SAN JOSE
SanJose.org; @VisitSanJose—San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, a strategic location within reach of both the Bay Area and South Bay. Its infrastructure, venues, and experiences make it stand out for hosting meetings and events of all types and sizes.
From full-service flagships to boutique properties, San Jose supports its meeting market with plenty of hotel options for groups of all sizes and styles. One standout is the San José Marriott, which offers nearly 22,000 square feet of event space, a grand ballroom accommodating up to 900 guests, and flexible rooms for breakout sessions. For groups wanting a sleek, modern setting, Signia by Hilton San José includes 55,000 square feet of contemporary meeting space within walking distance of San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
Beyond the downtown core, venues like Hayes Mansion, Curio Collection by Hilton expand the possibilities; the property spans 20 acres and features more than 33,000 square feet of newly upgraded meeting and outdoor space. For groups wanting a blend of style and flexibility, Hotel Valencia Santana Row offers 4,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 2,200-square-foot ballroom and Mediterranean courtyard.
Atop the list of venue options is the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, which is within four miles of the airport. With more than 520,000 square feet of total space—including more than 294,760 square feet of exhibit space, a 35,194-square-foot grand ballroom, and 43 meeting rooms—the convention center hosts everything from trade shows to large conventions.
San Jose also offers smaller venues and meeting rooms for more intimate events and gatherings. The Hotel De Anza brings Spanish Revival elegance with its 2,376-square-foot Palm Court Terrace, plus boardrooms and event rooms for more intimate settings.
San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) offers easy access for domestic attendees, and its proximity to downtown—less than four miles—helps reduce ground travel time. The city’s layout and transportation network make it relatively easy to move between hotels, venues, and activity hubs.
San Jose offers plenty of options for downtime. The city’s ties to Silicon Valley offer unique programming opportunities: group tours of tech campuses, visits to innovation labs, or behind-the-scenes looks at emerging startups. The Tech Interactive and Computer History Museum are natural draws for attendees curious about the region’s legacy of invention. The Winchester Mystery House invites visitors into one of the country’s most peculiar homes, while shopping and dining at Santana Row or wandering historic Japantown add charming local color to any program itinerary. For those seeking nature and tranquility, the historic Filoli estate in Woodside (now a nonprofit organization and attraction) boasts 654 acres of beauty; it includes the 54,000-plus-square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and hundreds of acres of natural lands with 6 distinct ecosystems and nature trails. Alum Rock Park offers hiking trails in the foothills just east of the city. San José’s walkable downtown—centered around Plaza de César Chávez and the Tech Museum—combines green space, public art, and civic energy, making it an inviting base for attendees to explore before or after sessions.
