New San Jose winery open for tastings 🍷

Yes, you read that correctly. A winery--not a wine bar or wine store--is open in San Jose. Now while we were never Napa, our region has been know to produce some quality grapes. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is actually based in San Jose but most if not all of the wine production is now done elsewhere. Like the orchards and farmland, real estate values make it highly impractical to have wineries in San Jose these days. However, there are still some rebels out there that are going to try.

In Evergreen if you keep following Quimby Road you will eventually fine a vineyard on the hillside called Bella Montagna. The owner, Victor Klee, sold his Vino Vino wine bars to focus on the new winery (I still miss the original San Pedro Square Market Vino Vino).

The land Bella Montagna sits on was once owned by the Mirassou family which were pioneers in the US winemaking industry. The 12-acre property was also once owned by the Bay Area Girl Scouts, who put it up for sale in 2001 after plans to turn it into a retreat didn't materialize. Now it's an actual vineyard and winery, in San Jose, in the year 2023.

Bella Montagna winery is currently making Sauvignon Blanc and Merlots which you can buy on their website over here. They also have a wine club and you can schedule weekend tastings by emailing info@bellamontagna.net.

I should also mention that the vineyard looks gorgeous. Up on a hill it has amazing view of Silicon Valley. Hopefully they will do tastings and events more regularly. For now you have to make a reservation via email. 

Source: The Merc

100 Things To Do In San Jose Before You Die - 2nd Edition

Welcome to the blog post that has stayed in "draft" the longest. I started writing this right as COVID had just started to spread and decided to table it until the pandemic was over. Then last year, life got crazy... so this has been in draft for over three years!

Five Eight years ago I read the first edition of Susannah Greenwood's "100 Things To Do in San Jose Before You Die." As a hardcore San Jose aficionado, I was shocked (and delighted) that I had only done 54 out of the 100 things to do in the book. There is so much to do and see in San Jose.

25% of the entries on the second edition are new, and the rest have been updates with extended tips. I have used the book as sort of a checklist to see how many I can do. The answer is 52. In the 2nd Edition I have been able to do 52/100.

Some of the new entries include:

• Hiking Mount Umunhum
• Having a picnic at the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve
• Bike, Blade, and Board at Viva CalleSJ
• Letting your taste buds travel with a Little Ethiopian in Little Ethiopia
• Indulge at Adega (I think this will be updated for the 3rd Edition)
• Pair farm-fresh food with gorgeous valley views at the Mount Hamilton GrandView Restaurant
• Celebrating the geekiest week of the year with Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day

...and many, many more. It's a great book and still very relevant, especially if you want to get the most out of the beautiful place where you live and uncover as many hidden gems and fun attractions as possible in your own home. San Jose is one of the most underrated cities in the United States, and this book will help explain why.

If I haven't been super clear, I highly recommend the 2nd edition (even if you have the first). You can get the book in paperback or Kindle form over here.

"In sitting down to revise the book, I thought a lot about San Jose, how it has and continues to change, as well as what a successful travel experience for me personally constitutes. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to 6 continents and I examined what my favorite places were and why they ranked so. Certainly natural beauty, history, cultural offerings and great weather all play a part in connecting one to a destination and creating a positive travel memory, but what it really comes down to for me, are the people. That is the x factor. The people you meet, at least in my experience, can leave as much of a lasting impression in many cases as the food or the views or the activities you engage in. The people you meet have the power to transform a moment into a story and create a shared experience that extends its impact well after you’ve returned home. In short; conversations create connection and that connection is ripe for the picking in San Jose.

They say it’s not about the destination - it’s the journey, but I think San Jose truly proves they’re both very much intertwined. The featured places and events in the book were especially selected to not only represent our culture and highlight our tremendous natural landscape, but to underscore our strong sense of community. Each of the entries certainly qualifies as a stand-alone adventure, but each of them also strives to put the participant directly in the path of our cities most magical asset; San Joseans. These are the places you’re most likely to strike up that all important conversation with the most passionate and knowledgeable secret tour guides, each genuinely eager to enhance and elevate your experience with additional history, tidbits, and previously undocumented advice. It’s less of a guide to physical places perhaps as it is a curation of potential conversations by which one can better understand and enjoy our awesome City.

