San Jose hits a new milestone with the approval of a 540-unit mixed-use development at 3896 Stevens Creek Boulevard, the first under a policy designed to expedite large infill projects. This Holland Partner Group initiative replaces existing commercial structures on nearly five acres with two eight-story buildings featuring apartments, retail space, and ample open areas. The process took just eight months, a sharp contrast to the typical 20 months for similar reviews, demonstrating the city's commitment to efficient development.
The project includes 264 units in one building and 276 in the other, offering a range of studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms. While most cater to market rates, 27 units serve households at 50 percent of the area median income, addressing diverse needs. Located near transit in a designated growth area, the development meets criteria for fast-tracking, bypassing lengthy hearings and environmental reviews to get construction underway sooner.
This approval aligns with San Jose's goal to add 62,200 homes by 2031, tackling high costs that have slowed progress. By reducing barriers, the city encourages investment that boosts vibrancy along corridors like Stevens Creek. Residents gain from new retail options and community spaces, while the effort positions San Jose as a model for sustainable rapid expansion in California.
Source: The Mercury News
San Jose Unified School District advances plans for a 288-unit apartment complex at 760 Hillsdale Avenue, designed specifically for its employees. This initiative addresses the challenge of providing stable homes for teachers and staff amid rising living expenses. The development occupies a vacant parcel next to Highway 87, creating convenient access for those working in the area's education sector.
The project targets the missing middle group of workers who earn above limits for many subsidized options yet struggle with market rents. District leaders recognize that even top earners face barriers to comfortable living in the city. By converting unused land into residential space, the effort turns underutilized property into a community asset, aligning with San Jose's push to increase housing production.
Funding comes from a $1.15 billion bond approved by voters in November 2024, with $282.5 million allocated here. The site sits adjacent to the district's Silicon Valley Education Campus and near light rail lines, promoting easy commutes and sustainable growth. This setup ensures high-quality builds comparable to private developments, fostering retention of skilled professionals.
As San Jose works toward state-required annual housing targets of over 7,700 units, projects like this help close the gap. The apartments promise to draw and keep talented individuals committed to student success, enhancing San Jose's educational landscape and overall appeal.
For more details on the project, visit https://www.sjusd.org/
Source: The Mercury News
San Jose Mineta International Airport is launching the Safeland pilot program. This initiative partners with Bell-Dancy Industries and Signature Aviation to test autonomous air traffic management systems. Starting with drones to validate the technology, the program advances to larger electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOL), paving the path for safe air taxi operations in the Bay Area.
The collaboration creates a real-world testing environment at the airport, focusing on infrastructure that ensures reliability for future travelers. In the Capitol of Silicon Valley, SJC is positioning itself at the forefront of reimagining transportation. This can be seen both with VTOL and other forms of autonomous transportation to and from the airport such as Waymo and Tesla Robotaxis.
This specific program aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration's efforts to accelerate advanced air mobility across the United States. By hosting these tests, San Jose contributes to broader goals like short-range air taxis and automated flights for medical transport or emergency services. Residents and visitors alike stand to benefit from smoother, more accessible skies.
Source: SVBJ
Cielo has always been one of my favorite secret spots to take visitors up to when visiting Santana Row. It's hidden at the very top of Hotel Valencia and overlooks Plaza de Valencia with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. It's often open to enjoy the view, but is underutilized as a place to grab a drink or bite for most of the year. Fortunately, that is changing with it's very first Winter activation: Cielo Rooftop's Holiday Experience.
This reimagines Cielo as a cozy winter wonderland until January 10, 2026 featuring frosted pines, glowing fire pits, and plush seating draped in faux fur. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., the space creates an intimate outdoor retreat perfect for sipping drinks amid the city's soft evening lights. Closed on Sundays, Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, and it operates weather permitting.
The experience also features an exclusive partnership with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, highlighting bespoke cocktails, caviar pairings, and premium pours available by the glass or bottle. Menu selections include starters like butternut-coconut soup with vegetables or spicy chorizo croquettes, shared plates such as Spanish charcuterie with cheeses and cured meats, and entrees ranging from chickpea ratatouille with spinach and mozzarella to volcano lamb shank with spicy carrot puree with pickled red cabbage.
I was invited to sample the menu last week and thoroughly loved the experience. The warm butternut-coconut soup was perfect for a winter night and I would highly recommend having it with the optional braised beef. The spicy chorizo croquettes and volcano lamb shank are also a must. I practically licked the bone clean on the lamb.
Discovery Meadow has transformed into a radiant holiday spectacle with the DOCA Festival, spanning over five acres of illuminated displays. Open daily through January 4, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the event invites families and friends to wander through six distinct zones. Each area offers unique themes, from the snowy sparkle of White Christmas Wonderland with reindeer and twinkling lights to the vibrant Enchanted Jungle featuring giant caterpillars, dinosaurs, and the legendary Quetzalcoatl.
Visitors encounter more than 40 photo opportunities, including majestic 60-foot Christmas trees and surreal lightscapes inspired by deserts, gardens, and candy realms. The Golden Christmas zone glows with candlelit tunnels, while Cactus Mirage brings colorful creatures and Mexican motifs to life under the lights. Celestial Garden blooms with luminous flowers and zodiac trees, and Candy Wonderland delights with donut tunnels and ice cream-themed trees. These elements create immersive paths perfect for creating lasting memories in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Special evenings add extra charm, such as Christmas cosplay on December 25 and a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31. The venue accommodates all with wheelchair and stroller access, plus nearby parking and public transit options include VTA Light Rail or buses. This festival highlights Downtown San Jose's growing reputation as a seasonal destination, blending creativity and community spirit.
