Coyote Creek Habitat Day Will Turn a Morning in Morgan Hill into a Living Classroom for South Bay Families

San Jose families seeking a meaningful way to spend a Saturday morning will find it at Coyote Creek Habitat Day on June 6. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coyote Creek Visitor Center near Anderson Lake in Morgan Hill, where the creek itself becomes the teacher and every participant gets to explore its secrets up close.

Interactive exhibitors will share the story of local watersheds while live wildlife makes appearances throughout the morning. Guests can choose a short bike ride along the trail, join a guided nature or bird walk, or settle in for mini chats with guest speakers who know the creek’s rhythms best. Those who prefer hands-on discovery can join the BioBlitz, play Agents of Discovery, or carefully examine an owl pellet to piece together what a predator ate the night before.

The day highlights everything that makes Coyote Creek special: its role as a vital habitat corridor, the diversity of species that call it home, and the simple power of spending time outdoors in a place that still feels wild. By the time the event wraps at 1 p.m., even the youngest explorers will carry home new questions and a stronger sense of why protecting these waterways matters.

Admission costs nothing, and the address at 19245 Malaguerra Avenue comes with a gentle nudge to walk, bike, carpool, or ride public transit when possible. Full details and any last-minute updates will appear on the event page, while questions can go directly to interp@prk.sccgov.org.

Makers Market Expands to Two Days at Santana Row for Mother's Day Weekend

Santana Row transforms into a showcase of regional talent this weekend as the Makers Market Local Artist Street Fair stretches across both Saturday and Sunday. Hours run from eleven in the morning until six in the evening at 378 Santana Row.

More than ninety five local artists and makers will line the tree shaded promenade with tables full of distinctive work. Visitors encounter handmade jewelry that feels personal, ceramics and pottery fired with intention, living plants and decor pieces, original paintings and prints, candles, woodworking, handbags, hats, stationery, pet accessories, apparel and dozens of other categories all produced in the Bay Area.

The Makers Market storefront in Suite 1120 remains open throughout, offering hundreds more American made products inside. Just outside the entrance, the DIY candle bar supplies everything needed to pour a custom non toxic soy and beeswax candle, turning a simple visit into a hands on keepsake experience.

The street fair returns every second Saturday of the month.

eBay Reinforces San Jose Commitment Through Strategic Office Consolidation

San Jose has secured another win for its corporate ecosystem as eBay opts to close the San Francisco office by the end of September and relocate 198 employees to the headquarters located at 2025 Hamilton Avenue.

This transition has brought together professionals spanning various departments, from senior directors and vice presidents to financial analysts and software engineers, all now anchored in San Jose.

The move has come amid broader workforce refinements at the company yet emphasizes a clear preference for the operational advantages available right here, including robust infrastructure and access to regional talent networks.

Source: SVBJ

Affordable Housing Will Rise from a Downtown San Jose Parking Lot to Strengthen the Urban Core

A 173-unit affordable housing project slated for a 1.3-acre surface parking lot at 143 South Third Street. The site sits between South Second and Third Streets, steps from the Paseo de San Antonio and the Hammer Theatre Center, where asphalt has long dominated instead of homes.

Sobrato Organization and Pacific West Communities have teamed up on the preliminary plan, which calls for 171 apartments reserved for extremely low, very low, and low-income households plus two market-rate units for on-site managers. The developers intend to use state streamlining provisions under SB 330 to move the project forward efficiently. Once complete, the buildings will house hundreds of new neighbors who will shop, dine, and gather in the surrounding plazas and streets.

Real estate observers have long argued that adding residents to the urban core helps create an authentic downtown over time. Land-use experts have welcomed the prospect of increased daytime and nighttime activity that comes with hundreds more people living right in the heart of the city. The Sobrato firm has owned the parcel since around 2010 and always envisioned high-density housing rather than perpetual parking, a vision now moving closer to reality.

This proposal reflects a broader shift in San Jose toward prioritizing homes over surface lots in the places where density makes the most sense. By delivering deeply affordable units in a walkable, transit-rich location, the project will support local businesses, reduce pressure on surrounding neighborhoods, and contribute to a more complete, equitable, and dynamic Downtown San Jose.

While it is a major downgrade from the high-rise projects originally planned for the site, it will be a big improvement over the empty parking lot in the middle of Downtown San Jose.

Source: The Mercury News

Melting Pot Fondue Plans a Return to San Jose

Tampa-based Melting Pot has targeted San Jose for a long-awaited return to the Bay Area, with plans to open by the end of the year. The chain previously operated locations in San Jose, San Mateo, and Larkspur before those sites closed, and company leaders now view the city as one of the strongest expansion opportunities in the region. The former San Jose location was where Paper Plane is today at 72 S. First Street and operated from 2005 to 2009.

Officials selected San Jose for its population density, family-focused demographics, and balanced age and income profile that matches the brand’s positioning as a go-to spot for special occasions. The company relies on data analysis tools to pinpoint markets, and San Jose consistently ranks at the top of their list over other California options.

A typical Melting Pot restaurant spans roughly 5,000 square feet, creates 35 to 70 jobs, and carries an average investment of $2.1 million. The brand already runs three California outposts in Sacramento, Thousand Oaks, and San Diego, and the new San Jose site would restore fondue dining to a city that has room for one or two locations, possibly including one in Downtown San Jose.

Those who recall the interactive cheese and chocolate experiences will welcome the return of curated fondues, fresh salads, wines, and spirits served in a lively social setting. The addition brings another distinctive dining choice that supports local hiring and enriches the city’s growing collection of celebration-worthy restaurants.

