MLV NorCal Chooses Tech CU Arena as Home Court for 2027

San Jose will serve as the official home city for MLV NorCal when the professional women’s volleyball team begins play in 2027. The announcement came Monday at a community event at San Pedro Square Market, where Mayor Matt Mahan joined founding owner Kerri Walsh Jennings and team president Heather Vaughan.

Tech CU Arena on South 10th Street will host the matches. The venue already serves as home ice for the San Jose Barracuda and offers an intimate setting well suited to volleyball. Walsh Jennings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and San Jose native, described the city as home and expressed excitement about building a team the community can claim as its own.

The franchise belongs to a women-founded and women-led league that will expand to additional markets in 2027. Mayor Mahan noted that San Jose has recently added professional women’s soccer and hockey and now volleyball, calling the city a growing capital for women’s sports.

Fans can secure a Founding Season Ticket Holder deposit of $31, a figure that honors California’s place as the 31st state. The official team name, branding, and inaugural campaign will be revealed next month.

This addition gives Northern California its first professional indoor volleyball franchise and adds another live-sports option in the heart of the city.

Source: MLV

New Indian Restaurant Planned for Historic Hotel De Anza

A new dining concept from the team behind several acclaimed Bay Area Indian restaurants is taking shape inside the Hotel De Anza. Restaurant entrepreneur Ayesha Thapar and chef Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan have secured a state liquor license for a full-service restaurant and bar at 233 West Santa Clara Street.

The pair operate through the Cal-India Collective and already run Eylan in Menlo Park, Ettan in Palo Alto, Little Blue Door in Los Altos, and Copra in San Francisco. Gopinathan previously earned two Michelin stars at Campton Place. Their approach blends authentic Indian techniques with California seasonality and local ingredients.

Construction is underway in the space just left of the hotel’s West Santa Clara Street entrance. The name of the forthcoming restaurant has not yet been announced. The project arrives as the Art Deco landmark continues a broader renovation that includes refreshed interiors, the Palm Terrace, the Hedley Club, and exterior painting that returns the tower to its 1990s color scheme.

Hotel co-owners Dhaval Panchal and Sean Curtis purchased the 100-room property in 2024 and have steadily reinvested in the building. The addition of a high-caliber restaurant strengthens the hotel’s role as both a lodging and gathering place in Downtown San Jose.

Source: SiliconValley.com

CityView Retail Moves Forward While Housing Plans Shift to New Construction in Downtown San Jose

Construction has started on the retail phase of Jay Paul Company’s CityView project at the corner of Park Avenue and Almaden Boulevard in Downtown San Jose. The first phase will deliver roughly 35,000 to 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space beneath a new parking garage, with completion targeted for early 2028.

The retail mix is still taking shape. Planners are exploring shops, restaurants, health and wellness businesses, and child-care options, with ongoing conversations about whether a smaller-format grocery could fit. Jay Paul has also talked with San Jose State University about letting students use dining credits at future CityView eateries, aiming to serve office workers, nearby residents, convention visitors, and campus traffic.

On the residential side, the company has decided to pursue ground-up construction rather than converting existing office buildings. Seismic retrofit costs for conversion proved nearly as expensive as new builds, so the team is now designing purpose-built housing with architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz. The change allows better layouts tailored specifically for apartments.

These steps keep momentum going on a large mixed-use block that sits near 200 Park and the convention center. As the retail spaces fill and residential designs firm up, the project will add more daily activity to the streets of Downtown San Jose... we'll just need a little bit of patience.

Source: SVBJ

MLV NorCal Fan Fest Lands at San Pedro Square Market Today

San Pedro Square Market will host a free family-friendly celebration this afternoon as MLV NorCal introduces itself to the community. The Fan Fest runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, August 24, with interactive volleyball activities, giveaways, free soft serve, and a Create & Clip station.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings is scheduled to appear alongside San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and members of the MLV NorCal roster. Organizers plan to share a milestone update about the team’s future and its planned 2027 inaugural season.

The first 200 fans to arrive will receive a free MLV NorCal hat. Parking is available at the nearby garage on North Market Street. The event is organized in partnership with the San Jose Sports Authority, the City of San Jose, Visit San Jose, and the Chamber of Commerce.

This gathering marks an early chance for local residents to meet the new professional volleyball franchise and learn more about its plans for the region.

Source: MLV

Free Concerts Keep the Energy High at St. James Park This Summer

Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose continue filling St. James Park with free live music through September, giving Downtown San Jose another strong summer of outdoor performances while plans for a permanent pavilion move forward. The series already draws families, friends, and neighbors for afternoons that mix quality artists, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and activities for kids.

This Sunday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m., the park shifts into salsa mode with Los Calderones as headliners and DJ Leydis opening the evening with salsa dance instruction. The Bay Area Cuban Afro-Latin funk band, led by trombonist and arranger Obrayan Calderon, blends reparto energy with urban and traditional Latin sounds for an explosive set that invites the whole crowd onto the lawn. MACLA co-presents the night, adding another layer of cultural connection to the program.

The schedule still holds a few more strong dates after that. Tomorrow, August 16, The Purple Ones deliver a Prince tribute with a Michael Jackson versus Prince DJ set to open the afternoon. On September 6 the series closes at St. James Park with Peach Tree Rascals, co-presented by CUKUI. Two additional “Levitt on Location” shows land at Cypress Pavilion at Lake Cunningham later this month and next.

