San Jose: Japantown; things to do

101 South 

Japantown  

N. 5th St./Jackson St., (408) 298-4303. 

Dating back to the late 1800s, when bachelors from Japan migrated to the area, the historic Japantown neighborhood features streets lined with cherry trees that bloom spectacularly in the spring.  One of only three remaining historical Japantowns in the U.S. (the others are in San Francisco and Los Angeles), it is just south of downtown and can be reached via the Light Rail line.  Standing here at 10:55 a.m. on a Sunday morning, we viewed the huge Dreamliner fly in from Tokyo to land at the city airport here as it does once each day.

street banners in Japantown in San Jose, California

These historical sites of interest are situated on residential side streets:

●San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin  

640 N. 5th St., (408) 293-9292.  

Featuring a Japanese garden and a tile roof, this still-active church dates from 1937.

San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in Japantown in San Jose, California

●Wesley United Methodist Church  

566 N. 5th St., (408) 295-0367.  

Established in 1895 as the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church and at this site since 1913, this church has been remodeled several times. 

●Japanese American Museum of San Jose  

535 N. 5th St., (408) 294-3138.  Thur-Sun noon-4pm.  $5, $65+ $3, under 12 free. 

The newish Japanese American Museum of San Jose’s permanent exhibits include vintage farming artifacts used by early settlers as well as a furnished replica of the Tule Lake Relocation Center barracks room.  The World War II internment exhibits are well done and thought-provoking (for a good background read on this subject, visit here).  A free neighborhood map is available here.

exterior of Japanese American Museum of San Jose in Japantown
in San Jose, California

guided tour of Japanese American Museum of San Jose in Japantown
in San Jose, California

reproduction of Tule Lake Relocation Center cabin
at Japanese American Museum of San Jose in Japantown in San Jose, California

Shops, galleries, and Japanese restaurants abound in the neighborhood, and on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon the bustling Japantown Certified Farmers Market  unfolds.  

Happi House 

695 N. 5th St./Taylor St., (408) 295-5554.  L-D daily; $.

Happi House serves Japanese-style fast food.  Diners order at the counter--noodle soups, tempura, teriyaki items--and then food is delivered to the table lickety-split. 


Annual festivals celebrating the changing seasons include Nikkei Matsuri in May, the Obon Festival in July, and Aki Matsuri in September.  

 
More things to do in San Jose.      

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: San Pedro Square; restaurant review

101 South

San Pedro Square  

Between Santa Clara & Saint John streets, downtown. 

The name of this historic strip is misleading because it's not really a square, but rather a one-block stretch, and it extends even beyond this center to restaurants, shops, and other businesses surrounding it.  A farmers market operates on Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.

San Pedro Square Market 

The San Pedro Square Market takes up a big chunk of space here.  A variety of informal restaurant spaces operate inside this food court offering everything from sushi tacos to dragon rolls to hand-thrown pizza.  Seating is scattered throughout, both indoors and out (one area is beside the adjacent Peralta Adobe, which is available to tour by appointment).  Live music is presented on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings beginning at 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m.

exterior of San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

pizza prep at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

pizza at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

dragon roll at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

sliders at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

musicians at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, California

More things to do in San Jose.    

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: Psycho Donuts; restaurant review

101 South

Psycho Donuts  

288 S. 2nd St./San Carlos, downtown.  Hours vary. 

A visit to Psycho Donuts might leave you speechless.  Here is how the shop self-describes, “Psycho Donuts is the world's first and only asylum for wayward donuts.  Psycho Donuts has "donutized" everything from pizzas, tacos, and even sushi!  You'll find crazy-fresh, original donuts topped with everything from Oreo cookies and Captain Crunch, to Rice Krispie Treats and Nutella.  Check out our crazy gourmet donuts like The Dead Elvis, filled with custard and topped with bananas, peanut butter & jelly, and bacon; and The Strawberry Margarita, filled with tequila pastry cream, topped with real strawberry and margarita salt.  A trip to Psycho Donuts is a sensory experience, designed to bring out the crazy in all of us.  Psycho nurses are on hand to provide bubblewrap therapy to minimize your selection anxiety.  Psycho Donuts doubles as a quirky, offbeat art gallery, offering inexpensive original artwork from local artists.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself!  More donuts worth trying are the Boston Scream Pie—a skull face topped with powdered sugar—and the Cereal Killer with marshmallow frosting.  While you’re here, you might want to pick up a souvenir logo pen that looks like a syringe.  

exterior of Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California

menu board at Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California

specialty donuts at Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California

souvenir pens at Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California

More things to do in San Jose.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: Original Joe's; restaurant review

101 South

Original Joe's  

301 S. First St./San Carlos St., (888) 841-7030, (408) 292-7030.  L-D daily; $$.  No reservations. 

neon sign outside Original Joe's in San Jose, California

OJ's--as the locals call it—is one of the town’s most popular restaurants, and diners are willing to wait to be seated in one of the comfy leather booths.  In business since the 1950s, Original Joe's  retains a vintage flair and offers an extensive menu of venerable Italian specialties as well as really good steaks—all delivered by tuxedoed waiters.  Most everything gets raves, but I can vouch for the ravioli Bolognese, eggplant Parmigiana, and New York steak grilled over mesquite charcoal.  When I ordered the New York with a baked potato, the waiter asked me why I would come to an Italian restaurant to order steak and potato.  I was nonplussed then, but after I ate my steak I would have replied “because it is sooo goood!”  The traditional spaghetti with meat sauce and giant meat balls is also very popular.  

