SJC's second lounge is now open

San Jose International has an amenity it has never had before--a second travel lounge! The Club SJC has been around for several years and has won a handful of international awards. It's located on the 3rd floor across from the international gates (Gate 15) and has a full bar, food, nice restrooms and showers, and even a great view. It just has one issue... it's doing so well that it is often very full.

The solution was to build a second "The Club SJC" in front of Gate A8. Ironically this is the same space as San Jose's only previous airport lounge, the American Airlines Admirals Club, which was only around when American had a hub in San Jose. Unlike the former Admirals Club, the new lounge is open to anyone for a fee ($39 per person I believe) and provides MUCH better amenities.

The food and snacks at The Club SJC are very good by lounge standards and there is an open bar for visitors with cocktails (bourbon and ginger-ale is default drink there). The new lounge has plenty of comfortable seats, an area with desks and power outlets for work, and a quiet/napping zone. I also found the service to be excellent when I used the lounge a couple weeks ago. There is no better place to hang out in SJC while waiting for your flight.

My only request, would be for them to build another lounge on the other side of the airport in the middle of the B gates. It's an especially long walk between the six temporary gates Southwest is using to either of the lounges. Even then, it's worth it for a snack, drink, and some relaxation before your flight.

If you want to get access to these lounges for free, I highly recommend the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. Every time you fly, you get access for up to three people into either of the San Jose lounge as well as lounges in just about any major airport in the world (SFO and Oakland included). It has a high annual fee, but you get annual perks easily worth double the fee even if you just travel two or three times a year. If you're interested, here is the link.

Source: SVBJ

KT Urban proposes a 1.15 million SQFT tower

A prolific developer is looking to transform a corner at Almaden and Woz way into either an office or residential project, or perhaps even a combination of both. They have a preliminary site development plan with three options for the 2.6-acre parcel:

1.) All-office: 20-story, 1.15 million SQFT office tower with 977,000 SQFT of net office space.
2.) Mixed-use: 27-story office ower with 500,000 SQFT of net office space and a 27-story residential tower with 300 residential units and 300 hotel rooms.
3.) All-residential: A 27-story residential tower with 750 units.

I'm most excited by option 2, but honestly any of these three would be an asset to the Downtown San Jose area. KT Urban is working to secure city approval by the fourth quarter of 2020 and there is no publicized target date for construction.

Source: SVBJ

Happy Halloween 2019!! + Halloween in the Park (Part XII)

Happy Halloween everyone, hope you have a blast tonight!

Usually in October we have a wish-list post for Halloween in the Park. The idea is to build on the momentum that Christmas in the Park brings to San Jose each year and create something of similar scale for the month of October with Halloween in the Park! A lot of the infrastructure such as wiring, lighting, and booths might even be able to be shared between the events. The goal would be to make Downtown San Jose the epicenter of October Halloween experiences.

Below you will find brainstorming ideas we have collected for this concept so far over the years. Please have a look and provide your feedback and suggestions in the comments. Thanks!

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The largest draw to Downtown San Jose for many years now has been Christmas in the Park. It has continued to grow year after year and brings in visitors from all over the Bay Area. It's economic impact is substantial and helps keep many Downtown businesses and restaurants alive.

What would you think about a similar event for Halloween? Picture Downtown lit up in orange and purple with elaborate Halloween displays assembled by local artists. Perhaps infrastructure could even be shared with Christmas in the Park (e.g. retail booths). A strong event in October would help maintain traffic between the summer months and Christmas in the Park. Here are the ideas we have so far:

• Animated Halloween Displays
• Created by local artists
• Analogous to the Christmas displays that attract many families during Christmas in the Park (almost half a million visitors)
• Family friendly so that everyone can enjoy it (PG/PG13, perhaps around the same level as Great America Halloween Haunt)
• Halloween Lighting
• Orange, purple, and green LED lighting on trees
• May be possible to use new programmable LED lighting that can go from Halloween colors to Christmas colors with the push of a button, allowing the lights to stay up for Christmas in the Park as well and reducing setup/take-down costs.
• Halloween Food
• Booths with candied apples, chocolates, candy, pumpkin seeds, etc.
• Food trucks
• Trick-or-treating station - a free piece of candy to anyone wearing a costume any day in October (could also be used to hand out promotional flyers for Downtown events/businesses/resources)
• Retail Booths selling Halloween items, for example:
• Artwork (paintings, glass pumpkins, etc.)
• Home decor/crafts like candles
• Light-up hats/necklaces/bracelets
• Costumes
• Zombie/Halloween make-up station 
• Halloween-themed Carnival Games
• Pirates of Emerson and Candlelighters (Fremont) do a good job of providing family-friendly games themed around Halloween
• A handful of children's rides could also be added to the Paseo and reused for Christmas in the Park
• Interactive Art
• Subzero/ZERO1-style, but with a Halloween spin.
• Halloween-themed video game kiosks and/or arcades
• Pumpkins
• Instead of the sponsored Christmas trees in Christmas in the Park, how about decorated Pumpkins (can even be Styrofoam so there is no mess/decay)?
• Pumpkin carving station for families. 
• Pumpkin carving contest.
• Costumed Entertainers
• Walking around the area, not necessarily scaring people but adding to the ambiance and providing photo opportunities for families
• Haunts / Mazes
• Would be ideal if these were nearby, perhaps in vacant retails spaces, surface parking lots, the San Jose Convention Center tent, or at SJSU.
• Could partners with one of the established San Jose haunt providers such as Deadtime Dreams or The World's Largest Haunted House.
• Potential Events
• Zombie-O-Rama can be used to kick off Halloween in the Park (late Sep. / early Oct. time-frame)
• Zombie Crawl
• Dia De Los Muertos Events
• Halloween/Dia De Los Muertos Bike Party
• Horror Movie Trivia Contest
• Weekly horror movie screening (perhaps in the Circle of Palms area?)
• Costume Ball