All of these concerts stay free and open to every age. Bring a blanket or chair, grab something from the food trucks, and settle in for an easy evening. The music keeps rolling, and St. James Park remains one of the simplest ways to spend a late-summer Sunday in the city.

More details, volunteer opportunities, and the full remaining schedule live at www.levittsanjose.org.

Mayor Mahan Tests Joby Air Taxi Simulator at San Jose Mineta International Airport

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan took the controls of a Joby Aviation flight simulator at Mineta International Airport on August 18, the day before National Aviation Day. Inside a blue trailer parked near the XO sculpture at Terminal B, he completed a vertical takeoff, a series of turns around the airport area, and a smooth landing in roughly ten minutes.

The mobile simulator gives visitors a 120-degree view of what it feels like to pilot Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. San Jose Mineta became the first airport in the United States to host the unit, which remained available for public sessions through August 21. Reservations were handled through a simple online calendar.

Joby, based in Santa Cruz, aims to begin commercial passenger flights in 2027 once it receives final FAA certification. Company leaders described the airport visit as a way to let local residents experience the technology before service arrives. The mayor noted that electric air taxis could help ease congestion by offering an alternative to ground travel in a region where new roads are costly and difficult to build.

The short demonstration highlighted both the accessibility of the technology and San Jose’s growing role as a testing ground for next-generation mobility.

Source: The Mercury News

Arena Green East will host another full-day outdoor music event on Sunday, August 23, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Noise Complaints party features performances by OhGeesy and Karri along with additional artists in an open-air setting.

The gathering is designed as an open-format dance event across the park space near the Guadalupe River and Little Italy. General admission is open to ages 18 and older, while VIP access is limited to 21 and older and includes expedited entry, private bars, and improved stage views.

This show follows the Chris Lake daytime party at the same venue the previous afternoon, giving the park two consecutive days of electronic and hip-hop energy. Production elements include large screens and strong sound systems suited to the outdoor environment.

Tickets are available in tiered general admission and VIP options, with all sales final. The event runs rain or shine and continues the recent use of Arena Green East for larger music gatherings in the heart of the city.

Tickets and full details can be found on the Eventbrite page for Noise Complaints San Jose.

New Routes and Premium Carrier Talks Expand Options at San Jose Mineta International Airport

San Jose Mineta International Airport continues adding connections that match the region’s travel patterns. Southwest Airlines will introduce nonstop flights to Orlando beginning November 21, giving local travelers a direct holiday-season link to one of the country’s top leisure destinations. Delta Air Lines will follow with daily nonstop service to Austin starting October 6, creating the only premium-cabin option between the two tech hubs.

At the same time, SJC is holding exploratory discussions with Magnifica Air, an Orlando-area startup planning an ultra-premium “private service” model. The carrier intends to operate Airbus aircraft configured for as few as 44 to 54 passengers, featuring larger cabins, private suites on some aircraft, expedited processes, and amenities designed to sit between traditional first class and full private-jet travel. Magnifica Air has listed San Jose among potential early markets for its phased 2027-2028 launch.

These developments arrive as the airport also seeks proposals for a 15-acre site that could support additional aviation services such as a fixed-base operator. The combination of new leisure and business routes plus interest from a specialized premium carrier points to growing demand from Silicon Valley travelers who want both convenience and elevated experiences.

The added Orlando and Austin flights will open more straightforward options for families, business travelers, and weekend trips. Anyone planning ahead can already book the upcoming Delta and Southwest services through the airlines’ websites.

Source: SVBJ

Chris Lake Takes Over Arena Green East in Downtown San Jose for Daytime House Party

Arena Green East will host a full-day outdoor house music event on Saturday, August 22, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chris Lake headlines the lineup alongside Murda Beatz and Jackie Hollander at the open-air venue near the Guadalupe River and Little Italy.

The gathering is billed as a daytime party with big house energy and open-air vibes across the park space. Entry is limited to ages 18 and older, with a valid government-issued ID required. The event runs rain or shine and marks a notable activation of Arena Green East for this style of electronic music gathering.

Fans can expect a multi-hour set list in a setting that combines park space with nearby neighborhood energy. Tickets remain available through the event page for those planning to attend the afternoon-into-evening session.

This stop forms part of Chris Lake’s ongoing tour schedule and brings a high-profile electronic act to a central San Jose location for the first time in this format.

Tickets and additional details are available at the Eventbrite listing for the show.

Hijau Coffee Opens Permanent Spot with Indonesian Flavors on West San Carlos

After two years as a farmers market pop-up, Hijau has opened its first brick-and-mortar café at 1432 West San Carlos Street, Suite 70. Owners Lisa Maria and Ryan Prawiradjaja held a soft opening on August 13 and now serve customers Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends until 4 p.m.

Maria, whose parents roasted coffee in West Java, wanted to bring more Indonesian flavors to the Bay Area. The menu features three signature lattes: pandan with notes of coconut and vanilla, nastar inspired by pineapple tarts, and klepon drawing from the green coconut-rice dessert. Coffee is sourced from Indonesia, and the space includes batik textiles and teak furniture that reflect the couple’s heritage.

The path from pop-up tables at the Rose Garden and De Anza farmers markets to a permanent counter involved significant permitting and inspection costs that totaled around $27,000. The pair paused market appearances in late spring to focus on the build-out.

Hijau adds a distinctive coffee option to the midtown corridor and expands the city’s range of Southeast Asian culinary voices. Regular hours are now in effect for anyone ready to try the tropical-inspired drinks.

Source: The Mercury News