Whether you're a first time visitor to this biggest little city in the heart of Silicon Valley, a regular traveler to the area, or a local this 2nd edition is a great catalyst to exploring what makes San Jose tick and getting to know the authentic San Jose." -Susannah Greenwood

Santa Clara County Fair

The Santa Clara County Fair is back with a vengeance today after a COVID-related hiatus. Instead of running for three or four days, it will do a full 10-day run for the first time in 25+ years.

Today there will be a VIP ribbon cutting around 2:30pm followed by a 7pm parade. Each day there will be entertainment such as live music, magic, and even a hypnotist. The list of events and exhibits are too long to mention, so check out the full schedule and get tickets over here.

Source: The Merc

San Jose Obon Festival in Japantown this weekend!

The San Jose Obon Festival 2023 is a celebration of Japanese culture and heritage that takes place every summer in the heart of San Jose's Japantown (one of only three remaining in the US). 

This year, the festival will be held on July 8th and 9th, from 11 am to 10 pm, and will feature traditional music, dance, food, crafts, games, and more. The highlight of the festival is the Obon Odori, a folk dance that honors the spirits of the ancestors. Everyone is welcome to join in the dance, which starts at 7:30 pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. 

The festival is organized by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin and is supported by many volunteers and sponsors. Come and experience the joy and beauty of Obon, a time to remember and celebrate our loved ones and our community.

This is the the largest annual festival in San Jose's Japantown and you can easily find it on 5th Street between Taylor and Jackson Streets. For more details, head over here.

Naglee Park PorchFest returns June 17th, 3-7pm

The Naglee Park PorchFest brought together the neighborhood during the pandemic and is now returning on June 17th. This event turns porches, driveways, and lawns into stages for bands. The Campus Community Association and Messenger events organizes the bands, food trucks, and bathrooms but the real party is being hosted by the neighbors of Naglee Park.

In it's inaugural year--Summer 2020--bands were loaded onto trucks and paraded through the neighborhood while neighbors watched on their lawn. This year they have grown to 10 bands in 10 different locations which you can find on the map below.

It all does down this Saturday from 3-7pm on 12-14th Streets just south of Santa Clara Street.

April 2023 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Read the APRIL 2023 Downtown Dimension
 
This month's highlights:

• SJDA's Street Life team plans to take strategic action that brightens downtown streets with enhanced lighting features meant to appeal to pedestrians, help them feel more comfortable and connect the more active parts of downtown that already exhibit nighttime vibrancy.
• Spirits are high as downtown's outdoor event season opens this month in San Jose with Viva Calle on April 23 and MACLA Family Art Day / SoFA Street Fair doubling up on April 30.
• Five ideas that would contribute to downtown's revitalization are winding their way through the City's budget process for Fiscal Year 2023-24, which begins in July.
• Brenda Zendejas assists with Business Resiliency in Downtown and Alum Rock areas.
• Javier Montoya becomes Groundwerx's first full-time painter.
• Hula Bar and Kitchen, which made its name with food trucks and as stadium food vendors, has opened its first full-time locations on East Santa Clara Street.

March 2023 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Read the MARCH  2023 Downtown Dimension
 
This month's highlights:

• A Downtown Vibrancy team of downtowners handed the Mayor and City Council  a list of recommendations of how downtown can improve, and the Council may consider some of them for additional funding in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 cycle. Four other teams dealing with other topics also had some downtown-related suggestions.  They are all outlined in the March edition.
• In keeping with the vibrancy theme, San Jose Downtown Association will host a Town Hall Meeting March 9 starting at 4:30 p.m. at Open San Jose, 38 S. Second St. Please attend to learn more about SJDA and how you can get involved in creating a more robust downtown. Register here.
• The other theme of the March edition is about downtown businesses that are going "all in:"
  • Cafe Eden and The Loft are back in business after prolonged closures due to Covid and its lingering effects. Their owners explain what got them back in the game.
  • New-businesses Slice of Homage pizza and Little Wine House, both grew from pandemic-related roots and feature chefs who spent their years of seclusion wisely in training.  
  • And "Littlest Little Italy" (Say that fast three times in a row!) just opened. It divides the 5,000-square-foot, former Enoteca La Storia restaurant into five businesses that pair very well with one another. 
• Say hello to Mark Michaud, who returned to San Jose and has made his mark in a very short time on keeping downtown clean with Groundwerx. 

Please share this subscription information with your neighbors and employees so they can stay up-to-date on downtown business news and information of general interest through Downtown Dimension:

• Click on E-News at the top of SJdowntown.com;
• Click on "Subscribe" near the bottom of most Web pages on SJdowntown.com, or
• Send an email to rjensen@sjdowntown.com with the subject: "Subscribe."

