On the Road: San Jose
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We know there are a million travel guidebooks out there, but we’ve created a handful of destination miniguides designed specifically for working girls on the go. So whether it’s a quick stopover meeting or a weeklong conference, here’s everything you need to know about…
San Jose, Calif.
Where to Stay
Expense Account: Hotel Valencia. Regulars rave about the hip and trendy Asian decor and convenient location of this Santana Row hotel, where San Jose’s downtown shops and restaurants are just outside your door. Room accents include leather club chairs stuffed with down, plantain shutters, and faux-mink designer throws. Order a glass of California zinfindel at the cozy wine bar, or enjoy a cold beer in the pleasant courtyard. Rooms from $389. 355 Santana Row; 408.551.0010; sanjose.hotelvalencia.com
Romantic Weekend: Cypress Hotel. Minutes from downtown San Jose is an unexpected find: a sophisticated boutique hotel in the heart of suburban Silicon Valley. This stylish Kimpton property offers luxuriously appointed rooms—complete with polka-dot walls, leopard carpeting, and fake fur throws on the beds—and outstanding guest services. Enjoy in-room spa services and complementary Internet access, too. Rooms from $109 per night on weekends and from $259 per night on weekdays. Cupertino City Center, 10050 South De Anza Boulevard; 408.253.8900; thecypresshotel.com
On the Cheap: Ramada Limited. Business travelers on a budget appreciate the central location, clean rooms, and friendly service at this modest Ramada property. Choose from 72 rooms in a three-story motor-inn configuration. Rooms on Second Street tend to be quieter on weekend nights, when nearby clubs get into full swing. Walk five minutes to the San Jose Convention Center and many restaurants. Parking, continental breakfast, and Wi-Fi are all provided free of charge. Rooms from $85 (midweek and weekends). 455 South Second Street; 408.298.3500; ramada.com
Where to Eat
Business Dinner: Le Papillon. Open since 1977, this traditional French restaurant continues to hold its ground as one of the finest establishments in the entire Bay Area. Appetizers feature foie gras and caviar, while venison and rabbit represent wild game for the main dishes. Choose a six-course tasting menu ($90 per person) or order à la carte. 410 Saratoga Avenue; 408.296.3730; lepapillon.com
Hot Spot: Sino. Crimson tones set the mood in this trendy Asian fusion eatery. Order a lychee martini and then prepare for a seafood extravaganza. Start with lobster pot stickers ($12) and move on to garlic-roasted Dungeness crab ($30) or Peking duck ($38). 377 Santana Row; 408.247.8880; sinorestaurant.com
Eating Alone: Blowfish Sushi To Die For. Watch Japanese anime over a sake cocktail and a martini glass filled with ankimo (monkfish liver) at this South Bay offshoot of one of San Francisco’s most popular sushi bars. 355 Santana Row #1010; 408.345.3848; santanarow.com
Coffee and Internet: Peet’s Coffee & Tea. Head to Peet’s for the strongest brew around, but if you have to get online, the Starbucks/T-Mobile combo is the next best option. Find Peet’s at 377 Santana Row #1130, 408.213.1071, and Starbucks at 3055 Olin Avenue #102, 408.241.3877.
Where to Shop
Business Critical: Santana Row. Between Ann Taylor, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Gucci, and more, you can find essential business attire along San Jose’s upscale Santana Row. santanarow.com
Date Night: Pink Stripes. You can buy truffles and trousers at this unusual Santana Row boutique, which carries apparel and accessories from Kingdom, J Brand, 2 B Free, J&Company, and Primp, among others. 355 Santana Row, Suite 1040; 408.247.8748; pinkstripessf.com
Techie: Computer stores are a dime a dozen in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit the Apple Store (925 Blossom Hill Road; 408.362.4930) or the Best Buy near Santana Row (3090 Stevens Creek Boulevard; 408.241-6040) for computer and electronic needs.
Where to Play and Primp
Best Yoga Studio: Touchstone Climbing & Fitness. Yoga is a secondary attraction at this Bay Area climbing-gym chain, but the downtown location is perfect for business travelers, who can choose from a wide variety of classes, including Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow, Iyengar, and Hatha. Plus, you can try your hand at bouldering the 15-foot-high walls while you’re there. 200 South 1st Street #70; 408.920.6000; touchstoneclimbing.com
Best Day Spa: Lather. Treat your hands and feet to a mani-pedi with all-natural skin-care products made by this Pasadena-based company. 356 Santana Row #1010; 408.241.3920; lather.com
Museum Fix: The Tech Museum of Innovation. How does technology affect your everyday life? Find out by wandering exhibits that focus on innovation, the Internet, the human body, and exploration. With an IMAX dome theater and educational center on site, the museum plays a central role in Silicon Valley life and culture. 201 South Market Street; 408.294.8324; thetech.org
How to Get Around
Preferred Airport: Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is a second-rate operation compared to nearby San Francisco International (SFO), but it’s undeniably the most convenient to downtown San Jose and often has better fares. sjc.org
Public Transportation: The local Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) connects San Jose and the airport to neighboring Silicon Valley communities, including Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Campbell, via 42 miles of light rail service and an extensive network of bus routes. The downtown San Jose station is located at North 1st Street and Metro; 408.321.2300; vta.org
Taxi or Car Service Numbers: Taxis are available from the airport and major hotels. Expect to pay around $15–20 to/from downtown locations. Visit www.sjc.org/travelers/taxi.html for a complete list of services. In addition, more than 50 private car services operate out of San Jose. For example, San Jose Limo offers town-car service and airport transportation. 408.365.8500; sanjoselimo.net
Weather and Wardrobe: A Mediterranean-like climate ensures pleasant temps year-round, with the possibility of rain November–February. Business casual will suffice for most conferences and events.
Where to Do Business
Host a Meeting: The Fairmont San Jose. Many companies choose downtown San Jose for meetings because of its close proximity to the Monterey Peninsula for pre- and post-event recreation. The ever-popular Fairmont attracts the lion’s share of the conference business, from elegant receptions to all-out multimedia presentations. The two-tower layout of the property can be an inconvenience for guests who stay at the hotel; however, its 65,000 square feet of meeting space can accommodate just about any need. 170 South Market Street; fairmont.com
Best Place for Printing and Copies: At Advantage Grafix, free pickup and delivery spare you the hassle of driving to the outskirts of town to find a reputable printer. 408.446.0915; advantagegrafix.com