Welcome to 2024!

The last time I did a New Year's post was in 2020. San Jose growth has been sort of on pause since then--but this is the year I think we'll start to see some real change. I'll say the same message I said back then. Hopefully we will see our city grow in every way possible this year! 

If you think 2024 sounds like the future, you're not the only one. I asked Dalle-3 to generate an image for "welcome to 2024 San Jose" and this is what I got 😅

New Years Eve options in Downtown San Jose

There is a New Years event for everyone in Downtown San Jose this year. If you have kids, there are "Noon Year's Eve" events at the Children's Discovery Museum and 3Below Theatre & Cafe. If you like fine dining, Rollati and The Fountain have you covered. 

If you want to party there are at least a dozen night clubs doing events Downtown in just about every genre you can think of from house music to Cumbia to Bollywood. Then if you're not hung over you can do the San Jose Bike Party New Year's Day bike ride at noon on the 1st.

The SJDA has put together a handy list of all the events going on over here. Have fun and stay safe!

Happy 2020 Everyone!!!

We wish all of the San Joseans and friends from neighboring cities out there a wonderful and prosperous 2020! We're officially in the future. Hopefully we will see our city grow in every way possible this year!

Happy New Year!

We wish all of the San Joseans and friends from neighboring cities out there a wonderful and prosperous 2019! Hopefully we will see our city grow in every way possible this year!

New Year's Eve in San Jose

If you are still figuring out what to do for New Year's Eve this Sunday, Rick Jensen from the SJDA has a lot of great suggestions in his last newsletter. His post is below and we also recommend subscribing to his newsletter over here.

Sunday – New Year’s Eve in Downtown – Happy 2018, San Jose! Celebrate the beginning of a new year with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a ball drop at the Marriott’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza III or at The GlassHouse’s NYE Party. Or join in on the music and dancing at the Fairmont’s 1920s themed NYE celebrations. Reminisce 2017 with an end-of-the-year comedy show by Will Durst and Co. at the Tabard Theatre. Take your pick of the downtown restaurants for fine dining this weekend.

San Jose 2017 Resolutions

Better late than never! I have been meaning to post a link to Searchlight San Jose's list of New Year Resolutions. I agree wholeheartedly with all five items on the list, especially #3 (Get another Michelin Star Restaurant). To see the list for yourself and add your own items, just head over to Searchlight San Jose.

Welcome to 2016 San Jose!

Happy New Year everyone! 2015 was a phenomenal year for San Jose and I'm optimistic that 2016 is going to be even better. Here is a look back on how we did on 2015 predictions as well as a look to the future.

2015 PREDICTIONS

• 2nd Generation Residential High-Rises - It has been a long time since a high-rise residential project opened up in San Jose. This year both One South and Centerra will start leasing and will bring a thousand new residents to our city's urban core. Success. One South has filled up nicely and Centerra has just started leasing. Both of these should be completely full in early 2016. 
• Half-a-Dozen More Cranes Downtown - 2014 is the first year I can remember since the early 2000s where we had three cranes in the air Downtown. 2015 will have many more. Silvery Towers, the AC Hotel, Marshall Squares, the Post & San Pedro Tower, Park View Towers, Symphony Towers, and Mill Creek are all expected to start construction this year. We get partial credit for this one. Silvery Towers, the AC Hotel, and Symphony Towers are all well under construction. Marshall Squares and Mill Creek will definitely get going this year. The rest are still up in the air but have good chances along with new 2015 proposals for the North San Pedro Tower, Museum Place, SJSC Towers, Sobrato Block 3, the Greyhound Towers, and #Diridon. 2016 could have more cranes than at any other time in San Jose's history.
• Retail and Office will Thrive Downtown - We are finally building enough critical mass Downtown to make retail succeed, and just about every project mentioned above will have a retail component to help fill gaps between retail centers. Office vacancies will likely fall below 10% as more tech startups realize what a great value and experience Downtown San Jose provides. Fail. Office vacancies did not fall below 10% and we still have key retail gaps, but this is one I'm still optimistic we can hit in 2016.
• Stadiums Galore - Last year we have the grand opening of Levi's Stadium, which is bringing multiple world-class events a stones-throw away from North San Jose. Our hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities are also benefactors here. The new Earthquakes Stadium also goes live in 2015, bringing even more events and quality professional sports to San Jose (along with the largest outdoor bar in North America). Success. Avaya Stadium and Levi's Stadium have both proven to be enormously beneficial and boosted our local economy. 2016 will bring the Super Bowl to Silicon Valley and San Jose is already shaping up to be a key benefactor from the event.  
• More Great Restaurants - Last year we got First to Market, Taurinus Brazilian Steakhouse, Spuds, Garlic Bread, Seven Seas Sushi, Nick the Greek, and a lot of other great places. 2015 is going to be the year of the Urban Markets with the SoFA Market realizing its potential and a new Market going up by SJSU. Success. The restaurant scene blossomed in 2015 with major additions such as Lou's Beach Shack, Konjoe-Tei, Hawaiian Poke Bowl, Deluxe, Voltaire, Aura, HOM. The SoFA Market is nearly full, and the new SJSU market should be ready by the end of 2016. With Centerra nearly complete and Silvery Towers under construction, the amount of eateries in the San Pedro Square Market area should double by 2017. We also have some great additions slated for 2016 such as Sushi Confidential, Uproar Brewery, and Social Policy.
• More flights at SJC - We got Tokyo in 2013 and we're about due for at least one new international route this year. You can also expect more routes and flights and the economy continues to thrive. Success. We could not have nailed this any better! Instead of closing one new international route, we are getting four! San Jose will have direct flights to Beijing, London, Frankfurt, and Vancouver in 2016. Seoul and Shanghai are rumored to be in the works as well.
• BRT Launches - We will have our first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line this year, which will run between Downtown and Eastridge. BRT combines the convenience of Light Rail with low construction costs, and may be key to dramatically improving public transit in the short term. More BRT lines and the BART extension area also on their way. Fail. The Alum Rock BRT line was delayed by a whole year and the construction caused a lot of damage to the community. Hopefully we will get this one back on track.
• The Completion of Santana Row - The last major development projects to complete the original vision for Santana Row should be under construction this year. Not to worry, Federal Realty will soon start working on a brand new project across next to the Winchester Mystery House. Success. Santana Row construction is in full swing. An entire building has been leased to Splunk, and there are plans to build a major office campus across the street.

