6AM City In-house

Our valentine this year? San Jose.

Our love letter to San Jose
A bunch of candy hearts with San Jose sayings.
We heart San Jose. | Photo via @sj_downtown
From being the first chartered city in California, to being the birthplace of “Orange Sauce,” there’s no shortage of spectacular things in San Jose that keep us here to stay. 🏙️

While this list doesn’t encompass absolutely everything that makes San Jose great, we wanted to start the conversation with 10 reasons why we just can’t separate from the great 408. 💘

1. Our weather

You can’t beat our 300 days of sunshine — our mild climate makes for more opportunities to go out and explore.

2. Little Saigon

We boast the largest Vietnamese population in any one city outside of Vietnam — which is about 180,000 residents. This community offers us a well-rounded look at northern, southern, and central Vietnamese flavors, cultural traditions, and more.

3. San Jose Mineta Airport

There’s a reason that SJC recently changed its logo to, “Fly Simple.” As one of the top ranking mid-size airports, and the top airport for holiday travel, Mineta Airport makes traveling much more manageable.

Classic cars coming down the street.

The classic car cruises are unlike any other.

Photo via @steph___62

4. Lowriders

We can’t talk about San Jose without mentioning its extensive history of lowriders. You can spot large functions at the intersections of Story and King roads, as well as down East Santa Clara Street — keeping the legacy of family lowriding culture alive.

5. Nightlife

Perfectly described by downtown DJ duo SOULMAT3S, our nightlife is unlike other Bay Area cities. Our DJs don’t just play at clubs, they also spin at restaurants and lounges. You can find tech CEOs and fresh 21-year-olds enjoying the same spots.

6. Japantown

As one of the only three Japantowns in the US, the pride + culture runs very strong in this community. Enjoy fresh poke, streetwear shopping, and frequent festivals — like the Obon Festival, which draws in 1,000+ dancers.
4 MORE REASONS TO LOVE SJ

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Feb. 10
  • Plant Party + Paint N’ Sip | Friday, Feb. 10 | 5 p.m. | Strike Brewing Campbell, 496 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | $35 | Try some new brews, build your own terrarium, or join in on a painting class.
  • Disney On Ice Presents Road Trip Adventures | Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $20+ | Embark on a wild ride to your favorite Disney destinations.
  • Friday Night Party | Friday, Feb. 10 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Branham Lounge, 1116 Branham Lane, San Jose | Free | Dance the night away and enjoy great drinks + no cover fee.
Saturday, Feb. 11
  • Pop-Up SJ Vintage Market | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Garden at the Flea, 1590 Berryessa Rd., San Jose | Free | Thrift apparel, shoes, dresses, sports gear, collectibles, and more from a wide range of vintage sellers and creative artists.
  • The Super Secret Society: A Playable Play | Saturday, Feb. 11 | Times vary | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., Ste. 200, San Jose | $15+ | A unique evening irreverently exploring classic literature, technology, art, and ideas that will be anything but expected.
  • Culture Night Market | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 4-10 p.m. | Oakridge Mall Parking Lot, 925 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose | Free | Enjoy vendors, live music, food trucks, and a bar.
  • Momstera 1 Year Anniversary Party | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 12-4 p.m. | Momstera, 428 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | Free | Celebrate a milestone with ukelele sets, live painting, and a DJ set by DJ YOUCANTSTOPMIKE.
  • Centennial Speaker Series | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 2 p.m. | Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose | $35 | Learn about love + courting in the Victorian Era.
Sunday, Feb. 12
  • Oakridge Farmers’ Market | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.
  • Bloody Valentines Market | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 1-8:30 p.m. | 31 Post St., San Jose | Free | Shop Valentine’s Day gifts with a dark twist.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
WEEKEND FESTIVITIES

7 common mistakes when hiring a financial advisor
An older woman with cropped silver hair, a black turtleneck, and horn-rimmed glasses looks calmly into the camera.
Choosing the right financial advisor is one of the most impactful decisions families make. | Photo by SmartAsset
Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not finances. Enter: Working with a financial advisor. But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.

