WHAT’S NEW IN SAN JOSE’S TOURISM OFFERINGS THIS SUMMER
SAN JOSE, CA (July 2, 2014) – San Jose’s visitor industry gives consumers more reasons to visit this summer, from cool hotel packages and the fastest convention center Wi-Fi in the nation to a new football stadium, attraction expansions and more. With San Jose’s constant sunny skies, average highs of 82 degrees in July/August, and abundant parks and entertainment, there’s no better place to be this summer. Here are just a few of the latest destination developments:
Destination News
San Jose McEnery Convention Center Launches Fastest, Most Reliable Free Wi-Fi Today: While many cities boast free Wi-Fi in their convention centers, as of July 1 San Jose is raising the bar on theirs, providing the faster and more reliable service than anyone else. In most convention centers, free Wi-Fi is notoriously slow, full of interruptions or only partially free. San Jose McEnery Convention Center’s upgraded Wi-Fi will allow thousands of convention attendees to stream video, surf the web and check email all at the same time – for free and without delays anywhere in the convention center. Coupled with free downtown and airport Wi-Fi, this new offering means visitors can stay connected from the moment they land, dine alfresco at restaurants and meet at the center. After a $1.5 million technology investment, groups of any size meeting at the center can get a “white glove service” package featuring state-of-the-art wired and custom wireless solutions. This includes a “bring your own geek service” for groups with their own technical staff who need to build a private network and extend their network to the convention center.
Hotel Happenings – Renovations and Packages*
*Blackout dates, additional taxes and restrictions may apply to the packages below.
Dolce Hayes Mansion Offers “School’s Out” Special: Whether you’re a local who needs to get away without going far, or a global traveler, the Dolce Hayes Mansion’s “School’s Out” package lets you stay at one of the most unique resorts in California for much less this summer. Originally the home of the historically prominent Hayes family, and visited over the years by three U.S. Presidents, the mansion is regarded as one of the best examples of late 19th-century Mediterranean Revival architecture in the region and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With rates starting as low as $129, stay two nights and save 20 percent and save 30 percent on stays of three or more nights. Offer good through August 31. Book via the special offers page from the website or via this link. http://www.hayesmansion.com.
Hotel Valencia Santana Row Offers Summer Dance Series: Hotel Valencia is offering everyone a chance to connect with San Jose’s Latin heritage through dance this summer with a special class. Run by Cheryl Burke Dance, the Summer Dance Series lets you bring a dance partner or gather your friends for a dance lesson, cocktail and socializing in the hotel’s open-air courtyard on these Tuesdays: July 15, August 19 and Sept. 16. Takes place 5:30p.m. – 8 p.m. and costs $20 per person. Must be age 21 years of age or older. For reservations, please call 408.423.5405. www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com.
Hotel Valencia Santana Row Offers Wine Weekend Getaway: Why make the trek all the way to Napa when Silicon Valley has renowned wineries all its own? The Wine Weekend Getaway package starts at $269 per room (based on double occupancy) and includes: luxurious accommodations for two, bottle of local wine and artisan cheese plate upon arrival, prepared picnic lunch basket for a day of wine tasting and exclusive discounts at select wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountain wine region just minutes from downtown San Jose. Package is available Fridays and Saturdays only. Each additional guest costs $30 and everyone must be at least 21 years of age. Click here for more info. www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com.
San Jose Marriott Invests $500,000 to Install Wireless Routers in Every Room: To maximize internet speed and in-room entertainment offerings, the San Jose Marriott completed a $500,000 upgrade last month, installing wireless routers in the hotel’s 506 guest rooms and suites. This new system has increased individual guest room Internet speed to lightning-fast levels and can service up to six wireless devices at one time. This investment also offers guests a more residential in-room entertainment experience, such as all channels broadcasting in HDTV format and popular entertainment apps including Pandora, Hulu, YouTube, HBOGo, Crackle and DishWorld. www.sanjosemarriott.com.
