Where is San José? - San José is situated at the southern end of San Francisco Bay about 50 miles south of San Francisco itself.

I will be arriving by air, what is the nearest airport and how close is it to the convention site? - There are three local airports, including one in San José itself. Click here for more details.

I like to travel by train, can I get to San José that way? - Yes, you can. San José has an Amtrak station. There are direct services from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Sacramento and a one-change service from Chicago. Click here for more details.

I will be driving to the convention, what is the best route? - Click here for full driving instructions.

Where can I park in San José and how much does it cost? - San José has good parking facilities. Some city car parks are free at weekends and after 6:00 pm. Click here for more details.

I am travelling by air/train, will I need to rent a car when I arrive? - Only for sight-seeing or for visiting distant restaurants. All of the convention is situated within a couple of blocks in downtown San José.

What is the weather like in San José on Labor Day weekend? - Hot and sunny. But it is a dry heat. Average highs are 80-82 F (27 C). Average lows are 55-56 F (13 C). Rainfall for the entire two-month August-September period averages less than half an inch (about 10 mm).

What is there to see in San José besides the convention? - You should not miss the Tech Museum or the Winchester Mystery House. Computer geeks will be in their element as all of the famous Silicon Valley sights are within easy reach. Click here for a comprehensive list of tourist attractions.

You said during the bid that San José is not far from San Francisco. How do I get there and how long does it take? - You can travel by train or car. You should allow 1.5 to 2 hours. See the Caltrain page and our transit guide for more details.

Are there any other nearby cities worth visiting? - The seaside city of Santa Cruz can be reached on a day trip. Monterey, with its world-famous aquarium and Cannery Row, is also a day trip away. Wine lovers will wish to visit the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Click here for more tourism ideas.

Can you recommend any good restaurants in the area? - Yes. Lists of local restaurants are available here. We are still eating our way through them all to test their quality, but we will review as many as possible.

Can you recommend any good bookshops in the area? - We have a link to an excellent list of local bookshops. Click here to find it.

What is the crime rate like in San José? - San José has the lowest crime rate of any equivalent-sized or larger city in the USA. No city is perfectly safe, but San José is safer than most.

I am worried about earthquakes. Is San José safe? - Buildings in San José are all built to a strict code and should survive all but the very worst earthquakes.

I have heard that it is illegal to smoke in California, is this true? - No. Smoking is banned in most public places, such as restaurants and shops, but you can still smoke in the street or in your hotel room (assuming you requested a smoking room). The Convention Center has several balconies for the convenience of smokers who do not wish to leave the event in order to light up.

Do I need to tip? - Yes. Tipping is expected in America. Staff rely on it to supplement their poor wages. The typical rate for restaurants is 15%. Tip taxicab drivers 10-15% of the meter charge. Tip bellmen at the hotel and curbside baggage handlers at the airport ("red caps") $1 per bag they handle for you. Leave your hotel housekeeper $1-$2 per day per person staying in the room (leave a tip each day -- hotels often have different housekeepers on different days), and more if you held a party in your room.

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