SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
San Jose is known as the Capital of Silicon Valley and currently serves as "home" to Kate & Justin, as well as the 10th largest city in the US. Once known for its dedicated agricultural business, the city transitioned into a globalized metropolis and hub of the tech industry since booming back in the early 80s.
Today, San Jose leads the country as one of the most successful markets in the US.
Listed below are just a few suggestions of where to stop while you're here!
Today, San Jose leads the country as one of the most successful markets in the US.
Listed below are just a few suggestions of where to stop while you're here!
You've lucked out! April 30- May 7 is SILICON VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEK, an exciting foodie festival where local restaurants offer an array of inventive, eclectic and multinational cuisine choices at affordable prix fixe menu prices. Click here to find out more!
EATOriginal Joe's: A local San Jose favorite since the 50's, this is the best hearty Italian in NorCal. Be prepared for a food coma! $
Naglee Park Garage: A small bistro with a large outdoor patio offering great food with a southern flair. Also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! $$ In & Out Burger: You'll definitely need a car to get here, but why not stop by one of the nation's most famous burger joints while you're here? $ The Grill on the Alley: A meat-lovers paradise (they also have great seafood), this upscale steakhouse has an old-money vibe and top notch service. Also a short walk from the hotel. $$$ Arcadia: A byproduct of Michael Mina, this five-star California steakhouse will serve the freshest ingredients from farm to table. $$$ SP2 Communal Bar & Restaurant: Delcious, locally sourced, American cuisine and house-made hand-crafted cocktails. One of our favorite go-to's with a great HH from 3pm-7pm, daily. $$ Blackbird Tavern: American bistro with live jazz music with amazing selection of beverages. $$ San Pedro Square Market: San Jose's first open-air market concept featuring an array of casual restaurants with food selections ranging from Vietnamese to French crepes to Mediterranean. A great option for a group where nobody can decide what to eat! There is certainly an option for everyone here. $ The Table: A finer-dining establishment offering communal seating, The Table offers California cuisine at its finest feautring fresh, organic ingredients executed in a creative way. $$ Haymarket: A great selection of organic ingredients and decent portion sizes for the price - the food is always great. Note, beer and wine only. $$ Firehouse: Great gastropub in downtown San Jose built from an old fire station offering a good selection of brews. $ Dia de Pesca: A divey Mexican joint with AWESOME food, outdoor seating and is affordably priced. $ Teske's Germania: Perfect if you're craving schnitzel or a brat. They have good beer, too. $$ |
DRINKPhilz Coffee: Downtown San Jose's most popular coffee shop; local business began in San Francisco back in the early 00's. There's no competition between Starbucks, here. $
Caffe Frascati: Another unique local British style coffee shop. A wee bit pricey, but good java and ilocated n the heart of downtown. $ Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries: San Jose and surrounding areas offer A TON of wineries with tasting rooms. Some of our faves include Loma Prieta, Byington, MJA, Testarossa, Cinnabar, and Savannah-Chanelle. Tasting fees vary. $ The Hedley Club Lounge: An art-deco, lavish feel often offering a great tunes by local jazz bands and a mean cocktail. Located inside The Hotel DeAnza. $ Vyne Bistro: A contemporary wine bar with ummy tapas; this newer little bistro offers n amazing selection wnes and some great happy hour specials from 3pm-7pm. $ Single Barrel: An old-school speakeasy with a vintage flair. This bar is the perfect place for anyone looking for a creative cocktail without a name. Bartenders create your drink based on what you like, not necessarily what is on the menu. $ The Hurricane Bar: Located inside the Fairmont Hotel and open til 12:30am on Fridays and Saturdays! Happy Hour offered 5:00-7:00pm Wednesdays-Fridays. $ Grapevine Wine Bar: Cute wine bar offering a great selection of local vineyard favorites. $ Original Gravity Public House: A hip, newish gastropub offering a variety of brews and sausages of every kind. $ Paper Plane: Offering the best craft cocktails this world has to offer. There are no strangers at this bar; just friends who haven’t met yet. $ |
PLAYSan Jose Giants Baseball: Minor league baseball team of San Jose, they offer a badass fireworks show following most games.
San Jose Earthquakes Soccer: Perfect team to check out for a good soccer match; the Earthquakes current stadium allows for an intimate personalized game-watching experience. Golfing: Golf Magazine has rated San Jose as one of the best golf cities in the US. Check out Coyote Creek Golf Club (only Jack Nicklaus golf course in the Bay Area), Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, Los Lagos, Santa Teresa Golf Club, Eagle Ridge Golf Course to name a few. Wine Tasting: Wines and views to remember for a lifetime - there are wineries surrounding the entire region. Any direction you go, there will be a wine waiting to be tasted. Be sure to check out the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries as well as the Livermore valley wineries, both a short drive from downtown San Jose. Hiking: San Jose has one of the nation's largest urban trail networks, with over 50 miles developed and open to the public. Guadalupe River, Coyote Creek, Albertson Parkway and Upper Silver Creek are just naming a few. The Tech Museum: Inspire yourself with the innovation of technology's past, present and future. Located within walking distance of the hotel. San Jose Museum of Art: Get cultured through the art of our past! Just a short walk from The Fairmont Hotel. South Bay Farmers' Markets: From flowers to produce to candies and dog treats, the routine farmers markets have something healthy everyone will enjoy. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph: One of the most gorgeous basilicas you may ever see and located within walking distance of The Fairmont. Mass times (in English and Spanish) listed on the website. Campo Di Bocce: Located in the heart of downtown Los Gatos this spot is dedicated to the bocce ball enthusiast. Reservations recommended. |
STAYSan Francisco: 45 minutes - 1 hour north of San Jose; be sure to drive up to The Presidio for breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach and the San Francisco Bay.
Napa Valley: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes north of San Jose; wine tasting and organic scenery for America's elite. Petaluma/Santa Rosa: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes north of San Jose, these are great locations to several fine wineries and also Lagunitas Brewing Co. as well as Russian River Brewing Co., if you need a cold one. Sonoma: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes north of San Jose; a more casual and laid back wine tasting experience in comparison to its alter-ego, Napa. Rent bikes to do the wine-tasting bike trail! Half Moon Bay: Approx 45 minutes northwest of San Jose; Be sure to check out Sam's Chowder House for some amazing clam chowder and enjoy a cocktail on the patio of the Ritz Carlton overlooking the Bay. Santa Cruz: Approx. 45 minutes southwest of San Jose (Route 17); home of UC Santa Cruz, the banana slug, the famous boardwalk and a great college downtown area filled with restaurants and shops. Monterey: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes southwest of San Jose; be sure to check out the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the 17-mile drive to Pebble Beach and more! Pebble Beach: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes southwest of San Jose. Breathtaking views, million-dollar homes, and a world-renowned golf course on the shoreline of the Pacific; the 17-mile drive takes you through Pebble Beach to check out the ever so famous golf course along the beach. Carmel: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes southwest of San Jose. Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) to see some of the most beauty Cali has to offer. We recommend stopping at Mission Ranch for a cocktail at Sunset. Big Sur: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours southwest of San Jose. Continue south past Carmel to one of the most popular tourist destinations in California, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise above the Pacific. Stop at Bixby Bridge to check out where some of America's most popular car commercials are filmed. May not be the best road trip for those we get car sick... |
