San Francisco is among the top tourist destinations in the US. Whether it’s the city’s scenic beauty, incredible art scene, or impressive food scene, it’s well-loved by people around the world.
Meanwhile, San Jose is a quieter city, though it’s an underrated gem. Away from its reputation in tech, it offers a great balance of everything. From family-friendly sites to a wealth of national parks, it indulges just about everyone that sets foot in the city.
There are a ton of reasons to visit either city. But figuring out which one works best for you is the challenge. If you’re still undecided, you’ll get to know both cities below to help you decide which one’s better for you.
San Jose
San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley, is best known as a powerhouse of innovative technology. But look around downtown and you’ll find more character in this charming city. San Jose offers a delightful mix of allures to keep everyone, no matter their age, busy.
The city is where creativity flourishes, both in its art and culinary scene. Combine this with its incredible cultural diversity, and you’ll find endless things to see, do, and taste in San Jose. Top that with historic spots, a plethora of parks, museums, and more, and the city will leave you feeling satisfied on your trip.
What Makes San Jose Unique?
The Cradle of the Tech Industry
The heart and soul of the tech industry, San Jose is the Capital of Silicon Valley. Innovation and creativity run through the streets of the city, evident in the many tech companies here.
Due to its reputation, San Jose is a great place to peek into the inner workings of tech giants. Check out the Intel Museum, where you’ll have a blast learning about how the company Intel evolved. It’s filled with fascinating exhibitions centered around nanotechnology!
From the city, you’re even just a ride away from the Googleplex! You’re free to roam the surrounding area of the building here, and you’ll even find adorable android statues here to greet you.
But if you truly want an immersive tech experience, head over to San Jose’s many tech museums!
One of the best spots for this is the Tech Museum of Innovation. Here you’ll not only find revolutionary apps to discover. But also coffee-fueled coders on an endless quest to search for the next big thing.
At this museum, you can find all sorts of ways to learn about tech. From fascinating exhibits on cybersecurity to a chance to build your own robot!
While these are the top tech attractions in the city, you’re never too far from an interesting museum to explore.
An Intensely Diverse Art and Cultural Hub
Innovation in San Jose isn’t limited to its sensational tech scene. With a passionate creative community, technology also influences much of the city’s art scene.
But there are many more museums in the city, covering a wide array of topics. With this, San Jose’s art scene is intensely varied, and there’s something for everyone.
There are plenty of art galleries in the city filled with art that centers around the culture of Silicon Valley. Playing with creative experimentation, they display vivid works of the future of technology. If you want to explore this scene, make your way to Anno Domini, Kaleid Gallery, or the San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art.
Creating a more rounded art scene in the city are plenty of other unique museums.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is one of the top attractions in the city. It’s home to the most extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts on the US west coast. You’ll find mummies here of all kinds, hieroglyphics, a replica of a tomb, and more!
No matter how you want to explore San Jose’s art scene, you shouldn’t miss the San Jose Museum of Art. This museum is home to more than 2500 artworks, focusing on west coast artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. Other than its impressive permanent collections, it also has a schedule of seasonal art exhibits.
Even with the cities’ countless museums, you don’t even have to enter a building to see its art scene. Wander through the SoFA district, the city’s art district, and you’ll find lines and lines of art galleries. While the district has a ton of street art, head to Pow Wow for some massive and vibrant murals.
Incredible Natural Beauty
It’s not all about urban vibrancy in San Jose, as it’s blessed with an interesting landscape. It’s cradled by the mountains, and its central location makes it a gateway to impressive national parks. And because of this, it’s easy to immerse yourself in nature here in the city.
Right at the heart of San Jose, you’ll find a whimsical land full of colorful roses to escape the busy city. The Municipal Rose Garden is a massive park with over 100 years of history under its belt. And it’s widely considered to be one of the most impressive rose gardens in the country.
It’s home to thousands of roses, with a total of 200 varieties to discover. Although it’s best explored during May, thanks to the city’s mild climate, you can enjoy the bloom year-round.
The best experiences in the city are when you venture off the beaten path though. And when you’re in San Jose, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the wilderness. So avid hikers will find a paradise in San Jose.
With plenty of hiking trails throughout San Jose, you’ll find one that suits everyone’s physical needs.
There’s Alum Rock Park, a favorite of the locals. It’s the state’s oldest municipal park, packed with tons of shaded areas and gentle streams.
