This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure (or displeasure) of driving up Interstate 5 into Northern California. On my way up, I passed through towns like Cottonwood, Arbuckle and even a town called Weed. After each plot of dirt, each cow and each broken down trailer whizzed by me, I began to think about how lucky I am to live where I live—where there is so much to do and not far to go to do it. Sometimes you just need to leave San Jose to realize how good you really have it. So I thought I would start a list of some things to do this summer and if you have any thoughts or ideas (which I know you always do), please feel free to tell them to us below.
Sundays
Check out the live Irish music at O’Flaherty’s in San Pedro Square.
Earlier in the day you can shop for fresh fruit at the Farmer’s Market in Campbell or in Los Gatos.
Mondays
Don’t miss out on Trivia Night at Trials Pub on North First Street. They take their trivia seriously there, but it’s a lot of fun.
Tuesdays
Sit outside at the Paragon Restaurant (South First St.) on their comfy patio furniture and play a game of bocce ball while sipping great cocktails and munching on tasty food. (If you want live music to listen to, they have jazz on both Friday and Saturday nights.)
Wednesdays
Grab a Coors and get free line dancing lessons at Club Rodeo from 7:30-9 p.m.
Bring your beach chair, drinks and popcorn and enjoy the free outdoor movies playing in San Pedro Square. (Don’t miss “Old School” on July 18th!)
Thursdays
Sit outside at the Wine Bar in Santana Row and sip on a glass of red.
Check out Campbell’s Summer Concert Series that starts this Thursday and goes throughout the summer.
Join the work crowd for the Cocktail Soiree at A.P. Stump’s from 5-7 p.m. Their infused vodkas and normally expensive food is all half off!
Fridays
Cut a rug at Rosie McCann’s in Santana Row.
Bowl a couple of games at the old Oakridge Lanes, now called 300, and check out the Back 9, the private nine-lane room. All lanes have cool screens and music playing, giving it a disco feel.
Check out art and music at South First Fridays, an urban festival that is held the first Friday of each month.
Sing some Karaoke at Bamboo 7 in Japantown
Saturdays
Hit the 9-hole short golf course at Santa Teresa. No reservations or tee times required!
Go wine tasting and pack a picnic lunch at Testarossa in Los Gatos
Drive up to the Saddle Rack in Fremont and cowboy-up!
Check out a comedy show at the Improv Theater.
If you have had a great experience somewhere, or even a not so great one, please share. I hope to see you all this summer! You never know, I might buy you a drink…
You forgot Music in the Park in downtown San Jose.
http://www.sjdowntown.com/eve_eve_mus.html
I’m sure glad that my days are spent in a lot more interesting activities than where I can get my next drink. Travelling through Northern California isn’t just a patch of dirt and broken down trailers. As you have found out, California is primarily rural and I hope it stays that way. The dirt, the field crops, the forests, the desert, and broken down trailers as all what make this state an interesting place to live. Go ahead and live in your bars. No wonder you are single. You should get out and enjoy. By the way, what happened to the San Pedro Square Friday Farmers Market in your piece.
California has many attractions out side of the bars in San Jose: in Weed (and Shasta City) you should have tried the FRESH blackberry milkshakes at the Bear, or maybe in Fall River Mills the steaks at the Hotel or a float fishing trip on the Sactamento River in Reading, to name a few things.
Did you look at the Trinity Alps? Have you been to Yosemite? Did you look at the north coast’ beauty? Or is breathing second hand smoke and beating your eardrums to deafness your idea of a good time?
Jerry
2: Don’t take it personally. Hell, we have those cityscapes here in San Jose. It just helps that there’s a lot more than trailers and dirt.
Staying local and finding interesting things is an easy task.
How about a bit of time at History (Kelley) Park. San Jose has a fascinating and meaningful past, should you choose to explore and learn of it.
Take the history walk of downtown SJ, you can even stop at a nice cafe to get a bit of nosh, and support the economy there. Or the Alameda History Walk (Shannon Clark’s excellent work).