Inspirations:

• Candle Lighters
• Pirates of Emerson
• The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (photos below)

113-room hotel proposed on Winchester Blvd

A&Z Development LLC submitted a site development permit last month to build a six-story hotel at 1212 S. Winchester Blvd with 113 rooms and 78 parking spaces. This is located about a mile away from Santana Row and a mile from Downtown Campbell.

We are in desperate need for more hotel rooms in Silicon Valley, so this is coming at the perfect time. The proposed hotel would also feature a ballroom, restaurants, and bar.

Source: SVBJ

Holiday entertainment & décor at Santana Row

Ho! Ho! Holiday! Entertainment & Décor at Santana Row

Santana Row brings the community together with free events, life-sized holiday decor & entertainment for all to enjoy

The Ho, Ho, Holidays are right around the corner, and Santana Row’s little elves have been hard at work planning & decorating.  With a season full of unique events and community entertainment, as well as life-size reindeers, camels and giraffes; Santana Row is the place you want to be this season. From the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring a 40-foot tree and confetti snow shower, to Santa Paws benefitting Humane Society Silicon Valley, Santana Row’s calendar of events offers family entertainment that is both fun and philanthropic this holiday season.

Where: Santana Row – 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128. 

Event Contact: For more information, guests can text or call the Santana Row Concierge at (408) 551-4611.

EVENT	DETAILS
Rainy Day Rewards	November 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020 Enjoy rainy day rewards for shopping and dining this winter! If the chance of rain is 70% or more, it’s officially a ‘Rainy Day’ and discounts are sprinkled all over The Row. Rewards include: 15% discount at participating shops and restaurants A free signature Santana Row golf umbrella when customers spend $150 anywhere on The Row on a designated rainy day.  Present your same-date Santana Row receipts to the Santana Row Concierge to redeem.  MORE RAINY DAY FUN: On all rainy days on The Row, customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining, and then return it before leaving. The bright yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout Santana Row – outside the Santana Row Concierge.
Holiday Makers Market in the Park	Saturday, November 2; 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bring your friends & family to this curated marketplace in Santana Row Park (across from Left Bank Brasserie) and shop local artists selling US Handcrafted goods like jewelry, handbags, ceramics, glassware, soaps, succulents and more! Enjoy the beautiful outdoor park and support local small businesses. 30+ Local Artists | DIY Workshops | Live Music | Complimentary Wine & Bites inside the Makers Market store on Santana Row.
Mommy & Me and Daddies too FREE Kids Club: Give Thanks	Tuesday, November 12; 10 a.m. – noon Enjoy live entertainment before you embark on a Wild Turkey Scavenger Hunt throughout participating stores! Enjoy themed arts & crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, a live DJ and more! This month we also invite you to give back to your community by bringing a canned food item to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank! The kid’s club ends just in time for lunch. Mendocino Farms is offering Kid’s Eat Free all day on Tuesdays! *Must purchase one regular priced sandwich or salad entrée. Plus, stop in Rosie McCann’s for balloons and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
SANTANA ROW ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY	Tuesday, November 19; 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music, costumed characters, and FREE family activities at Santana Row’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Festivities include holiday photos with The Grinch, a special character meet & greet, an Elf Scavenger Hunt (begins at 3 p.m.), and guest performances by local theatre groups including a special showing of The Nutcracker by San Jose Dance Theatre! It’s a good evening to start your holiday shopping too. Spend $300 or more on Tuesday, November 19 and receive two tickets to San Jose Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker! Experience the magic of the holidays with loved ones as you watch Santana Row’s 40-foot Christmas tree light up the night, coupled with a snow confetti shower and more! The Tree Lighting main stage performance will begin at 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park with the lighting of the tree at approximately 7:30 p.m.
One Warm Coat Drive	November 29, 2019 – January 1, 2020 Help keep the holidays warm. Beginning on Black Friday (Friday, November 29) throughout December, Santana Row will be collecting new or gently used coats for those in need this season. Drop off your coats throughout the season in the barrels located outside the Santana Row Concierge, CineArts Theatre & Crate and Barrel. One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that works to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need.
Black Friday Gift with Purchase: Amaluna by Cirque du Soleil	Friday, November 29 Spend $1,000 or more on Black Friday (Friday, November 29) and receive a pair of tickets to AMALUNA by Cirque du Soleil performing in San Francisco in January 2020. Simply present your same-day receipts to the Santana Row Concierge to redeem. Tickets are available only while supplies last.   Plus, enjoy complimentary gift wrapping in the Via of Santana Heights by Cirque de Soleil from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. and holiday entertainment throughout the day.
Haute Holiday Soiree	Tuesday, December 5; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. It’s going to be a festive evening on The Row with wine tastings, hunky Santa photos, mistletoe making, holiday sweet treats, live music and more. Tickets are $40 and benefit JW House, an organization that keeps families together during medical crises by offering a welcoming home closer to the hospital with a caring, compassionate environment that inspires hope. Tickets available at www.SantanaRow.com.
Holiday Makers Market in the Park	Saturday, December 7; 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bring your friends & family to this curated marketplace in Santana Row Park (across from Left Bank Brasserie) and shop local artists selling US Handcrafted goods like jewelry, handbags, ceramics, glassware, soaps, succulents and more! Enjoy the beautiful outdoor park and support local small businesses. 30+ Local Artists | DIY Workshops | Live Music | Complimentary Wine & Bites in the Makers Market store (located right on the park).
Santa Paws Benefitting Humane Society Silicon Valley	Sunday, December 8; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bring your canine and feline friends to Santana Row’s Park Valencia (in front of Maggiano’s) for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus. The proceeds benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley. For more information on the Humane Society Silicon Valley, visit: https://www.hssv.org/.
Mommy & Me and Daddies too FREE Kids Club: HoliYAY Party	Tuesday, December 10; 10 a.m. – noon Get into the holiday spirit with us at our December Free Kids Club! Meet in Park Valencia (in front of Maggiano’s) for a morning of holiday entertainment with Andy Z & Magical Elves, photos with Santa Claus, holiday planting, special themed arts & crafts and more! Plus, bring a new or gently used coat to donate to One Warm Coat. The kid’s club ends just in time for lunch. Mendocino Farms is offering Kid’s Eat Free all day on Tuesdays! *Must purchase one regular priced sandwich or salad entrée. Plus, stop in Rosie McCann’s for balloons and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Cars & Croissants	Sunday, December 22; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Santana Row partners with 100|OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a bi-monthly gathering for exotic car owners and enthusiasts. On the 4th Sunday of every month now through December, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. To display your car, please RSVP with 100|OCT. This event is free and open to the public.

