This report provides an in-depth look at the various tourism and recreational spots available in San Jose, California. The information presented covers the highlights of key locations that cater to diverse interests, including trails, fairs, and unique retail experiences.
The Moment pop-up shops located on Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose offer a unique retail experience. These shops highlight local businesses and are a popular destination for both residents and visitors looking for distinctive products and local craftsmanship. The pop-up shops create a vibrant and dynamic shopping environment, featuring a variety of goods that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
The annual Creekside Rummage and Preservation Fair, organized by the Preservation Action Council (PAC-SJ), takes place near Google’s Downtown West site at 20 Barack Obama Blvd. The fair is held at a 2,000 square-foot warehouse, part of the Creekside Socials series of events. It features a variety of vintage treasures, including uncommon items such as the Toast-O-Lator, 8-track tapes, and other quirky collectibles. Besides the rummage sale, the event includes complementary programming such as bird walks conducted by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, a walking tour of Diridon Station by former County Supervisor Rod Diridon, and workshops on sketching, brush lettering, and jewelry making. The fair is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Fox Tale Fermentation Project, located at 30 E. Santa Clara St., is a notable brewery in downtown San Jose that has been gaining significant attention in the beer community. It recently celebrated its second anniversary with a weekend of festivities, including the release of new bottles such as 'Green Grow the Lilacs,' a Farmhouse Ale made with lilac blossoms, and 'Friend Blend,' a natural wine/beer hybrid created in collaboration with Goodtime Bar. Events also include an art pop-up featuring the works of artist Alisha Toni, a Funky Brunch with a fermentation-forward menu, and a comedy showcase hosted by PX Floro. The brewery is known for its innovative and community-focused events, making it a popular spot for beer enthusiasts.
Los Gatos Creek Trail offers a scenic pathway perfect for walking, biking, and running. It stretches from San Jose through Campbell and into Los Gatos, covering various important natural sites. The trail provides an engaging experience for visitors looking to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Almaden Quicksilver County Park is rich in history and natural beauty. Spanning over 4,000 acres, the park offers a variety of trails for hiking and exploring the remnants of its mining history. The park's trails cover different difficulty levels, making it accessible to all types of hikers.
Guadalupe River Trail runs through the heart of San Jose, providing a natural escape within the city. Starting from the Alviso Marina County Park and extending down south through downtown San Jose, the trail serves as an important green corridor supporting local wildlife and providing recreational space for residents and visitors.
Alum Rock Park is one of California's oldest municipal parks, featuring a wide range of trails that take visitors through diverse ecological zones. The park's trails offer varying degrees of difficulty, showcasing the region's natural flora and fauna along with beautiful geological formations and mineral springs.
Santa Teresa County Park encompasses over 1,600 acres in the Santa Teresa Hills. It offers multiple trails suitable for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The trails provide panoramic views of the Santa Clara Valley, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both relaxation and adventure.
The Moment pop-up shops, a notable initiative by the San Jose Downtown Association, were introduced a few years ago on the ground floor of the Market Street garage facing San Pedro Square. These pop-up shops have been a bright spot in the otherwise underwhelming retail scene of downtown San Jose. The shops have garnered positive reactions and have become a symbol of hope for local entrepreneurs.
Expanding on the success of the initial Moment pop-up shops, the San Jose Downtown Association recently launched Moment San Pedro, which includes two storefronts on the Paseo de San Antonio between Third and Fourth streets. This project has made room for five businesses owned by women, namely La Paloma Imports, Cositas Contreras, MiGi Cera Candles, Plant Slut, and Bad Witch Crystals. The launch event, attended by Mayor Matt Mahan and city officials, highlighted the positive outlook of these business owners and the supportive environment provided by initiatives like San Jose Made.
The success of Moment Paseo has paved the way for further expansion. Plans are underway to establish a third Moment pop-up location on Post Street, continuing the effort to revitalize downtown San Jose and provide opportunities for small businesses to thrive. Councilmember Omar Torres emphasized the city's commitment to supporting small businesses and ensuring they have the resources needed to open brick-and-mortar locations downtown.
The PAC-SJ annual rummage sale is a notable event, attracting those in search of both quirky and practical items. Held at 20 Barack Obama Blvd., the sale features a variety of vintage treasures such as 8-track tapes, LP records, dining sets, vintage clothes, and even unique items like a Toast-O-Lator. Additionally, the event includes complementary activities as part of the Creekside Socials partnership, such as bird walks led by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, a walking tour of Diridon Station by former Supervisor Rod Diridon, a sketchwalk, and workshops in brush lettering and jewelry making. The fair runs Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fox Tale Fermentation Project will be celebrating its second anniversary all weekend at 30 E. Santa Clara St. Highlights of the event include the launch of four new bottles, such as 'Green Grow the Lilacs' and 'Friend Blend,' an art pop-up on Saturday featuring Alisha Toni, and the return of the Funky Brunch with a fermentation-forward menu on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. The celebration concludes with an anniversary comedy showcase hosted by PX Floro at 7 p.m.
Clandestine Brewing's 'Blessing of the Bocks' is the highlight of their Bockfest Weekend, celebrating the release of Maihem Maibock lager. The ceremony, led by comedian Ruben Escobedo III, is slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. Additionally, Escobedo will host a live comedy show, '(The Not Actually) Secret Show,' at 8 p.m. The brewery is located at 980 S. First St.
San Jose resident Patricia Callahan is organizing a Bay Business networking fundraiser on Saturday in Redwood City. The evening event starts at 6 p.m. at the Lemo Foundation campus, 2575 E. Bayshore Road, and includes libations, shopping, and golf competitions. Proceeds from ticket sales and a raffle will benefit the Silicon Valley Pet Project and the Lemo Foundation. Tickets are $15 and available on Eventbrite.
The SoFA Street Fair will take place on Sunday in downtown San Jose, featuring dozens of bands on ten stages in the South First Street district. Running from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., one of the fair's highlights includes the Drag Races—drag performers racing down First Street on sofas—at 4 p.m. More details and the lineup can be found on the event’s schedule site.
A series of pop-up retail shops in downtown San Jose, designed to spotlight local businesses and artisans, particularly women-owned businesses. They aim to rejuvenate the retail landscape of the area and provide unique retail experiences through temporary storefronts.
An annual rummage sale organized by the Preservation Action Council, featuring a mix of quirky vintage finds and practical items with supplementary activities like art events, yoga classes, and workshops. Hosted at Google's Downtown West site.
A notable brewery in San Jose that is marking its second anniversary with a weekend of special events including the release of new brews, art pop-ups, and a comedy showcase.
A scenic trail that stretches approximately 11 miles from San Jose to the town of Los Gatos, featuring parks, picnic areas, and opportunities for recreational activities like biking and jogging.
A park spanning over 4,000 acres, known for its mining history, panoramic views, and wildlife. Includes trails such as the Mine Hill Trail and Hacienda Trail.
A serene trail that runs along the Guadalupe River for about 9 miles through San Jose, ideal for walking, running, and bird watching.
One of California’s oldest municipal parks, offering a network of trails, mineral springs, picnic areas, and an interpretive center.
A park with over 1,600 acres of trails and diverse ecosystems. Trails like the Coyote Peak Trail offer challenging hikes with spectacular views of San Jose.
San Jose offers a rich variety of tourism and recreational spots that cater to different interests and preferences. From unique retail experiences and pop-up shops highlighting local businesses to celebrating nature through scenic trails and engaging events, the city provides an enriching experience for both residents and visitors.