  

New York steak at Original Joe's in San Jose, California

spaghetti and giant meatball at Original Joe's in San Jose, California

 
More things to do in San Jose.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: San Jose Museum of Art; things to do

101 South

San Jose Museum of Art  

110 S. Market St./San Fernando St., downtown, (408) 271-6840.  Tu-Sun 11-5.  $8, seniors $5, under 6 free.  Baby strollers loaned at no charge. 

Displaying a collection of primarily contemporary American art, much of it from California, this unusual part-1892 Romanesque sandstone/part-1991 stark modern building serves as a metaphor for contemporary art's ties to tradition.  Colorful Chihuly glass pieces hang high in the lobby, but the San Jose Museum of Art has no permanent galleries and art is shown only in the new wing.  Currently “Covert Operations: Investigating the Known Unknowns” operates on the first floor (through January 10, 2016).  On the second floor you’ll see both a William Wegman show that introduces his personal side mixed in with the amusing Weimaraner dog photographs he is famous for, and a collection of whimsical ceramic sculptures of the human figure (both through February 7, 2016). 

Located in the original wing, Cafe Too! serves salads, sandwiches, and afternoon “edible art” confections.  And don’t miss a browse of the creatively stocked gift shop. 

see my previous review of this museum

exterior of San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, California

lobby at San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, California

"Colonel Hyena" by Robert Arneson at San Jose Museum of Art
in San Jose, California

More things to do in San Jose.
 
More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: The Fairmont San Jose; hotel review + restaurant review

101 South 

The Fairmont San Jose  

170 S. Market St., downtown, (800) 346-5550, (408) 998-1900.  20 stories; 805 rooms; $$-$$$+.  Heated pool; 2 saunas; 2 steam rooms; fitness room; full-service spa.  3 restaurants; room service.  Valet parking $26. 

Built on the site of what was California's capitol building from 1849 to 1851 and then a Chinatown after that, this well-situated luxury high-rise Fairmont San Jose features guest rooms with marble bathrooms and city views.

exterior of The Fairmont San Jose in California

guest room at The Fairmont San Jose in California

view from guest room at The Fairmont San Jose in California

Three restaurants operate off the lobby:  The Grill on the Alley features a clubby ambiance, with dark wood paneling and black leather-upholstered booths; The Fountain serves casual cafe meals and a lavish Sunday brunch;

breakfast at The Fountain at The Fairmont San Jose in California

Bijan Bakery & Cafe offers fine European pastries and sandwiches.  Additionally, The Lobby Lounge serves afternoon tea and cocktails and presents live music on weekends.  This stylish lounge is open late and has a 70-page cocktail menu that includes 500 kinds of martinis (I found out about this menu too late and ordered a boring Manhattan, but you can ask for it and get something quite special).  And you never know who you will run into at The Fairmont.  Fellow travel writer Ginny Prior was staying here the same day as I and was surprised to find Snoop Dogg and his entourage in the elevator.  One of the group graciously took her picture with the man, and she is still talking, and writing, about it.  

Snoop Dogg and Ginny Prior by the elevator at The Fairmont San Jose
in California

More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.
 
4 top images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Snoop Dogg photographer unknown

San Jose: Introduction to San Jose

101 South 

Introduction to San Jose

Touted as the "capital of Silicon Valley" (a title that seems valid considering that 24 of the area's largest computer companies have headquarters or divisions here), San Jose is the country's tenth-largest city, California's third-largest, and the Bay Area’s largest.  It is also California’s oldest city (it was founded as a Spanish pueblo in 1777 and was the state capital from 1849 to 1851).  And it was the first city on the West Coast to be lit with electricity, plus it has the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam, not to mention it was recently named the happiest, healthiest, and smartest city in the country. 

But even with all these superlatives to its credit, San Jose has received relatively little attention for its attractions.  That is changing as the city concentrates on revitalizing its downtown area.  Now, visitors to the city center can enjoy its many cultural offerings as well as a reliably mild climate—it boasts more than 300 days of sunshine annually. 

But be warned, the song “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” was written for a reason.  Though downtown is easy to maneuver on foot, the greater city is gigantic and easy to get lost in.  Secure a good map, and always allow extra time when driving.  

marquee at California Theater in San Jose, California

Light Rail in San Jose, California

jazz mural in San Jose, California

More information on San Jose.