The park is quite flat, which is perfect for beginners. But it also has more challenging trails, such as the South Rim and North Rim trails, which offer stunning views of the Santa Clara Valley.
There’s also the Los Gatos Creek tail, right on the edge of downtown. It’s easy to navigate, and you can venture here by foot or by bike. At the end of the trail is the Lexington Reservoir, with views that make the hike worthwhile.
A historical and cultural hike awaits you at the Almaden Quicksilver Country Park. This used to be a mining location that ran for over 135 years. And it was once home to thousands of miners and their families. Hiking here will take you through remnants of its past, from mining structures to holes left by miners.
Impressive Gastronomic Adventures
A big draw of San Jose is its intensely multicultural identity. It’s home to huge populations of people from all over the world, such as Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese, and many more. And they have long lent their culture to the city, especially when it comes to their food.
This created San Jose’s diverse food scene, which means there’s a myriad of food options for you to try in the city.
San Jose has several centralized ethnic districts for you to get a taste of authentic foreign flavors. But you’ll find many more restaurants across the city for you to get a taste of various cultures.
The city has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the country. So don’t miss out on slurping on a hearty bowl of Pho in Little Saigon!
One of the last three Japantowns in the country is in San Jose. So if you’re craving sushi or ramen, make your way to this 150-year-old community! It’s also home to some of the top restaurants in the city, such as Okayama.
There are tons more cuisines to spoil you with options in San Jose, from Mexican to Portuguese!
More than food, San Jose also has an impressive wine scene. There are many wineries sprinkled throughout the city for you to taste the best that the city has to offer. While sipping some wine in a bar will delight you, there are other ways to experience this scene.
Enjoy your wine while you watch a live concert at Mountain Winery. Go on a wine-tasting tour of exclusive wines at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Or explore the wineries of Napa Valley with several wine-tour companies!
Thrilling Family-Friendly Attractions
At first glance, San Jose may look like a grown-up playground. But the city has tons of attractions to indulge the kids, or the kid in you too!
Taking the kids with you on your trip? They can also immerse themselves in the city’s tech culture at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose!
It features a wide array of displays for kids to learn not just about technology, but also history and science! More than that, this museum offers an immersive experience through interactive exhibits and play.
If you love Monopoly, make your way to Monopoly in the Park. It’s home to a 930 square foot (86 square meters) permanent Monopoly board that’s free to use!
Perhaps they’re more of a wildlife lover, and at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, the kids get to meet a vast array of animals, such as monkeys and even red pandas. More than its petting zoo, they also have an amusement park to keep everyone entertained.
No other family-friendly attraction here can top Great America though. This theme park is among the best in the state. With exciting rides, arcade games, and lots of restaurants, you can easily spend a day with the kids here.
Don’t mind getting wet? You’ll have a blast at Raging Waters San Jose. This is the largest waterpark in North California, with dozens of rides, slides, and even a massive wave pool!
If you’re traveling with older kids, the Winchester Mystery House is a unique visit. This puzzling mansion is famous for its strange architecture and sheer size.
Its eccentric design features many corridors and attics that lead to nowhere. This was the owner’s attempt to make contact with spirits. And whether you’re into spooky allures or not, it’s a fascinating spot to explore.
A City for Shopaholics
San Jose prides itself as a city for everyone, not only the tech nerds and the culture and history buffs. With an eclectic mix of allures, the city ensures that you’ll have a blast from day to night!
Whether you want to go on retail therapy or just shop for what you need, San Jose has everything you need. With loads of shopping districts in the city, you’re spoiled for choices no matter your budget.
The heart of San Jose’s shopping scene is Santana Row. It’s an outdoor venue that’s lined with Mission-style buildings, fringed with lush palm trees.
It’s all about upscale shopping here, as this walkable shopping spot has around 50 high-end shops. Even if luxury shopping isn’t in the cards for you, it’s a nice spot for strolling and window shopping.
If you’re shopping for some one-of-a-kind items, the San Jose Flea Market is perfect for you. This massive market is one of the largest of its kind in the state. Full of little stalls and bazaars, you’ll find no shortage of vintage items, souvenirs, and trinkets here.
San Francisco
One of the most famous cities in the world, San Francisco has no shortage of well-renowned allures. Although its iconic Golden Gate Bridge is its most famous draw, there are many more reasons this is such a unique city.
