see how the technology created there affects our daily lives, visit the city’s Technology Museum where, through a series of interactive exhibits, old and young will be fascinated by the importance of the work in The Valley.

For a less technical experience drive your hire car the short distance to the Winchester Mystery House. There, construction on the house continued for 38 years in the belief that ghosts would be warded off.