Quicksilver Mining Museum. California Room at the Main Library. History tour of Oak Hill Cemetery. Go to each of the SJ Historic Landmarks. (Notice a tend here?)
Catch a SJ Giants game. See how much better the Rose Garden is looking. Picnic at Alum Rock Park.
As for the rest of Northern California, there are gems out there. If all you see are cows and dirt, you’re missing the forest for the trees. If you can work towards understanding the history, you begin to see how it all fits together. This is what makes California much greater than the sum of its component parts.
-Have a great Summer, and remember that learning is the opiate of the inquisitive.
I like watching San Jose City Council meetings. When the City Council is not in session, I retreat to my library and watch videos of past City Council meetings. Watching City Council meetings enriches and stimulates my heart, mind and soul.
This column has jumped the shark
Whoa #2 way out of line. SG is clearly more of an urban kinda gal but in no way did she make any disparaging comments about rural California. She’s simply writing about another slice of this California pie. So settle down and stop with the overly defensive jabs.
Single Gal:
You may want to check out alcoholics anonymous. It seems like almost every activity you do revolves around drinking.
I agree with #2 and others. This was a sad post, one that Paris Hilton might have posted if she were from SJ.
NorCal is beautiful. To be wistful about some bar in SJ that is honestly overpriced and a bore by any stretch (the Wine Bar in Santana Row and Rosie McCann’s?, ugh), again, just ugh and get a life. And report to AA today please.
#6 And all this time I thought I was the only one who gazed forlornly at the before and after pictures of SJ, memorizing the phone numbers of the city departments, counting down the minutes until the next Forest Williams soliloquy.
To help fill these interminable delays between council sessions, why can’t we outfit SJSU media students with cameras and turn ‘em loose inside city hall and the other city departments like South Bay Labor? Kinda like our own version of C-Span.
But C-Span is already taken dang it, so we’d have to come up with something else… wait, I got it.
How about “Let them eat Cake-Span”? “Si-Span”? “Tax Dollar Flambe-Span”?
Novice,
How about a 24 hour city hall. sessions 24 by 7. With bottle service by Cucini’s. We wouldn’t be able to get JohnMicheal O’conner out of the place.
You’re learni’n, Single Gal!
Ya’ll take it easy on Shallow Gal.
Like she says, she doesn’t get out of town much.
It shows, bless her heart.
Wow, people have some serious anger issues on this blog. Sorry I like to go out and have a drink. Jesus, with men like this it’s no wonder I am single. I would love to see how you treat women without the comfort of your computer to shield you.
Single Gal:
Typical of alcoholics to lash our at other people when the truth hits home. There was nothing angry in my post. I was just pointing out how your life clearly revolves around alcohol based on what you wrote.
As far as men like me, while my wife does not have any complaints that I know of after almost 19 years. Then again, her life does not revolve around drinking at a different bar every night.
Seek help.
SG, have you tried match.com or eharmony? You also might meet better men at cafes than at bars (that’s probably why you are still single).
Barefoot Coffee Roasters on Stevens Creek is pretty cool.
While it is true that California is naturally beautiful, too many people here have mistaken a healthy social scene for a drug-and-booze pit of hedonsim. Have you met smalltown people? They’re just as about alcohol and drugs. It’s all that many people have. Here, that’s not the case.
It goes both ways, haters. Move to the sticks if that’s ALL that you want from life. I think San Jose has a good balance of both worlds.
16 – “typical of alcoholics”?? Whose home did it hit too close too? Lighten up. Why the attack-mode? Just because she visits a bar doesn’t make her an alcoholic. A lot of folks on this blog need to take a time-out before they write anymore.
#15, Without our computer to shield us, we wouldn’t dare say anything to you. We are cowards, spineless jellyfish, social misfits and ‘fraidy cats. We are akward around women and prefer digital electronic devices. We are doing you a favor by lurking in the shadows of cyberspace.
You don’t have a drinking problem, but you would develop one, if geeks like us were around you.
Single Gal:
What about running or biking at Guadalupe Park? Or, is it still locked up?
