Happy Valentine's Day San Jose

Our friends at SJtoday have a great guide to celebrating Valentine's Day locally with everything from unique events, to parties, and dessert specials.

As an added bonus, they have a map of local love stories and there are quite a few in San Jose.

See their Valentine's Day guide here. Hope everyone has a fun time tonight with their special someone! 💗

Valentine's Day in San Jose

The clock is ticking to plan a date for that special someone for Valentine's Day. Fortunately the San Jose Downtown Association has a long list of suggestions for Downtown San Jose. All of the options sounds great to me, but I would highly recommend The Silicon Valley Capital Club. This is a members-only club at the top of the KQED building and they only offer dinners to non-members a couple times per year. If your partner has never been there before it will make for a memorable and romantic surprise evening (be sure to check out the balconies).

Below are the recommendations from the SJDA:

Celebrating Valentine's Day downtown?   Scott's Seafood is offering a prix-fixe, 3-course dinner for $95, with entree choices ranging from 12 oz NY Steak to their signature Seafood Sautee.  The FAB is offering a 5-course dinner for $120 per couple, with the choice between a Ribeye steak or Chicken Alfredo, plus offering a special V-Day dinner special on Sunday night as well, for those who want to get away from the big game.  The Silicon Valley Capital Club is continuing the tradition of opening to non-members for major holidays, and is now taking reservations for dinner specials on Tuesday and this Saturday night. They offer an extensive menu of offerings, plus optional wine pairing.  Morton's Is offering a 3-Course V-Day Special from Friday through Tuesday, plus a special cocktail for the occasion called "Love in Bloom."  The Grill is offering a 3-course Filet Mignon dinner on V-Day, for $110 per person.  Solo Vino is Little Italy is celebrating V-Day with a Wine and Cheese Pairing, themed "Explore Sonona," and Mama Kin is jump-starting V-Day on Saturday night with a special Valentine's Show featuring the smooth baritone sounds of vocalist Nicholas Bearde.  This is by no means a comprehensive list, so check with your favorite hotspot or eatery to see what they might be cooking up for the big night.

Looking for unique gift ideas?  Check out Plant Slut, one of the MOMENT shops on San Pedro, for 15% off everything this weekend.  Plant Lush is holding a V-Day Cookie Decorating workshop on Saturday and Ashy Aromas in San Pedro Square Market is holding candle making "date nights" all weekend, with wine tasting, music, charcuterie, and a chocolate fountain. The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is once again offering the opportunity to Adopt a Rose in the Heritage Rose Garden, which places a plaque with your personal inscription in front of your rose bush, plus a gift box for opening.  Rosies and Posies is your source for a traditional bouquet of roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates, but get your order in early! 

Valentine's Day in San Jose

SJMADE has a handy guide to Valentine's Day gift shopping featuring local artisans and bakers. You can even purchase items and pick them up the next day at the SJMADE Storefront in San Pedro Square.

They have everything from flowers to cards to macaroons. There are plenty of creative gift options for that special someone.

To see the full list of San Jose-made Valentine's Day items, head over here!

Guadalupe River Park - Adopt a Rose

Looking for a great last-minute Valentine's Day idea? The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is offering a $60 package that includes adopting a rose (post your personal message in the garden), a box of chocolates, a cookie, and a free rose each month for a year.

Best of all, the proceeds go towards support the park and the purchase is partially tax deductible. You don't have to tell your significant other that last part.

To learn more and to order this special Valentine's Day package, head over here.

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest: Feb 14-29

Winter Fest 2020 kicks off Valentine's Day and features jazz, blues, Latin jazz, New Orleans, and other genres in intimate venues across San Jose. Performances will take place at Cafe Stritch, the Hammer Theatre, Hedley Club, San Jose Museum of Art, the Poor House Bistro, and Art Boutiki.

For a full list of musicians and to get tickets, head over here.

Last minute Valentine's Day ideas

The San Jose Downtown Association has a few ideas for Valentine's Day procrastinators. There is still time to get a commemorative photo taken in front of XO at City Hall or make the Anti-Valentine's Day Happy Hour. To see the ideas, head over here.

Valentine's Day in San Jose

Are you still scrambling to figure out what to this Valentine's Day? Visit San Jose has a great list of special events and multi-course meals in the area to help make your February 14th a special one. See the list down below!

BEST WAY TO SPEND VALENTINES DAY IN THE SAN JOSE AREA

Visit San Jose has you covered for Valentine’s Day with ideas on where to eat, what to do, where to stay and where to find sweet treats.

