Schmap San Jose and Silicon Valley Art & Entertainment

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San Jose and Silicon Valley - Art & Entertainment
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While San Francisco may get the press as the region's cultural and entertainment hub, San Jose is increasingly becoming a destination spot for high culture, as well as slick dance clubs, unique museums, outdoor pursuits, and all kinds of diversions for the younger set.

The Performing Arts: Music and Dance

The quality of San Jose's performing arts organizations has risen in recent years to rival those of San Francisco's. The San Jose Symphony's 10 years under Bernstein protege Leonid Grin has seen it grow from a regional ensemble into one of increasingly national stature. (It is in fact the oldest symphony in the West.) Guest artists such as soprano Marilyn Horne are regularly featured with the orchestra, which plays at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts, as well as Cupertino's Flint Center. The San Jose Chamber Music Society offers impeccable performances of robust late Classical/early Romantic fare at the Le Petit Trianon Hall. There is, too, the Opera San Jose (America's only company with a "resident ensemble" program) whose productions are staged in the Montgomery Theater, and the renamed reconstituted, and revitalized Ballet San Jose. The ballet can be seen at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts. Additional ensembles include the San Jose Symphonic Choir, the San Jose Wind Symphony, the Lyric Theater (for light opera in the Gilbert and Sullivan tradition), and the folkloric Los Lupenos de San Jose.

The Performing Arts: Theater

San Jose's theater scene is led by the highly regarded San Jose Repertory Theater and the San Jose Stage Company, both of which have their own downtown stages; as well as the Northside Theater Company, the daring City Lights Theater Company, Latin-themed (but English speaking) Teatro Vision, and smaller comedic stages such as Big Lil's Barbary Coast Dinner Theater and New Almaden's hilarious The Opry House. Musicals thrive in San Jose, as well, at the American Musical Theater (San Jose Center for Performing Arts) and the San Jose Children's Musical Theater.

Cinema

Cinema is, as everywhere, the go-to entertainment choice. There are plenty of theaters in and around the Valley. Most of them, not surprisingly, feature state-of-the-art technology. However, as an antidote, once can take in a flick at the Capitol Drive-In (at the corner of Capitol Expressway and Snell Avenue). While international and revival houses are a bit harder to come by than they are in San Francisco, Camera One and Camera 3 Cinema are conveniently located downtown and both show heady art-house fare. (Camera Three even has a cafe, where you can deconstruct cinema to your heart's content over a cappuccino.) One thing to keep in mind about San Jose is that if you're in the right place in the right time, you may get to catch a major Hollywood blockbuster weeks or even months ahead of its release date: the big studios have used Silicon Valley audiences for test screenings of such films as Star Wars and ET. Also worth noting is the Naz 8, which may be the only theater west of the Mississippi showing first-run, mainstream, non-art films from India (though without subtitles)

Nightlife

Bars and nightclubs (covered at greater length in the Dining and Drinking guide) come in every description, and are to be found in the greatest concentration in San Jose's downtown area. The lobby bars of the finer hotels like The Fairmont Hotel and the Hyatt Sainte Claire are quite popular with the Silicon Valley's middle and upper management for after-work libations. Jazz fans will find cool sounds at the Garden City Casino (which really does feature a casino) in San Jose, #1 Broadway in Los Gatos, Sunnyvale's The French Quarter, and, in Santa Clara, J.J.'s Blues. Mambo kings hungry for salsa can find it at Club Miami on Santa Clara Street, as well as north at Mountain View's King of Clubs and Jose's Caribbean Restaurant in Palo Alto.

Clubbing it in the San Jose area is made relatively simple by the presence of a few remarkably popular spots. Mountain Charlie's is just outside downtown San Jose in exclusive Los Gatos. This come-as-you-are dance club (in keeping with Los Gatos' cultivated casual style) features live bands playing mostly danceable tunes from the 70s and 80s. If that doesn't float your boat, stroll along Los Gatos' Santa Cruz Avenue and you're certain to find something that does.

