Connie’s South Bay Guidebook
Sightseeing
Have a few hours and want to enjoy nature? Visit the historic Filoli estate with its beautifully curated garden, especially in spring when the tulips, orchard, and roses are in bloom!
141 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Filoli Historic House & Garden
86 Cañada RdHave a few hours and want to enjoy nature? Visit the historic Filoli estate with its beautifully curated garden, especially in spring when the tulips, orchard, and roses are in bloom!
My favorite shopping destination in the South Bay. Right next door to Santana Row. Has basically everything, ranging from luxury to niche to kids' brands, a movie theater, and an Apple Store. Just opened a new wing full of new restaurants.
488 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Westfield Valley Fair
2855 Stevens Creek BlvdMy favorite shopping destination in the South Bay. Right next door to Santana Row. Has basically everything, ranging from luxury to niche to kids' brands, a movie theater, and an Apple Store. Just opened a new wing full of new restaurants.
Right next to Westfield Valley Fair! Outdoor mall with boutiques and luxe shops. Great for people watching and vibey dining.
818 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santana Row
Santana RowRight next to Westfield Valley Fair! Outdoor mall with boutiques and luxe shops. Great for people watching and vibey dining.
San Jose has a lively performing arts scene ranging from concerts to plays to opera. Check out the full event listings here: https://sanjosetheaters.org/calendar/
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Jose Civic
135 W San Carlos StSan Jose has a lively performing arts scene ranging from concerts to plays to opera. Check out the full event listings here: https://sanjosetheaters.org/calendar/
Stunning rose garden, great for picnicking and spending a leisurely afternoon.
94 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rose Garden
Stunning rose garden, great for picnicking and spending a leisurely afternoon.
Food scene
Chubbys Chickn
Dank fried chicken sandwich food truck
Some of the best tacos in San Jose, sold out of a food truck. Outdoor and indoor seating.
Los Tres Reyes
2520 Story RoadSome of the best tacos in San Jose, sold out of a food truck. Outdoor and indoor seating.
Academic Coffee
499 S Second StVery cute local coffee shop with Asian flavors.
Amazing coffee in a beautiful open space with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Good for working although outlets are limited.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Voyager Craft Coffee
3985 Stevens Creek BlvdAmazing coffee in a beautiful open space with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Good for working although outlets are limited.
Metro Balderas 1
688 South Almaden AvenueReally good local tacos.
Classic taco joint favored by SJSU students.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Victoria Taqueria
140 East San Carlos StreetClassic taco joint favored by SJSU students.
Nox Cookie Bar
151 S Second StLate night sweets and snacks including ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Enjoy Asian food? This is place to be! This strip mall has a huge variety of options, ranging from Sichuan to Shanghai, halal to hotpot, Korean to Indian.
My favorites:
- Darda Seafood - halal restaurant that's been running for over 20 years, frequented by lots of non-Chinese folks. Order the knife cut noodles, sauteed string beans, and sesame green onion pancakes.
- Shancheng Lameizi - group hotpot restaurant with a self-serve dessert and sauce bar, and an incredibly beautiful interior
- YiFang Fruit Tea - boba/fruit tea spot with a lot of dairy free and fruity options
Worth noting:
- Tasty Pot - hot pot solo style
- QQ Noodle - simple but effective Chinese noodle joint
- Gen BBQ - popular all you can eat Korean BBQ spot
- Ranch 99 Market - for all your Asian snack needs
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Milpitas Square
Barber LaneEnjoy Asian food? This is place to be! This strip mall has a huge variety of options, ranging from Sichuan to Shanghai, halal to hotpot, Korean to Indian.
My favorites:
- Darda Seafood - halal restaurant that's been running for over 20 years, frequented by lots of non-Chinese folks. Order the knife cut noodles, sauteed string beans, and sesame green onion pancakes.