Sports
New 49ers Stadium to Open this August: Levi’s® Stadium in nearby Santa Clara will play home to the San Francisco 49ers and is scheduled to host its first event on August 2, 2014. The $1.2 billion stadium, just minutes from San Jose, will also serve as one of the world’s best outdoor sports and entertainment venues. Designed by HNTB, and under construction by Turner/Devcon, the venue will feature 1.85 million square feet, seat approximately 68,500 and will feature an expected 170 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats. It’s green, technically savvy design is perfect for groups who want to play responsibly -- not only sportswise, but from a business standpoint. www.levisstadium.com/.
California’s Great America Announced New Pavilion to Host Official Pre-Events for 49ers Games: California’s Great America, the official amusement park of the San Francisco 49ers, announced June 27 the opening of Great America Pavilion, an 18,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility that will be home to the Red Zone Rally pregame event for all 49ers home games, as well as other Levi’s® Stadium events. During 49ers home games, the Red Zone Rally at Great America Pavilion opens three hours prior to kickoff, featuring flat screen televisions throughout, San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders and alumni, and an array of live entertainment, interactive activities and incredible dining options. It’s also an alternative space for corporate meetings and catered events, holiday parties and product launches. First to go on sale for the Red Zone Rally is the 10-game season package that includes Great America Pavilion access for all preseason and regular season contests. Season packages may be purchased by phone at 415-GO-49ERS (464-9377), online at www.49ers.com/tickets, or at www.levisstadium.com/tickets.
Restaurants
New Venezuelan Restaurant Opens at San Pedro Square Market: To satisfy your craving for Venezuelan arepas, head to the new Arepa Swing at San Pedro Square Market. Corn-based, gluten-free and shaped like English muffins, arepas come with delicious fillings of your choice such as Reina Pepiada (chicken-avocado salad), white cheese, chicken and shredded Gouda, ham and cheese, linguiça, black beans and grated white cheese, chicken potato salad, and many more. www.arepaswing.com.
Original Gravity Public House Expands: Downtown San Jose's first craft beer bar is expanding, adding a room, bar and seating next month. In addition to the bar’s existing 25 rotating taps, the second room will add 50 much-needed indoor seats, as well as a new bar with 12 stools, 10 rotating taps and a cask engine. The restaurant will offer new amenities such as another restroom and an updated food menu for their gourmet sausages, duck fat french fries and artisan grilled cheese sandwiches. www.originalgravitypub.com/.
Attractions
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park to Make a Splash with New Water Oasis this Summer: Gilroy Gardens, a family theme park featuring 40 rides, attractions and majestic gardens just 40 minutes south of San Jose, will unveil a new Water Oasis attraction mid-summer. After a multi-million-dollar investment, this half acre water attraction features three unique play elements: Water Journey, Lagoon and Splash Pad. Water Journey helps toddlers learn how water moves by allowing them to self-direct water through play, while SplashPad lets 6 to 8-year-olds interact with water through a series of magical giant plant based spray features. Designed for all ages, the Lagoon offers water slides, games and spray features for kids plus beach club amenities for parents such as lounge chairs, cabanas and poolside food and beverage service. https://www.gilroygardens.org/wateroasis.
New Fitness Club in Downtown San Jose: Whether you’re a local or a visitor who wants to stay fit while traveling, the new ThirdSpace Fitness is the perfect place. The 12,000 square-foot-center offers a wide range of services including CrossFit, yoga, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, chiropractic treatments, and luxurious amenities. Several hotels offer travel packages with the center. www.thirdspacefitness.com.
Alternative Meeting Space
ClubAutoSport Launches New Event Space: If you’re looking to host an ancillary event for the San Jose convention center, and you’re looking for something new, ClubAutoSport just launched a unique 10,000 sq. ft. venue space. The new venue features floor-to-ceiling windows, a clubhouse showroom, sleek lounge bar, an exclusive array of rare collectible cars available for display, and a significant one-of-a-kind artfully curated eclectic private museum collection. www.clubautosport.net/event-center.
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. For more information about San Jose, visit www.sanjose.org.
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