sănəzāˈ, săn hōzāˈ, city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. Along with San Francisco and Oakland the city comprises the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States. San Jose lies in a rich fruit-growing area and has wineries and many food-processing industries. Business, electric, and food-processing machinery; household goods; aircraft and motor parts; computers; and electronic items are among the many manufactures. Aerospace and commercial-supply industries are nearby, as is the Silicon Valley high-technology center. Industrial production developed significantly after World War II and growth has since been rapid. The city's population increased by more than 70% between 1970 and 1990. The first state legislature (1849) met there, and San Jose was the state capital from 1849 to 1851. Among the city's parks are Alum Rock Park, with mineral springs; Kelley Park, with a zoo and a Japanese garden and tea house; and Rosicrucian Park, with an Egyptian museum and a planetarium. In 1998 both the Tech Museum of Innovation and the city's repertory theater moved into striking new buildings. San Jose State Univ. is in the city. The National Hockey League's Sharks play here. To the north lies Mission San Jose de Guadalupe (1797) and to the west is Mission Santa Clara de Asís (1777).

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