More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.
 
images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum; things to do

101 South 

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum displays the largest collection of authentic ancient Egyptian artifacts in western North America.  Highlights include mummies, fine jewelry, and a full-size reproduction of a tomb--the only one in the United States.  Begin in the After Life Room, where you’ll see plenty of mummies, including a child, a baboon (it is actually an ancient fake), and a partially unwrapped adult.  A guided tour of the composite 4,000-year-old rock tomb reproduction featuring colorful wall paintings is worthwhile for illumination, then just wander around.  Must-sees are the exact replica of Nefertiti (the real one is in Berlin, where people wait in a very long line to see it) and the outside 18th-dynasty Peace Garden featuring plants that would have been grown in that time (people come from far away to see it, even from Egypt).  The planetarium is currently closed.  


More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art; things to do

101 South

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art 

560 S. First St., downtown, (408) 283-8155.  Tu-F 10-5, Sat 12-5.  Free. 

This small venue displays emerging and mid-career artists who are underappreciated and endeavors to make contemporary art accessible and exciting to all.  Exhibitions at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art are presented in three galleries.  My current favorite—a platoon of gurgling water coolers--is part of “The Office”; the series of feathers composed of staples is also quite interesting.  Workshops and special events are scheduled.

More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: San Jose Museum of Art; things to do

101 South

San Jose Museum of Art

Several current exhibits at the San Jose Museum of Art are worth a browse.  "Mexicanismo through Artists’ Eyes” runs through September 23 and will be exhibited only here.  Mixing folk arts and crafts with contemporary ideas, it begins in the lobby with “Endless Spiral”—five tires carved with Maya symbols by Mexico City artist Betsabee Romero.  Another, "Renegade Humor" by Walter Robinson will have you smiling, especially at the hippo and her twins--which made me very hungry for some frosted animals crackers.  

 
More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated December 9, 2015

San Jose: Hotel Valencia; hotel review + restaurant review

101 South

Hotel Valencia 

355 Santana Row, (866) 842-0100, (408) 551-0010.  7 stories; 213 rooms; $$$-$$$+.  Heated pool; hot tub; fitness room; full-service spa.  Continental breakfast; restaurant; room service.  No pets.  Self-parking free, valet $24.

Rooms at sleek, sophisticated Hotel Valencia are appointed with a stainless steel bathroom sink, a faux fur bed cover, and stylish furnishings.  Mattresses are among the most comfortable ever, and a pillow menu allows for personal fine-tuning.  

The Indian-inspired Ayoma LifeSpa is colorful with rich Indian fabrics and antiques and offers pampering treatments (including traditional Indian Ayurveda treatments).  Hand and foot treatments include pressure point massage that makes it possible to once again carry shopping bags and walk the row.

Ultra-hip Vbar sports metal-bead doorway curtains and is the place to be each evening when it serves up a Red Hot Mama (Bacardi silver, cranberry juice, club soda) that is especially delicious with salmon and caviar on corn blinis.  

Cielo Wine Bar (On 7th floor.  M-Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm.) faces west for a great view of the Santa Cruz Mountains at sunset; cocktails, wine, and light food service are available.   

Citrus restaurant (B-L-D daily.) serves creative tapas that include Vietnamese-style caramel ribs and pulled pork sliders, and grassfed beef from Uraguay makes for a super-tasty main course of dry-aged rib-eye that only gets better with Absinthe sauce and a topping of onion rings.  Sweet consclusions come from the in-house pastry chef in the form of delicious signature beer-battered donut balls with dipping sauces.


More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2012 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Jose: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo; things to do

101 South 

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Following a $70 million renovation, this popular family attraction reopened on March 30.

Here's a video of the new fossa exhibit:




Familiar sights are still there:
Crooked House
lower Zoo
Mini Put-Putt cars
Granny Bug Rides
Danny the Dragon ride (he's just “greener”)

New sights include:
Education Center - The greenest of all the new buildings and built out of hay bales, the Learning L.O.D.G.E. is the center of educational activity for the new facility.
Doc’s Critter Care – This new animal hospital features indoor and outdoor
quarantine, surgery, and radiology facilities.
Giggle Grove – The new rides area features Kiddie Swings and Frog Hopper.
Family Rides – Includes a spectacular carousel with endangered species characters and Pacific Fruit Express Family Roller Coaster.
Double H Ranch Exhibit - Includes expansive animal contact area with an
additional play areas for children. It features Animal Barn, which offers close contact with domestic species along with new exhibits of animals
typically found in a barn.
Lemur Woods Exhibit – Displays endangered lemurs and a parallel play area
for children to hop, jump, and move like a lemur.
Redwood Lookout play area - Perfect for multiple age groups with an area for
toddlers, a sitting area for parents, and a larger play structure for older
children. Built to resemble a Ranger lookout station, the giant play structure is
nestled in redwoods with slides, swings, ropes, and climbing areas.
New Fossa Exhibit – This largest member of the mongoose family is the largest carnivore and top predator native to Madagascar. Happy Hollow is the only Bay Area zoo exhibiting this endangered species.
Picnic Basket Restaurant


More things to do in San Jose.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.