WHAT’S NEW IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA’S TOURISM OFFERINGS

San Jose’s visitor industry gives consumers more reasons to visit this spring, from over-the-top hotel packages and makeovers to a wave of new restaurants, shops, air service and trail access. With San Jose’s sunny skies, comfortable temperatures and park-lined downtown, visitors can enjoy the best of the good life, from outdoor recreation to nights on the town.

Hotel Happenings – Renovations and Packages

San Jose Marriott’s Headliner Package Treats Concert- and Theater Goers Like Stars: With Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Cher scheduled to perform at the nearby SAP Center this year, the San Jose Marriott has curated a VIP welcome amenity, which features the entertainers’ favorite treats, exclusively for its guests. Starting at $189 plus tax and gratuity, the Headliner package features: a luxurious one-night-stay; star-studded snacks (welcome amenity of treats favored by today’s top entertainers); breakfast in bed or in Michael Mina’s acclaimed Arcadia, valet parking and complimentary WiFi. For reservations, please visit www.sanjosemarriott.com or call 1-800-228-9290 and mention promotional code ARN. The “Headliner” package is available now through January 2015.

San Jose Airport Hotel (formerly the Radisson Hotel) Underdoing Upgrade: This business hotel is currently undergoing phase one of a $4.5 million renovation, which is scheduled to culminate in the hotel rebranding as the Four Points by Sheraton San Jose Airport in June 2014.  The second half project, which will be completely done in fall 2014, includes a makeover of the hotel’s 195 guest rooms and lobby area, plus enhancements such as 100 MGB high-speed internet access, a market pantry, in-room safe and technology charging station, high-definition TV programming, the Best Brews™ local beers program, and the offering of Starwood points for guests, meetings, and groups.  For more information, contact Karie Geiger at 408-841-4610 or karie.geiger@brightonmgtllc.com.

Hotel Valencia Santana Row Gets a Makeover: Santana Row, a trendy, European-inspired shopping and entertainment destination, recently welcomed a complete update of its popular Hotel Valencia. The hotel renovated its 215 guest rooms with a look that embodies the spirit of old world Spain with a contemporary twist, and updated its chic watering hole Vbar (www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com).‎

Hotel Valencia Offers Fun New Packages: The hotel recently announced fun value to over-the-top packages. For the ultimate splurge by Mom and her BFFs, the Sea to Sky Package starts at $15,000, and includes: a two-night stay at Hotel Valencia Santana Row in three guest rooms: the Presidential Suite and 2 King suites; in-room welcome goodies such as wine and cheese presentation featuring local products and a bottle of Cristal champagne and special chocolate amenity in each room; dinner hosted in-suite featuring a personalized six-course menu with accompanying wine flight created by Chef Robert Sapirman; live music in the suite; two drinks per person at Vbar; breakfast for the group served in Presidential Suite each morning; a $1000 gift card for the group to Santana Row merchants with a personal shopper; personalized limousine service to and from all locations; a two-hour Seahorse Equestrian Tour in Monterey on the beach; a helicopter ride and winery tour featuring stunning Santa Cruz and famous Monterey Bay view. For pampering on a more modest budget, the Stay & Be Pampered, starting at $355 per night, includes stylish accommodations for two, $100 spa gift certificate to Burke Williams Spa, bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates, full continental breakfast served in the hotel’s Citrus restaurant. The Girls’ Just Wanna Have Fun package, starting at $239, lets you treat Mom to stylish accommodations for two, two coupons for a free drink at the trendy hotel bar Vbar, two Valencia tote bags with sleepover goodies and continental breakfast for two at Citrus (available on Fridays and Saturdays only). www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com