Its scenic beauty, for one, is a fascinating blend of urban skyscrapers and lush green pockets. Its food scene is fueled by fertile lands and rich seas, elevated by its multicultural identity, and created by innovative chefs. And it has long been an art and cultural powerhouse, where wild creativity continues to flourish.
But this is only a taste of what awaits you in San Francisco. There are plenty more allures for you to uncover in the city, giving you an endless list of things to see and do.
What Makes San Francisco Unique?
Fascinating World-Famous Landmarks
The famous steep and crooked streets, cable cars, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—all these are what most people imagine when they think of San Francisco. But the city still has loads more well-known attractions for endless sightseeing opportunities!
The Golden Gate Bridge is an obligatory stop on any trip to the city. It’s one of the most photographed bridges in the world, so why not take a picture with it? But from the bridge, you get to see another landmark that’s uniquely San Francisco.
On a small island on the bay lies one of the most famous prisons in the world, Alcatraz. View it from afar if you like, but you can also tour this old prison for a thrilling experience. While you can tour it during the day, take a night tour or the behind-the-scenes tour for a spookier trip that takes you to hidden spots.
A fruit of the Gold Rush of 1848 is San Francisco’s Chinatown. This is the largest one outside of Asia, and the oldest of its kind in the country!
Wander through stone-carved dragon gates through lantern-lined streets to experience its alluring charm. Not only is it an exciting place to eat authentic Chinese cuisine. But it’s also filled with colorful shops, fortune tellers, markets, temples, and more!
While you’re in the city, check out the Fisherman’s Wharf for a classic San Francisco experience. Much of the city’s fishing boats dock here, so you’ll get yummy fresh seafood from the many restaurants that make up the area. Renowned for its seafood, here is where the city’s exciting food scene starts.
A Celebrated Art and Cultural Powerhouse
San Francisco has a long, illustrious history as one of the US’ art meccas. For the last century, it’s been the home of some of the most talented artists of all kinds. And with several world-class institutions, San Francisco is worthy of being an art lover’s paradise.
The city is home to several important art museums that house superb art collections. This includes the SFMOMA, de Young Museum, and the Palace of the Legion of Honor.
The city’s art scene isn’t limited to fine arts though. For a city so full of creativity, San Francisco has tons of unique museums to explore!
One of the popular ones is the Cartoon Art Museum, dedicated to animation art and cartoons. There’s also the Museum of 3D Illusions, a fun, interactive museum filled with Instagram-ready art!
More than visual arts, San Francisco also has a thriving performance art scene.
The city is home to every music genre you could think of, from rock to jazz to hip-hop. And there’s always a venue nearby that’s hosting an exciting show every night of the week. Some of the legendary music halls in the city are The Masonic, The Filmore, and The Warfield Theatre.
Its Renowned Food Scene
San Francisco has a long, enduring reputation as one of the best foodie cities in the country. And because the city has countless superb restaurants, sometimes, what’s on your plate matters more than where you’re eating!
The city’s food scene continues to flourish due to a few key factors. And one of them is the myriad of fresh produce that San Francisco has. This is thanks to the strategic location of the city.
Being so close to the Central Valley, cradling the city are massive lands of fertile soil where vineyards and orchards flourish. San Francisco is also flanked by waters, where the fresh catch of the day is always aplenty.
More than that, San Francisco is also a mix of various cultures. The city may be best known for its delectable seafood, but its Asian cuisine is also top-notch. In Chinatown alone, you’re spoiled for dining options to get a taste of foreign flavors.
Those behind the city’s many restaurants are also an integral part of its identity as a foodie heaven. Driven by innovation, local chefs continue to make the city a leader in culinary creativity. Fusion food is aplenty in San Francisco, continuing to elevate all types of cuisine.
San Francisco has perfected these three factors that make it such a culinary powerhouse. This is why most restaurants here aren’t chain restaurants. Instead, San Francisco is proud of its local talent, so you’ll always find a new restaurant to try in the city!
Diverse Nightlife Attractions
For a small city, San Francisco packs a ton of things to do during the day. But when the sun goes down you can get the best, most unique experiences in the city.
Capping off the day with a beer or cocktail in hand is what most people do when traveling. Or for the party animals, dancing the night away is the way to unwind. You can easily do both of these here as the city has a diverse mix of bars, clubs, and cocktail spots.
But anyone can drink or dance to their heart’s content in any city. To truly get the best nightlife experience in San Francisco, turn your attention away from the bars.