Source: SVBJ

213-Unit Mixed-Use Apartment Project Advances at Former Hotel Site in Buena Vista Near Downtown San Jose

San Jose residents seeking new housing options will celebrate the progress on a 213-unit rental complex proposed for West San Carlos Street in the Buena Vista neighborhood. The site, once eyed for a hotel, now shifts toward homes with ground-floor commercial space.

Plans call for 155 one-bedroom and 58 two-bedroom units, with about 5 percent set aside as affordable housing for low-income households. A modest 1,500 square feet of street-level retail will activate the sidewalk and support local commerce in this transitioning area.

Local South Bay executives own the property and have pivoted from hospitality to residential use, reflecting broader market realities and a clear priority on addressing housing demand. City staff stood ready to grant final approvals, moving the project from concept toward reality.

This development will deliver much-needed rental inventory while weaving commercial activity into the neighborhood fabric. By placing homes and shops together in Midtown, it strengthens walkability, supports small businesses, and contributes to a more complete urban environment that benefits everyone who lives and works in the city.

Source: The Mercury News

Sephora Adds Convenient Beauty Stop Near Downtown San Jose

Sephora announced plans for a new store at 519 Coleman Avenue inside the San Jose Market Center. Construction has progressed steadily, and the doors will open on June 5, placing premium cosmetics and beauty products roughly a mile north of Downtown San Jose.

This location marks the brand’s sixteenth in Silicon Valley and the first within five miles of Downtown San Jose. The nearest existing Sephora sits at Westfield Valley Fair, which straddles the San Jose and Santa Clara border, so residents on the north side will enjoy shorter drives and easier access for their favorite brands and new discoveries.

The San Jose Market Center already draws steady traffic with anchors such as Target, Marshalls, Michaels, and PetSmart. New dining additions including Supreme Crab, a Cajun seafood buffet, and Slice House by Tony Gemignani will give visitors even more reasons to linger before or after browsing the beauty aisles.

Sephora entered the U.S. market in 1998 and now operates more than 1,800 stores nationwide. California holds the largest share, representing about 13 percent of the company’s domestic footprint. The expansion aligns with San Jose’s retail strength, which a recent Marcus & Millichap report described as the least volatile Bay Area market and a beacon of stability compared with higher vacancy trends elsewhere in the region.

Source: SVBJ

Signia by Hilton San Jose Prepares an Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch at its Fountain Restaurant

San Jose families seeking a memorable way to honor mothers this spring will find the perfect setting at the Fountain Restaurant inside Signia by Hilton San Jose. The chef-curated brunch unfolds on Sunday, May 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and promises a refined progression of flavors in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

The experience opens with a vibrant spring salad and a generous seafood platter served tableside. Guests then select from standout entrées including Lobster Benedict, Steak Frites, Chicken & Waffles, Lamb Chops, or Atlantic Salmon before sharing a dessert course that features coconut mango rice pudding, mini cheesecakes, a flowing chocolate fountain, and additional sweet touches paired with bottomless mimosas.

All of this takes place in the warm, sophisticated atmosphere of the Fountain Restaurant, where attentive service and thoughtful details create space for connection and celebration. Pricing stands at $135 per adult and $50 per child. For reservations, click here.

Golden Ticket Excitement Lands in San Jose with Playful People Productions' Willy Wonka Jr.

Playful People Productions brings Willy Wonka Jr. to the Historic Hoover Theater this month. Four casts of young performers ages four to twelve will transform the classic tale of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into a live musical spectacle filled with songs, dancing, and imaginative sets. The production captures the spirit of creativity that makes our city a vibrant place for the arts.

Directors Alicia Sanders, Katie D'Arcey, and Shannon Santandrea have prepared these ensembles with care, supported by vocal directors Brian Kemper and Elaine Saum. Each group delivers its own fresh take on the story of Willy Wonka and his golden ticket contest. Audiences can expect to meet the endearing Charlie Bucket, his grandfather, and a cast of unforgettable characters who learn important lessons inside the factory.

The show highlights the joy of live theater right in San Jose, where local children develop confidence, teamwork, and artistic skills through programs like those offered by this nonprofit. Founded in 2010 and established as a 501(c)3 in 2017, Playful People Productions creates inclusive spaces that welcome participants of all backgrounds and even encourages families to perform together on stage.

Support from the City of San José Cultural Affairs grant and SVCreates underscores the value placed on arts education here. These efforts help position San Jose as a leader in nurturing young talent and building community through shared cultural experiences that everyone can enjoy.

Shows take place across several dates with the Lollipop, Gumdrop, Taffy, and Jelly Bean casts each offering unique performance times. The intimate Historic Hoover Theater at 1635 Park Avenue sets the stage for an evening or afternoon of laughter and wonder. Tickets cost $18 for youth twelve and under, $20 for students thirteen to seventeen, and $25 dollars for adults.

For tickets or more information, visit www.PlayfulPeople.org or call (408) 878-5362.

Square Pie Guys Brings Detroit-Style Pizza to Downtown San Jose, Slice of Homage Planning New Downtown Venue

Detroit-style pizza fans gained a strong new reason to visit San Pedro Square when Square Pie Guys opened inside San Pedro Social at the end of March. The Bay Area favorite brought its signature square pies with crispy, caramelized cheese edges right into the center of Downtown San Jose.

With several successful locations already operating across the region, Square Pie Guys expanded to its seventh spot after building momentum in Campbell. The team chose the San Pedro Square location specifically to experience how the brand connects with the steady crowds generated by events and the surrounding energy of Downtown.

They have taken up residence in the old Slice of Homage location (honestly my favorite pizza place of all time). The transition has opened the door for Slice of Homage to pursue a larger venue in Downtown San Jose. The popular pizzeria, which ran in the space for two and a half years, will return later this year with more room, parking, an expanded menu and a full bar to create an even better experience for guests.

Source: SVBJ, SVBJ (2)