Guests would be brought into Central Square on the Frontier Village Railroad. | Photo via History San José
It’s about time we talked about one of our city’s most beloved attractions that brought national attention to the great 408.
So saddle up,because we’re taking you back in time to San Jose’s long-lost amusement park — Frontier Village.
The happiest place in San Jose
Following a family trip to Disneyland in 1959, Palo Alto entrepreneur and businessman Joseph Zukin Jr. became inspired to build his own piece of magic in San Jose.
After purchasing 60 acres from a doctor who owned Hayes Mansion, he worked with amusement ride designer Laurie Hollings to create a Western-themed park for all ages.
In October 1961, Frontier Village opened to the public — charging visitors only 25 to 90 cents for admission.
Cowboys, marshals, and miners, oh my
Once inside, you’d find yourself in the middle of staged gunfights between marshals + outlaws or watching Can-Can dancers from the park’s Silver Dollar Saloon waltzing around.
If you were lucky, you might have had a celebrity encounter...
STEAM’D Fest 2025 | Thursday, May 15-Saturday, May 17 | 6-9:30 p.m. | West Valley College Athletic Field, Saratoga | Free | This public fest highlights the work of graduating students throughout West Valley College’s Bill & Leila Cilker School of Art & Design and the School of Math & Science.
“The Cake” | Through Sunday, June 8 | Times vary | City Lights Theater Company | $43+ | It’s opening night for this play about a gifted baker named Della and a special order that leaves her pondering family, faith, and frosting.
Friday, May 16
Creative Minds: Kambui Olujimi | 7 p.m. | San Jose Museum of Art | $20 | SJMA Chief Curator Lauren Dickens leads a conversation with the featured exhibiting artist, sharing insights into the current exhibition “Kambui Olujimi: North Star;" this is included with museum admission.
Saturday, May 17
Longhorn Stampede 5K Run/Walk | 9-11 a.m. | Leigh High School | $24+ | This route starts on campus and winds through the surrounding Cambrian neighborhoods — all proceeds benefit Leigh High School.
Boogie: Campbell’s Music Festival | Saturday, May 17-Sunday, May 18 | Times vary | Downtown Campbell | Free | It’s back: Enjoy live music on three stages, a new DJ set-up on Central Avenue, line dancing lessons, a KidsZone packed with activities, and food + drink vendors.
South Bay AANHPI Festival| 11 a.m. | History Park | Free | Celebrate San Jose’s AANHPI community with live performances, food, crafts, exhibits, and educational panels.
Angel City FC vs. Bay FC | 7 p.m. | PayPal Park | $23+ | Celebrate AANHPI heritage as our home team takes on a SoCal opponent.
Trisha Paytas | 7:30 p.m. | San Jose Civic | $86+ | The viral entertainer performs “The Eras of Trish Tour.”
Sunday, May 18
“Rock Stars on Ice” | 4 p.m. | SAP Center at San José | $50+ | Headlined by Ilia Malinin, this show will light up the ice with music and spectacular performances from figure skaters at the top of their game.
Wednesday, May 21
Son Rompe Pera | 7 p.m. | The Ritz | $31+ | This Mexican fusion band is all about cumbia and marimba music fused with genres like danzón, rock, and ska.
San Jose is cracking down on abandoned shopping carts. New local regulations call for retailers with 76+ shopping carts to install theft prevention mechanisms or agree to a contract to roundup carts. A retrieval pilot program will launch this month in problem areas like south of the airport down to Tully Road. (The Mercury News)
Trending
Messi Mania took over the great 408 this week as global superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami club came into town to play the Earthquakes. Fans flocked to Santana Row to catch a glimpse of the World Cup champ at his hotel, many wearing their Messi jerseys in his honor. (ABC7 + KRON)
Community
Mayor Matt Mahan will deliver the State of the City this Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. at Arena Green East. Come for the civic updates, stay for the community event that includes food + hands-on service projects in the park. Register for the event.
Traffic
The Department of Transportation will host several townhall events this month — including tonight at Evergreen Village Square Library — to introduce locals to speed safety and red light camera systems being deployed in the city. Staff will give an overview of the new traffic safety pilot programs and answer questions.
Open
Sweet local news for you: Batch 22 has finally opened its Los Gatos bakery. The brand — known for its rotating menu of “pudgy,” 6-ounce cookies — has rolled out an opening week menu that includes Dark Chocolate Orange, Ube Dolce, Strawberries + Cream, and Chocolate Chip.
Coming Soon
Finally, a premiere date. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema confirmed it’ll open its Mountain View location in San Antonio Center on Monday, June 16, and Santa Clara’s Westfield Valley Fair location “not long after.” The famed no texting/talking movie theaters will hold 1,200 and 1,500 customers, respectively — the chain’s largest cinemas. (The Mercury News)
Plan Ahead
Culture Night Market + Pop Up San Jose will launch Brunch on 1st Street on Sunday, June 1, a free market featuring vintage vendors, live entertainment, a kids zone, and curated brunch options from SoFa District businesses. The event will go down every first Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., through September.
Sports
The San Jose Earthquakes will host the Portland Timbers in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 16 at PayPal Park on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the Quarterfinals — andwe bet those Timbers are shakin’. Grab your tickets.
Edu
Congrats, grads. SJSU’s spring 2025 commencement ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, May 21-Friday, May 23, at Provident Credit Union Event Center. If you’re attending as a guest, brush up on the basics. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed.
Award
Sports sociologist and SJSU alum Dr. Harry Edwards will be among five standouts inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame today. Edwards became a civil rights leader after finding success as a student athlete at SJSU. He’s been a consultant for the 49ers and Warriors. (The Mercury News)
Stat
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Look no further for your Italian sandwiches, meats, and other goods at this 115-year-old deli. | Photo via @lunaparksanjose + @sanjosefoos
Looking for lunch in San Jose? Don’t compromise — or break the bank. We’ve got the best lunch deals around town at $15 or less.
Sandwiches and wraps
Chiaramonte’s Deli & Sausage | This historic gem located near Backesto Park remains one of the oldest family-owned and operated Italian delis in the US. Drop by for classics like the turkey + bacon, thin-sliced BLT, or hot pastrami sandwich, all under $11.
Burgers
Campus Burgers | So, here’s the deal — this hotspot offers a basic smashburger for just $1.99. SJtoday reader Victoria L. calls this restaurant a “lifesaver” when she wants to treat a friend to lunch. “A cheeseburger, fries, and a soft drink for under $12 is unfortunately getting hard to find these days,” she said.
Salads
Mendocino Farms | The salads here are big, fresh, and colorful. Coming in at just under $15, try the “Not So Fried” Chicken Sandwich Salad with shaved, roasted chicken breast, mustard pickle slaw, grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, Mendo’s krispies, citrus vinaigrette, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce.
Summertime’s humidity + extra time in the sunshine can take a toll on your hair. Add these five essentials to your haircare routine to keep your locks nourished all season long:
Extra, extra. We’re hearing lots of buzz for The Pressroom, a new restaurant at 189 W. Santa Clara St. that pays tribute to local journalism history and specializes in California-inspired cuisine and craft cocktails.
While the restaurant’s interior is stunning, take time to admire its fun exterior when you visit, too. Local muralist Jorge Duh recently installed this newspaper-inspired art on the building featuring lots of “hidden Easter eggs that pay homage to San Jose.”
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