Pete Campbell
p.s. Great letter in today’s MERC about the soccer stadium and whether or not it qualifies as an “extraordinary benefit” to the city. (Again, if the city is planning to have the stadium double as a concert venue, IT WON’T WORK! You can’t have a concert venue next to an international airport!)
#18 Mr. Nam, no one here is hating SJ. I think your message is better directed to SG, whose calendar shows a drunk session every night. Not doubing that small town people drink and have alcohol problems and, but maybe it is SG who needs to “move to the sticks” if that is the case.
I do think SG’s column has jumped the shark bigtime as #7 JB suggests. Surely this blog is better than these types of questions/blogs topics that SG seems to only be able to supply.
Interesting post SG.
I personally enjoy getting out of San Jose every chance I get. I enjoy a long ride through Half Moon Bay, and taking the freeway from Half Moon Bay down to Santa Cruz, or the other way towards SF. Or going to Barbra’s Fish Trap, having a good fish dinner, while watching the waves roll in and out. There are lots of great places in Half Moon Bay, and Oct. is awesome there!
One thing my fiancé and I did the other night was to drive up in the hill of Los Gatos. There are some lovely views there. We saw a beautiful deer family walking a long the hill, in the moonlight. Ahhh! It was just breathe taking. The stars were huge! Speaking of star gazing, every Friday night, at Hoggie Park, off Woodard here in San Jose, you can join the Astronomy group and look at the stars, and learn a lot!
Surrounding cities also have some incredible parks. There are lots of trees, shade, and picnic areas to enjoy. Skyline in Saratoga is also a real treat at night. You can see the valley. There is also Hakone Gardens there too. Now that is a lovely place to visit! There are some awesome tree lined streets to take on the mountain too up near Skyline. Lots of wild life to enjoy!
I think a nice drive through the country is also relaxing. I work a lot, so getting a way from the noise, over crowding, hassles of San Jose is a welcoming retreat for me!
It is nice to get out of San Jose every now and then … and go to a real city! Like hmmm, what real city is close to San Jose? Hmmm… starts with San, ends with Francisco!
#21, The soccer stadium CAN AND WILL double as a concert venue, if you don’t want to listen to jet planes, then wear earplugs during the concert.
We MUST AND WILL move forward with a fully funded taxpayer bailout of the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
As union contracts expire for city workers, WE MUST GIVE the unions precisely what they want.
Gerald Silva WILL BE FOUND INNOCENT of any wrong doing.
#21
You can’t have a concert venue next to an international airport!)
Let’s get serious and move this airport. It is more than apparent that’s its so called benefits are trivial, but it greatly detracts from our quality of life.
Move it to Hollister, build a high speed rail between SJ and the airport. Let’s use the airport land for something that benefits all, increases tax revenue, and improves the quality of life throughout Santa Clara County.
Michael –
Wow, thanks for the advice. That means so much to me that you feel I need professional help. Oh and congrats on being married for 19 years. That makes you some sort of expert I guess. I will check in to Betty Ford on Monday!
Nam Turk’s friend. If you don’t like this column maybe there are others on this site that are more your style. My columns aren’t going to please everyone and apparently it doesn’t please you. Wow.
30: Can you deal only in extremes? If it’s not one, must it be the other?
I find as I get older (39 to be precise), I seem to be content just being at home. I know, that’s sad, but it suits me just fine.
However, when I do decide to venture out and be a little social, my week spot is food. I love a great place to eat, and I think San Jose has some great restaurants as well as alot of choices and different ethnic food.
In the summer time, I love going to music in the park and the downtown farmers market, out door movies in San Pedro Square.
Some of the neighborhoods like Willow Glen and The Alameda and Japan Town have some of their own community events which I would like to attend, but haven’t because I just found out about them by surfing the web for things to do in San Jose.
http://www.downtownwillowglen.org
http://www.the-alameda.com
http://www.japantownsanjose.org
And when I do decide to have a little drink or to or go dancing, I head to anyone of the many bars available.
As far as some outdoors stuff like fishing and camping, I have to leave the area for that.. But I guess we can’t have it all.
