Getaway alert: Travel from San Jose to Jacksonville

Florida, full of sun and palm trees, is always a popular travel destination. If you’re looking for an alternative to the steamy hustle of Miami or the theme park energy of Orlando, Jacksonville remains much more of a hidden gem.

The largest city by area in the U.S., Jacksonville enjoys wide-open spaces and operates the largest urban park system in the country. Centered on the St. Johns River, the city’s extensive waterways draw residents and visitors alike for a variety of water sports and leisure activities. And with modest prices and room to grow, Jacksonville is attracting a burgeoning arts scene, and hosts major music festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Fortunately, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between San Jose and Jacksonville, at least according to travel site Skyscanner.

Here’s a list of flights, hotels, restaurants and local attractions in Jacksonville to get you started.

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Cheapest Jacksonville flights

The cheapest flights between San Jose and Jacksonville are if you leave on April 27 and return from Florida on April 29. Southwest Airlines currently has tickets for $301, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had in June. If you fly out of San Jose on June 2 and return from Jacksonville on June 5, Southwest Airlines can get you there and back for $364 roundtrip.

Top Jacksonville hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of Jacksonville’s top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction.

The One Ocean Resort & Spa (1 Ocean Blvd.)

If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The One Ocean Resort & Spa. The hotel has a 4.8-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $179.

The Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant (691 First St. North)

There's also the four-star rated The Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant. Rooms are currently set at $139/night. The rooms and parlor suites impart a feeling of classic, timeless glamour from the 1920s.

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront (225 E. Coast Line Drive)

A third option is Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $139/night.

"The staff is nice, very accommodating and the room service is great," wrote visitor MaiMai.

Top picks for dining and drinking

Jacksonville has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner.

Ruth's Chris Steak House (814 A1A North, Suite 103)

If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Ruth's Chris Steak House, which has an average of five stars out of 11 reviews on Skyscanner.

"What’s not to love about Ruth’s Chris?" wrote visitor Peggy. "The steak is to die for and the lobster is the ultimate luxury with the waiter standing there cracking it for you. Sides are big enough to share so try several."

Eleven South (216 11th Ave. South)

Another popular dining destination is Eleven South, with five stars from eight reviews. The menu features a variety of seafood, steaks, fresh fish and pasta dishes.

Salt Restaurant (Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island)

Also worth considering is Salt Restaurant.

"Salt is Ritz Carlton's 5 Diamond restaurant," wrote Anne. "It is a true culinary adventure. This is the place to celebrate life, love and the raw beauty of Amelia's coastline."

Fantastic Fudge (218 Centre St.)

Finally, there's Fantastic Fudge.

"We go for the fantastic fudge and ice cream. This spot has a variety of flavors, and a generous scoop on a waffle cone is well worth the wait!" wrote Tony.

Top Jacksonville attractions

To round out your trip, Jacksonville offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are two top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.

Amelia Island Trail (Fernandina Beach)

Then, there's Amelia Island Trail.

"Much of the paved, tree-lined route parallels Highway A1A, a scenic byway and the trail is part of the East Coast Greenway," wrote visitor Kay.

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (829 Riverside Ave.)

Finally, consider checking out The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens .

"Best museum in Jax," wrote visitor Britney. "The LIFT exhibit is very striking and their gardens are beautiful as well. They have art from world-renowned artists such as Rockwell and Warhol."

This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.