That's a wrap, hope you all have an amazing first day of 2016!

New Year's Eve 2015 At the Market!

Once again the San Pedro Square Market is hosting a free New Year's Event! This year the theme is Star Wars and costumes are highly encouraged. All ages are welcome.

Music will be provided by Groovy Judy (info below). There will be specialty Star Wars-themed cocktails all night such as Vader-Ade, Yoda Soda, and Qui-Gon Gin & Tonic. At midnight the Market will be doing a balloon drop.

The festivities start at 9pm and the Market will be open until 1am.

More on Groovy Judy | Hendrix inspired Funk Rock: Groovy Judy is one of the “top” female guitarists and entertainers in the The Bay Area. Influenced by great artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and Sly and The Family Stone, her style and energy equals some of today’s most-known artists. Her stellar guitar playing, inspirational lyrics, colorful dress, and upbeat personality help people smile and feel good about themselves. She performs all over The Bay Area and beyond. With her band she always puts on an upbeat, positive show that gets people up and dancing.

Welcome to 2015 San Jose!

Happy New Year everyone! 2014 was a great year for San Jose and I'm optimistic that 2015 is going to be even better. Here is a look ahead to the next 12 months:

• 2nd Generation Residential High-Rises - It has been a long time since a high-rise residential project opened up in San Jose. This year both One South and Centerra will start leasing and will bring a thousand new residents to our city's urban core.
• Half-a-Dozen More Cranes Downtown - 2014 is the first year I can remember since the early 2000s where we had three cranes in the air Downtown. 2015 will have many more. Silvery Towers, the AC Hotel, Marshal Square, the Post & San Pedro Tower, Parkview Towers, Symphony Towers, and Mill Creek are all expected to start construction this year.
• Retail and Office will Thrive Downtown - We are finally building enough critical mass Downtown to make retail succeed, and just about every project mentioned above will have a retail component to help fill gaps between retail centers. Office vacancies will likely fall below 10% as more tech startups realize what a great value and experience Downtown San Jose provides.
• Stadiums Galore - Last year we have the grand opening of Levi's Stadium, which is bringing multiple world-class events a stones-throw away from North San Jose. Our hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities are also benefactors here. The new Earthquakes Stadium also goes live in 2015, bringing even more events and quality professional sports to San Jose (along with the largest outdoor bar in North America).
• More Great Restaurants - Last year we got First to Market, Taurinus Brazilian Steakhouse, Spuds, Garlic Bread, Seven Seas Sushi, Nick the Greek, and a lot of other great places. 2015 is going to be the year of the Urban Markets with the SoFA Market realizing its potential and a new Market going up by SJSU.
• More flights at SJC - We got Tokyo in 2013 and we're about due for at least one new international route this year. You can also expect more routes and flights and the economy continues to thrive.
• BRT Launches - We will have our first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line this year, which will run between Downtown and Eastridge. BRT combines the convenience of Light Rail with low construction costs, and may be key to dramatically improving public transit in the short term. More BRT lines and the BART extension area also on their way.
• The Completion of Santana Row - The last major development projects to complete the original vision for Santana Row should be under construction this year. Not to worry, Federal Realty will soon start working on a brand new project across next to the Winchester Mystery House.

That's a wrap, hope you all have an amazing first day of 2015!

From Lastlightbender's Instagram Page

Free New Year's Eve Party at the San Pedro Square Market!