February 2023 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Read the FEBRUARY 2023 Downtown Dimension   This month's highlights: San Jose Downtown Association CEO Alex Stettinski has had a very busy and active first months and likes what he has seen so far of downtown San Jose.  Looking ahead, he's ready to take more important steps toward an improved and more prosperous center city. Downtown city council rep Omar Torres, who was sworn into his elected position in January, answers our questions in the tradition of our incoming District 3 representatives. To keep up with the times and bring news and information to downtown businesses and more downtown audiences, Downtown Dimension will make a transition to an all-digital format starting this spring. Workingman's Emporium is making plans to move. That store and its owner, Gary Wing, have seen it all after 54 years in downtown. Thang Le, owner of several local Lee's Sandwiches locations, is modernizing the menu and concept for a new generation of customers. Like so many Groundwerx Clean Team members, Joel Ramirez went beyond the call of duty during the recent storms to keep downtown "ship-shape." Please be sure you click through to read this edition! Business owners and subscribers: Please share this subscription information with your neighbors and employees so they can stay up-to-date on downtown business news and information of general interest. To subscrbe: Click on E-News at the top of SJdowntown.com; Click on "Subscribe" at the bottom of most Web pages on SJdowntown.com, or Send an email to rjensen@sjdowntown.com with the subject: "Subscribe."

January 2023 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Download the JANUARY 2023 Downtown Dimension.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:

• Downtown Property Owners approved more Clean and Safe services starting in 2023 and Dimension reports on what has already happened and what is planned as Groundwerx ramps up services.
• SJDA Board President Alan "Gumby" Marques writes a letter of hope and optimism for the new year.
• San Jose's City Council approved an extension of incentives for developers to build more residences downtown over the next seven years.
• Restaurateurs Carlos and Fernanda Carreira have ventured into the nightclub business with Noite, on the second floor above their SoFA restaurant Petiscos
• Entrepreneurs continue to invest in downtown. This time, it's The Selfie Spot, a special place to be creative.
• Groundwerx safety ambassador Victoria Manzanares shows how taking the initiative pays off.

December 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Download the December 2022 Downtown Dimension.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• Raul Peralez reflects on eight years as San Jose's downtown councilmember.  "What we avoided was our biggest win for downtown San Jose," he says.  Find out what that is.   
• Lights are on along a key block of South Second Street as a collective of non-profits unlock the doors of Open San Jose.
• Restaurateurs continue to invest in downtown San Jose. Introducing the owners of Mommy's Banh Mi, Casa Guzmania and Egghead Sando Cafe.
• Sandy Gomez changed the trajectory of her career much to the benefit of downtown when she joined Groundwerx.
• Aloha Downtown Skate joins Christmas in the Park and Winter Wonderland at the top of the list of downtown events continuing through this month.

November 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The November 2022 Downtown Dimension is available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• During a month of transition -- the first of its kind at the San Jose Downtown Association -- our new CEO Alex Stettinski absorbed as much as he could from Outgoing CEO Scott Knies, who wrapped up as much as he could.  
• At the Annual Meeting Oct. 14, Stettinski expressed his excitement about coming to San Jose and a promise to give downtown his all.  And in his final State of the Downtown speech, Knies provided a list of things that have taken up his time and still have not been completed.
• Look for a new holiday tradition on skates and in the Circle of Palms when Aloha Downtown Roller Rink opens Nov. 19.
• Other traditional events return downtown for the holidays, including Christmas in the Park and Winter Wonderland.  In November, just about every arts group has something to offer for audiences of all kinds.  
• The entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive in downtown San Jose, where several businesses have recently opened.  Have a look at the thoughts and dreams of owners of Ashy Aromas, Suerte Eatery, Tiny Keyboard Shop and Woofboard.  The list is even longer, so look for more openings in our next edition.

October 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The October 2022 Downtown Dimension is available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• BART has made much progress this past month on its plans to bore under downtown to build stations along its line down Santa Clara Street to the City of Santa Clara.
• Caltrain moved to the front of the line, claiming "dibs" on 1.1 million square feet of office development on land it owns in front of Diridon Station.
• This year's Annual Meeting will be unique.  We provided a link in the pdf you can link to for easy access to voting for Board members and to fill out the end-of-year survey.  The electronic version of Dimension should have more links in the future.
• Celebrate a new batch of Downtown Doors.
• Learn more about Christina Ruiz doing what it takes to earn a nod as Groundwerx Employee of the Month
• San Jose Marriott has a new owner, part of a huge nationwide transaction of resort and upscale urban hotels.
• ABVE the Basics shows how to take over a kitchen to cook up modern Mexican food.
• Businesses can buy transit passes for all its employees for a year and be reimbursed from the City Department of Transportation
• Take a look back at our regular From the Archives feature, which offers glimpses at what was going on 10, 20, 25 and 30 years ago in downtown San Jose.