I think in general, the region has alot to offer and whatever we don’t have in San Jose, we can just go to somewhere else. And when we want to do something else, I don’t see anything wrong with going to San Fran, Monterey or Santa Cruz, or even Half Moon Bay. That’s what’s great about the area we live.
#28
“Alcoholics typically drink alone, at home.”
So, someone who lives alone, and has a glass of wine or two, is an alcoholic?
Um, am I the only one who noticed that less than HALF of these suggestions actually mention alcohol? SG, I think your blog is great and so do a lot of other people. What a bunch of killjoys.
I can’t imagine anyone going to Santana Row voluntarily for any reason other than to go to the movie theatre. The whole place gives me the creeps. But they’re still in business so someone must be going there.
One thing that could be learned from those old central valley towns is the use of shade trees. Properly placed shade trees can reduce the temperature in your house by about 10 degrees. As the climate gets hotter, more air conditioning is not going to be the solution. Look at the building methods in the missions and the old towns in the central valley and you’ll find plenty of energy-saving ideas.
Single Gal is young, energetic, and is allowed to experience the beauty of life, love, and happiness without being judged. She’s not doing anything the rest of us haven’t or aren’t, so cut her a break. I’m sure she knows right from wrong!
Lead on SG, we old fogies enjoy watching you experience life, learn, and grow!
Wow – I get away for a few weeks and y’all go off on poor SG. Jerry’s right about the Blackberry shakes in Weed. Right up there with the olallieberry pie at Duarte’s in Pescadero. Nothin’ towns both of ‘em, but totally great. I love CA – all of it.
However, I’m also one to sit in an outdoor venue and tip a Jack with the Mrs. or a friend and watch the world go by. Nuthin wrong with that & Single Gal’s a doll for reminding us.
Why are people picking on Single Gal just because she mentions a few bars? It sounds like she knows how to have a good time, and clearly these closed minded people don’t. Keep on having fun, Single Gal!
To my bud,
My point was (and is) that alcohol is simply present at many social events/gatherings/scenes. It’s not the driving force behind all of these. They sell beer at ball games, but there aren’t necessarilly 40,000 alcoholics going to see the Giants.
P.S. Alcoholics typically drink alone, at home.
SG, I just stopped off at the cherry stand at the intersection of Old Monterey Highway and Palm Ave in Coyote Valley. The cherries and plums were pricy, but you can’t beat the flavor with anything bought at the supermarkets. The bing cherries were just as sweet as the ones that are artificially sweetened and placed in mixed drinks at local bars. The plums are deep purple the size of a peach and beckon a glass of Merlot. And, to the best of my knowledge, they’re fresh of the tree!! What a concept, fresh fruit from Coyote Valley!!
The problem Kathleen #31 if you looked at SG’s “body of work”, she is not growing at all. She is killing her liver though.
#38- SG is not killing her liver, she’s telling us her favorite places to meet friends and enjoy ourselves. I go to wine bars, or nice places that serve alcohol with my friends and don’t drink a drop of liquor. We meet, talk, have some munchies, and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings.
SG has a good head on her shoulders, and is only expressing, and sharing her experiences with us. I’ve never seen a post where she says she got plastered, threw up, and was arrested on a DUI.
I admire you for caring and showing concern because a lot of youth are drinking too much these days; and I too am concerned about that. But I just don’t see SG sharing good places with us as a sign of a problem drinker. I’m not SG, I don’t know her, but I just don’t think your concerns are valid. I guess SG would have to answer that herself~
Man, this took an unfortunate turn.
Lord knows if I’m not at The Brit(s), Rock Bottom, Caravan, Branham Lounge, Goosetown, Cardinal Lounge or The Bears, I love to get outside. Tahoe, Santa Cruz, that city suburb of ours (SF), South County/Uvas, Big Basin, etc. I loved going to Huntington Lake as a kid and now that I live in L.A., I have discovered Mammoth.
I wouldn’t knock that part of California as being too backwater though, SG, because you could live in Oregon…
Hey Single Girl! I think you are great and you can ignore these slobs. It’s okay to post your thoughts about partying, rural life, whatever.