Museums, Galleries, and Some Kid Stuff and Other Attractions

San Jose's museums have come a long way in recent years, rising to the level of San Francisco's in the traditional fine arts categories. And they've gone San Francisco one better in the techno-culture that is San Jose's purview. The San Jose Museum of Art, an architectural melange of new and old, usually hosts touring exhibits of national importance, increasing numbers of which are being coaxed to bypass San Francisco and stop at the SFMA instead. The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art showcases the work of Silicon Valley's many talented visual artists (who are gaining and increasing national profile) from its SoFA District gallery. The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles and the Peralta Adobe & Fallon House Historic Site are fine specialty museums. At the Rosicrucian Museum and Planetarium, you will find an entire Egyptian tomb that has been painstakingly reconstructed. The tomb tour is one of the better ones for kids, who will find it slightly spooky and thoroughly interesting.

The San Jose Historical Museum may be the best regional history museum in California: it features a 25-acres of preserved homes; an open-for-business O'Brien's Old-Fashioned Ice Cream and Candy Parlor, a slightly scaled-down model of the original San Jose Light Tower; and a working Trolley Barn, where transit vehicles of a bygone era are kept on the road. The Historical Museum even runs trolley cars in the downtown area. A must for kids, obviously. Another sure-fire choice for kids is the Tech Museum of Innovation, with exhibits like exhibits a $10 million "clean room," where silicon chips are prepared; a virtual roller coaster, a U.S. Olympic bobsled team simulator; countless interactive learning stations dealing with computers, the Internet, and biotechnology; and interesting temporary exhibits. To top it off, there's a 295-seat IMAX dome theater.

Gallery hounds should visit Bingham Gallery, Bagi and the Machu Picchu Gallery and Museum of the Americas. More galleries are to be found in Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Palo Alto, which tend to cater to a more artsier clientele (San Joseans have been accused of being too geeky and job-focused to care about such things). The Cahn Marjorie Gallery of Fine and Native American Art, located in Los Gatos, features authentic jewelry, artwork and crafts, all for sale. Other galleries in the area include Nirvana, the James Bond Gallery (having not one thing to do with Agent 007, fans will be disappointed to learn), and Iguana. Saratoga hosts the Aegis Gallery of Fine Art, the Greenleaf Gallery, and Gallery Saratoga. (And you might want to catch the San Jose Convention and Cultural Center or the Hal Todd Studio Theatre at San Jose State University, both of which have housed interesting installations.)

Sports and Recreation

There is no question that San Jose has a tertiary importance in the Bay Area professional sports galaxy: even lowly Oakland has the NFL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball while San Jose doesn't. However, San Jose is diehard in support of its San Jose Sharks, the Bay Area's sole National Hockey League franchise (who play their games in the "Shark Tank," the San Jose Arena), and is also home to Northern California's MSL soccer team, the San Jose Earthquakes. There are, as well, the San Jose SaberCats, for those who like Arena Football, and the Lasers WNBA franchise. For those who desperately need to get a life, there is The Rhinos, a professional Roller Hockey League Team.

San Jose tends to follow San Francisco's teams, rather than Oakland's, since the San Jose Giants are a AAA league farm club of the San Francisco Giants, that's where San Jose's interest lies, and there is no question about this being 49er football country. South Bay attendance at 3Com Park often exceeds that of San Francisco residents.

The South Bay is known for its healthy, outdoor lifestyle, and there is more than enough to do if you want to get outside for some recreation. Runners who consult RaceGate.com can find information on every race in the U.S., including San Jose, of course, where there are 10Ks seemingly ever weekend. Mountain bikers are particularly fond of San Antonio Park, but enjoy many of the other parks and open spaces in Santa Clara Valley, while the area's terrain and economy send packs of expensively equipped road cyclists onto its country roads every weekend. For rollerbladers, the Vasona Trail, a loop from downtown San Jose to the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is just this side of heaven. For yet more approaches to outdoor recreation, try Celebration Balloon Rides, or Alum Rock Park and Stables for horseback riding and hiking.

More Kid Stuff and Other Attractions

For more family fun, visit the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, and Jungle Fun and Adventure. These two attractions are nirvana for kids. Another great kids' destination is Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Here, one can rent canoes or paddleboats and glide along the lake while checking out the ducks and geese and ducklings and goslings. One should never forget Golfland on Blossom Hill Road, second to none for miniature golf. And for those of sturdy constitution, there is Paramount's Great America off Great America Parkway in Santa Clara. The amusement park is open seasonally; check its Web site to confirm operating hours. Along the same lines (but possibly less fraying to the nerves) is Raging Waters, a huge water slide development that's fun for the whole family on a hot day.