If you’re a fan of chilling tours, why not explore the Alcatraz prison at night? A night tour will let you wander through closed-off spots of the prison during the day. It’s a hair-raising adventure, one that you can brag about to your friends.
While most museum tours happen during the day, San Francisco exciting has after-hours museum tours. One of the best ones in the city is the Exploratorium at Night. It’s an adult-only event, complete with a DJ, bar, and access to the exhibits!
A similar event happens at the California Academy of Sciences. But this time, there’s a theme involved and a full dance floor where you can dance the night away!
One of San Francisco’s best-kept nightlife secrets is the Church of 8 Wheels. Housed in what used to be a church, this is an impressive, adult-only retro roller rink! With DJs blasting off old-school disco and funk, you’ll feel like your back in the 1970s!
Picturesque Spots at Every Turn
With countless picture-worthy sites, San Francisco always dazzles its visitors. The city has a wealth of hilly streets, towering skyscrapers, lush gardens, and beautiful buildings. With all these dotted across the city, you’re never too far from a picturesque spot to marvel at.
So while San Francisco has many iconic landmarks, remember to check out all its lesser-known gems.
Though quite popular, the Palace of Fine Arts is more than a place to immerse yourself in the arts. It’s also a majestic land of well-manicured, lush greenery. The building itself is a beauty, with an intricate design of Roman and Greek architecture.
At Alamo Square, you’ll find views straight out of a movie. There’s a lovely park here where you can sit down and take in the view of the rows of pastel-fronted Victorian houses. Behind these is the stunning skyline of San Francisco, all in one frame.
Clairon Alley is one of the most colorful spots in the city, a perfect backdrop for your social media posts! This alley, filled with vibrant street art, is always updated with new murals. It’s where the locals’ wild creativity flourishes, and you’ll find no shortage of pieces to marvel at here.
To take in the beauty of San Francisco, head over to Twin Peaks to get the best panoramic views of the city. It’s right at the geographical center of the city so you view San Francisco’s famous landmarks from here too.
Is San Jose Better Than San Francisco?
Comparing the two head-to-head, San Francisco is a much better destination than San Jose. But in other aspects, they’re equally great.
When it comes to weather, both have mild climates, although San Francisco is windier. The same goes for proximity to nature, as nature is always pretty close in both cities. Both cities are also incredibly diverse, so experiencing food from other cultures is great in either option.
But below are the aspects that make San Francisco a much better city.
San Francisco has no shortage of beautiful spots, whether they’re urban or natural. It’s iconic for its steep winding roads, hilly landscape, and beautiful buildings. San Jose also has picturesque spots, but you may run out of things to see right away.
You’ll find no shortage of things to do in both cities. But much of San Jose’s activities are during the daytime, as there isn’t much nightlife here. In San Francisco, you’ll find endless and diverse nighttime activities.
Renowned for its food scene, San Francisco offers one of the best dining experiences in the US. This city has the greatest density of Michelin-three-star restaurants. San Jose may also have an exciting food scene, but it pales in comparison to San Francisco.
FAQ
Is San Jose Safer Than San Francisco?
Both San Jose and San Francisco are relatively safe despite being large cities. Both have average crime rates when compared to the US average. Major cities like these two have higher crime rates than suburban destinations.
Still, San Jose is safer than San Francisco and is constantly ranked among the safest ones in the US. It’s also the safest big city in the Bay Area.
But like any big city, San Jose and San Francisco both have areas that aren’t as safe as others. Both cities have a high homeless population, which adds to safety concerns. But this issue is more obvious in San Francisco.
Property crime is common in both cities, so make sure to keep an eye on your belongings.
Wandering around at night may feel safer in San Jose. But in either city, don’t go to any dark alleys or less-visited areas. As long as you stay in popular tourist spots in San Jose or San Francisco, you shouldn’t find any safety issues.
Is San Jose Cheaper Than San Francisco?
San Jose is a much cheaper destination than San Francisco. A 7-day trip to the city will cost 1814 USD for one person, 3258 USD for two, and 6108 USD for a family of four. But in San Francisco, it’s around 2348 for one person, 4217 USD for two, and 7906 USD for a family of four.
The average cost of a hotel in San Jose is around 121 USD. But in San Francisco, it goes up to 147 USD.
For food, travel, and sightseeing, you’ll spend around 51 to 136 USD daily for one person in San Jose. The same expenses for a solo traveler in San Francisco are around 62 to 114 USD.
Both cities are relatively expensive destinations. But if you’re keen on visiting them, take advantage of their low seasons.
