ALONG COMES MARY

Last Summer when Team San Jose invited me up for a few nights & to cover their awesome Jazz Festival, I knew it would be a fun experience, but little did I know that I would leave on the decision that San Jose is one of my FAVORITE cities in California. About an hour from San Francisco, San Jose is indeed the heart of “The Silicon Valley” & home to where Microsoft, Google, Adobe & pretty much anything involving technology is born & resides. Yet, I was clueless that this metropolitan paradise offers some of the best food, entertainment & shopping around. If I ever moved north, I would love for it to be here. Read on to discover just why San Jose is a wonderful destination!

STAY

At Hotel De Anza. Everything you want to do & see will be within walking distance to this beautiful hotel, so once you arrive, park your car & keep it there until you check out. Added bonuses? Their overnight pantry, for starters! at 10pm, they open up a self-serve coffee shop-like pantry with all the fixings for a sandwich, dessert, tea or coffee. Along with the pantry, enjoy a full breakfast at their cafe like a artisan crafted latte & an omelette. When you arrive in after a night on the town, keep the celebrating going by having a cocktail at their lounge.

PLAY

Literally, play! Inside The Technology Museum of Innovation, this 3 story museum has enough to keep you entertained & busy for hours. You can build your own social robot, be a cyber detective & even feel an 8.0 earthquake. Works of art by Karl Kasten & Leon Gilmour more your style? Then head over to The San Jose Museum of Art, which has a beautiful array of permanent & visiting pieces. Make sure to check out a show at The San Jose Performing Arts Center, where all your Broadway favorites play, or City National Civic where greats like Bob Dylan & Jefferson Airplane have performed.
Shopping your thing? Cruise around the posh Santana Row where gorgeous designers grace the window fronts & world-class food is all around.

AND, NO VISIT TO SAN JOSE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A PEEK INTO…..

The Winchester Mystery House! Just what is all the mystery & weirdness surrounding this seemingly normal looking home? Take a tour & find out for yourself, just don’t open the door to nowhere! 😉

EAT

You probably will not want to eat for days following a trip to San Jose. I was so spoiled that it was difficult not to compare every restaurant to the cuisine & dishes had in this city, following my return home. Arcadia was absolutely great, & a perfect stop for a fine dinner before a night out, or consider The Loft Bar & Grill, specializing in perfect drinks to pair with your meal.

To ensure everyone gets what they desire (sushi, pizza, tacos), look no further than the fun marketplace at San Pedro Square Market. Much like LA’s Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax, this hub of fun offers bars, quick eats, full eats & shops…& lots of GLUTEN FREE options!

Have you ever been to San Jose? If so, what did you think? & if you have not, did you realize what a cool city it is? 🙂 xo