Accommodations
Downtown San Jose
FanimeCon is set against the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. Surrounding the Convention Center are a number of hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Whether you’re looking for a good time or an educational experience, we hope these directional links help you as you try to acquaint yourself with FanimeCon and the surrounding area.
Hotel
Hotel registration is now open! You can view the list of hotels as well as modify your reservations by going to this page.
You can use the hotel registration page to sign up for a hotel’s waitlist. Most attendees on our waitlist end up getting one of the hotels that they request!
Food
Food is absolutely essential to enjoying FanimeCon. You can’t have fun on an empty stomach! Luckily, there’s plenty of places in and around the convention area to keep you full and energized. There are food stands within the convention center; restaurants and cafes in the hotels; and a plethora of restaurants and different cuisines in downtown San Jose. For more information about dining options, please use the dining guide from San Jose Convention and Cultural Affairs.
Directions
For a comprehensive list of ways to get to the convention, please visit the Convention Center website. This list includes driving directions from different areas (including northbound and southbound directions) and will help you find your way.
Parking
Between the Convention Center, the hotels, and the surrounding area, there are many places to stow your car around downtown San Jose. Many of these places charge for parking or have a fee for a valet, so make sure you have some extra cash handy just in case! The ParkSJ website has an updated list of the downtown San Jose parking garages.
Please check back closer to FanimeCon 2024 for updated information!
Shuttle Bus
Each FanimeCon shuttle will travel between the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and its respective stop. The shuttles will remain at each stop and move between the two locations after a brief wait or once the shuttle fills up.
There will be an ADA-accessible shuttle available. If it is not currently at your stop, please let the current shuttle driver know and they will request a direct pick up.
The shuttle stop at the San Jose Convention Center is located on Almaden Blvd, next to the Hilton San Jose. Look for the Convention Center exit just outside of the closed Peet’s Coffee.
There are three routes during FanimeCon:
- Route A will go between the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the DoubleTree Hotel
- Route B will go between the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the Holiday Inn Hotel
- Route A/B will go between the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the DoubleTree Hotel as well as the Holiday Inn Hotel (as needed)
| Date | Times | Active Routes |
| Thursday, May 23 | 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm | A & B |
| Friday, May 24 | 8:00 am – 2:00 am* | A, B, & A/B |
| Saturday, May 25 | 8:00 am – 2:00 am* | A, B, & A/B |
| Sunday, May 26 | 8:00 am – 2:00 am* | A, B, & A/B |
| Monday, May 27 | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm | A & B |
*Note: Please note that the last shuttle pick up will be between 1:30 am and 1:45 am so please plan accordingly.
Public Transit
Concerned about the earth? Simply don’t want to drive? Then take public transit! The bus lines, light rail, and trains all have stops near the Convention Center. Check out the links below to view routes, timetables, and to help you plan your trip:
- BART from East Bay, OAK Airport, or San Francisco
Take BART to Berryessa/North San José station, then transfer to the VTA Rapid 500 bus. Get off at Santa Clara & 1st, and walk about 3 blocks to the McEnery Convention Center.
- Caltrain from San Francisco or the Peninsula
Caltrain service runs to the San José Diridon station, which is on average a 10 minute light rail ride or a 20 minute walk from McEnery Convention Center.
- VTA from South Bay or San José
VTA provides both light rail and buses (like the Rapid 500 which connects Berryessa BART Station to Downtown San José) throughout Santa Clara County where FanimeCon takes place to connect you to the McEnery Convention Center.
- VTA from SJC Airport
From SJC Airport, board the VTA 60 bus towards Milpitas BART. Get off at 1st & Metro, then cross the street to transfer to VTA Light Rail heading southbound.
- Capitol Corridor from East Bay, Davis, or Sacramento
Capitol Corridor runs Amtrak trains from Sacramento to San José Diridon or Richmond BART stations. View schedules & purchase tickets at CapitolCorridor.org. You can transfer to VTA for free by showing a valid same-day Capitol Corridor ticket.
Capitol Corridor has an ongoing promotion until the end of 2024 if you plan to travel with friends or family. Buy one full fare ticket and save 50% on up to five companion fares.
- Santa Cruz Metro from Santa Cruz
Highway 17 Express buses run from Santa Cruz to San José Diridon or Downtown San José. A free transfer to VTA light rail or bus can be requested from the bus operator.
- Intercity Bus & Train
Flixbus has a Downtown San José stop directly across the street from the Convention Center. Amtrak and Greyhound have stops at Diridon Station. The Hoang Bus and Tufesa Bus stops in San Jose are both served by the VTA 22 bus which runs directly to the Convention Center.
Trying to find the best route for the different public transit systems can be challenging, so Transit511 has a trip planner and a list of other public transportation websites.