San Jose planning to double the number of electric car charging stations

San Jose is already one of the most Electric Vehicle (EV) friendly cities in the world. The combination of a progressive technological mindset, great weather, many single-family homes with garages, and a concern for the environment has led to a recipe for EV success. There are more miles driven in Teslas in San Jose than any other city in the world except for Los Angeles, which has quadruple our population.

There are already well over a thousand EV charging stalls in San Jose, many of them are free to encourage shoppers to visit or as an amenity to employees. Where can you find a free gas station?  Santana Row alone has 160 chargers, almost half of which are Tesla chargers on the 4th floor of the main parking structure (photos below).

Things are about to get even better for EV owners. San Jose has announced they will be receiving $14 million to install even more electric vehicle charging stations. This is enough to fund 1,400 universal chargers which any electric car can use, and 100 new fast chargers that can add miles almost as fast as a gas station in select cars. Public and private institutions that install chargers will get a significant rebate, which extra rebates available for low income areas and multi-unit residential buildings.

If you are thinking about an electric car, I highly recommend the Tesla Model 3. It's $36k after rebates, no maintenance for 4 years, 250+ miles of range, it's safe, fast, fun, and you can use any charger in the US including Tesla's proprietary fast chargers that are now everywhere. If interested, you can get 1,000 free miles of fast charging by clicking here.

Source: San Jose Inside

SJC getting a new flight to Puerto Vallarta

Alaska Airlines will bring us an 11th international destination early next year. Our first nonstop to Puerto Vallarta starts on March 19th, 2020. I've actually been there several times and it's one of my favorite vacation spots.

Alaska will use an Airbus A320 for the route with 12 first class, 24 premium, and 108 economy seats.

Below is our revised list of international flights:

• Asia
• Beijing
• Tokyo
• Europe
• London
• North America
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Cabo San Lucas
• Guadalajara (served by two different airlines)
• Leon
• Morelia
• Puerto Vallarta
• Zacatecas

Source: SVBJ

Downtown San Jose artwork

I stumbled across several stunning canvas prints of Downtown San Jose. The series is called VIVID SAN JOSE by West Coast Artworks. I was torn between getting one of the last two, but eventually decided on the San Carlos Street at night piece.

Update: I ended up getting both, and they look amazing.

You can find a few more options at the artist's Etsy page.

Source: aphelion2100 from the San Jose Development Forum