Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival

San Jose's 4th of July "Rose, White & Blue" Parade and Festival is a beloved tradition along the Rose Garden neighborhood and The Alameda. The parade itself starts at 9:45am on Dana Avenue and then goes down Naglee and turns onto The Alameda. After the parade is a huge party near the end of the route.

The festival is wrapped around the Westminster Presbyterian Church and goes from 11am-3pm. The event includes dancing, pro wrestling, skateboarding lessons, live music, and a kids play area. The entertainment is accompanied by food trucks and vendors.

In addition to being patriotic, this event represents the multicultural diversity of San Jose and the amalgamation of many different communities. It's a beautiful event and a great way to start off the 4th of July!

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 2023, a San Jose Thanksgiving tradition

This is the 19th edition of the annual 5K/10K run/walk that benefits five local charities: Healthier Kids Foundation, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank, The Health Trust and The Healthier Kids Foundation Santa Clara County. 

This is your chance to burn some calories before indulging in a delicious Thanksgiving feast, while also supporting a great cause. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the beautiful scenery through Downtown San Jose, Japantown, and The Alameda; live entertainment along the course; and a swag bag that includes a long-sleeve tech shirt, a finisher medal, and a reusable water bottle. 

Don't worry if you're not a seasoned runner. The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot is open to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. You can choose to run or walk at your own pace, or join a team with your friends, family, or coworkers. You can also register your kids for the Kids Fun Run, which is a half-mile loop around Plaza de Cesar Chavez. And if you're feeling extra festive, you can dress up in a turkey costume or any other creative outfit. Trust me, you won't be the only one!

The Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 2023 will take place on Thursday, November 23rd, starting at 7:30 a.m. at Santa Clara Street and Market Street. The registration fee is $45 for adults and $20 for kids until November 15th, after which it will increase to $50 and $25 respectively. You can register online at www.svturkeytrot.com or in person at any of the packet pickup locations listed on the website. Don't miss this opportunity to join thousands of your fellow San Joseans in a fun and meaningful tradition that makes our city so special.

See you at the starting line!

  

San Jose luxury apartment complex on The Alameda may become affordable housing in 2024

In an interesting pivot, Catalyst Housing Group is trying to acquire Modera - The Alameda and convert the property into affordable housing. The big question is... why?

Modera is a 168-unit apartment building that is being marketed as luxury apartments. It's literally located next to a Whole Foods and is blocks away from the SAP Center, Diridon Station, and the rest of Downtown San Jose. The Alameda is also a great neighborhood in its own right. 

While I think for-sale affordable housing will be better for the neighborhood as residents will stay in the community longer than those in apartments, it raises a lot of questions as to why Modera is for sale in the first place. It it struggling to maintain a profit or do the owners just want to cash out? Have they lost optimism in the location after Google delayed their Downtown West plans? (It's very close to that as well).

If anyone has additional insights or perhaps even lives in the building, please post your thoughts in the comments or on X (Twitter).

Source: SVBJ

The Alameda District in San Jose

SJ Today has a great guide for a 200-year old San Jose neighborhood laden with history and culture. You can find some great eateries here, including the Michelin-rated Luna Mexican Kitchen. Perhaps you could grab a drink at Hop & Vine or learn how to be an artist at Art Boutiki. Hit the link below for the history of The Alameda and a list of fun things to do there.

Source: SJ Today

Viva CalleSJ Willow To Roses on April 23rd

Viva Calle SJ is one of San Jose's largest and most unique events. Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, unicycle, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Viva Calle Willow To Roses features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This year the activity hubs will be at San Jose State University, Downtown Willow Glen, and the Municipal Rose Garden. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all four hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Up to 100,000 people attend this event, but it never feels crowded given how spread out it is.

It's crazy to think that during this event it's feasible to walk from Downtown Willow Glen to Downtown San Jose, or vice versa since there is no beginning or end and the traffic flows in both directions. 

Viva CalleSJ 2022 takes place on Sunday, April 23rd from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and you can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

SanJose2030 Man on the Street Ep1

Our friend and fellow San Jose-enthusiast David Manzo from Bejaw Productions has started a new YouTube series to document the many changes Downtown San Jose will experience through 2030. 

