01.16.2024

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Today’s Forecast

62º | Early clouds, afternoon rain | 42% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:20 a.m. | Sunset: 5:14 p.m.

Take a quick trip up north

Hit the Road: A foodie foray to Sonoma and Napa counties

Enjoy a wine tasting from the many vineyards of Sonoma County. | Photo by SJtoday staff

We hope you’ve packed your appetite. We’re revisiting our Hit the Road series with a foodie foray into wine country. Besides, the most affordable time is now.

Whether you’re interested in taking a farm or winery tour, putting your cooking skills to the test at a Relish Culinary class, or trying Michelin-starred Single Thread, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.

Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.

Drive time: ~3 hours from downtown San Jose
Est. population: 616,950
Avg. high in January-February: 58°-63°

🎟️ Things to do

Tour a winery
With over 450 wineries, there’s no way you can visit the Sonoma or Napa counties without stopping by one. Enjoy an intimate tasting at the smaller Napa Cellars, or feel royal at Beringer Vineyards — which features a castle.

Food and Farm Tours
For all things local + sustainable, try one of Food and Farm’s three tours that offer day excursions for a group of up to eight people — Flavors of Point Reyes, Oyster Lover’s Tour, or the Cheese Lover’s Tour.

🍲 Memorable eats

Farmstead, 738 Main St., St. Helena
Located at the historic Long Meadow Ranch, this farmhouse eatery serves up classic American with estate-grown wine, olive oil, beef, lamb, fresh eggs, and honey right from its backyard.

Single Thread, 131 North St., Healdsburg
From the World’s 50 Best, this Michelin-starred restaurant is one of only three US eateries that made the list. Enjoy delights from a Japanese-inspired menu, made with fresh ingredients from the head chef’s farm.

🏨 Accommodations with award-winning cuisine

boon hotel + spa, 14711 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville
Relax at this intimate, boutique stay that offers lawn games, free bikes to borrow, CBD oil massages, and more. It is also a five-minute drive from sustainable eatery boon eat + drink.

MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, 29 E. MacArthur St., Sonoma
Walk the gardens of this six-acre estate, and you’ll find gorgeous Victorian architecture, art installments, and a stylish mid-century pool. Plus, enjoy a bite in the airy dining room of Layla — the hotel’s Mediterranean bistro.

Wine not explore more?

Asked

What kind of travel do you hope to do more of in 2024?

A. Roadtripping
B. Adventure (Backpacking, skydiving, scuba diving, etc.)
C. Cruising
D. Ecotourism

Let us know

Events

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Karaoke Night | Tuesday, Jan. 16 | 8-11:45 p.m. | Renegades Bar, 501 W. Taylor St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy local talent or step up to the mic yourself at this weekly event.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Matthew Broussard | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $20-$70 | You may have seen this comedian on Comedy Central’s “Adam Devine’s House Party,” or the hilarious film “Intramural.”
Trivia Night | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 8-10 p.m. | O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub, 25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose | Free | Grab a crew, put on your thinking caps, and test your knowledge on a wide range of topics.

Thursday, Jan. 18

LGBTQ+ 2024 New Year Mixer | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Continental Bar Lounge & Patio, 349 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate unity and love with Silicon Valley Pride, and mix + mingle with folks of the community.
“Nora: A Doll’s House” | Thursday, Jan. 18-Friday, Jan. 19 | 8-10 p.m. | City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose | $28-$67 | Watch this retelling of the classic that talks women’s roles + female suffrage — with stories set in 1918, 1968, and 2018.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

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News Notes

Sports

Chubba Purdy, brother of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, has committed to transfer to San Jose State. Chubba completed 53 of 105 passes for 529 yards in 12 games last year for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and will quarterback for SJSU in the 2024 season. (KRON 4)

Community

San Jose City Council approved its five-year, $54.7 million plan to end homelessness. Most will go towards subsidizing affordable housing construction, while the rest will fund rent relief + other supportive services. The number of San Joseans experiencing homelessness decreased by 4.7% in 2023 in a year. (San José Spotlight)

Legacy

Claude Gilbert, San Jose State Spartan football coaching legend, died last week at 91. Gilbert was the only former SJSU football team captain to return as an assistant coach + head coach, and led the Spartans to two consecutive championships in 1986 and 1987. (The Mercury News)

Real Estate

SoCal-based investor BKM Capital Partners has purchased a two-building office complex at Junction Business Park in North San Jose for $30.7 million. The company purchased three industrial parks across Silicon Valley + Phoenix, in a deal totaling $79 million. (The Real Deal)

Open

Last October, we learned that Kirk’s Steakburgers — a South Bay staple for 70+ years — was closing. Now, it’s reopened across the street at the former Grill’em location (2509 S. Bascom Ave.). Expect the classic Kirk’s menu, but with a few upgrades like new appetizers + cocktails. (The Mercury News)

Biz

ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is eyeing another office building at Coleman Highline. The company already occupies 658,000 sqft of office space at the mixed-use complex, enough to accomodate 2,600-3,900 workers. The lease is still being discussed by ByteDance, so no transactions have been made yet. (The Mercury News)

Finance

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The Buy

The Buy 1.16.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Some cute housewares to add color to your kitchen — shop Six & Main’s collection of coasters, kitchen towels, bowls, and trays.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alyson

From the editor

Today’s a special day — it’s my mom’s birthday. She reads the newsletter everyday, so happy birthday mom, thank you for always cheering me on in anything I pursue. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without your support.

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