California's Great America plans for 2023

Earlier this year, we got the sad news that Great America will be closing it's doors permanently at some point this decade. Fortunately, it appears that the theme park is going to make the most of it's remaining few years.

2023 has a full lineup of events and the park will be open for weekends all year long. New for 2023 will be a PEANUTS Celebration in April featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Friday Nights at Great America will welcome live bands, food, and drinks. Red, White & Brews is a hometown celebration of Americana food and drinks with local beers and wines. Tricks and Treats is a toned down version of Halloween Haunt that is family friendly (no mazes or haunted houses unfortunately). Last but not least is WinterFest in November and December.

For all of the 2023 details, continue reading the press release below.

California’s Great America Plans Expanded Lineup of Events and New Attractions for 2023; Will Be Open for Weekends All Year

SANTA CLARA, CA (August 11, 2022) – California’s Great America, the region’s premier amusement park, is planning an exciting 2023 season that will include an expanded lineup of events, live shows, new attractions, thrilling rides, kid-sized fun and waterpark adventures. And the park will be open for weekends all year long beginning in January.

As part of the expanded calendar and additional operating days in 2023, the park is planning a full slate of new and returning events:

• PEANUTS Celebration (select dates in April) – New in 2023, the PEANUTS Gang comes out to play in a big way with this limited-time, special event where Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang will take over the entire park. Fans of all ages are invited to join the excitement with new live shows, Instagrammable moments, and activities for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park. 
• Friday Nights at Great America (select Fridays, March to November): Returning for another season, guests can enjoy the best night of the week with live bands, amazing food, tasty drinks and favorite rides.
• Red, White & Brews (Select dates in June to July 4th): Join this hometown celebration of Americana food and fun as Great America's Hometown Square comes to life with live entertainment, gourmet food and locally sourced beer and wine. And there will be plenty of games and activities for the whole family.
• Carnivale at Orleans Place (Select dates in July): Immerse yourself in this larger-than-life New Orleans festival featuring bold Cajun flavors, Big Easy Live Bands, and ending with the Spectacle of Color Parade featuring a host of Mardi Gras floats. A dance party and spectacular fireworks high over Orleans Place finish off the evening. Let the good times roll!
• Tricks and Treats (Select dates in September and October): Halloween at Great America is as spook-tacular as ever. Tricks and Treats features all the Halloween fun and no fright. Guests of all ages will find ghastly great things to do as they choose their own path to follow through the lands of Icky Ville, Spooky Spires, Everfall and Sweet Tooth Acres. We invite the whole family to dress up for costume parties, play game shows, dance with spooky characters, and enjoy boo-licious food and drinks.
• WinterFest (Select dates in November and December): The Bay Area’s most immersive holiday event returns this year, sparkling brighter than ever before. WinterFest brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America as the park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival.

In addition to this full calendar of fun events for 2023, park guests can also enjoy the recently expanded and upgraded All-American Corners area. It includes The Corner Notes musical song and dance show, expanded food options and two classic rides. Liberty Twirler is a brand-new spin on a classic midway ride that has been thrilling guests for decades. Long-time guests of Great America will instantly recognize Orbit, which spins back into action as part of the expanded area.

Park-goers will continue to enjoy the value of two parks for the price of one when they experience the thrilling slides and refreshing splashes of South Bay Shores waterpark – included with park admission. Featuring exciting water attractions, diverse and delicious food locations, premium cabanas and shaded lounge areas, South Bay Shores reflects the unique character of the South Bay region.

“California’s Great America is in the business of delivering fun and lifelong family memories. With our expanded operating calendar in 2023, guests will have more opportunities than ever to experience all that Great America has to offer,” said Barb Granter, general manager. “Between our exciting and expanded events lineup, thrilling and family-friendly rides, and everything our guests love about South Bay Shores waterpark, there’s something for everyone.”

