WHAT’S NEW IN SAN JOSE, CA:
Downtown San Jose Undergoing Major Tranformation
SAN JOSE, CA (April 17, 2012) – Downtown San Jose, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is undergoing a renaissance to prepare for future growth.
Leading the transformation is the massive $120 million expansion and renovation of the San Jose Convention Center, which will remain open and 100 percent operational until the project is completed fall 2013. The center aims for LEED silver certification, furthering the City of San Jose’s Green Vision. The historic San Jose Civic, home to A-List concerts and events, is finishing up an $11 million makeover, and several hotels have recently undergone or proposed renovations, such as the Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott and Wyndham. New rebrands include New Hyatt Place (formerly Crowne Plaza), St. Claire, a Westin Hotel (formerly Larkspur), Fourpoints by Sheraton (formerly Montgomery Hotel) and the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the DoubleTree.)
Since it wouldn’t be Silicon Valley without everyone being plugged in to the latest technology, the City of San Jose will upgrade its free Wi-Fi downtown this summer so visitors and residents – including those attending an event at the convention center -- can enjoy America’s fastest free outdoor Wi-Fi network. Using state-of-the-art technology developed in Silicon Valley, the service extends the range of wireless signals and increases the reliability of Wi-Fi connections.
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), which completed a $1.3 billion modernization two years ago that has made it one of the greenest, most convenient airports for visitors (with free Wi-Fi throughout the airport and convenient power outlets built into 25 percent of the seats), recently announced new service to and from San Jose, including Hawaiian Airlines service to Maui, Alaska Airlines’ new daily nonstop to Reno and new direct service to Palm Springs and expanded service into Kauai.
Other destination developments include:
Hotel Renovations and Summer Deals
Dolce Hayes Mansion’s Summer Escape Package allows visitors to save 15 percent on their best available rate while they stay and play in this unique converted mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Book by Sept. 30 and get free breakfast for two, access great fitness facilities and lush grounds and pool area. www.dolcehayesmansion.com
Fairmont San Jose just completed well over $5 million in renovations that encompass the hotel’s lobby lounge, sushi bar “Takai,” guest rooms and meeting space. The lobby lounge now features a sexier, modern look with its red, black, and silver color on all the furniture, table and pillars. New lighting, carpets, paint and paper have transformed the hotel’s 60,000 square feet of function space on the ballroom level, while 352 guestrooms received major renovations as well. A solar heating system was installed on the roof to supplement in heating the pool while adding to the hotel’s green initiatives. Coming this summer are beehives, which will allow the hotel to produce their own honey for afternoon tea, in room dining and restaurants. The hotel now offers free Zumba classes (for guests and the community) on Tuesdays in collaboration with the San Jose Athletic Club. www.fairmont.com/sanjose
Stay two nights over the upcoming holiday weekends at Hotel Valencia Santana Row and get the third night free. Enjoy the trendy shopping and dining at Santana Row for a steal with this package, which includes: stylish accommodations for two, deluxe buffet breakfast for two at CITRUS and cocktails for two at the ultra-hip Vbar. Offer good during the following holidays or dates: Memorial Day, May 24 - May 28 and Independence Day, June 29 - July 9. Rates from $189 per room, per night, double occupancy, exclusive of tax and subject to availability. For reservations, visit http://www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com/offers.php or call toll free 866.842.0100 and mention the Stay 2 Nights, Get 3rd Free promotion. www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com.
La Quinta Inn San Jose Airport will complete a $2 million upgrade this June, including a complete remodel of public areas and guestrooms, new DirectTV service, landscaping and redesign of hotel exteriors. The hotel will feature a new full bar named "Naki's" with appetizers and cocktails, beers, and specialty drinks. New high tech features include a connectivity phone – the only hotel to feature this in the Americas -- made by Bittel Americas (based in San Jose), allowing guests to connect all their apple devices along with other electronics directly to the brand new 32" LCD TVs. A new hotel smart phone application allows guests to make requests, order room service, check room availability and readiness. www.centralvalleyhotels.com
The San Jose Marriott’s renowned Arcadia - a Michael Mina Modern American Steakhouse just got a makeover. The Michelin recommended menu by Chef Mina and Wine Spectator award-winning wine list is now complemented by rich, warm tones, rustic and industrial touches, and original art by San Francisco designer Michael Brennan. www.arcadiasj.com.
