WASHINGTON, January 15, 2012—Cold weather envelops the Mid-Atlantic, sending serious thoughts of visiting the Pacific Coast through ones mind. But forget San Francisco, L.A., or even San Diego. The destination for those in the know is San Jose.

And I know the way; And the why.

San Jose, known as both the Capital of Silicon Valley and the Birthplace of Innovation due to the number of hi-tech innovators in the area, provides an excellent business , vacation stay or California gateway destination.

Nestled among the mountains beneath the San Francisco Bay, San Jose offers plenty of everything for everyone. As a leisure or business destination, San Jose makes it easy for the traveler. The city offers near perfect year-round weather, a friendly “small-town” feel, unique museums, adventure and outdoor recreation on land and on sea, and entertainment and business amenities to rival much larger cities.

All this without the crushing traffic and congestion of its bigger city neighbors to the north or south.

From the High Mountain and Low Valley wineries, the Pacific Coast of Santa Cruz or the raw beauty of the Monterrey Bay, one asks, “What’s not to like? “ Making it all the more palatable, the city is easy to get in and out of thanks to Mineta San Jose Airport. A “downtown airport,” SJC is located amongst the residential communities just outside of downtown San Jose.

Savvy travelers know to ask if the hotel has “green policies,” or to seek out restaurants that provide local, sustainable, organic foods, but how often do we think of the airports we choose as anything more that a place to get into, and out of?

San Jose Airport blows the standard concept of a modern mega transportation hub out of the ball park with a Leeds Silver Certified facility that is clean, well organized, and easy to navigate. It is also an oddly pleasant place to spend time.

A recent $1.4 billion dollar renovation included upgrading windows and insulation in surrounding homes to help muffle the sounds of the planes. The airport’s design keeps its city proximity, neighboring communities, the airlines, and, most importantly, the traveler in mind.

The casual traveler through SJC will not know about the state-of-the-art baggage handling system or the efforts made to rebuild the airport as a certified green environment with efficient TSA/Security Gate, recycling programs, ground water/gray water management, and innovative gate desk management.

But they might recognize the world-class art installations and will enjoy the dramatic spaces washed in bright light. Comfortable waiting area chairs with electric plugs in the armrests allow easy charging of computers and cell phones eliminating the need to battle for the one or two outlets located at the base of a wall. The traveler will appreciate the sense of space and fresh air, and the easy-to-navigate facility that leaves those moving through the airport feeling not overwhelmed, but at ease.

They will know that from getting off the plane to the short trip via public transportation or rental car downtown that it was all serenely easy.

Simply, if every airport were this pleasant, offering fast, free Wi-Fi and efficient, easy-to-read signage to get travelers where they are going, all wrapped in a comfortable and clean environment, air travel would be far less oppressive.

From the airport to downtown San Jose is a quick five- to ten-minute trip, made easy for those comfortable with public transportation or renting a car. Not to be outdone by its excellent airport, the city named San Jose airport director William Sherry, who also headed the redesign of the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, as CEO of “Team San Jose.” Mr. Sherry is responsible for the proposed expansion and renovation of the McEnery Convention Center, and for keeping the beautifully refurbished Montgomery Theater and the c.1927 California Theater Opera House.

Originally opened as a vaudeville theater and film house, the California Theater has been closed for over three decades. The intimate 1,100 seat auditorium theater was meticulously restored. Heavy iron and intricately glassed chandeliers and plaster ornamentation were returned to their former glory, creating a grand opera house that offers patrons an elegant environment steeped in plush, old-world opulence.

The Convention Center, Montgomery Theater, and California Theater House are all located around the Plaza de Cesar Chavez, which provides a center square for residents and visitors alike to meet and mingle, and serves as an outdoor entertainment space for Jazz Festivals, farmers’ markets and other events that are held during the year.

For the visitor, the Plaza is a place to spend time and absorb the culture of San Jose, a culture as diverse as the food choices. From Henry’s Hi-Life to the San Pedro Square Market, San Jose’s casual dining is plentiful and sometimes excellent.Set in the Guadalupe River Gardens, a working class neighborhood of San Jose, Henry’s Hi-Life has patrons standing four to five deep at the bar while waiting for a table in the bustling dining room. Once taken, food orders are served quickly.

Featured on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food, the ribs are not the best, the service is hurried, the food mass prepared, but the vibe is exciting and the building, originally built as the Torino Hotel in 1900, is fun to visit. The real draw for Henry’s is the working class bar, where it is worth the effort to claim a seat at the rail.

Just opened this fall, San Pedro Square is set within the downtown dining and nightlife Mecca where people stroll the streets, window shop, and seek out the quirkiness of San Jose.

Visiting prior to the Square’s opening, it was great fun to imagin the people enjoying this space created through re-use and re-vitalization of objects such as the old Dodge truck that we were told would become and Ice Cream wagon.  If you visit, let me know if that happened. 

The 50,000 square-foot market is composed of refurbished existing structures. It creates an environment that pays homage to the famous Pike Street Market located farther north up the Pacific Coastline in Washington State.

The building opens up to allow for fresh air shopping from food and crafted items; there is even an old fashioned barbershop, Crewners, a full-service one-chair barbershop that integrates vintage décor with modern service. Check out the refurbished antique chair before you settle down for a trim and a shave.

Do not miss Vino Vino Wine Bar. Take a minute to notice the furnishings and bar, made from heritage woods and wine barrels.

San Pedro Marketplace is also home to the historic Peralto Adobe house, built in the 1790s. This small adobe structure is the only original structure from San Jose’s founding days that still exists.

While casual dining is plentiful, beautiful cuisines that rely on local, seasonable fresh meats and produce can also be found.

Citrus, at the Hotel Valencia on the hoity Santana Row, offers the extraordinary creations of Chef Robert Sapirman (restaurant review is here). A modern restaurant, the menu reflects the desires of the eclectic diner, featuring variety ranging from hearty steaks to the Chef’s light Pacific halibut and papadrelle pasta.

A boutique property with national acclaim, the Hotel Valencia features 212 elegantly outfitted rooms and suites. Situated on Santa Row, guests are able to enjoy the upscale amenities, and service while staying just moments from the city’s hottest entertainment, shopping, and dining.

San Jose’s mountainous wine region changed my opinion on California wines. Tours of vineyards such as Ridge Vineyards and Cooper Garrod estate vineyards, nestled in the Santa Cruz mountain range, will make you a believer.  

The warm sunny days, moderate climates at night, sea salted winds from the Pacific and the long growing season of the Santa Cruz Mountains create the crisp, clean wine - devoid of the loamy tastes that you find in the lower regions - that I prefer (with an emphasis on I, as every persons wine preferences are singular to them).

Visiting Ridge Vineyards with master winemaker Paul Draper, I found not only a Chardonnay that was clean and crisp, without a strong oak overtaste, but the Monte Bello Cabernet is one of the best I have ever encountered.  

Prior to heading for the hills, walk around the corner from Hotel Valencia and spend some time at Vintage Wine Bar, where bar manager, and other masters of the grape vine, stand at the ready to introduce you to regional, domestic and international wines.

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Also Read

Dining with Chef Robert Sapirman, Citrus at Hotel Valencia, San Jose

Follow this RSS feed or check back for additional reviews of San Jose vineyards, Monterrey Bay, Cannery Row and the Santa Cruz region. 

 

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