WHAT TO DO

Mountain Winery – Tour and Dinner (Feb. 14 beginning at 6:30 PM)

Begin the evening with an assortment of international cheeses followed by a five-course meal paired with estate wines. Then tour the grounds and regale in tales of famous celebrities who frequented Paul Masson's winery in the early days and take home a bottle of wine to complete the evening. (Tickets: $185/person)

WHERE TO EAT

Cinnabar Hills Golf Course (Feb. 14 beginning at 5:00 PM)

Enjoy a specially crafted three-course prix fixe menu by Chef Angel and his team. After dinner, be sure to spend some time in the Bradenburg Historical Golf Museum, which displays historic golf artifacts such as the replica trophies from the four major golf championships. (Price: $49/person)

LB Steak (Feb. 14)

LB Steak will serve a $110.00 four-course prix fixe menu with an optional wine pairing (by the glass) for an additional $50.00 per person. Choose from a 6-oz. prime filet with foie gras pommes duchesse and truffle madeira sauce and lobster wrapped scallop with black truffle risotto and caviar butter. For reservations call 408.244.1180.

Left Bank (Feb. 14 beginning at 11:30 AM)

Left Bank Brasserie will serve their regular à la carte lunch menu, a reduced à la carte dinner menu and a $65.00 three-course prix fixe dinner menu with main course choices of: butter poached lobster tail with crème fraîche risotto and winter root vegetables, and 6-oz. filet mignon with golden pommes noisettes rainbow chard and béarnaise. For reservations call: 408.984.3500.

Oveja Negra (Feb. 14)

Oveja Negra will feature a five-course shared plate experience including a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a red rose for your loved one. Reservations can be made through OpenTable or by calling 408.423.5400. ($100/person)

SWEET TREATS

Hotel Valencia – Fondue for Two February (Feb. 1 – 28)

During the month of February, Hotel Valencia is featuring decadent chocolate fondue for two, accompanied by sparkling wine, available at the terrace. (Price: $14/person)

WHERE TO STAY

Fairmont San Jose's - Night in Wine Country Package (Feb. 9 – 18)

Fairmont San Jose has partnered with Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa to bring the experience of their wine country hotel to San Jose. Guests who book the package will enjoy a romantically decorated guest room and receive sparkling wine at check-in, a Sonoma wine and cheese amenity, and signature Apricot & Cream bath amenities from Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Package rates start at $240 per night.

Hotel Valencia’s Romance Package (Feb. 9 – 22)

Enjoy luxurious accommodations for two with continental breakfast, sparkling wine, chocolate covered strawberries and a $100 Santana Row gift card. Offer is subject to availability. Package rates start at $339 per night.

San Jose Valentine's Day events

If you are still searching for ideas on what to do today (a bit last minute don't you think), there are still plenty of events available via Eventbrite including a few for singles. Head over here for the full list.

7th Annual "Feathers of Fury" pillow fight this weekend

In honor of Valentine's Day, the 7th Annual San Jose Pillow Fight is this Sunday at noon. This year, it will be located at the old Camera 12 Plaza at 201 South 2nd Street. The event is free and has always been a lot of fun in previous years. For more details and photos of past events, head over to one of the links below!

Web: https://pillowfight.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pillowfightsj/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pillowfightsj
Craigslist:  https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/eve/5995110121.html
Bike Ride: https://www.facebook.com/events/172505129908607/

San Jose-themed Valentine's Day gift

This year, why not get a Valentine's Day gift that will directly benefit the local economy? The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy has created an "Adopt a Rose" package that includes a box of Schurra's Chocolates (made in San Jose, and they are awesome), a Cafe Too! gourmet cookie, one free red rose each month for a year from Citti's Florist, and a personal message on a plaque by the rose bush of your choice in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden. Oh, and it is tax deductible as well (you don't have to tell your significant other that part).

For more details, head over here!

Santana Row News and Events - February through May 2016

San Jose, CA - Sure signs of spring are popping up Santana Row is ready with a full roster of events beginning with special restaurant offerings on Valentine’s Day and the return of two of Silicon Valley’s signature events: the wine stroll to benefit the American Heart Association and the 408k Race to The Row, an 8k run to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on The Row
Brunch, lunch or dinner for two…or more!
Sunday, Feb. 14

Enjoy an intimate dinner, or one with friends and family, to celebrate the day for love. Among the restaurants offering special menus:
LB Steak is serving its regular brunch, lunch and dinner menus plus à la carte dinner specials in the spirit of the occasion. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Menu includes:

• Hudson Valley foie gras ($24) with strawberry compote and warm brioche toast
• Tuna tartare ($19) with yellowfin tuna, Asian pear, mint, sesame oil, pine nuts, and harissa
• Prime Angus filet of Beef Oscar ($52) with Dungeness crab, asparagus and hollandaise sauce
• Valrhona chocolate fondue with cherry liquor ($12) with strawberries, biscotti and macaroons

All prices exclude tax and gratuity. Every couple dining at the restaurant for dinner will receive a complimentary rose.
Left Bank Brasserie serves its regular brunch, lunch and dinner menus plus à la carte dinner specials in the spirit of the occasion and a rose for every dining couple:

• Heart-shaped lobster, scallop and shrimp ravioli ($14) with roasted squash, spinach and cauliflower
• Foie gras mousse terrine ($18) with compressed honey pear, and mixed berry compote
•  Roasted filet of beef ($36) with Madeira sauce, gratin potato and asparagus
• Chocolate Pyramid ($12), a chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse, raspberry filling and gold flakes.
• Taittinger, Brut La Francaise, Champagne, France NV will be offered for $18 a glass and $90 a bottle.

