I get asked a lot, “what’s there to do in San Jose?”

I’ll be honest, as someone who grew up here and currently lives in the suburbs, sometimes I forget how cool San Jose can be.  It’s the heart of the Silicon Valley so it’s thriving with jobs and I feel like in the past 5 years, San Jose is trying to renovate and keep up with San Francisco.

One of the places that is my go-to in SJ has got to be Santana Row.  It’s filled with high-end shops, restaurants, bars, and if you really want to, you can live there too!  It’s so nice when the weather is warm because you can take your dog out and just go for a stroll.  Events happen pretty often, so check back often because there’s always something to do while you there.  If you’re new to Santana Row, here’s what I recommend doing:

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STAY

For my out of towners, you got to stay at the Hotel Valencia.  I just wrote about my stay there and it’s freakin’ amazing.  You get a completely different vibe when you stay on the Row vs visit.  Trust me,  you won’t regret it!

SHOP

Santana Row is filled with shops, but here are a few that I always stop by at:

• 100% Pure
• Aesop
• Anthropologie
• H&M
• Kate Spade
• Kendra Scott
• Lululemon
• Madewell
• Marine Layer
• Paper Source
• Sephora
• Sugarfina
• Urban Outfitters
• Warby Parker

 

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Burke Williams

PAMPER

In addition to shopping, I’d also recommend trying these places for a little bit of pampering.

• Burke Williams (I used to go here all the time, great for a luxe girly spa date! Check out their treatments here.)
• drybar
• LaserAway (my go-to place to get laser hair removal!)
• Lavande Nail Spa

 

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Tacolicious

EAT

• Tacolicious (My fave restaurant right now!  They have weekday late night happy hour and delicious organic Mexican food.  Try their brunch and don’t forget to order one of their micheladas!)
• Blowfish to Die For
• EMC Seafood & Raw Bar (coming soon, but I tried the LA location and it’s SO SO good)
• Fogo de Chão
• LB Steak
• Left Bank Brasserie
• Maggiano’s Little Italy
• Pizza Antica
• Poke Bar (coming soon, but this place comes highly recommended)
• Roots and Rye
• Sino

COFFEE, TEA, & DESSERTS

• Cocola (preferred over Peets & Starbucks on the Row)
• Pressed Juicery
• Kara’s Cupcakes
• Fantasia Tea Cafe
• Pinkberry
• Smitten Ice Cream

DRINKS

• Vbar (swanky bar at Hotel Valencia)
• Blowfish to Die For (open late with a DJ)
• Tacolicious (laid back drinks with chips & salsa)
• Straits (swanky drinks and sometimes there is a DJ on the weekends)
• Yard House (large selection of draft beer)
• Sino (Asian appetizers + loud Vegas music during HH haha)
• Roots and Rye (cool decor with a large selection of whiskey)
• Vintage Wine Bar (romantic vibe where you can drink wine outside)