San Jose Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in San Jose.
Healthcare System
San Jose is part of the U.S. healthcare system, which provides world-class medical care but at high costs. The city has numerous excellent hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialized medical facilities reflecting its status as a major metropolitan area. Healthcare is primarily private, and costs can be extremely high without insurance.
Hospitals
Major hospitals include Regional Medical Center of San Jose (275 Hospital Parkway), Good Samaritan Hospital (2425 Samaritan Drive), and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (751 S Bascom Ave). All have 24/7 emergency departments. For non-emergencies, numerous urgent care centers offer walk-in services at lower costs than emergency rooms.
Pharmacies
CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid pharmacies are ubiquitous throughout San Jose, with many locations open 24 hours. Most common medications are available, though prescriptions from foreign doctors may not be honored—you'll need a U.S. doctor's prescription. Over-the-counter medications for common ailments are widely available.
Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended as medical costs in the U.S. are among the highest in the world. A simple emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. Ensure your policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. International visitors should verify their home country insurance doesn't cover U.S. healthcare.
Healthcare Tips
- Always carry your insurance card and identification when seeking medical care
- For minor issues, urgent care centers are much less expensive than emergency rooms (typically $100-200 vs $1,000+)
- Prescription medications cost significantly less at large retailers like Costco (membership not required for pharmacy) or with discount programs like GoodRx
- If uninsured and facing high medical bills, ask hospitals about charity care programs or payment plans
- Keep copies of prescriptions and a list of medications you're taking, including generic names
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Car break-ins are the most common crime affecting visitors to San Jose, particularly smash-and-grab thefts from parked vehicles. Thieves target rental cars and vehicles with out-of-state plates, especially those with visible valuables inside.
While less common than in some major cities, pickpocketing and purse snatching do occur in crowded areas, public transportation, and tourist attractions. Distraction techniques are sometimes used.
San Jose has high rates of pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Many streets lack adequate sidewalks or bike lanes, and drivers may not always yield to pedestrians. Traffic moves quickly on major arterials.
Some neighborhoods in San Jose experience higher rates of property crime, burglary, and theft. While violent crime against tourists is rare, being in these areas increases risk of property-related incidents.
San Jose has a visible homeless population, particularly in downtown areas. While most interactions are harmless, aggressive panhandling or erratic behavior occasionally occurs. Encampments exist along certain waterways and under overpasses.
Summer temperatures in San Jose regularly exceed 90°F (32°C) and can reach over 100°F (38°C). The dry heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, especially for visitors unaccustomed to the climate.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Scammers place fake parking tickets on windshields with QR codes or phone numbers directing victims to fraudulent payment sites. The fake tickets look official but are designed to steal credit card information.
Dishonest rental agencies or individuals claim pre-existing damage to rental cars wasn't documented, charging customers for repairs. Some may even damage cars after return and claim it happened during rental.
Given San Jose's tech reputation, scammers pose as tech company representatives offering 'tours,' 'job opportunities,' or 'investment opportunities' in Silicon Valley startups. They may ask for money, personal information, or 'processing fees.'
Scammers call hotel room phones late at night claiming to be front desk staff, saying there's a problem with credit card payment and requesting card details 'to verify' or 'reprocess' the charge.