The cheapest time to visit San Jose is around mid to late September. The same goes for San Francisco too.
Keep in mind that there are many ways to keep the costs down on your trip. But when it comes to transportation, you can save more in San Francisco. The city is a highly walkable and bikeable city, whereas San Jose isn’t quite walkable, but pedestrian-friendly.
Van Gogh Exhibit – San Jose vs. San Francisco
Both cities host an immersive digital art museum featuring the work of Vincent van Gogh. But San Francisco and San Jose host two different shows.
In San Francisco, it’s the Immersive Van Goh. While in San Jose, it’s Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience.
The director behind the Immersive Van Gogh is the same one that ran the Van Gogh show at Paris’ Atelier des Lumières. This show has over 500000 cubic feet (14158 cubic meters) of projections of Van Goh’s masterpieces. This includes The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, and the famous Starry Night.
Along with these digital animations are original songs by the Italian composer, Luca Longobardi.
Meanwhile, San Jose’s show is created by Mathieu St. Arnaud, a French Canadian creative director. Along with him is a team from Normal Studio.
This show features 300 of Van Gogh’s masterpieces, such as Cafe Terrace at Night. But with this exhibit, you’ll hear voiceovers of the artist’s words to narrate the show as his works get displayed.
This difference is what made San Jose’s show better for many. You’ll get Van Gogh’s perspective as you progress through the exhibit. Thus, you’ll learn about the factors that influenced Van Gogh’s creative growth.
Is San Jose in San Francisco?
San Jose is not in San Francisco as these are two different cities. Both are in the state of California, though located in the north of the state, and they’re near each other.
San Jose lies at the center of Santa Clara valley, and it’s part of Santa Clara county. You’ll find San Jose on San Francisco bay’s southern shore. Meanwhile, San Francisco is its own city and county.
How Far Is San Jose From San Francisco?
The straight line distance from San Francisco to San Jose is around 42 miles (68 km). This distance doesn’t apply to land travel, though, as you’d have to go around San Francisco Bay. And due to this, your driving distance will be longer and will also depend on the route you choose.
If you take the I-880 S, you’ll be covering about 52 miles (84 km), and this takes around 53 minutes of travel time.
If you choose to drive via US-101 S, this has a distance of 53 miles (85 km) with around the same travel time as I-880.
And if you choose 1-280 S, its distance is around 57 miles (92 km) with an average travel time of 56 minutes.
Is San Jose Bigger Than San Francisco?
San Jose is a bigger city than San Francisco, both in land size and population. San Jose has a land area of around 181 square miles (470 square km). Meanwhile, San Francisco has a land area of only 47 square miles (121 square km).
When talking about population, San Jose has over 900000 residents. While San Francisco has more than 800000 individuals living in the city.
San Jose Airport vs. San Francisco Airport
Both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) are major airports in the Bay Area. Flying into SFO is better if you’re going to San Francisco. And the same goes for SJC and San Jose.
But this isn’t the only thing you should consider especially if you’re headed to another destination on your trip.
SFO is a hub for United and Alaska Airlines, and it has a limited amount of flights on low-cost airlines. This is the best airport for you if you’re traveling internationally. The airport has nonstop flights across the world, such as Europe, Asia, and Central America.
SFO also offers more nonstop flight options than SJC. So you’ll have tons more schedule options when flying into SFO.
Meanwhile, San Jose’s Airport isn’t a hub for any carriers. Still, Alaska Airlines and Southwest consider it a focus city, and they fly the most passengers here. Like SFO, SJC also has limited flights on budget carriers.
SJO is firstly a domestic airport, with nonstop flights to Hawaii. But it offers flights to a few international destinations in Mexico, Asia, Europe, and Canada. So when flying internationally from SJO, you may need to take connecting flights.
How to Get From San Jose to San Francisco
When traveling from San Jose to San Francisco, you can take the train, BART, bus, taxi, or drive.
The only train traveling between these two cities is Caltrain. From San Jose, you can catch one at Diridon Station and tickets cost around 4 to 12 USD. The train runs between the two cities daily. And they take about 90 minutes to reach San Francisco.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is also an option, but it’s not the most direct option. You can ride one on San Francisco Bay’s east side, between Oakland and Milpitas.
Buses are a low-cost option, but it has several transfers and connections. From San Jose, you’ll either reach Embarcadero in San Francisco or go through a long stop at Oakland. Though if you don’t mind this, a bus ticket costs around 7 to 50 USD.