Restaurants

Downtown San Jose Welcomes a Wave of New Restaurants: Over the past 18 months, Downtown San Jose has welcomed a wave of 43 new eateries, representing about 20-25 percent of all downtown restaurants – all of which are walking distance to downtown hotels, nightlife and cultural venues. The latest is Café Eden, which opened its doors on April 11. Café Eden serves Mediterranean cuisine and is located on Second and Santa Clara Streets. Newly opened First to Market opened a few weeks ago. Inspired by classic American fare, the seasonal menu at the new farm-to-fork eatery First to Market incorporates the freshest produce of the season, locally sourced meats, seafood and cheeses. Located in the historic Wesnitzer building, the restaurant’s full bar boasts local wine, craft beer, and house cocktails highlight fine American spirits. The art wall features San Jose artists whose work is rotated monthly, reflecting the dynamic art district. www.firsttomarketsj.com

Shopping

Santana Row Welcomes New Store: Santana Row recently celebrated the opening of Fogo de Chao Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse – its first Northern California location. The 250-seat restaurant boasts several private and semi-private dining areas, outdoor seating and lively bar and specializes in the “Gaucho Way of Preparing Meat” -- a centuries-old tradition of grilling large pieces of meat over open flamed pits (www.fogodechao.com/locations/sanjose).

Westfield Valley Fair Welcomes New Shops: Westfield Valley Fair in Silicon Valley continues to expand its Luxury Collection with new shops by iconic Italian designer Giorgio Armani and French fashion house Balenciaga, both of which will open this summer. Earlier this year, a two-story space for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing purveyor ZARA opened, as did the British luxury boutique of classic leather bags, accessories, womens-wear and travel collections Mulberry. Westfield Valley Fair is home to 224 retailers, including its signature Luxury Collection of fashion-forward brands, high-end retail and unique first to market shops. A chic, new Dining Terrace opened at the end of 2013. http://www.westfield.com/valleyfair

Japantown Welcomes New Garden Store and Expanded Gallery: San Jose’s Japantown, one of the three remaining Japantowns in the nation, continues to give visitors new reasons to explore this cultural treasure. In recent weeks, Ken Matsumoto's has transformed the concrete courtyard of his Art Object Gallery into a lush garden of flowers and bonsai trees, aided by his partnership with master horticulturist Paul Sakamoto. The partnership inspired Sakamoto, who owns Plants in Los Gatos to open the new Japantown garden shop Japonica: A Gallery of Garden Ornamentals at 592 N. Fifth St. www.japantownsanjose.org

Parks

New Trail Use at Calero County Park: The County of Santa Clara Department of Parks and Recreation recently announced the implementation of the first phase of the Calero Trails Master Plan. Beginning on April 19, usage for visitors has been expanded to include bicycling on the half-mile segment of the Serpentine Loop Trail in Calero County Park that connects to Longwall Canyon trail in Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve.

Beginning this month, dogs on leash will be allowed on and north of Bald Peaks Trail. Also, Anderson and Coyote Lakes are now open to boating. www.ParkHere.org.

Transportation

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) Welcomes New Service: The recently modernized airport, which has become increasingly popular in the Bay area, announced new incoming services: Southwest Airlines added a daily nonstop flight each to Denver, Orange County, San Diego and Seattle beginning on April 8. Hawaiian Airlines will resume year-round daily nonstop wide-body service to Honolulu (HNL) on May 16. This flight offers travelers easy connections via HNL to Beijing, China. Delta Air Lines will add four daily nonstop flights to Seattle beginning May 29. Alaska Airlines will launch daily nonstop service to Salt Lake City effective June 12. Contact your airline for tickets which are on sale now for all these new flights. www.flysanjose.com

For more information about San Jose, CA, visit www.sanjose.org.

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Team San Jose (TSJ)

Team San Jose, Inc. is an economic development organization and San Jose’s official Convention and Visitors Bureau, unifying the destination, hotels and venues to deliver an exceptional visitor experience. San Jose offers all you would expect from a big city destination with small town charm and serves as the gateway to Northern California attractions. Our company provides full management services for seven venues on behalf of the City of San Jose including the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, Parkside Hall and South Hall and Arts and Entertainment venues including the California Theatre, the Center for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Theater, and City National Civic. www.sanjose.org

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