About San Jose

The city of San Jose is the “Capital of Silicon Valley” and has been ranked numerous times in magazines such as Fortune and Money as one of the top 10 places to live and locate a business. A city of rich cultural and ethnic diversity, it is consistently named the “Safest Big City in America.” It has a vibrant downtown scene, impressive dining and friendly accommodations while attracting visitors from all over the world. The downtown area has over 125 restaurants within walking distance of the San Jose Convention Center. Dining in San Jose is a delight!

San Jose Convention Center Info
Address: 150 W San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Tel.: +1 408.792.4194
Website: http://sanjose.org/meetings/index/index.php


Weather

View up-to-date weather information on San Jose


Airline Travel

CLEO/QELS Management has arranged discounted air travel with the American Airlines. You may visit the American Airlines website at www.aa.com to search for available flights and use the authorization code A3958AC for your discount. You may also call the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk directly at 800.433.1790 for assistance with reservations and ticket purchases.

San Jose Area Airport Options

The San Jose Convention Center is conveniently located three miles from the San Jose Mineta International Airport, 36 miles from the Oakland International Airport and 36 miles from the San Francisco International Airport. Below are websites:


Rental Cars

Avis Rent-a-Car is pleased to offer low rates with unlimited mileage to participants attending CLEO/QELS and PhAST. For reservations call +1 800.331.1600 and refer to Avis Worldwide Discount #D004076. Reservations may also be made online at www.avis.com.

Driving Directions to Downtown San Jose and the Convention Center

From Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) – Exit the airport onto Guadalupe Parkway (HWY 87 South). Continue down Guadalupe Parkway (HWY 87 South) to the Park Avenue Exit. Make a left on Park Avenue and continue to San Carlos Make a right turn on San Carlos.
From San Francisco (From northbound Highway 101): Take Interstate 280 north to Highway 87 north and exit at Santa Clara Street

From San Francisco (From northbound Highway 280) – Take Vine Street/Almaden Boulevard exit.
Turn left at the first signal (Almaden Boulevard). Take a right at the fourth signal (San Carlos Street).

From Oakland/Fremont/Hayward (From northbound Highway 880) – Turn left on Coleman Avenue and continue on Coleman Avenue.  Coleman Avenue becomes Market Street (toward downtown San Jose). Turn right on San Carlos Street. Turn left on Almaden Boulevard. Convention Center parking entrance will be on the left.

From Monterey (From southbound Highway 17) – Take Highway 17 north to Interstate 280 south.
From 280, take Vine Street/Almaden Boulevard exit. Turn left at the first signal (Almaden Boulevard). Take a right at the fourth signal (San Carlos Street)


Transportation and Services

San Jose travel is quick and efficient with many options:

VTA—Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

The VTA is your connection to the convention center and San Jose. The VTA can connect commuters traveling by Amtrak, Caltrain or the Altamont Commuter Express. It is also a very efficient method of local travel in and around San Jose. Visit: www.vta.org for more information

Distance Commuters

Amtrak, the Caltrain and the Altamont Commuter Express all run directly into San Jose. From there it is just a short ride on the VTA to the convention center. Visit the following links for more information:

Airport Shuttle Service

From San Jose Airport – The Free VTA Airport Flyer (Route 10 Metro/Light Rail) can be taken from the Airport to the Metro/Light Rail Station. From there, the Light Rail can be taken to downtown San Jose. Schedules and prices can be obtained at the Airport Information Booths, Light Rail Customer Service +1 408.321.2300 (6 am to 7 pm PST or by visiting www.vta.org.

From San Francisco Airport – BART links the San Francisco Airport to CalTrain which will take you to downtown San Jose for $8 one-way and then approximately $10 cab ride to the San Jose Convention Center.

Taxis

Taxis are a quick and convenient way to get from the Airport to your hotel or to travel around downtown San Jose. Estimated taxi rates are $2.00 Flag Drop (First 1/10 of a mile) and $.25 each 1/10 mile thereafter. All trips from SJC add $1.50 airport tax fee. The Estimated fare from the Airport to San Jose is approximately $14.00–$20.00. A regular cab from San Francisco Airport will cost about $85 to $90 one way.

Downtown San Jose Useful Parking Information

Downtown shares the streets with pedestrians, buses and trolleys, so please be alert to the signs.

  • Many streets have pedestrian traffic, so please drive at a safe speed.
  • Many streets are one-way
  • Turns at intersections traversed by the VTA Light Rail may be restricted
  • In many garages, you drive on the left hand side of the ramps instead of the right
  • All lots and garages are well marked with entry and exit signs. Pay close attention for the best way to enter and exit a garage.
  • Most metered spaces are free Mon. to Sat. after 6 pm and all day Sundays and holidays
  • Read signs carefully for several residential permit parking areas.

San Jose Parking Garage Information

Convention Center (Please check out the updated parking information. Rates as of September 2009)

  • 500 spaces for public event use
  • Every 20 Minutes – $1
  • Every 1 Hour – $3
  • 6 Hours is maximum per day – $18
  • Access is allowed 24 hrs, 7 days a week
      (Maximum parking time limit 72 hrs)
      Contact Central Parking for more info at 408-277-3529
  • Special Rate: Thurs. thru Sat. 10 p.m.–3 a.m. flat rate of $5

San Jose Civic Auditorium

San Jose Civic Parking (Convention Center)
Almaden Blvd Entrance
$1/20 min., $18 max., 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays;
$0.50/20 min., $18 max., 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends & holidays; $3 after 6 p.m.

San Jose Civic Additional Parking (Convention Center)
Market St Entrance
$1/20 min., $18 max., 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays;
$0.50/20 min., $18 max., 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends & holidays; $3 after 6 p.m.

San Jose Civic Additional Parking (South Hall)
South Market St and Viola St
$7 daily flat fee; $4 evening flat fee; no overnight parking

San Fernando & South Second Street Lot
30 East San Fernando
$1/20 min., $18 max. 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays;
Free 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends & holidays; $2 after 6 p.m.

Pavilion Garage
150 South Second St (Corner of Second St & San Carlos St)
$1/20 min., $15 max. 6 a.m.–6 p.m.weekdays;
Free 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends & holidays; $2 after 6 p.m.

Second & San Carlos Street Garage
$0.75/20 min., $18 max. 6 a.m.–6 p.m.weekdays;
Free 6 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends & holidays; $2 after 6 p.m.

Almaden/Woz
401 Almaden Blvd
$7 daily flat fee; $4 evening flat fee; no overnight parking

Woz/87 Lot
Woz Way under Hwy 87, south of Auzerais
$5 flat fee; $4 evening flat fee; no overnight parking

Market/San Carlos
Market St & San Carlos St, northeast corner
$1.25/20 min., $18 max. 7 a.m.–6 p.m.


Parking Validation

The Downtown San Jose Parking Validation program offers patrons up to two hours of free parking. Please look for a (PV symbol) sign in the windows of retailers who offer parking validations.