If there is no traffic, you can drive instead. And there are no toll roads between the two cities.
Driving is one of the quickest ways to travel. But if you can’t drive, you can take a taxi instead, which is just as fast. The downside is that it’s expensive. It can cost you anywhere from 260 to 320 USD.
How to Get From San Francisco to San Jose Airport
When traveling from San Francisco to San Jose Airport, you can take a bus, train, or BART. But these aren’t the most direct options as you have to take several transfers and connections.
Driving from San Francisco to San Jose Airport is the most direct and convenient option. With no traffic and delays, this option will only take you an hour of travel time. But during rush hour, it can take over two hours.
But if you don’t have a car, you can take a taxi instead. A taxi can get you to San Jose Airport in about an hour. The downside is its high price tag, as it can cost anywhere between 260 to 320 USD.
How Far Is San Jose Airport From San Francisco Airport?
San Jose Airport is around 34 miles (55 km) away from San Francisco airport on Highway 101.
San Jose Airport to San Francisco Downtown
You have several transportation options to get to downtown San Francisco from San Jose Airport. You can take a train, taxi, or combine a bus ride with a train or BART. If you have a car, driving is also a great option.
The cheapest way to get from San Jose Airport to San Francisco is to take a line 60 bus and then ride a BART. This option only costs around 7 to 12 USD. And the travel time is around 1 hour and 48 minutes.
If you want to get to downtown San Francisco right away, take a taxi. This will get you to your destination in around 51 minutes or so. But it’s quite expensive as it costs around 260 to 320 USD.
You can also go for Caltrain, which is another low-cost option. You’ll be spending around 5 to 14 USD if you choose the train. The downside is its long travel time, as it takes around 2 hours and 11 minutes.
Driving is among the most direct options here. It’s most flexible too, giving you time to make stops if you’re not pressed for time. There are no toll roads between the two cities too.
San Francisco to San Jose by Uber
Traveling from San Francisco to San Jose with Uber is another popular option among tourists. You can even reserve an Uber ride for up to 30 days before your planned trip.
Your driver will choose a route depending on several factors, such as traffic. So it’s hard to give an estimated travel time or distance. But the average travel time on this trip is just under an hour, with a route distance of 49 miles (79 km).
You have to consider the time of day when traveling between the two cities. According to Uber, the longest travel times on this trip usually occurs between 2 to 4 PM.
The average Uber price for this journey is around 78 to 95 USD. The cost will also depend on your chosen ride.
The price of UberX and Green are 77 USD and 78 USD, respectively. If you want a luxurious ride, Black costs around 216 USD. And if you’re traveling in a group, UberXL can carry up to 6 people and costs around 127 USD.
Uber From San Jose to San Francisco Airport
You can request an Uber ride from San Jose to San Francisco Airport at any given time. The average route distance on this trip is around 36 miles (58 km). But due to several factors, such as traffic, your driver may take a different route.
This can affect your travel time as well. But on average, this trip only lasts around 40 minutes. If you’re traveling during peak times, between 2 to 4 PM, expect your trip to extend for an hour or so.
The average price of an Uber on this trip is anywhere between 65 to 80 USD. But this will still vary depending on a few factors.
The cheapest rides on this trip are UberX and Green as both costs around 68 USD. If you’re traveling as a group, the Uber XL, which costs 108 USD, can carry up to 6 people. If you don’t mind splurging a bit more for luxury, Black costs around 160 USD.
San Jose to San Francisco Drive
You have three routes to choose from when driving from San Jose to San Francisco.
The shortest one is via US-101 N, which covers 53 miles (85 km) and takes around 53 minutes of travel time. You can also take I-280 N, which has a distance of 57 miles (92 km) and a travel time of 56 minutes. If you go through I-880 N, you’ll cover 52 miles (84 km) and the average travel time on this route is 56 minutes.
Keep in mind that these travel times don’t consider traffic. The Bay Area can be quite busy, and lanes get jam-packed depending on the time of day. So during rush hour, your one-hour travel time easily turns into two hours or more.
With the flexibility a car ride gives you, you have tons of stop options along the way if you have more time on your hands.
Going out of San Jose, you can stop by Santa Clara. This city is a tech wonderland, as many tech companies have their headquarters here. You can also make a stop at Palo Alto, the home of Stanford University. And while you’re in the city, you can shop at Stanford Shopping Center.