In his inaugural video, he takes us through the Alameda, Downtown West, and ends with a very cool time lapse deconstruction of the old Poor House Bistro as well as a tour of its new home at Little Italy San Jose. While it's sad to see the original Poor House shut down to make way for Google, the new location is going to be amazing and will help Little Italy thrive!

Check out the video below or over here.

Viva CalleSJ 2022 on Sunday, September 18th

Viva Calle SJ is one of San Jose's largest and most unique annual events. Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Viva Calle features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This year the activity hubs will be at Parque de los Pobladores (Downtown), Kelley Park & History Park, the Arena Green, and Japantown. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all four hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Up to 100,000 people attend this event, but it never feels crowded given how spread out it is.

This year the route is essentially a hub Downtown with 3 spokes extending to the activity hubs. It's wild to think that you can walk from Kelly Park to Japantown in the middle of city streets.

Viva CalleSJ 2022 takes place on Sunday, September 18th from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and has no designated beginning or end as it's not a race. It also overlaps with a PokemonGO community event, so you may see a lot of people on their phones. You can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

Viva Calle 2019 Part 2 - "Parks to Roses" on Sep 22nd

Rain and hail may have put a damper on the first Viva Calle this year, but that is not going to happen again in late September. Thankfully we have not one but two Viva Calle's this year.

During Viva Calle SJ, miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. Viva Calle features multiple activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. For part 2, the activity hubs will be at Backesto Park, Arena Green, and the Municipal Rose Garden. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all three hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Last year over 100,000 people attended the event.

Viva Calle 2019 "Downtown and Eastbound" takes place on Sunday, September 22nd from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). It is completely free and has no designated beginning or end as it's not a race. However, it appears that for the first time ever there is also a new 5K at 8am.

You can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here. Hope to see you there!

Dual-branded hotel and condo coming Downtown

A unique multi-use building is coming to the corner of Clinton Place and Stockton Avenue, which is on the border of Downtown San Jose and The Alameda. The nine-story (97-foot-tall) project would host two different hotel brands, a Courtyard by Marriott and a Residence Inn. Combined they would have 311 hotel rooms and three stories of underground parking.

What is even more interesting than two hotel brands in a single building, is the fact that they are also building 19 market-rate condos on the top floor. This is the first time in Silicon Valley proper that condos are being included as part of a hotel project. Yet even more unusual, these are entry-level hotel brands. Typically you find condos that share hotel facilities in hotels like the Four Seasons, St. Regis, or Ritz Carlton. This goes to show how in-demand housing is in the area.

The hotels and condos are an easy walk to Whole Foods, the SAP Center, and Diridon. When Google builds their headquarters Downtown, these will be the closest rooms to their offices. It's a safe bet that nightly rates will be astronomical throughout the workweek.

If final approval from the city is received within 10 months, the hotels could be ready by 2020.

I'm happy to see more hotel rooms proposed for the area, but the building aesthetics could use some work. We don't want another AC Hotel fiasco (this kind of looks like a prison as well). Each new project should bring additional character to San Jose, and this looks quite generic. At minimum, perhaps they could utilize the giant roof area to build a park/outdoor lounge for guests and residents. The Pierce is a great example of how you can build something without height that is visually appealing and is additive to the neighborhood.

Source: SVBJ

Greater Rose Garden Certified Farmers Market

A new farmer's market near the Rose Garden will take place every Saturday from 10am to 2pm starting this weekend. There is no official end date, it will continue as long as the community is willing to support it.

The exact location is 577 Dana Avenue (a Lincoln High School parking lot). The official Grand Opening Celebration of the new market is on May 12th at 11am.

Thanks to Alex Shoor for sending this in!

Stroll The Alameda on September 17th

The Shasta / Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association along with the Alameda Business Association host a great wine and beer walk each year. It is a great way to explore the neighborhood while sampling local wines and craft beers, listening/dancing to music, and shopping (Alameda stores typically provide special offers during the event).

