San Jose

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Silicon Valley

A travel journal to San Jose by Shel

Here on business? Want to experience a rolling blackout first hand? It's a unique place alright, just don't turn up without hotel reservations!

  • 6 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

Silicon ValleyBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Downtown San Jose has greatly benefited from redevelopment investments. The light rail system is convenient for getting around town and to neighboring towns.

Quick Tips:

Hotels are booked EVERY weeknight. If you must visit during the week, book well in advance. Weekends aren't generally full, you can shop for good deals with the big chains.

Best Way To Get Around:

From a downtown SJ hotel, you can ride light rail all over San Jose, to Great America (theme park), and to Mountain View (nice downtown). If you want to explore more of the area, you'll need a car.

Il Forniao RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Il Forniao"

The chain has 23 restaurants, mostly in upscale locations. The San Jose location is wonderful, with arched windows facing a bustling street. The special risottos are rich and interesting, and the bread comes from their on-site bakery. Consider breakfast there as well. The staff is comfortably casual and chatty, but with well-trained attention to service. More information, including menus, at http://www.ilfornaio.com
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Shel on February 9, 2001

Il Forniao Restaurant
302 S Market St San Jose, California 95113
(408) 271-3366

Armadillo Willy's BBQBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Armadillo Willy's"

Even if you are a vegetarian, you may swoon at the heavenly, heady, honest-to-gawd BBQ aroma that wafts around a Willy's like planets orbit Paul Prudhomme. Man, that's some good eatin! Their BBQ sauce is surely marketed as an aphrodisiac in many countries.

The Santa Clara restaurant is in an unassuming location, next to a doughnut shop (Stan's - legendary!) and in the shadow of a Taco Bell. Not exactly the gritty hallmark of great BBQ, but dive on in.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Shel on February 9, 2001

Armadillo Willy's BBQ
2624 Homestead Road San Jose, California 95051
(408) 247-1100

Original Joe's RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Original Joe's"

This is an old style Italian American restaurant, with big portions and proud of it. They have been at this location for 40 years, and it shows. If you want heavy, classic Italian American cooking in a convenient location, this is the place! This is near the convention center and can be very crowded at lunch and dinner when there is a large convention going on.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Shel on February 15, 2001

Original Joe's Restaurant
301 S 1st Street San Jose, California 95113
(408) 292-7030

Tech Museum of InnovationBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Tech Museum of Innovation"

All details are available at http://www.thetech.org/

Much is said about the technology and wealth created in Silicon Valley. The Tech Museum uses the wealth to make the technology accessible. Younger children may be bored unless they can patiently take time to aquire information, the 6 - 9 year old set mostly runs through pushing buttons. The building and all exhibits are state of the art, and aim to make big ideas part of your world. For the patient, there are hidden delights - be sure to read the short story on the wall near the exit of the Space Exploration area.

The Cafe serves great food, and you don't need to pay an admission fee to get to the Cafe or the gift shop.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Shel on February 9, 2001

Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street San Jose, California 95113
(408) 294-8324

Paramount's Great AmericaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If you buy your tickets online, the adult tickets are $37.99 and the child tickets are $31.99. There is usually a promotion with Coke, so it can't hurt to show up with a few empty Coke or Sprite cans and maybe save $5 a ticket.

This park is owned by Paramount and has many movie tie-ins, including the Top Gun suspended roller coaster. Yes, the whole Navy fighter jock theme is dated, but the coaster is awesome! For a real thrill, leave your shoes in the boarding area and ride with your bare toes soaring through the air. The park is heavy on roller coasters and thrill rides, but there are shows and play areas for younger or less adventurous visitors.

Nickelodeon Splat City is more fun than it sounds, and can't be beat on a hot day. If the weather is warm, be ready to take full advantage of water features like Splat City and Rip Roaring Rapids.

The web site has a park map, directions, ticket prices, and descriptions of the rides and attractions http://www.pgathrills.com
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Shel on February 9, 2001

Paramount's Great America
P.O. Box 1776 Santa Clara, California 95052
(408) 988-1776

Tour of Real Estate HorrorBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Pick up the local newspaper, the San Jose Mercury News. Open to the real estate, homes for sale listings. On weekends, there will be a list of open houses. Get a map, or use an on-line map (a href=www.yahoo.com) to find the listings - you won't get the full fright effect if you only look at the price - you might think that "Cozy home with upgraded features" for $500,000 is actually liveable. (Please, only do this if you are visiting for FUN. If you are here on a job interview and I am trying to HIRE you, go hike or something!). If you want to be amused, check out the $800,000 homes in Palo Alto. If you want to be really scared, check out the $400,000 homes in San Jose.

Extra excitement for the more daring - drop in to open houses and look them over. As you hurry back the nearest freeway, stop in a the huge, lovely apartment complexes to tour their $1900 studios, $2500 one bedroom apartments, and $3300 two bedroom "luxury apartments".

All it costs is gas money...umm, did I mention that runs about $1.90 a gallon here?

About the Writer

Shel
Shel
Long Beach, California
  • "Someday I'll travel for months on end... for now it's quick vacations. No cruises, club hopping, or..."
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  • 6 reviews

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