Avoid these seven common mistakes when hiring a financial advisor so you can get back to the balance that matters most.

Pro tip: For simplicity, try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*
GET YOUR FREE MATCHES

Weather
  • 60º | Partly cloudy | 13% chance of rain 🌤️
San Josean
  • The Director of Aviation at Mineta Airport, John Aitken, was recently included in SVBJ’s “Silicon Valley Power 100” — a list of the most influential leaders in the South Bay. John led the move to change the airport’s name in 2001 to honor Norman Mineta, and will celebrate 30 years at SJC this year. 👏 (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Featured
  • In a recent Atlas Obscura article, San Jose State‘s Tommie Smith and John Carlos Statue was listed among other landmarks and statues dedicated to prominent Black leaders across the country. If you haven’t seen it yet, head to the lawn between Clark Hall + Tower Hall in Washington Square. (Atlas Obscura)
  • The Suprême, a trendy dessert that originated in New York City, was recently featured by SF Gate after being spotted at a Campbell bakery. Marvel Cake calls them “spiral croissants,” but they’re still hot commodities to foodies looking for a West Coast replication — find them at 1614 W. Campbell Ave. (SF Gate)
Biz
  • Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. has expanded its San Jose office at 1190 Saratoga Ave., and plans to move into an even larger space within the next year. The company is also connecting with nearby universities to hire 20 interns this year. 🏢 (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Legacy
  • While he wasn’t a San Jose native, composer Burt Bacharach — who co-wrote the song, “Do you know the way to San Jose” with the late Hal David — died this week at 94. The lyrics were inspired by Hal’s time being stationed near San Jose during WWII, and the tune has been our city’s unofficial theme song. 🕊️ (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Jobs
  • Downtown’s Splash Bar is hosting a hiring event today, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. and is looking to fill positions for bartenders, barbacks, door staff, and security. Send an email for more information about how you can work at the LGBTQ+ club and video bar.
Plan Ahead
  • The San Jose Sharks will host their Pride Night next month on Saturday, March 18 — and the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Project More and the Qmunity District. Tickets start at $54 and give you access to a Silicon Valley Pride pre-game event + an SJ Sharks Pride hat. 🏳️‍🌈
Seasonal
  • Here’s your reminder that Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday. Don’t forget to order that special someone a bouquet of flowers that will leave a lasting impression. Psst — check out Floom, an online marketplace that partners with florists that deliver locally. Shop Floom’s selection of special edition Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *
Stat
  • 59% of our readers recently told us they plan on traveling to Europe in 2023. Babbel’s user-friendly app gets readers speaking one of 14 different languages in as little as three weeks. Want to try it out? Snag 55% off your subscription today. 🌏 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Give your love some sugar

Recipe: Luv’s Brownies’ brownie cone
A picture of a cake cone topped with white frosting, sprinkles, and a brownie.
Having a Galentine’s Day party? This is the perfect sweet treat. | Photo via Luv’s Brownies
As Valentine’s Day approaches, why not whip up something sweet for your sweetheart?

Lucky for you — the bakers at Luv’s Brownies have a recipe that will surely put a smile on someone’s face: the brownie cone.

The family-owned establishment has been baking its popular heart-shaped brownies since 1996, and a portion of all sales go towards owner Andrea R. Lacy’s “Grit Award” Scholarship — created for high school seniors who contribute to their community + display resilience in overcoming challenges. ❤️

Ready to get bakin’? Learn how you can create your own version of Luv’s Brownies’ sweet treat. (and don’t hesitate to browse more baked goodies from the pros.)
GO TO THE RECIPE
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: If I were to add a personal reason for not wanting to leave San Jose, it would be because of how interconnected our community is. Camino Brewing Co. uses Chromatic Coffee beans to brew their stouts. Cukui let San Jose Simpsons display art in their clothing shop. The San Jose Quakes have a featured drink at Nirvana Soul. It truly shows that our city thrives from community collaboration — and it’s amazing to be apart of.

Missed the last newsletter? Read about SOULMAT3S, a local married DJ duo.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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