Maggiano’s Little Italy - Celebrate Valentine's Day the Maggiano's Way from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mommy & Me Valentine's brunch. Bring your appetites, creativity and Daddy too! Maggiano's serves a breakfast buffet with cookie and craft stations to make your own cards and gifts. There’s also a Polaroid photo booth, and more. Each $35 ticket includes one child and two adults.
Pasta Pomodoro – A prix fixe menu for two is offered on Valentine’s Day (and Friday and Saturday, too) for $60 and includes:

• A glass of wine
• An appetizer to share, either sauteed shrimp or caprese
• Entrée choice of Salmon Piccata, Chicken Marsala or shrimp and asparagus pasta
• A choice of dessert from the menu

Roots and Rye – A Special Sweethearts Valentine’s menu is offered. Check the website, www.rootsandrye.com, for details.
Sino and Straits restaurants - Special Valentine's Day menu is offered. Check the website, www.straitsrestaurants.com, for details.

Santana Row Wine Stroll: A benefit for the American Heart Association
Thursday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
An annual event at The Row, come out for winter fun and support a well-known cause!
Your $40 Ticket includes:

• Wine & Light Bites
• Exclusive Discounts Inside Santana Row Shops & Restaurants
• Signature Santana Row Wine Glass

* Must be 21 years or older to attend.
Tickets will be available online and inside the Santana Row Concierge Center. For more information please contact the Santana Row Concierge, 408.551.4611.

March and beyond…

5th Annual 408k “Race to the Row” 8k Run
Sunday, March 6
Join us for the San Jose 408k "Race to the Row,” an 8k run/walk that starts in downtown San Jose and finishes at Santana Row.
This fun, point-to-point course features the famous “Mariachi Mile,” that takes participants through some of San Jose’s most charming neighborhoods, including The Alameda business district and the historic Rose Garden, before an exciting finish on The Row! Stay and enjoy the post-race celebration that includes live music, watch the adorable 408kids Race and grab brunch before catching a quick ride back to the start.
Click here to Register for this event.
For registered runners, the “packet pick up” will be held in Santana Row on Friday, March 4 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The San Jose 408k is designating the Pat Tillman Foundation as its official charity for the fifth year. The foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships.

Hippity-Hop! Have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Santana Row!
Sunday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hop on over and pose with the season’s favorite rabbit at Santana Row Park, across from Left Bank Brasserie. Photos, cookie decorating, face painting and egg decorating will be offered, with all proceeds benefiting the Autism Diagnostic & Consulting Center.

Cars & Croissants Kick-Off Event
Monthly gathering returns in March!
Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

San Jose Dancin’ Downtown Festival, Santana Row Park
Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Santana Row and sjDANCEco has partnered again this year to bring together local as well as regional dance artists to celebrate National Dance Week. The free outdoor festival features the diversity of the area’s dance community.
Enjoy performances by sjDANCEco (Maria Basile, Gabriel Mata), Diablo Ballet, Pointe of Departure, Erin East, Visual Rhythm and Zohar Dance Company.

lululemon Presents Yoga in the Park, May 7, 14, 21 and 28
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica begins May7 and is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too, season kick-off event
May 10, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club returns for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Special guest for the event is Buddy from Dinosaur Train. Families can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Rainy Day Rewards, through March 31, 2016
Here’s hoping the rainy season returns! Santana Row is optimistic and wants to reward shoppers and diners braving bad weather. When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, they will be offered discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.
No need to get wet: Customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row: outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking Garage.

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow invites Tweets and Instagram tags
For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row
Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

Feathers of Fury 6: A Valentine's Day pillow fight in Downtown San Jose

The 6th annual Downtown San Jose pillow fight is happening this Sunday on Valentine's Day! Nothing says I love you to your sweetie like a swift pillow attack. The event starts at high noon, but the location remains a secret until the day before the event. To give you some idea of where it might be, here is a list of previous locations:

2011 - Cesar Chavez Park

2012 - SJ City Hall

2013 - Circle of Palms 

2014 - SJ Rep

2015 - Camera 12 

2016 - ??????????????

More specifics as well as the rules of the event are below. To be the first to learn where the secret location is, follow this Facebook Page.

