There’s so much that is quintessentially San Jose. So, when we asked you what you’d put in a San Jose-themed care package, you delivered.
Let’s see what we’re packing with love from the great 408.
🌮 Local snacks
With an overwhelming amount of responses, we had to make an exclusively San Jose snacks package — sent in an insulated box, of course.
You said:
- Baked goods — Greenlee’s Bakery cinnamon loaves, Peter’s Bakery burnt almond cake + cream puffs, El Rico Pan Bakery conchas, Pink Elephant pan dulces, and Christine’s Cookie Co. cookies.
- Hot items — Bertucelli’s La Villa raviolis, Falafel Drive-In sandwich, Lee’s Sandwiches banh mis, La Casita Chilanga tortas, Super Taqueria Super burrito, Sourdough Eatery sandwiches, Mexico Bakery tortas, Original Joe’s chicken Parmesan, egg rolls, tacos from every spot in San Jose, and of course, a bacon-wrapped street hot dog.
- Sweet treats — Thrifty’s ice cream, Christmas in the Park hot chocolate, Sweet Fix Creamery ice cream, anything from Shue Do manju shop, Treat ice cream, Mike & Niki’s local honey, and a churro from an SJ Giants game.
- Drinks — A mango margarita mix kit from San Carlos Liquor, a Hennessy bottle, coffee from Academic Coffee, a Michelada party starter, and a blinged-out Buzzball.
Honorable mentions: La Victoria’s orange sauce, Eggo waffles, and a Grandview Restaurant gift certificate.
🧢 City gear
You may be able to take the local out of San Jose, but never take San Jose out of the local.
You’re sending:
- The local ensemble — Sago shorts, a pair of Nike Cortez’s, something vintage from Black & Brown, and a Bass Pro Shops hat.
- SJ-branded attire — A “Rebuilding Day” t-shirt, Christmas in the Park hoodie, San Jose State t-shirt, Sharks merch, an east side or west side San Jose hoodie, a Quakes scarf, and a San Jose Foos cap. (Psst... we also recommend checking our our local shop, Six & Main.)
🏙️ San Jose souvenirs + experiences
With all these goodies, the receiver of this package may be inclined to return for a visit — and you got them covered.
You’re providing:
- Mementos — a “Secret San Jose” book by Cassie Kifer, a Sharks tumbler, models of the historic electric light tower + lowrider cars, a San Jose Monopoly board game, Winchester Mystery House merch, a SJSU keychain, Preservation Action Council of San Jose’s enamel pins, art from Le Petit Elephant, Nirvana Soul merch, and a Quakes game giveaway item.
- Local experiences — A guide to San Jose murals + tickets to the Winchester Mystery House, a Quakes game, Broadway San Jose shows, a local art museum, Happy Hollow, a Sharks game, a SJSU athletic event, and New Ballet shows.
Honorable mentions: A playlist with Traxamillion + Los Tigres Del Norte hits, a Calderon’s Tires gift card, keys to a 64 Impala, directions to the flea market, an E-40 sticker, a FasTrak, and water from Dottie’s pond.
Though it seems you have covered almost everything in this city, is there anything else you’d add to our growing list of ideas? Let us know.