Attraction Developments
Every Tuesday through Friday the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph in downtown San Jose is offering free one-hour tours from 1-3 p.m. Learn from docents about California’s oldest parish, downtown centerpiece and national historic landmark. www.stjosephcathedral.org
Discover downtown San Jose history with the Scan Jose self-guided walking tour developed by the innovative San Jose Public Library. This free Smartphone or tablet enabled walking tour gives residents and tourists an interactive way to explore downtown San Jose history. Users can choose from three distinct tours; “A Walk Around the Plaza,” “Old Santa Clara Street,” or “Tragedies and Calamities.” Visit www.ScanJose.org from your Smartphone or tablet computer to get started. To learn more about the library, which features more than 1.9 million items in its collections, plus nice views, California and local history collections, the Beethoven and Steinbeck centers, and more than 30 pieces of public art, go to www.sjpl.org.
San Jose Giant’s recently unveiled several improvements to Municipal Stadium designed to enhance player development and the fan experience at the ballpark. In addition to a new playing field and other improvements for the players, new visitor amenities include Flat Screen HD TV upgrades along the concourse, additional food choices and an enhanced Family Fun Zone, where kids of all ages can enjoy the t-ball inflatable and slide while parents check out the San Jose Giants Dugout Store Express. For groups, the expanded Martinelli’s VIP Deck now includes an additional bar and added space so that it can accommodate four parties of up to 40 people each, or one party of up to 160. Additionally, at the fully remodeled BBQ Bullpen, a trellis now provides an open eating area that protects fans from foul balls at the ballpark, which has been home for top San Francisco Giants prospects since 1988. www.sjgiants.com.
The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art will launch a new group exhibition June 16, Chico & Chang, which explores the impact of Asian and Latino cultures on the changing face of California through new sculpture, video, illustration and painting. Runs through Sept 16. www.sjica.org
The San Jose Museum of Art recently opened two new exhibits. Now through Sept.16 visitors can enjoy “To Hell and Back: Sandow Birk’s Divine Comedy,” featuring a sample of the museum’s permanent collection of artist Sandow Birk lithographs. Now through Sept. 23 art lovers can see “Mexicanisimo Through Artists’ Eyes,” works by artists who draw inspiration from Mexico’s deep
well of visual culture. www.sjmusart.org
The Winchester Mystery House, famous for its wonderfully weird and spooky home and spectacular rose gardens, will host the San Jose Orchid Exposition June 1-3. This free event allows orchid lovers to interact with local professional commercial and expert orchid growers, buy a wide variety of orchids and take beginner’s classes on orchid care. www.realorchidgrowers.com
Wining and Dining Deals and Events
Downtown’s restaurant week, Dine Downtown San Jose, is back June 20 to July 1 with more than 25 of the finest restaurants rolling out the red carpet and showcasing their chef specialties. For 12 days, food lovers will enjoy special $20, $30 and $40 three-course prix fixe menus while exploring downtown’s culinary diversity. www.sjdowntown.com/dinedowntown
Japantown San Jose, one of only three remaining in the U.S., welcomes two beverage-oriented festivals, such as BeerWalk on Saturday, April 28, 1-5pm, hosted by the Japantown Business Association and Jack's Bar San Jose (https://www.facebook.com/events/376398429048142/). The Sake San Jose Festival on May 24 invites visitors to explore Japantown stores and sample sake from a flurry of sake companies.
Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport Program lets wine lovers visit more than 50 participating wineries that are not normally open to the public for just $45. This program, which takes place in a wine region touted by Wine Spectator as the “most underappreciated appellation in the world,” takes place on the third Saturday of April, July, and November. www.scmwa.com
###
Team San Jose (TSJ)
Team San Jose’s innovative partnership unifies the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotels, arts, labor and venues to deliver an exceptional visitor experience and serve as the gateway to San Jose as a destination. Team San Jose manages the San Jose Convention Center and Arts and Entertainment venues including the California Theatre, the Center for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, Parkside Hall, San Jose Civic and South Hall and provides convention and visitor’s bureau services on behalf of the City of San Jose. For more information about San Jose and Team San Jose, please visit the new www.sanjose.org.