Enjoy unlimited visits for the rest of 2022 plus all of the excitement planned in 2023 with a 2023 Gold Pass. You'll get visits to Great America, South Bay Shores, the new Tricks and Treats, WinterFest, exclusive discounts, and more. 2023 Gold Season Passes are now available for the lowest price of the year – as low as $95 or 11 payments of only $7, after initial payment plus fees. A season pass pays for itself in fewer than two visits. Purchase a Gold Pass between August 11 – 14 and enjoy one free Fast Lane to be used one day this fall. For more information and to purchase a 2023 season pass, please visit here.

About California’s Great America

California’s Great America is a 115-acre theme and waterpark located in Santa Clara, California. As Northern California’s premier amusement park, featuring thrill rides, live entertainment, and South Bay Shores waterpark, California’s Great America is the top destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. 

About Cedar Fair Entertainment Company

California’s Great America is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a publicly traded partnership and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. For more information, see www.cedarfair.com. 

September 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The September 2022 Downtown Dimension is available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• Learn about startup development company Nabr's plans for SoFA, starting with three towers of condos and breaking ground on the first 140 units this winter.
• Progress being made on BART design improvements to proposed lines under downtown San Jose.
• Juan Carlos Aguirre's background fits perfectly into his new assignment with SJDA as Community Engagement Manager, 
• Groundwerx Employee of the Month Jesse Velo is an ardent supporter of public transportation, resulting in a thorough knowledge of downtown that comes in handy when visitors request directions.
• SJDA's street life team creates an urban botanical garden.
• 1 Culture art store joins eclectic lineup of businesses along the block of East Santa Clara Street between Third and Fourth streets
• Do you have an idea for a community event or public activation? Apply this month for the Mayor's Abierto program, a celebration of the city's post pandemic re-opening.

August 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The August 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• Meet Alex Stettinski, SJDA's next CEO, who answers some questions about his experiences in Southern California and Reno and how they could relate to his work starting soon in San Jose.
• The downtown event schedule for August includes some of San Jose's biggest festivals, and the total audience could approach 200,000.
• Business news includes a switch for 3Below, which plans to hold a musical Up on the Roof in August; and Serious Dumpling co-owner Phebe Shen, who worked through the first two years of the pandemic to create the menu and concept for her new and popular restaurant on San Pedro Square. 
• Groundwerx Employee of the Month Rico Montenegro wakes up every morning at 2 a.m. and pressure-washes downtown's city blocks before most people wake up.

July 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The July 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• PBID renewed by overwhelming majority
• Message from the president
• Dine Downtown returns July 21-31
• Council votes to remove parking mandates
• Groundwerx Employee of the Month is Safety Ambassador Dominic Asberry
• Al Fresco dining extended on San Pedro & Post 
• New business openings include Mama Kin, Serious Dumpling, and Scratch Cookery

June 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The June 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• Housing mix planned for SoFA
• Event season heats up
• Chloe Shipp named SJDA Deputy Director
• Marketing committee gets real
• Groundwerx Employee of the Month is Safety Ambassador Stephen Crozier
• SP Social is a hit
• Natural Do opens on South First

May 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The May 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• Public Meeting on Homelessness Draws Big Audience
• May is #dtsj Loves Month
• PBID Renewal Ballots are Out
• Groundwerx Employee Luis Martinez Looks Forward to Next Fanime
• Signia by Hilton Now Open
• Fox Tale Fermentation Soft Opening Draws Big Crowds
• Axe Throwing is Catching on

April 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The April 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• SJDA CEO Search is On
• New Day for Farmers' Market 
• Music in the Park Under New Management
• Cinequest’s Cinejoy Opens
• Groundwerx Employee Joel Ramirez is also a Competitive Dancer
• Con Azucar Cafe Finds Sweet Spot 
• SJDA Public Meeting on Homeless Solutions is April 15

March 2022 Downtown Dimension Highlights

The March 2022 Downtown Dimension is now available for download.
 
This month's newsletter highlights:  

• As winter turns to spring, signs of hope and optimism bloom in downtown San Jose.
• SJDA's February meeting was rich with PBID Renewal information.  Here are 10 things good for property owners, businesses and residents to know from that meeting.
• Angelina Lopez shares her path to Groundwerx and her Employee of the Month honor.  
• Meet Lauren Nuttall, SJDA's Events and Promotions Coordinator.
• The Carlysle by Acquity Realty is the latest in a long line of developments receiving fee waivers.
• More signs of progress -- new retail, fitness and service businesses.