Scalpers around SAP Center or Levi's Stadium sell counterfeit or invalid tickets, often at inflated prices. Tickets may be duplicates, already used, or completely fake.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Transportation Safety
- Use reputable ride-sharing services (Uber/Lyft) or licensed taxis, especially at night
- If using VTA light rail or buses, stay alert and keep valuables secured; avoid empty cars late at night
- When driving, be aware that California allows right turns on red after stopping (unless posted otherwise)
- Don't leave GPS devices, phone mounts, or charging cables visible in parked cars—these signal valuables may be inside
- Use designated bike lanes and be aware that California law requires cyclists to follow the same rules as vehicles
- Avoid walking alone at night in downtown areas, especially east of 4th Street
Personal Security
- Keep copies of important documents (passport, ID, insurance) separate from originals; consider cloud storage
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables you don't need daily
- Be cautious when using ATMs; use machines inside banks or well-lit, busy locations
- Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, cameras, or electronics conspicuously
- Keep your phone charged and consider carrying a portable charger
- Share your itinerary with someone back home and check in regularly
- Trust your instincts—if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it
Accommodation Safety
- Choose hotels in safe neighborhoods like Santana Row, downtown near the convention center, or near the airport
- Use deadbolts and security chains on hotel doors; verify identity before opening door to hotel staff
- Don't advertise your room number publicly or in elevators
- Keep ground-floor windows and sliding doors locked, even when in the room
- Note emergency exits when you check in and count doors to exits from your room
- If staying in Airbnb, read reviews carefully and verify the address is in a safe neighborhood
Technology and Connectivity
- Use VPN when connecting to public WiFi in cafes, hotels, or airports
- Enable 'Find My Phone' features before traveling
- Be cautious about what you share on social media while traveling—don't advertise you're away from home
- Back up photos and important data regularly to cloud storage
- Keep emergency contacts saved offline in case you lose internet access
- Be aware that cell service can be spotty in some foothill areas and parks
Health Precautions
- Tap water in San Jose is safe to drink and meets all federal standards
- Carry any prescription medications in original containers with labels
- Bring or purchase sunscreen (SPF 30+) as the California sun is strong year-round
- If hiking, watch for poison oak, rattlesnakes, and ticks; stay on marked trails
- Pollen allergies can be severe in spring—bring antihistamines if you're sensitive
- COVID-19 and flu vaccines are widely available at pharmacies; consider getting vaccinated before travel
Financial Safety
- Notify your bank and credit card companies of travel dates to avoid fraud holds
- Carry a mix of payment methods—credit cards, debit card, and some cash
- Use credit cards over debit cards when possible for better fraud protection
- Keep emergency cash ($100-200) hidden separately from your main wallet
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering PIN numbers at ATMs or payment terminals
- Save your bank's international contact number in case you need to report lost/stolen cards
- Check your accounts regularly for unauthorized charges
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
San Jose is generally safe for women travelers, and women routinely travel alone for business and leisure. The city has a progressive culture with strong gender equality norms typical of the San Francisco Bay Area. However, as in any major city, women should take standard safety precautions, particularly when alone at night. Street harassment is less common than in many other major cities but can still occur, particularly in nightlife areas or on public transportation.
- Avoid walking alone late at night in poorly lit or isolated areas; use ride-sharing services instead
- Trust your instincts—if a situation or person makes you uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Keep your phone charged and easily accessible; consider sharing your location with trusted contacts
- When using ride-sharing, verify the driver's identity, license plate, and car model before getting in
- Sit near the driver or in populated areas when using public transportation
- Be assertive if someone makes you uncomfortable—most people will respect clear boundaries
- Consider staying in hotels with 24-hour front desk service and good security
- If someone is following you, walk into a business or well-lit area with other people
- At bars or restaurants, watch your drink being prepared and never leave it unattended
- Join group tours or activities if you prefer not to explore alone
- Women-only coworking spaces and cafes exist in San Jose if you want female-focused environments
- Download safety apps like Noonlight or share your location with friends when out alone
LGBTQ+ Travelers
California has strong LGBTQ+ protections. Same-sex marriage is legal, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited in employment and housing, and California recognizes gender identity in legal documents. San Jose has comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinances.
- SoFA District (South First Area) downtown has several LGBTQ+-friendly bars and venues
- San Jose Pride Festival takes place annually in August, one of the largest in the region
- Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center (938 The Alameda) offers resources and hosts events
- Most hotels, restaurants, and businesses are LGBTQ+-friendly; discrimination is rare
- Public displays of affection between same-sex couples are generally accepted throughout the city
- Healthcare providers in San Jose are generally knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ health issues
- Dating apps are widely used and safe to use in San Jose
- Consider visiting nearby San Francisco (50 miles north), which has one of the world's largest LGBTQ+ communities
- If you experience discrimination, you can file complaints with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
- The Bay Area is home to numerous LGBTQ+ events, festivals, and organizations year-round
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended for San Jose visits, primarily due to the extremely high cost of healthcare in the United States. Even minor medical emergencies can result in bills exceeding $10,000, and serious incidents can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. International visitors are particularly vulnerable as their home country insurance typically doesn't cover U.S. healthcare. Additionally, trip cancellation coverage protects your investment in flights and hotels, while rental car coverage can save money on expensive daily insurance fees.
Travel insurance for adventurous travelers • Coverage in 200+ countries