Downtown San Jose Breakfast Just Got Much More Exciting

Downtown San Jose received a fantastic new addition earlier this month with the opening of Pretty Good Advice. This fast-casual spot from Michelin-starred chef Matt McNamara brings ingredients harvested from his own Santa Cruz Mountains farm right into the heart of the city.

The signature OG Spicy Boy sandwich has already won fans. It stacks a fried egg, crispy hash brown, roasted jalapeños, caramelized onions, and spicy aioli between slices of ciabatta. The farm-to-table focus ensures every bite tastes fresh and full of flavor.

McNamara, who spent his childhood in Cupertino, deliberately picked Downtown San Jose for the new location. He designed the menu around accessible pricing and mostly vegetarian options that still appeal broadly.

San Jose continues building momentum in its food scene. Spots like Pretty Good Advice contribute meaningfully to the goal of making this city an outstanding place to live and explore every single day.

Pretty Good Advice is open from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday at 125 Paseo de San Antonio.

Source: SFGATE

San Jose Prepares to Launch a World-Class Sports and Entertainment District in Downtown

San Jose locals have long watched their city build momentum, and recent planning efforts will deliver an exciting transformation. City officials have commissioned studies that will shape a dynamic sports and entertainment district in Downtown San Jose. These plans will weave together mixed-use spaces, upgraded public areas, and better linkages among landmarks like the SAP Center and major transit points.

Recent agreements with the San Jose Sharks have already paved the way for major arena renovations extending through 2051. Those commitments will spark detailed work on a future arena location alongside a full district filled with dining, hotels, and entertainment options. City leaders examined proven successes in Sacramento, Columbus, and Atlanta, where integrated venues have generated billions while keeping the energy high every day.

Analyses from Deloitte showed that dedicated city backing and streamlined processes will create zones appealing to fans and everyday visitors alike. San Jose will build on assets such as Diridon Station to develop walkable neighborhoods echoing the proven model at Santana Row. The district will bring steady activity to Downtown throughout the entire year.

At the same time, expansions at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center will push economic activity from conventions toward $182 million per year and back more than 1,000 positions. Planners will consider additional exhibition space and a new headquarters hotel near the Almaden site recently acquired by the city (former Boston Properties office development site). This approach will allow Downtown San Jose to land bigger events and integrate them smoothly with the surrounding entertainment hub.

Ongoing reviews through 2026 will examine financing options, land planning, and connections along the Guadalupe River and Highway 87. San Jose has assembled the core pieces and will now link them into a destination that residents like you and visitors will celebrate daily as the city rises toward its full potential.

Source: SVBJ

Create Lasting Easter Memories with the Easter Bunny at Santana Row

Santana Row will host a free family event featuring photos with the Easter Bunny. Mark Saturday, March 28, 2026, on the calendar for the noon to 3 p.m. appearance at Oak Tree Lounge, located just outside Blue Bottle Coffee. Everyone can drop by without reservations to capture those special moments in this prime San Jose destination.

Children will light up upon meeting the Bunny while parents collect photos full of Easter joy. The no-cost opportunity allows groups of all sizes to participate and build new traditions.

Symphony San Jose Prepares Landmark 25th Anniversary Season Filled with Historic Celebrations

Symphony San Jose will commemorate its 25th anniversary while simultaneously honoring the 100th anniversary of the California Theatre and the 150th anniversary of the first orchestral ensemble ever presented in San Jose. These converging milestones will infuse the entire 2026/2027 season with special significance.

Under Executive and Artistic Director Robert Massey entering his fifth year at the helm, the orchestra will deliver 43 performances stretching from October 2026 through June 2027. The lineup will maintain the group's signature balance of enduring classical works, bold new compositions, popular selections, and dynamic collaborations. Standout innovations will include a fresh December classics offering, an additional fully staged ballet partnership with New Ballet, the first-ever performance utilizing the California Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ, and the brand-new My Very First Symphony aimed at introducing families to the orchestra.

Enthusiasts can anticipate programs spanning Dvořák’s triumphant “From the New World,” Mussorgsky’s vivid “Pictures at an Exhibition,” and a spectacular live-to-picture rendition of Star Wars: A New Hope. You will savor seasonal highlights featuring The San Jose Nutcracker along with a joyful Holiday Spectacular, leading toward a stirring close with Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. Meanwhile, education outreach will expand through additional Students at the Symphony performances, ensuring the next generation connects with live music.

Subscriptions priced from $90 have become available now via www.symphonysanjose.org or by calling (408) 286-2600. Single tickets from $35 go on sale in mid-August.

Billiards and Big Games Set to Arrive in the Clara District

The Clara District has kept evolving at a rapid pace. Zoning clearance came through last month for a billiards-centered sports bar and restaurant at 2272 Calle Del Mundo. This 10,200-square-foot building has occupied a prime spot directly beside the newly opened Mainline North apartment complex in an area that once featured mostly single-story industrial structures.

Multiple billiard tables will serve as the central attraction there. You will enjoy a full food and beverage program with approachable bar-style dishes along with plenty of screens ready to broadcast major sporting events. The space will create an inviting atmosphere for both occasional players and dedicated enthusiasts.

