Yes Way, San Jose!

You’re on vacation when the cute guy you’ve been checking out finally walks up to you. He asks, “So, where are you from?” Excited, you reply, “I’m from San Jose.” That’s when he pauses and finally says, “Oh…isn’t that near San Diego?”

San Jose gets no love from those outside of the Bay Area. Everyone has heard of San Francisco, but not nearly as many have heard of San Jose, which is quite sad considering San Jose’s contribution not only to California but the entire country. Here are some of the top reasons why San Jose warrants a little more credit and recognition:

1. San Jose ranks as the 10th most populous city in the United States. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, San Jose places right before Dallas, Texas, and after Detroit, Michigan in terms of population. With a 2008 population count of 1,006,892 residents, San Jose surpasses more recognized cities like Boston, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Las Vegas and even San Francisco. And it is expected to have grown even more since that census. Yet, many people cannot tell you where San Jose is. True, Americans are not known for their geography, but still.

2. San Jose is home to two professional sports teams. The Sharks have been hitting the ice in San Jose since 1991, while the Earthquakes have been playing the field since 1995 (despite a brief two-year hiatus). Both of these teams play on the national level and have consistently proved themselves as worthy competition in their respective sports. Consequently, it cannot be argued that they are obscure teams or have just made the move to San Jose and therefore are not recognizable. Plus, the city is in talks to adopt the Oakland A’s, so that would be one more point for San Jose.

3. Dubbed the “capital of Silicon Valley,” San Jose serves as a hub of technology. Hosting a large concentration of high-tech industries such as software, semiconductors and telecom, San Jose has established itself as an integral part of the economic market. As one of the leaders of the technology boom and the rise of the Internet in the 1990s, San Jose should have been put on the map. But apparently, some people were all too consumed by the whole idea of e-mailing someone to notice.

4. San Jose rolls deep in cash…really deep. According to the California Department of Finance, San Jose is the wealthiest city in America. San Jose boasts an average household income of $76,963, beating out other high-rolling cities like San Diego, Anaheim and, once again, San Francisco. Before the recession, the median house price reached $625,000 in 2005. Considering San Jose’s status in the field of technology and respectability in the professional field, that shouldn’t come as such a surprise.

5. It was the original capital of California. In 1850, California was officially adopted into the United States of America as the 31^st state. The first two California legislature sessions occurred in San Jose, and the city claimed prestige as the first city integrated into California after its induction into America. Sacramento eventually snaked the title of California’s capital, when legislative leaders decided they needed a location with better building options for a permanent legislature. While Sacramento took away California’s title, they can never take away the fact that San Jose was the state’s very first capital.

6. We’re diverse. San Jose ties with Los Angeles for the most immigrants. The US. Census Bureau reports that San Jose tops the list with 39.8 percent of its residents born outside of the U.S. This speaks loudly of San Jose’s popularity. After leaving their home countries, more immigrants shack up in San Jose than any other city in the nation, save Los Angeles. Obviously, San Jose holds some sort of value if so many people are willing to leave behind their old lives and set up a whole new life here.

7. San Jose’s own Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph is the oldest Catholic parish in the state. Founded in 1803, St. Joseph’s parish has outlasted five major destructions (earthquakes and a fire) and undergone renovations. Yet throughout everything, the parish has remained. While this may not seem a reason to make tourists rush to San Jose, this little known fact shows something about the people of San Jose— they don’t give up. Despite destruction, they keep on re-building. That’s something worth noting.

8. Our name is in a song. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, “Do you Know the Way to San Jose?” was originally performed by Dionne Warwick in 1968. This was an international hit at the time of its release, climbing up both the American and British charts and even earned Warwick a Grammy. The song has remained a popular tune, with multiple artists covering it over the years, including the Temptations, the Supremes and the Carpenters. With these various versions by popular musical groups and singers, generations have enjoyed singing “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” But apparently, few of these fans actually know the way to San Jose.

9. San Jose is hotter than San Francisco, literally. According to AccuWeather, San Jose has an average temperature range between 50 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Weatherbase proclaims that San Francisco’s temperatures only range from 51 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit,. San Francisco also experiences 5 more inches of precipitation annually. So, San Jose has more warmth and rain-free days than its more famous neighbor, San Francisco. Another point for San Jose!

10. San Jose is raining men. Well not exactly. But, as of the U.S. Census in 2000, there are approximately 102 to 103 men for every 100 women. While it may not seem like there is a surplus of men when Bellarmine mixers maintain a ratio of three boys to one girl, the facts don’t lie. So girls, you can afford to be picky…as long as you’re living in San Jose, that is.