Photo from Content Magazine

PILLOW FIGHT:

HOW: An AIRHORN or WHISTLE or TOWER will signal the beginning of the event. We will proceed to charge a la Braveheart and let the flailing of laughter ensue. How long will it last? Well, that all depends on you.

THE RULES:

-Tell everyone about the Pillow Fight.
-Bring a pillow
-Wait until the whistle/airhorn signal to begin.
-Soft pillows only!
-NEVER swing at people without pillows or with cameras.
-Tell EVERYONE about the Pillow Fight.
-Remove glasses beforehand!
-Don't hit people with a pillow unless they want it.
-Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once.
-This is not a little kids event.
-If you don't want to participate, go outside the "play" area and you will be respected.
-TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE PILLOW FIGHT! #Pillowfightsj

(Feathers are fantastic!) But it might be a good idea to wear a bandana to keep yourself from swallowing some Feathers of FURY. AGGGHHH!

Latex gloves and Garbage Bags will be brought out so that we may attempt to leave the park/area just as we found it ... which is impossible cause after we leave it will be AWESOME.

tweet. blog. FB. space. email. morse code. GET IT OUT THERE... #Pillowfightsj

Cocoabella Chocolates Valentine's Day Collections

Valentine's Day is almost here and my favorite chocolate shop is featuring several collections to celebrate the occasion. Cocoabella is a curator of the best artisan chocolates from all over the world. The quality and uniqueness of each piece blows away the cookie-cutter stores. It has gotten to the point where my wife can't go to Valley Fair without picking up one of their boxes along with a chocolate drink.

The Valentine's Day Collections include chocolates from France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and across the US, all handmade and flown in last week. If your significant other hasn't tried these out yet, then you have the opportunity to score some big points this year.

Check out Cocoabella at Valley Fair on the first floor near the center court or online right over here.

Happy Valentine's Day San Jose!

This Valentine's Day, I have to plug a chocolate store that I just found out about recently. Schurra's has been making fine confections since 1912, and they have been based in San Jose since the early 1930s. They make their candy and chocolates from scratch each day on-site at their historic San Jose location (840 The Alameda). Everything is made by hand, they have no machines to automate the process. I had a chance to try some of their chocolate a couple days ago and it blew me away. You have to try the salted dark chocolate caramels!

So instead of stocking up on Godiva or Ghiradelli this Valentine's Day, why not go hyperlocal and try something made right here in San Jose!

To visit Schurra's website click here.

Schurra's, creating a tradition of Fine Confections since 1912.  Albert and Justin Schurra started their confectionery business with retail stores in Stockton and Modesto California.  They soon expanded their candy business to include wholesale accounts throughout Northern California.  In the early 1930's they closed their stores in Stockton and Modesto and moved to The Alameda in San Jose.  The Alameda, also known as the beautiful way, was San Jose's premier neighborhood.  The mansions of successful doctors, lawyers and architects lined the street as they do today.  However, today they have been converted to offices for doctors, lawyers and architects.  A street car system ran down the center of the street carrying passengers from Alum Rock Park through downtown and out towards the town of Santa Clara.  The Alameda was and is also known as Hwy 82.  It was the most modern route to San Francisco at the time.   In the mid 1930's Albert Schurra purchased the building at 848 The Alameda.  He designed a "Sunshine Candy Kitchen"  where customers could watch candy being made through the windows.  Skilled women would sit in the front windows that faced The Alameda and artistically dip chocolates by hand.  Many of the chocolate dippers worked for Schurra's well into their 90's and two, Gladys Neisonger and Myrtle Bay, lived to be over 100 years old. While we have since located next door to the old Sunshine Candy Kitchen, we proudly carry on Albert and Justin's time-honored traditions and adhere to their standards of quality by making everything from scratch everyday.

Visit our Historic Shop at

840 The Alameda

San Jose, CA 95126

ph. 408.289.1562

fax. 408.289.9222

Store Hours:  Monday - Friday 10am - 6:30pm

Saturdays 10am - 5:30pm

Closed Sundays except for the Sunday before Christmas, Valentine's and Easter.  We are open those 3 Sundays from 11:30am - 4:00pm

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Happy Valentine's Day San Jose!

For last minute dining ideas try OpenTable. It looks like they still have many places available.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! If you still scrambling for a last minute plan, there are plenty of great San Jose restaurants that still have reservations available.  Here's the list of places that have openings somewhere between 5:30pm and 8pm today via Open Table:

• 19 Market
• Amber India
• BlueFin Japanese
• Emiles's
• La Pastaia
• Loft Bar and Bistro
• Maceio Brazillian Steakhouse
• Menara Moroccan Restaurant
• Morocco's Restaurant
• Morton's
• Rangoli India Restaurant
• Rosie McCann's
• Spiedo
• Teske's

Go to OpenTable.com and get your last minute reservation before someone else snags it!