For tickets and more information, visit https://docafestival.com/
Downtown San Jose is offering a great incentive for shoppers this December with the Shop Small Downtown program from the San Jose Downtown Association. When you spend at least $150 at participating local businesses, you qualify for a $50 gift card in return. This promotion runs through December 24 and focuses on small shops, restaurants, and theaters that define the area's character. The gift card works at over 60 locations across Downtown, making it easy to keep the spending local and discover more spots.
Participating is straightforward. Collect your receipts from purchases made at eligible Downtown businesses starting from November 28. Once they total $150 or more, upload photos of them through the association's website for verification. If your entry is among the first 100 valid ones, the $50 gift card arrives soon after. Limited to one entry per person.
All valid entries, even beyond the first 100, go into a drawing for a grand prize. Two winners will each receive a $500 San Jose Downtown gift card at the promotion's end. By joining in, shoppers directly bolster the local economy and help sustain the unique businesses that make Downtown San Jose vibrant.
For details and to submit receipts, visit https://sjdowntown.com/shopdtsj I already got my $50 gift card (thanks to a great meal at Petiscos), now it's time to get yours!
The City of San Jose has launched its Holiday San Jose campaign to highlight the vibrant local retail scene and encourage everyone to support small businesses throughout the holiday period. This initiative features a comprehensive guide to 12 distinctive shopping districts across the city, showcasing more than 300 unique spots for shopping, dining, and gathering with loved ones. From family-owned boutiques to cozy eateries, these areas offer one-of-a-kind experiences that capture the essence of San Jose's diverse communities. The campaign builds on past efforts to promote economic vitality by directing attention to neighborhood gems often overlooked in favor of larger chains.
Participating in Holiday San Jose means investing directly in the city's future, as every purchase helps sustain jobs and contributes to the local economy. Dollars spent here circulate within the community, supporting entrepreneurs who bring cultural richness and innovation to San Jose. Neighborhoods like Winchester Row and Downtown San Jose stand out with their mix of historic charm and modern appeal, providing perfect settings for holiday outings. Business associations have collaborated to create maps and promotional materials that make it easy to explore these districts, whether on foot or by public transit.
Beyond shopping, the season comes alive with festive events that draw families and visitors alike. Christmas in the Park transforms Plaza de Cesar Chavez into a wonderland of lights and displays, running from late November through early January. History San Jose hosts the Children's Heritage Holiday on December 13, offering hands-on activities and cultural demonstrations for young attendees. For music lovers, the Holly Jolly Holiday event at Tech CU Arena on December 14 promises an entertaining performance to kick off celebrations.
Holiday San Jose also ties into broader recognition of the city as a top destination for seasonal cheer, with attractions like the Winchester Mystery House tours adding a touch of intrigue. Residents and tourists can plan staycations that include theater shows or outdoor skating, blending relaxation with discovery. The campaign reminds everyone that supporting local merchants strengthens the fabric of San Jose, paving the way for even more growth in the years ahead.
For the full guide and district details, visit https://www.sjeconomy.com/how-we-help/programs-and-services/holiday-san-jose
A vacant building at 374 South First Street in Downtown San Jose's SoFa district prepares for a new chapter with plans for a Vietnamese restaurant and rooftop deck. Once home to popular spots like Eulipia Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Stritch jazz club, and Mama Kin, the two-story structure from 1927 has recently (and sadly) stood empty. Now, entrepreneur Viet Nguyen and architect Abraham Zavala aim to fill it with vibrant dining across both floors, complete with a bar and seating areas connected by stairs and an elevator.
The restaurant draws inspiration from Nguyen's successful ventures, such as Gao Kitchen & Bar in San Mateo and San Francisco, alongside Ben Tre Vietnamese Homestyle Cuisine locations in Millbrae, South San Francisco, and San Francisco. This addition will bring authentic Vietnamese flavors to SoFa, wish several Instagram-worthy dishes. The 8,000-square-foot building will undergo a full interior transformation to create welcoming environments on each level.
Crowning the project, a new rooftop deck of 850 to 1,000 square will offer panoramic views while being set back from the street for seamless integration with the neighborhood. This will be the first eatery with a rooftop view in SoFA and I'm pretty sure it will be the first 3-story restaurant in San Jose. This type of multi-level restaurant and bar setup is very appropriate for the neighborhood, which ideally should be brimming with activity until closing time.
San Jose has greenlit up to 15 concerts annually at PayPal Park, expanding the city's largest outdoor venue into a key spot for live music. This decision opens doors for major acts to perform between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., adding to the limited options for large-scale shows in the area.
The concerts stand to invigorate the local economy through hundreds of jobs tied to event operations. Visitors from afar will fill hotels, while attendees head to nearby restaurants and bars before and after shows, creating a ripple effect. City leaders plan to track this impact using cellphone data, sales tax figures, and small business health metrics. Past events like those featuring electronic music artists near City Hall and in the SoFA District already attracted over 20,000 people, hinting at the potential for even greater activity around PayPal Park.
This development also promises to enhance Downtown San Jose, with spillover crowds exploring unique spots for dining and nightlife. As the region's biggest city, San Jose gains from these gatherings that foster community and draw attention to its evolving scene. The venue's location near retail areas could boost sales for businesses, as seen with a 15 percent increase during previous holiday events at the park.
To address potential issues, the city requires noise studies for the first two concerts and commits to monitoring effects on neighbors. Limits on the number of shows help balance excitement with resident comfort, ensuring adjustments if needed. Traffic concerns around exits like Coleman Avenue receive attention too, with hopes for smoother flow during events.
Overall, these concerts along with a future Levitt Pavilion in Downtown San Jose mark progress toward making San Jose a must-visit destination for music lovers.
Source: SVBJ