Last, a guide to San Jose cannot go without mention of The Winchester Mystery House. This peculiar, 160-room mansion, the lifetime obsession of firearms heiress Sarah Pardee Winchester, is a singular San Jose landmark. The Mystery House bears investigation if only to learn something about the eyebrow-raising story behind its construction.

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Ballet San Jose

A graceful institution

40 N 1st St
(Between Santa Clara & Saint John Sts)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 288 2820 / +1 408 288 2800 (Box Office)
http://www.balletsanjose.org

This company has presented top-notch programs for nearly a quarter of a century. It has become one of the finest companies in the nation, producing world-class shows under the direction of principal choreographer Dennis Nahat. The main venue in San Jose is the Center for Performing Arts at the corner of Almaden Boulevard and San Carlos. Tickets range from about $15-$60.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Children's Musical Theater San Jose

Excellent and Accessible 1401 Parkmoor Ave
(at Meridian Ave)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95126
United States
+1 408 288 5437
http://www.cmtsj.org This theater company puts on four shows a year and provides a great training ground for young people who desire a career in the theater. It has created a productive working environment for kids to learn communication skills and fundamentals of teamwork. It also offers discounted tickets to groups and classes. The main performing venue is the Montgomery Theater at the corner of Market Street and San Carlos Avenue.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Downtown San Jose

San Jose and Silicon Valley
United States
An extensive 1980s facelift gave formerly downtrodden downtown San Jose a spate of five-star hotels and museums, a convention center, and an arena on par with any in America. All that was needed was a bit of refinement in the go-go '90s to give it the cosmopolitan air of a world-class city. Thriving, sophisticated, and unquestionably moneyed, downtown feels (if only because the rest of Silicon Valley is so decentralized) like the capital of Silicon Valley. Looking out over the Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, The Fairmont Hotel reigns over a bevy of beautiful luxury hotels; nearby are the stately Hyatt Sainte Claire and Hotel DeAnza. The very number of popular bars and restaurants presents a challenge to the visitor. The galleries, coffeehouses and theaters of the SoFA (South of First Street) district give downtown a bit of SoMa/SoHo urban chic.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Fairmont San Jose

Luxury in Downtown San Jose 170 South Market Street
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 998 1900
http://www.fairmont.com/sanjose/
sanjose@fairmont.com This is one of San Jose's most luxurious hotels. It puts you within easy walking distance of museums, posh restaurants and theaters. An ideal place for the discerning traveler.The 20-storey hotel features three first-class restaurants, a handful of shops, and a wealth of top-notch amenities and guest services.The cocktail lounge features a live pianist nightly, and the ambience is dramatic and arresting. It is a great place to escape.Several packages are available, including romance packages and joint deals with the Tech Museum of Innovation, which is across the park from the hotel.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

Great for the kids 1300 Senter Rd
(at Alma Ave)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95112
United States
+1 408 277 3000
http://www.hhpz.org/ This fun-filled spot is highly recommended for families with young children (and pretty much anyone else, too). People have been flocking to the park and zoo since the early 1960s. All the things that children could want are here: puppet shows, rides, birthday facilities, classes and holiday feasts. A great place for an affordable family outing, it caters especially to kids younger than 12, but kids of all ages are welcome. You can even adopt pets if you so desire. Check website for admission prices and further details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Hyatt San Jose

Luxury in a historic setting 1740 North First Street
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 993 1234
http://hyattsanjose.hyatt.com/... One block from the McEnry Convention Center is this luxurious, European-style hotel with a wealth of amenities. Each suite has a high-speed Internet workstation and a printer/fax/copier, so you can check your email, print or fax directly from your room. You're one block away from the Tech Museum, Park Center Plaza and a plentitude of excellent restaurants. The in-house eatery, Amalfi's Grill and Lounge, is top-notch, and the service from the professional staff is courteous and warm.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Montgomery Theater

