San Jose, California’s third-largest city — and the nation’s eleventh, ranked by population — is referred to as the capital of Silicon Valley, a region containing the largest concentration of computer, Internet and electronics firms in the nation. This high-tech area stretches from Stanford University north of San Jose, to the Santa Cruz Mountains southwest of the city. Despite its size, and steep housing costs, the city remains justifiably proud of its public safety record. San Jose ranks as the nation’s best public safety record for cities with a population more than 250,000. The FBI reports that it has fewer than 45 serious crimes per 1,000 people. Situated just 45 minutes south of San Francisco, San Jose sustains an expanse of artistic and cultural diversity that the City by the Bay would relish. Museums of all kinds dot the city with their fine arts, history and technical displays. Restaurants abound and shopping is a sheer delight. Some of the world’s fastest-growing high-tech firms are located in San Jose and the Silicon Valley. The city consistently ranks as one of the 10 best U.S. cities for business by Fortune Magazine. With 1,500 of the nation’s 2,500 largest electronics firms located here, it’s no wonder the Silicon Valley and its capital city remain so rich in technology resources in the computer age. The area’s Mediterranean climate blesses its citizens with mild weather and at least 300 days of sunshine per year. With an annual average temperature of 60 degrees (the average temperature in January is 49; in July, 70), the Silicon Valley remains on the dry side, only receiving about 14 inches of rain annually. Founded in 1857, the West Coast’s first public institution of higher education was San Jose State University. SJSU, located in the center of the city on 154 acres, funnels more graduates into Silicon Valley firms than any other university in the country. What are the most popular majors? Computer Science heads the list, followed by Management Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Art and Computer Engineering.