So, I couldn’t pass up going to BlogHer this year!! I mean, it’s right down the street from where I’ve worked for over 25 years, so there are simply no excuses!
Not that I would need any excuses to attend just an inspiring woman-oriented event!
I’ve been watching the posts on social media and all the questions about what there is to do here in downtown San Jose, where to eat, where to drink, where to shop, etc. etc. etc., so I decided to create a little simple map of the area you should find yourself in while here.
All the places on the map are walking distance from the convention center and the main hotels.
Do you want to download a pdf of the map? Well, click here for one.
Are you wondering why the Convention Center is at the bottom of the map with nothing below it and nothing to the left of it? Well, trust me, I didn’t forget much, there’s just basically freeways to the West and South of it’s location. This keeps it easier when deciding which way to head out don’t you think?
Now, of course I didn’t put on EVERY restaurant, bar, cafe, coffee house, etc., on the map, but all my favorites are on here and, since I am a vegan, all the places have some sort of vegan/vegetarian type option to be had. (You ARE thankfully in California, so you’ll find that almost everywhere has options for vegans and vegetarians – YAHOO!!) Also, all the hotels have fabulous restaurants and cafes in them, but I didn’t want to clutter up the map too much with more information, but be sure to check them out.
Here are a few extra things I’d like to point out:
- On Fridays from 9am – 2pm there is a wonderful Farmer’s Market by the San Pedro Square (#1 on map)
- San Pedro Square has a lot of very, very good restaurants in it and around it – worth checking out. And usually there’s a pretty good crowd of people around on weeknights and weekends.
- There is a completely vegan restaurant between Cream (#9 above) and Ross called “Good Karma” I call it out here simply to emphasize Cream – which has VEGAN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES!!! and they are DELISH!! They also have many varieties of other ice cream sandwiches – you pick your cookie, then your ice cream and can even do 1/2 and 1/2 sandwiches if you can’t decide what you want.
- Amici’s in the De Anza hotel has a vegan pizza option – and also right across Notre Dame Street a new pizza place just opened up called “Take One Pizza” which has vegan options too. Amici’s also has wonderful pastas and salads too.
- Want the BEST coffee in town, then you have to go to Philz (#19 above). Want it ready when you get there? Then download the OrderAhead app, place your order and it will be ready when you walk in.
- ** FYI, there are a lot of places in downtown using the OrderAhead app, so if you feel you’re in a rush, give it a try.
- I’ve put the text SB where there are Starbucks, but I also believe there is a small one right inside the convention center (at least there used to be).
- If you’re looking for Peet’s coffee, then you can get that at Specialties (#15 on map) a very short walk from the Convention Center – while you’re there, you may want to indulge in one of their fresh-baked cookies too!
- My favorite Sandwich place is Ike’s (#8 on map). It seems like a walk to get there, but trust me, the sandwiches are DELISH!! With many vegan/vegetarian options too. Download the Ikes’ Lair app if you want to order ahead.
Needless to say, there are many, many great restaurants around town and I’m sure you can find something you like. Definitely use YELP while you’re here – we are in Silicon Valley so all the techie stuff is definitely used here.
For the shoppers with extra time, there is some World Class shopping not far from downtown.
Have you heard of Santana Row? Well, this outdoor mall has lots of INSANE shops (think high-end like Gucci, and other favorites like Anthropology, etc.) and incredible restaurants too!! AND directly across the street is our biggest and best South Bay mall Westfield’s Valley Fair. Don’t have a car to make the short drive there? You can catch the #23 or the #323 bus right out front of the Convention Center – catch it on the opposite side of the street as the Convention Center is on and it will have you up to Santana Row/Valley Fair in minutes.
OR
For “cute/small town” shopping and dining, take the Light Rail line towards Winchester and get off at the Downtown Campbell stop – about 17 minutes. Downtown Campbell is so lovely for walking and there are lots of shops and galleries and delicious restaurants and pubs all along the streets there.
Phew…I could go on and on…and if I do have more time, well, then I’ll try to add more to this post.
If you don’t see something on the map, or have a question about something, please feel free to leave a comment, email me, ask on Facebook or Twitter or contact me any way you need to.
Most of all, I hope everyone enjoys Downtown San Jose – you’ll find it to be a very clean and safe city.
Thanks and Have a Happy BlogHer!