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📍 Meet me at the Winchester Mystery House

San Jose’s most iconic landmarks

A collage of the Five Wounds Portuguese National Parish, San Jose City Hall, and the San Jose Museum of Art juxtaposed on a blue background of street map lines.
How much do you know about San Jose’s most iconic landmarks? | Graphic by SJtoday staff
We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

From the Winchester Mystery House to the oldest building in San Jose, here are the great 408’s most iconic landmarks.

The Mexican Heritage Plaza sign.

The Mexican Heritage Plaza is home to the School of Arts and Culture.

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Photo by SJtoday staff

Mexican Heritage Plaza

Address: 1700 Alum Rock Ave.
Nearby: Teatro Vision, Mariscos La Costa
Before this cultural hub staked its claim on Alum Rock Avenue, this site was formerly a Safeway grocery store. It was that exact store that César Chavez held one of his first strikes to boycott the poor pay and working conditions faced by grape growers. Today, you can walk through its peaceful garden, catch a show at the School of Arts and Culture, and learn more about local Chicano culture.

San Jose Museum of Art

Address: 110 S. Market St.
Nearby: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Signia by Hilton Hotel, Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
The original building this museum lives in was actually the first federal building in San Jose. Built in 1892, this Romanesque-style building was the town’s post office. Now, SJMA stakes claim in the middle of downtown, hosting 9-12 new exhibits each year + First Friday events every month.

WinchesterMyseryHouse_Exterior 4 - Feature

The Winchester Mystery House is a local + state historic landmark that attracts tourists from around the world.

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Photo by SJtoday staff

Winchester Mystery House

Address: 525 S. Winchester Blvd.
Nearby: Santana Row, Valley Fair Mall
One of the most well known landmarks in San Jose, and definitely one of the quirkiest. Sarah Winchester’s architectural wonder contains dizzying hallways, cramped, sloping stairwells, and more than a few lingering questions.

PayPal Park

Address: 1123 Coleman Ave.
Nearby: SJ Mineta Airport, Santa Clara University
Home to the San Jose Earthquakes, this local stadium officially opened in 2015. With the largest outdoor bar in North America, the stadium also holds the record for largest soccer lesson.
12 more landmarks
 
Events
Wednesday, Dec. 13
  • “Mamma Mia!” | Through Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose | $79-$357 | My, my, how can I resist you? The smash-hit jukebox musical is told through the timeless hits of ABBA.
  • White Christmas Drag Bingo | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Pruneyard Cinemas Cedar Room, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell | Free | Don your all-white attire and enjoy a dazzling event filled with drag performances + prizes, with a portion of the night’s proceeds going to the Bill Wilson Center.
Thursday, Dec. 14
  • Prism Party | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 9-11:30 p.m. | 386 Lounge, 386 S. First St., San Jose | $5-$10 | The newest drag show in San Jose brings a rotating lineup of the Bay Area’s up-and-coming drag artists.
Friday, Dec. 15
  • WoW! Holiday Night Market | Friday, Dec. 15 | 4-10 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | Free | This market will offer live performances, unique gifts, and holiday-inspired treats.
  • San Jose Barracuda vs. Calgary Wranglers | Friday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose | $13-$62 | See the ‘Cuda face off against the Wranglers in this head-to-head matchup.
  • Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot; or Holmes for the Holidays” | Thursday, Dec. 14-Friday, Dec. 15 | 8-10 p.m. | City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose | $28-$67 | Enjoy the final performance of this wildly hilarious holiday adventure.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Weather
  • I’m dreaming of a wet Christmas — Meteorologists say more rain is heading to California over the next week, resulting in “above average” rainfall for the South Bay. While the timing is currently unknown, officials encourage residents to keep an eye on pooling water and report blocked storm drains. (SF Gate)
Development
  • Alviso is working to transform 3.2 acres into housing. The development site near Topgolf is being eyed for 804 apartments across eight multifamily buildings, all of which are planned to be affordable. The project is in the preliminary planning phase, and the timeline to break ground is unknown. (The Mercury News)
Transit
  • Starting Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, it will cost more to ride BART. The transit agency was expected to raise costs by 11% in 2024, but will instead space out the increase to 5.5% over the next two years. Low-income rider discounts will increase from 20% to 50%. (NBC Bay Area)
Feel Good
  • Local Instagram account San Jose Foos is taking donations for their third-annual holiday toy drive. Anthony Gomez — the founder of the account — has partnered with the City of San Jose + Toys for Tots for the giveaway, with the goal of donating 30,000 toys. You can donate here. (NBC Bay Area)
Civic
  • Santa Clara County is reviewing a safe sleeping site program to support residents who are struggling with housing insecurity. While details for the initiative are still being developed, officials say the sites will be modeled after a similar program adopted in San Diego last year. (The Mercury News)
Ranked
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport ranked No. 1 for WiFi speeds. Ookla looked at free internet provided by airports across the country, and SJC leads the pack — with median download speeds of 259.37 Mbps — beating Oakland (206.25 Mbps) and San Francisco (155.99 Mbps).
Legacy
  • Parks advocate, historian + educator Kitty Monahan, who died last year, is being honored by Santa Clara County with new signage and accolades at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Monahan was instrumental in the purchase and preservation of the park, so a bridge and trail have been renamed in her honor. (The Mercury News)
Job
  • We’re hiring a Branded Copywriter to support the strategy, creation, and placement of branded content campaigns for 6AM City’s clients. From creating dynamic content (including written articles and social) within the 6AM tone and style to closely following the process of how we fulfill advertiser contracts — see details and apply.
Seasonal

☃️ Putting more holiday light displays on blast

Which San Jose neighborhood has the best holiday light display?

A house lit up by bright multi-colored Christmas lights, with several inflatable Santas, gnomes, snowmen, cookies, milk, and giant Christmas ornaments.
This Oster house on Nelson Way is an absolute Christmas miracle. | Photo courtesy Brandon F.
We asked where you go to see holiday lights in San Jose, and this week, we’re reviewing even more submissions + recommendations.

Cambrian Park

A lot more displays were visible this time. One house even had a neat light show that danced along to a custom FM radio station. Score: Holly jolly radio songs/10

Hidden Glen South

Nearly every tree along Sunset Glen Drive had colorful lights swirling to the top, with bright displays on each house. Score: We almost thought it was daytime/10

Oster

The house on Nelson Way is positively fabulous. Several red and white candy canes, multiple Santas on the roof (including one who looks like he’s doing his best Klay Thompson impression). There must be 30+ inflatables on the lawn. Score: Clark Griswold would be jealous/10

If you see any cool holiday displays in your neighborhood, let us know.
More neighborhood reviews
The Buy

The Buy 12.13.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A heated vest, jacket, or socks from Ororo so you’re actually comfortable this winter. Bonus: They make great holiday gifts, too.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Gregg

From the editor
If you participate in “white elephant” gift exchanges this year, what are your go-to gag gifts? Mine are always ginormous, oversized coffee mugs.
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