Redevelopment has completely reshaped this part of Santa Clara in recent years. Dense housing projects have risen throughout the area while new dining spots have appeared alongside the residential buildings, including Clara’s Junction and its popular beer garden. The upcoming sports bar will join this growing collection of local destinations.

Source: SVBJ

Google Bolsters San Jose Presence Through Alviso Office Acquisition

Google has completed the purchase of a substantial office property in San Jose's Alviso neighborhood for $25.2 million. The two-story, 83,000-square-foot building at 4500 North 1st Street has joined the company's expanding collection of facilities in the area.

The acquisition has placed the new property directly beside the Meadow Point campus where Google already maintains nine buildings. Constructed in 2018, the facility came equipped with surface parking and will deliver immediate operational advantages through seamless integration with the surrounding infrastructure.

Thousands of Googlers will relocate to the Meadow Point campus this spring and bring more activity to northern San Jose. Google has restructured other real estate holdings at the same time by moving its cloud computing division to Sunnyvale and reducing subleased spaces. These steps have underscored a focused commitment to core locations here.

Anyone passionate about San Jose's future will see the benefits ripple outward as activity increases around Alviso. While it's not the 8 million SQFT Google campus we are all waiting for in Downtown San Jose, it's a step in the right direction.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Will Transform Vacant Race Street Office Into Thriving High School Campus

A long-vacant three-story office building on Race Street has found a new future. BASIS Independent Schools has proposed converting the property at 525 Race Street into a complete high school campus designed for up to 800 students. The plan calls for turning underused commercial space into a vibrant educational hub complete with new facilities.

Workers will reconfigure roughly 72,700 square feet of existing space into classrooms and advanced learning labs. A brand new 16,600-square-foot gymnasium will complement the campus and bring the total size to nearly 89,400 square feet. The school will also feature around 100 staff members along with a summer session lasting six to eight weeks.

By repurposing empty office buildings, the city will inject new life into neighborhoods while meeting growing demand for quality education. Thoughtful traffic measures including staggered start times will help the campus blend smoothly into the area.

When classes begin in August 2029, families across the South Bay will gain valuable new options for their children’s high school years.

Source: Hoodline

Spring Fling Wine Stroll Awaits at Santana Row

The Spring Fling Wine Stroll takes place on Thursday, March 19th from 5-7:30pm across Santana Row. Attendees will move between tasting stations set up at shops and restaurants throughout the row, sampling selections that range from local California vintages to international favorites, accompanied by lite bites.

Expect to encounter selections from producers such as Cuda Ridge Wines, JMC Cellars, Rosa Fierro Cellars, Sakura Winery, and Steven Kent Winery. The evening unfolds with live music drifting through the plazas, and exclusive shopping perks.

A share of the $50 ticket price goes toward Hunger at Home, aiding meal distribution in the community. For tickets and additional information, visit https://santanarow.com/event/spring-fling-wine-stroll/

2026 Silicon Valley Index Confirms San Jose Region’s Remarkable Innovation Strength

The 2026 Silicon Valley Index has delivered compelling evidence of the powerful growth trajectory running through San Jose. The regional economy expanded 38 percent over the past decade, clearly surpassing growth recorded in California and across the United States. Venture capital investment climbed to $92 billion while local creators filed more than 23,000 patents in one year alone. Productivity has reached $336,515 per worker, standing 75 percent above the national average.

San Jose has anchored this dynamic ecosystem from the start. The city has helped sustain nearly half of the nation’s unicorn companies and attracted exceptional talent that continues driving breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. Strong productivity numbers and elevated earnings levels have reinforced the area’s global leadership position.

These results have emerged from years of focused collaboration and bold vision. The Index has shown how San Jose has built an environment where ambitious ideas gain the support needed to reach the world stage. The latest data has highlighted a solid foundation capable of propelling San Jose toward even bigger achievements in the coming years.

Download the complete 2026 Silicon Valley Index report here: https://jointventure.org/images/stories/pdf/index2026-jvsv.pdf

San Jose Opens New AI Training Center at Downtown MLK Jr. Library

San Jose launched the AI Center for Civic and Social Good to strengthen its position as a technology leader. The new facility occupies the first floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library at San Jose State University near the south entrance by Tower Lawn in Downtown San Jose. This public hub will provide free classes and workshops tailored for students, job seekers, and city employees eager to build vital capabilities.

Adobe contributed a key grant to develop the space and fund ongoing activities. The city and San Jose State University partnered on the project with a total budget around $800,000. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google enhanced the offerings through the established AI for All initiative by providing access to specialized online courses, training pathways, and certifications.

OpenAI will roll out in-person workforce training sessions at the center starting in April. This public expansion builds successfully on prior programs that equipped city employees with practical AI tools for their roles. Leaders structured the center to help locals actively participate in the AI growth transforming the region.

This is one more step San Jose is taking to steadily advance toward its goal of becoming the most AI-literate city on the planet. The initiative pairs education efforts with broader initiatives to bring data centers and AI investments into Downtown San Jose.

Source: SVBJ