- Shancheng Lameizi - group hotpot restaurant with a self-serve dessert and sauce bar, and an incredibly beautiful interior
- YiFang Fruit Tea - boba/fruit tea spot with a lot of dairy free and fruity options
Worth noting:
- Tasty Pot - hot pot solo style
- QQ Noodle - simple but effective Chinese noodle joint
- Gen BBQ - popular all you can eat Korean BBQ spot
- Ranch 99 Market - for all your Asian snack needs
lovely little cafe that used to be an old gas station, good for people watching
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roy's Station Coffee & Tea
197 Jackson Stlovely little cafe that used to be an old gas station, good for people watching
Our favorite local Korean spot. It can get crowded on weekends
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Omogari
154 Jackson StOur favorite local Korean spot. It can get crowded on weekends
Shuei-Do Manju Shop
217 Jackson StTraditional mochi sweets shop open Thu-Sun
small farmers market in the Gordon biersch parking lot. Open Sundays from 8am to Noon through Nov. 6, 2022, check online for more details
Japantown Farmer's Market
357 E Taylor Stsmall farmers market in the Gordon biersch parking lot. Open Sundays from 8am to Noon through Nov. 6, 2022, check online for more details
A simple but tasty place to get Japanese basics!
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kazoo Japanese Restaurant
250 Jackson StA simple but tasty place to get Japanese basics!
Specializes in Hawaiian Japanese fusion! On the heavier side so come hungry
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hukilau
230 Jackson StSpecializes in Hawaiian Japanese fusion! On the heavier side so come hungry
Santo Market Inc
245 E Taylor StAmazing poke!
City/town information
Los Gatos downtown is nestled in the hills and has lots of lovely coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques circling a small grassy square. Cozy feeling, great for people watching.
79 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Los Gatos
Los Gatos downtown is nestled in the hills and has lots of lovely coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques circling a small grassy square. Cozy feeling, great for people watching.
Surfing! The boardwalk! The beach! Thrifting! Santa Cruz has it all. Drive up Highway 1 and stop at any of the numerous beaches.
Check out the Penny Ice Creamery if you have time - their flavors are inventive and all made in-house.
242 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Cruz
Surfing! The boardwalk! The beach! Thrifting! Santa Cruz has it all. Drive up Highway 1 and stop at any of the numerous beaches.
Check out the Penny Ice Creamery if you have time - their flavors are inventive and all made in-house.
The outdoors
Beautiful trail that winds down a ridge and has views of the Pacific ocean. Good for banana slug spotting! Get here early in the morning as the parking lot is small.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Purisima Creek Trail, Higgins Road Trailhead
Beautiful trail that winds down a ridge and has views of the Pacific ocean. Good for banana slug spotting! Get here early in the morning as the parking lot is small.
Bonny Doon Beach
My favorite beach in Santa Cruz.
Awesome hiking destination for the whole family. Great views over the Santa Cruz Mountains https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/castle-rock-state-park
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Castle Rock
15451 CA-35Awesome hiking destination for the whole family. Great views over the Santa Cruz Mountains https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/castle-rock-state-park
Discover this 3.70 mile, loop trail near Stanford, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 51 min to complete. Very popular.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/stanford-dish-loop-trail
99 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stanford dish hiking trailhead
Stanford Dish Hiking TrailDiscover this 3.70 mile, loop trail near Stanford, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 51 min to complete. Very popular.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/stanford-dish-loop-trail
Lovely views over the South Bay. Come in late winter after the rains have fallen to experience beautiful waves of green grass.
Bernal Historic Ranch Park
372 Manila DrLovely views over the South Bay. Come in late winter after the rains have fallen to experience beautiful waves of green grass.
Neighborhoods
One of the only 3 Japantowns in the US. Amazing food and culture - look out for Sunday farmers markets and Obon and Nikkei Matsuri festivals. My faves are Roy’s Station coffee, Omogari Korean restaurant, poke at Santo’s Market, and Nijiya Market. Super cute!
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Japantown
One of the only 3 Japantowns in the US. Amazing food and culture - look out for Sunday farmers markets and Obon and Nikkei Matsuri festivals. My faves are Roy’s Station coffee, Omogari Korean restaurant, poke at Santo’s Market, and Nijiya Market. Super cute!