San Jose Festivals

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.

After decades in a foggy, chilly wind tunnel known as Candlestick Park, the San Francisco 49ers football team has moved south to one of the snazziest stadiums around. Players now huddle, punt, and play in 68,500-seat Levi’s Stadium, a high-tech marvel northwest of downtown San José. The stadium, slated to host Super Bowl 50 in 2016, also boasts eco-friendly features like a living roof, solar panels, and field irrigation that uses recycled water. If you’re lucky enough to settle into a luxury suite, check out the woodwork: it’s made of sustainable bamboo.

Befitting a stadium in the heart of Silicon Valley, Levi’s Stadium is also high-tech to the max, with fan-friendly touches like Wi-Fi access in every seat, so you can tweet, post, and chat about the game, not to mention order food without missing a play. If you do venture out to eat, it’s not all lukewarm hot dogs and soggy fries. Celebrity chef Michael Mina overseas the stadium’s high-end steak house, which offers inside-the-park tailgate parties throughout the season.

Beyond football, the venue is slated to host college football games, domestic and international soccer matches, motocross events, concerts, wrestling, and more. Public tours of Levi’s Stadium and its new 49ers Museum let you check out all this fabulousness, even if you’re not going to a game or event. The stadium also makes it easy to use public transit, with close-by access to local light rail, bus, and Caltrain.

Culture hounds have plenty to do in California’s third largest city. Downtown, the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway traveling productions, as well as a full calendar of international artists. Ballet San Jose also graces the stage here. Big names are often the draw at the handsome City National Civic; The Who kicked off their first headlining U.S. tour here in 1968, and other big stars, including Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, and Frank Sinatra have all performed in this beautiful space, which debuted a multi-million dollar renovation in 2012.

The 1927 California Theatre, originally a grand movie palace, creates a lavish backdrop for performances by Symphony Silicon Valley and Opera San Jose, presenting classical works and chorale events. Even if you don’t step inside the beautiful theater, take special notice of the marquee out front. It’s decorated with a motif of California poppies, based on historic drawings and photographs, and meticulously recreates the look, size, and detail of the theater’s original sign.

For plays and musicals performed by local companies, check the schedule at the1936 Montgomery Theater, an intimate and elegant venue.

When it comes to food, San José goes global. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of ethnic restaurants, including Ethiopian fare at Zeni (try to sit at one of the round tables in the back). American-style meat and potatoes get matched with rotating craft beers at local favorite Harry’s Hofbrau.

Star chefs have staked a claim in San José too; Michelin-star-nabbing Michael Mina oversees the kitchen at Arcadia, a steakhouse that’s a popular spot before or after shows at the nearby San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

Downtown has a lively, open-late food hall, San Pedro Square Market, a great place for a quality grab-and-go meal. How about a “fusion” hot dog from Calidog? 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 flavors 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. Also enjoy 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 1797 Peralta Adobe (the city’s oldest building; guided tours are offered throughout the year).