An intimate setting At the corner of Market and San Carlos streets
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 277 3900
http://www.sjcc.com/montgomery... This intimate opera theater has been the home of Opera San Jose and San Jose Children's Musical Theater for many years. It is right in the middle of downtown San Jose and is within walking distance of all major hotels and restaurants, making it convenient for visitors as well as locals who want to grab a bite before or after the show. Built in the style of a Spanish mission, this elegant theater is connected to the San Jose Civic Auditorium. Credit card acceptance varies by show.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Opera San Jose

Fifteen years running 2149 Paragon District
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95131
United States
+1 408 437 4450
http://www.operasj.org
spielberger@operasj.org For more than 15 years, this opera company has been showcasing young talent and producing top-notch events for an ever-growing fan base from all over the South Bay. Since its inception, it has produced more than 60 full-length operas and has received numerous awards. The main venue is the intimate Montgomery Theater at the corner of Market and San Carlos. Recent productions have included 'La Traviata','Carmen' and Craig Bohmler's 'Tale of the Nutcracker'. Check the website for upcoming events.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Palo Alto

San Jose and Silicon Valley
United States
Palo Alto, in San Mateo County, must be mentioned in any discussion of Silicon Valley, primarily because of Stanford University. One of the state's premier universities (its perennial arch-rival, Cal, is to the northeast in Berkeley), Stanford is really the cradle of the high-technology industry that grew up into contemporary Silicon Valley. Stanford Research Park, on Page Mill Road, the world's first industrial park, is part of a long, close and successful relationship between the university and the electronics industry. The main Stanford campus is attractive and spacious. Palo Alto today is upmarket, upscale, and expensive, but it's a great place to shop. With the trendiness of the college crowd and the taste of moneyed yuppies, the stores and excellent restaurants of well-scrubbed University Avenue always draw steady stream shoppers late into the evening.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Peralta Adobe & Fallon House Historic Site

Oldest place in SJ 175 W Saint John St
(between Terraine & San Pedro Sts)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95110
United States
+1 408 993 8300
http://www.historysanjose.org/ This attraction is made up of two different buildings. One is the oldest address in San Jose, the other is the home built by a former mayor in the 19th century. See what life was like in the 1900s and get a rich dose of fascinating local history. The site also contains an excellent bookstore. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Raging Waters

Premiere waterslide 2333 South White Road
(between Tully Road and Cunningham Avenue)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95148
United States
+1 408 238 9900
http://www.rwsplash.com
jjudy@ragingwaters.com A recreational hot spot for the entire family, this park is the largest of its kind in the Bay Area and has waterslides of all shapes and sizes. Careen your way down the 500-foot-long Barracuda Blaster or take an inner-tube ride down the Great White Shark. There are wading areas and smaller rides designed just for the youngsters. This park is highly recommended for families as well as couples and folks just looking for good clean fun. Admission for adults (includes all rides): USD15.99, seniors (55+); USD12.99: those under 48 inches tall: USD19.99; Kids under two free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium

Ancient Egyptian Delights 1342 Naglee Ave
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95191
United States
+1 408 947 3636
http://www.egyptianmuseum.org Tombs, mummies and all sorts of ancient Egyptian artifacts await you at one of the tourist hotspots of San Jose. The place is in beautiful Rosicrucian Park, with palm trees and Egyptian-style buildings everywhere.The museum itself contains an extensive array of artifacts, jewelry and displays of Egyptian antiquity. Especially fun is the tour in the cavernous tomb below the museum. You will get a great look at what life was like in ancient Egypt. Check website for admission prices and for further details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Jose Center for Performing Arts

Symphony and musical theatre 255 Almaden Blvd
(Corner of W San Carlos Ave)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95110
United States
+1 408 277 3900
http://www.sjcc.com/cftpa/inde... This 2,600-seat city-owned theatre, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, is the venue for the San Jose Symphony, the American Musical Theatre of San Jose and San Jose Cleveland Ballet. The Center also hosts plays, concerts, and a variety of cultural events year-round. Thick carpet, plush seats, ample legroom and a sloping floor create a comfortable viewing environment. The theatre has accommodations for ten wheelchairs.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art