The 7th Annual "Stroll The Alameda" event takes place Sunday, September 17th from 2-5pm. Tickets are only $25 per person and include 12 tastings, a souvenir glass, and event map (this goes up to $35 on the day of the event). The stroll will start at the Park Ave. Preschool at 1080 The Alameda.

For more information and tickets, head over here!

Fourth of July Festivities!

Today there are two great 4th of July events happening in San Jose tomorrow. The first is the 10th anniversary of the Rose, White & Blue Parade. The Parade starts at the Lincoln High School parking lot at 10am and continues 1.6 miles all the way to The Alameda. At the end of parade is a festival with arts and craft booths, entertainment, food, craft beer, and antique cars. This year, there is even a family-friendly group bike ride immediately after the parade. For more info head over to the Rose, White & Blue Parade website.

The next event is the Rotary Fireworks show which is free and can be seen from most of Downtown San Jose. They also have a VIP Party behind the Center for Performing Arts that includes a dinenr buffet in front of the Guadalupe River, indoor restrooms, entertainment, and a premium viewing area. Tickets are $75 for adults and $35 for children. More info and ticket purchasing is available over here.

Beautiful mural on the Alameda

This is a great example of the public street art we need more of in San Jose. You can find this leading down to the "subway" on the Alameda & Lenzen that lets you cross from one side of the street to the other. While you are in the area, you might as well visit one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Jose: Zona Rosa, and follow it up with a nightcap at Wine Affairs.

Source: Linda Na-guyen from Downtown Dwellers

Events in District 6

This upcoming week has several events going on in District 6. These include a political debate, a pop-up bikeway, and a neighborhood block party (we need more of these). More info below and a big thanks to Alex Shoor for sending in the details.

Candidates Forum/Debate featuring all of the candidates running for the open San Jose City Council seat in District 6

Date: Wednesday, May 11

Time:  6:30 to 6:55 pm will be a casual chance to meet the candidates and obtain information from their campaigns. The debate itself will be from 7 to 8:30 pm. Many, if not all, of the candidates will stick around after the debate to interact with voters further.

Place: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 Shasta Avenue, San Jose (of course!)
Parking will be limited, so please walk, bike, carpool or take public transit if you can.

Candidates present will be:
- Peter Allen - Helen Chapman - Dev Davis - Erik Fong
- Norm Kline - Ruben Navarro - Chris Roth - Myron Von Raesfeld

The forum will feature as lead moderator Beth Willon, KQED's Senior Editor of the Silicon Valley News Desk.

Sponsors of the forum include: S/HPNA, the District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group and the Westminster Presbyterian Church.


Pop-Up Bikeway Demonstration Project

In honor of Bike Month, I want to invite you to experience what a safer, more bikeable Scott Street could look and feel like. Join the Greenbelt Alliance and the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association in a two-day event featuring a pop-up bikeway and a bike-themed neighborhood block party!

Friday, May 13th

7:30 - 10:00 a.m., 4:00– 7:00 p.m.

Scott Street from Richmond Avenue to Mayellen Avenue

Ride your bike down Scott Street to experience how the street could be transformed. Drop by our energizer station for snacks and info about biking in San Jose. Best of all - take advantage of FREE BIKE REPAIR provided by Performance Bicycle during the morning event hours! RSVP HERE


Neighborhood Block Party

Saturday, May 14th | 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Scott Street from Menker Avenue to Mayellen Avenue

Greenbelt Alliance and the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association will be hosting a bike-themed block party to encourage active transportation and engage residents and commuters in sharing their thoughts about biking in San Jose. Join us at the block party to meet your neighbors, learn about bike safety, and enjoy games and food! RSVP HERE

The Alameda gets new crosswalk honoring LGBT heritage

Apparently interesting sidewalks and intersections are going up all over San Jose. The Alameda has a new rainbow-colored sidewalk near the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. These unique sidewalks make walking and driving around our neighborhoods a lot more interesting and safer (they slow down traffic for pedestrians).

I have to wonder how self-driving cars are going to handle these special crosswalks in the future, but we still have a while before we have to cross that bridge.

