Setting the scene: What if a Hallmark holiday movie was filmed in San Jose?

Take our survey to help us craft the perfect Hallmark movie based in San Jose, California.

Santana Row lit up with Christmas lights.

There’s snow place like Santana Row.

Photo via @writemeli

Table of Contents

Every Hallmark holiday film starts the same way: A work-minded person is struggling with their extremely challenging, business-related job.

They travel out of “the big city” to a “small town” for the holidays, and there, bump into an old flame/hometown hunk/dog owner. Together, they learn the true meaning of the holidays.

Here’s a fun fact: Not a single Hallmark movie has ever been filmed in San Jose (yet). So we want to know, what would you include in a hypothetical film set in the great 408?

Setting the scene

First, we need to establish who the protagonist is, and from where are they traveling to San Jose. They could be a tech, business, or financial wizard from San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, or another nearby big city.

Where does the meet cute happen?

Next, where does the protagonist run into the hometown hunk? This could be any major landmark, park, or meeting space. Think of places like the Tech Museum, Christmas in the Park, or a San Jose Sharks game.

How do they bond?

Somehow, the business-minded person and the hometown hunk find common ground. Or perhaps they bond over something more contentious? This could be a disagreement over who has the best orange sauce, a connection over their shared love of Chuck E. Cheese lore, or a mutual dislike of a rival sports team (like the LA Galaxy, the Golden Knights, or the Sacramento Kings).

Where is the final scene?

At the end of the film, where will the two learn the true meaning of the holidays? Under the stars at Enchant? On The Demon at California’s Great America? Or, maybe, looking out over the twinkling lights of the city on Mount Umunhum?

Take our survey and we’ll follow up with SJ’s own Hallmark movie details in an upcoming newsletter.