Leading Art Center 560 S 1st Street
(between William & San Salvador Streets)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 283 8155
http://www.sjica.org The ICA is a non-profit, innovative visual arts space located in downtown San Jose. For more than 20 years, they have presented cutting edge exhibitions featuring emerging and mid-career artists and provided the public a chance to see "what's new" in contemporary art. Exhibitions are accompanied by workshops and lectures to further engage the viewer. In addition to gallery programming, the ICA presents "Night Moves," new media installations in the front and rear windows that are visible only after dark. Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Jose Museum of Art

Fun for everyone 110 South Market Street
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 271 6840
http://www.sjmusart.org/
info@sjmusart.org There is something for everyone here: contemporary art, lectures, concerts, tours, book signings, special events and even programs for children. The museum has been host to many outstanding traveling shows and has been a champion of local artists. The museum bookstore offers a nice selection of usual museum merchandise, such as books, tote bags and greeting cards. The museum cafe, under the direction of celebrity chef Kevin Baker, offers a wonderful rotating menu of seasonal delights.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

World's oldest quilt museum 520 S 1st St
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 971 0323
http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org
info@sjquiltmuseum.org The world's oldest quilt museum features constantly revolving exhibitions from all over the world.It looks small from the outside, but once you get in, there is a plentitude of wonderful things to see. Exhibits have included exquisite examples of Amish, Shaker and Hawaiian quilting as well as striking works by contemporary crafters. The staff is well versed in quilt lore and can answer any of your questions or recommend books for any further research you might want to do. Check website for admission prices and further details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

San Jose Repertory Theater

Innovative professional theater 101 Paseo de San Antonio
(between East San Fernando and East San Carlos)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 367 7255
http://www.sjrep.com
help@sjrep.com Known as "The Rep," this cobalt blue, angular building juts out in the middle of downtown San Jose like a sore thumb. Its innovative approach draws many in the arts community to its plays, festivals, performances and lectures. A variety of contemporary theater works are scheduled on a regular basis. The season runs all year long and tickets range from USD28 to USD40. Recent productions include Having our Say by Emily Mann and Side Man by Warren Leight.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Jose Sharks

The teal boys 525 West Santa Clara St
(at Montgomery)
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95113
United States
+1 408 998 8497
http://www.sj-sharks.com/ Founded in 1991, the Sharks have developed a strong fan base in San Jose. Its games continue to sell out, no matter what its record is. Hockey season is from October to April. A variety of ticket packages are offered, from individual tickets that start around USD20 to more extensive (and expensive) group packages. See their website for further information.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Santa Clara

San Jose and Silicon Valley
United States
The historic center of Santa Clara Valley, Santa Clara's Mission Santa Clara de Asis, was founded in 1777 by Father Junipero Serra. A small community of Californios and Ohlones sprang up around it, which has now swelled to about 100,000. The makeup of the population has changed, of course, as has almost everything else about this densely-packed city. Its southern half is residential and largely middle-class. To the north are industrial parks which house some of the real giants of the technology industry: 3Com, Intel, Yahoo!, National Semiconductor, Applied Materials, and Synoptics. The Mission is still there, however (the present building, dating from 1928, is the latest in a series of churches destroyed by floods, earthquakes, and fires), on the grounds of the University of Santa Clara.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Silicon Valley

San Jose and Silicon Valley
United States
This famed portion of California is located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally dubbed "Silicon Valley" because of the large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers in the area, the name stuck and today represents the multitude of technological corporations doing business there. Considered the home-base for the recent dot-com revolution, the Valley is now dominated by internet and computer-oriented businesses. Thirty-two of the Fortune 500 companies are located in the Valley, including Google, Yahoo! and eBay. It is also a bustling university town, home to top-notch schools such as Stanford, Carnegie Mellon (west coast campus), San Jose State, and Santa Clara.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Winchester Mystery House

The occult as conspicuous consumption 525 South Winchester Boulevard
San Jose and Silicon Valley, CA 95128
United States
+1 408 247 2101
http://www.winchestermysteryho... Sarah Winchester was heir to the Winchester repeating rifle fortune, and she was convinced that the spirits of all those killed with that gun were haunting her. To confuse the restless spirits, she constructed one of the oddest houses ever built and kept constructing it until the day of her death. The Victorian-style labyrinth that resulted features a door on the second floor that opens onto thin air, others that open onto walls, and stairs and corridors that lead to dead ends. Check website for prices and further information.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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