The San Pedro Square Market is doing another special event this year for New Year's Eve. The theme for 2015 is super heroes and villains, so come dressed up as your favorite. Instead of spending big bucks to go to formal NYE events, you can pay no cover and enjoy all of the reasonably priced food offerings at the Market this New Year.

DJ Danny G will be spinning from 9pm to 1am at the Garage Bar. There is no additional link or registration, just show up and have fun!

New Year's Eve Options in Downtown San Jose

The Downtowner Online has a great list of New Year's Eve events in the heart of our city. There are even some free options like an 80s NYE event at the San Pedro Square Market. Also, VTA light rail and buses are free from 8PM to 5AM. Just scroll down to see all of your options, and please be sure to check out the full edition of Downtowner Online right over here.



Noon Year’s Eve – The night may belong to the adults, but the day belongs to the kids! Celebrate the arrival of 2014 with the whole family. Radio Disney will be on site with fun games, cool music, and awesome prizes. Participate in the “countdown to noon across time zones.”  10am-4pm, Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way; 298-5437; www.cdm.org

The Back Bar – Live music with punk band Beerijuana, 10pm, 418 S. Market St.

Blackbird Tavern – The Bang and The Jazz residency All-Stars, 9pm, $25 or $45 with dinner.  200 S. First St. (408) 278-1050, $36-$62; Saturday 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday 2:30pm, http://www.theblackbirdtavern.com/

The Blank Club – Black and Red Ball with resident DJ Basura, 8pm, $10-$20 http://www.theblankclub.com/

Britannia Arms – DJ Ready Rock, buffet, party favors, photo booth, 8pm http://www.britanniaarmsdowntown.com/

Café Stritch – Terrie Odabi and Steve Turre, 8:30pm, http://www.cafestritch.com

Fahrenheit Restaurant and Lounge – R&B, Top 40, Hip Hop, Club Hits from Charly Fusion, DJ Melvis, DJ Raymundo, 8pm-2am, $75-$130, includes buffet and/or open bar.  99 E. San Fernando St., www.SANJOSENYE.com and www.fahrenheit.com

Four Points by Sheraton – dinner, fashion show and dance party presented by Society of Single Professionals and Singles Super Club, 7pm, $20-$65 http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3510

Hedley Club at Hotel De Anza – Roaring ’20s NYE – Games, music, dancing and cocktail specials.  8:30pm http://www.hoteldeanza.com/

The Improv – Steve Byrne 7pm dinner show, $65   62 S. Second St. 408-280-7475 or http://sanjose.improv.com/showListCalendar.cfm

Pagoda Lounge at the Fairmont – DJ FM Murquia and DJ Fabian, 9pm, $40-$60. http://www.fairmont.com/san-jose/

Poor House Bistro – Drinks and full menu, plus live music by Jay and the Po’ Boys and Lara Price with Velvet Plum, 7pm, $60 http://www.poorhousebistro.com/events.html

San Jose Bar and Grill – With video mixing with DJ Dave, 8pm  http://sanjosebarandgrill.com/

San Jose Stage Co. – Will Durst’s Big Fat Year-End Kiss Off Comedy Show XX – With Will Durst, Johnny Steele, Debi Durst, Michael Bossier, Arthur Gaus and Mari Magaloni. 7pm and 10pm. $40-$50, 490 S. First St.  https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=b82281afac37f09151cbe705df3d7e7f

San Pedro Square Market – ’80s style party, plus midnight champagne toast, balloon drop, photo booth and more. http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/

Studio 8 – DJs and burlesque show, 9pm http://studio8sj.com/

Ride VTA light-rail and buses to and from your NYE celebration – Free service from 8pm Dec. 31 to 5am Jan. 1.  www.vta.org

FREE New Year's Party at the San Pedro Square Market

Well, this is a nice surprise. Next week the San Pedro Square Market is hosting an 80's-themed New Years Party including a midnight champagne toast, 80s music, 80s movies, a balloon drop, a photo booth, and I'm sure a few surprises. The best part? It's free. 2013 was a great year for Downtown and 2014 is going to be even better, so I could not think of a more appropriate place to celebrate than the SPSM.

The event runs from 9pm to 1am across the entire Market and no reservations are required.



SPSM Special Events: December 31, 2013 starting at 9:00pm.

New Year's Eve Party - 80's Style.  We're closing up 2013 with a New Year's Eve party and you're invited. Our NY resolution is to start 2014 with a bang, so we're throwing a FREE shindig complete with a midnight champagne toast, balloon drop, photo booth and more.  Come one, come all.

We are keeping this a completely public event. So no pre-sale of tickets or registering for a spot. We are just going to let people come in and enjoy themselves. We are keeping it pretty fun and casual, so please feel free to dress up!

Happy New Year!

Hope you all have a very happy and prosperous 2012!

Happy New Year San Jose! Best Wishes For 2011!

Welcome to 2010!!!

Happy New Year everyone! Here's to an exciting and prosperous 2010!

"Fireworks over Downtown San Jose" by Jeff Henderson