When people think of large U.S. cities, they may cite major metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. But one of the biggest and most culturally diverse cities may come as a surprise: San Jose, California.

It ranks in at number ten on the latest iPass Wi-Fi Hotspot Index's list of top ten cities where business people are getting connected and is the 10th largest city in the United States.

The source of San Jose's popularity stems from the fact that it is a hub for technological innovations—Silicon Valley cranks out software, online services and cool gadgets at a prodigious rate.

The city as it is known today is starkly different than the farming community it once was. Originally California's first capital, San Jose rapidly transformed from an agricultural center to a bustling business and urban city as developers, programmers and scientists came pouring into the area.

Currently, the city is home to such companies as eBay, Adobe Systems, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard and Lockheed Martin. Nearby Universities such as Santa Clara and Stanford provide a steady stream of computer science stars and engineering wunderkinds to fuel the boiling tech economy of the region, and in turn, the country.

Not surprisingly, the boom in corporate clout as a result of successful start-ups and established firms has made it a popular destination for business travelers and tourists alike.

Lucky for both travelers and natives, there are more than 100 iPass-enabled hotspots in the city, including the Crown Plaza and Moorpark Hotels and the Mineta International Airport.

It's not all work and no play, though. The HP Pavilion is continually booked with events ranging from concerts to sporting events. Other forms of entertainment include a number of performing arts treats such as the opera, theater and ballet, in addition to art museums and a major independent film festival.

Sports fanatics won't find a Big League baseball team or professional football team within the city environs, but that doesn't mean the city is devoid of games. Check out the San Jose Sharks for a dose of professional hockey, the Frogs for minor league soccer, the SaberCats for arena football and the Stealth for Lacrosse.

And just like the city itself, the airport is in a perpetual state of expansion and improvement. Last year, the airport created a new concourse, and development is well underway toward building a whole new airport by 2010. The good news for travelers—downtime while flying in and out of San Jose is becoming that much more enjoyable.

No matter where your ultimate destination is within the city, there are plenty of Starbucks locations to keep you connected and caffeinated long after the meetings are over.

Only one question remains: Do you know the way to San Jose?

Hotspots in San Jose »