San Jose
 

I'm going to be going to San Jose because NIU is playing in the Silicon Valley bowl and the band goes with. We're staying at some Hilton I think but I don't know exactly where because they haven't told us yet. What's fun to do in San Jose at nighttime? Or daytime I guess too but I figure most of our free time will be at night. What's the weather like around this time of year? I live in Chicago and it's freakin cold here. Thanks. Peace.

It really depends on what you're interested in. We just opened up a new skating rink (with palm trees growing in it, for that authentic california feel) downtown, across the street from our christmas celebration in the park. We have several pretty good malls, including Valley Fair mall and Oakridge Mall. We have network gaming centers sprinkled out liberally all over creation, in case you're into computer gaming. There are good concerts all around. There are even illegal street races. There are all sorts of things to do.
What are your interests?

You can check out the Gordeon Biersch brewery. It's downtown on San Fernando between 1st and 2nd. If the NHL season was happening you could've gone to a Sharks game. Not this season though. What other kinds of things are you interested in doing?

The weather here is probably a shitload better than Chicago. Cold (as far as the Bay Area goes - like 30-40 F) and foggy, a little rain.

Yeah, like Willravel said, be sure to check out Christmas in the Park. Walk around, look at the purdy lights. Located right next to the turd statue, er, I mean Quetzalcoatl, in Plaza de Cesar Chavez downtown. Seeing as how you're from Chicago, outdoor ice skating won't be the same, but it's there if you're interested.

Forgot to mention, if you do want to go ice skating, be sure to go earlier. They don't know the meaning of zamboni, so the ice is pretty rough by the evening.

Shopping and sight seeing is cool I guess. I don't know what our travel means are going to be, probably walking. I wish I knew for sure which hotel we're in. I should know soon. We could probably take a cab somewhere if there was something really interesting. What about clubs, anywhere to party?

If you are staying at the Hilton in Downtown San Jose, you're in luck. There are lots of clubs and bars downtown, a few blocks from the Hilton. I recommend the Mission Ale House if you like bars. Voodoo Lounge if you like dancing and hot girls. That area has a lot of other clubs as well, it just depends on what you're into. Are you of drinking age? Do you prefer a low key scene or hardcore party scene? There are different places that cater to either. San Jose State University is pretty close so there tends to be a pretty young crowd for the most part. It's been a while since I was in the club/party scene so I don't know what's new but the cabbies in the area should know.

I'd recommend Valley Fair and Santana Row for shopping, except that it is almost Christmas. If you're in town after then, definitely go there. Otherwise there are tooooo many people. You're going to have to take a cab to get there.

If you like dives, be sure to stop by the Cinnabar. Toons is a club that has a different type of live music played most nights. South First Billiards if you're into pool.

The old UA theaters downtown have just reopened with a new name (I forget it at the moment). They're decently priced (as far as movies go, about $7 I think as oposed to $10 elsewhere). Then there are always Cameras 1,2 and 3. Indie type films mostly.

There is also the Improv, a comedy club that has some big names coming around. Check out their website for who'll be in town when you're around:
http://www.improv2.com/sanjose-calendar.shtml

Anything else you're interested in?

I believe it's Camera 12 (the movie theater).

I travel to SJ on business quite a bit.

To be perfectly honest, it's not that great or exciting a town. But if you want, you can find some good fun (towards the weekend)

Bars - The San Jose Bar & Grill is an OK sports bar in the city ("downtown" I believe Americans call it). On the weekend it gets pretty busy. Right next door is some kind of cantina, which is popular but not as good as the SJBG.

Up the road, I think on 1st St, is the Flying Pig. This is nice little bar. Good for sitting down and drinking. No dancing here.

Voodoo Lounge is a popular club in town. Depending upon the night, it will get very busy and have lots of people. Choose wisely though, as you may end up dancing to hardcore hiphop or R&B (if like me you dislike that music), rather than dance. It's no European dance club, but you get the odd good tune.

Speaking of which, almost next door (on the corner) is Toons. A quite large bar cum club. This can OK, plays live music most nights and gets quite busy at the weekends. Not the greatest place in the world, but worth checking out.

My recommendations are start at the San Jose Bar & Grill, have a few drinks, check out the cute barmaids and girls (if it's busy), then head up to the Flying Pig for some serious drinking. After that head back down the street to Toons.

San Jose sucks in one way, as as bars close (without exception) at 1:30am

WTF?!!!


Mr Mephisto

If you have a full day before drinking is commenced, I highly recommend hopping on the Cal-train and swinging up to see San Francsico - it's very affordable and stops along all cities enroute...and you can drink on the train if it's a must.

http://www.caltrain.com/

If you have transportation and have been/have no interest in San Fran, I'd drive down to Monterey and check out the 17 mile drive and the famous golf courses and stunning picturesque landscapes.

As far as San Jose during the day, well, there isn't much to do imo. The only daytime non-drinking activity that I've truly enjoyed was visiting the Winchester House.

http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/

As far as weather is concerned, if there's not a pacific storm pushing in you can expect upper 50's/low 60's for highs around San Jose and much, much cooler if you head up to the city.

As one of my friends used to work for them, the San Jose Giants games can be pretty entertaining - the won a couple of awards for the spectacles at their games. Imagine the term "beer batter" in actual reference to baseball rather than cooking!

Other than that, I don't have a whole lot to offer :-(