Source: SVBJ

Six-Story Apartment and Retail Building Rising on The Alameda

Yet another residential project is coming to The Alameda, a district that is really blooming over the last few years. I think the Whole Foods which opened a year ago was just the inflection point the area needed.

This latest project will rise six stories and has a charming aesthetic that will go with the neighborhood. Included in the building are 168 apartments (some of which are "affordable housing") and a respectable 22,000 SQFT of commercial and office space. There could be up to four retail pads fronting The Alameda. Oh, and that Whole Foods I mentioned is right next door.

There will be a total of  273 parking spaces underground split between residents and guest parking for the commercial units. The developer will also pay $2 million to help fund a future expansion of Del Monte Park.

Ground-breaking has already taken place and the construction is expected to be completed in early 2018.

Source: The Merc, On The Alameda

Fifth Annual Stroll The Alameda - This Sunday

The Shasta / Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association in conjunction with the Alameda Business Association is hosting the fifth annual "Stroll the Alameda event" on August 23rd from 2pm-5pm. Tickets purchased in advanced are $25 per person and includes 12 tastings (take an Uber home). On the day of the event, the cost goes up to $35 per person.

Participating venues include Art Boutiki, Black & Brown, La Dolce Velo, Tee Nee Thai, The Arsenal, Whole Foods, Wine Affairs, The Usuals/SJ Made, and many more. The event starts in front of Crema Coffee (950 The Alameda), where you will get a wine or beer glass and a map of all locations.

For more information, click here. Big thanks to Alex Shoor for sending this in!

Coterie Cellars Winery Coming to the Downtown San Jose Area

Coterie is a small winery that produces distinctive wines from a variety of California vineyards. They make every wine from berry to bottle by hand and it looks like they specialize on Pinot Noirs with some Syrahs, Roussannes and Viogniers complimenting their portfolio. You can find their wines at The Ritz-Carlton, The Fairmont, Vintage Wine Merchants, and some of the best restaurants in Silicon Valley.

Currently they are located in Willow Glen and are renovating a vacant building at 885 West Julian Street to become their new permanent home. The location is about a block away from the new Whole Foods on The Alameda and a few blocks from the SAP Center. Coterie will be open for tastings every week from Thursday through Sunday.

Coterie will also host one-hour tasting classes that cover the wine-making process, aromas, and flavors. Each class includes samples of several wines paired with cheeses. To register for an upcoming class, click here.

While Coterie is not the first tasting room in the area (try Sherman Cellars at 40 Post), it is the first full-blown winery that I have ever heard about in the area. You will be able to see exactly how Coterie makes their wines and do tastings directly from the barrel. This is yet another neat attraction to look forward to in Downtown San Jose Greater Area. Coterie opens up shop in the fall and again will be located at 885 West Julian.

For more information on Coterie Cellars, head over to their website. A big thanks to Jake Smith for sending this in!

UPDATE: Coterie Cellars is technically not in Downtown San Jose, but Shasta/Hanchett Park (The Alameda). Thanks to Alex Shoor for sending in the correction.

SJMADE Summer Series

SJMADE is a group of hyperlocal artisans, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs that get together throughout the year at a variety of events. They frequently have pop-ups in Downtown San Jose and Valley Fair. This summer, they will be at the brand new Whole Foods on the Alameda every single Saturday!

Most of the pop-up markets will run from 10am to 2pm, but there are some days that will have longer hours or a even a night market. For more details and to see the other events SJMADE will be participating in, head over here.

First Saturdays by SJMADE at Whole Foods!

SJMADE is launching a pop-up market filled with local artisans and designers at Downtown San Jose's new Whole Foods on The Alameda. The event runs from 11am-7pm every first Saturday of the month (hey that's today!) at the breezeway between the Whole Foods main entrance and the Tap Room.

I love how Whole Foods is allowing these types of events on their premises that add value and engage the local community. Hopefully this one will run year-round.

First Saturdays at Whole Foods, The Alameda
777 The Alameda, San Jose
First Saturdays
11:00am - 7:00pm