The Tech

For the city’s most luxurious shopping experience, visit this snazzy outdoor mall, a mix between California’s relaxed stylishness and a swanky European village on market day. This walkable, nook-and-cranny-filled complex has benches for relaxing under leafy oaks, large sculptures by French artists André Dumonnet and Christine Foulché, antique fountains, live musicians, and open-air seating outside quality restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can easily while away the hours, sitting on a bench perusing your purchases while nibbling fresh croissants from Cocola. If your shopping tastes run more toward Main Street than Paris boutique, there are familiar chains including Orvis and H&M. And, in the ultimate Silicon Valley indulgence, why not custom-design your own luxury all-electric car at Santana Row’s Tesla store.

Now that Joe Montana has found his way to Levi’s Stadium, it’s your turn to find him at this high-tech, eco-friendly, 68,500-seat marvel in Santa Clara.

The Hall of Fame quarterback was the foundation of four championship teams, so it’s only appropriate that the San Francisco 49ers installed a brick celebrating his contributions in Levi’s Stadium Fanwalk. You can find a map that leads directly to Montana’s brick—as well as those honouring Bill Walsh, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, and other stars.

Although it’s closed through February, the 49ers Museum is another great way to pay tribute to one of the most acclaimed quarterbacks in NFL history. The 20,000-square-foot facility includes 11 galleries where you’ll find The Catch ball that Montana tossed to Dwight Clark to clinch the 1981 NFC title game; the Lombardi trophies that Montana helped his team win; one of his early professional contracts; statues; and all sorts of artifacts and memorabilia.

Levi’s Stadium also offers a wide variety of tours that take you behind the scenes at this truly special venue. Ninety-minute public tours are held every day during business hours—although they are currently on hold until March 1—and Montana’s presence can be felt throughout. The stadium also offers guided tours of its massive art collection, and yes—artists’ renderings of Montana are a key component of the exhibition. 

This downtown museum prides itself on its origins: In 1969, the beautiful 19th century building that then housed a library was threatened with demolition, and a group of citizens banded together to save it and open an art gallery. That local effort grew, creating this remarkable downtown facility, including a light-filled wing added in the 1990s. Permanent exhibits present an outstanding and varied collection, including contemporary abstracts, photography, figurative painting, sculpture, and works in new media by Bay Area artists. If you’ve got kids, check the schedule for family-friendly, hands-on activities to help children get excited about art. 

San Jose’s vibrant dining scene is one of the Bay Area’s best-kept secrets. In recent years, dozens of excellent restaurants, breweries, and wine bars have opened their doors in the so-called Capital of Silicon Valley. 

San Jose serves up exceptionally elevated dining experiences. In 2018, Adega became the first restaurant in the city’s history to receive a Michelin star—one of only two Portuguese dining spots in the country to ever receive that honour. Three different prix fixe menus (splurge for the seven-course tasting menu) are offered daily at the family-owned establishment. Celebrity chef Michael Mina, a Michelin-star winner in his own right, works his magic at Arcadia, a steakhouse that’s a popular spot before or after shows at the nearby San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

Think of a global cuisine and you’re almost sure to find it in San Jose. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of authentic international flavours, including traditional Ethiopian fare at Zeni Restaurant and homemade tarmosalata at Nemea Greek Taverna. With more Vietnamese residents than any city outside of Vietnam, San Jose is a hotspot for pho, bahn-mi, and banh xeo—all of which can be found at Grand Century Mall in Little Saigon. If American-style meat and potatoes is what you’re after, head to Harry’s Hofbrau for an old-fashioned buffet paired with specialty craft beers.

Downtown San Jose’s lively, open-late food hall, San Pedro Square Market, is a great place for a casual hang or a grab-and-go meal. How about a bowl of Nepali steamed dumplings from Urban Momo? A glass of wine from local vintners at Vino Vino? Check out Treatbot, the ice cream trike from the future, serving up karaoke and local ice cream flavours like the “408” (caramel ice cream, fudge, and Oreos). No sense goes un-served in the public market’s three halls: Keep your nose peeled for the aroma of roasted coffee beans and wood-fired pizza, while enjoying live entertainment and local artwork.

On sunny days (which are the norm here), take your food out to a table or bench in the adjacent plaza, bordered by the Peralta Adobe (the city’s oldest building; guided tours are offered throughout the year). 

Alongside its outstanding eats, San José is making a name for itself in the craft brew scene as well. Following the Silicon Valley creed of “iterate, iterate, iterate,” Hermitage Brewing brews three or four beers almost every single day. Strike Brewing Company marries a sports bar feel (pretzels and ping pong) with upscale Belgian-style beers. At local favourite Good Karma Artisan Ales & Café, you can sip carefully crafted lagers alongside the best vegan food in the South Bay. Enjoy!