The beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden. | Photo via @titosuavex
You don’t need major funds to have major fun in San Jose; just look at these free activities.
Outdoors
Japanese Friendship Garden | Beautiful bridges, waterfalls, and koi ponds await at this peaceful garden built in 1965 as a symbol of friendship between San Jose and its Sister City of Okayama, Japan. Entry is free, but you may have to pay a small fee for parking.
Viva CalleSJ | This free program temporarily closes some San Jose streets to bring locals together to walk, bike, skate, and play. Keep an eye on the event’s website for maps and details about upcoming events — the next one is this Sunday, Sept. 7.
Edu
Intel Museum | We love a lil’ innovation in Silicon Valley. Once upon a time, scientists Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore had a vision, and that dream turned into a multi-million dollar company. Learn all about Intel’s history through interactive exhibits and see what it’s like inside a silicon chip factory.
South First Fridays | 5-9 p.m. | South First Street | Free | Connect with SJ’s creative community while roaming exploring galleries + performance venues at this monthly event.
Godfrey | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 7 | Times vary | San Jose Improv | $32+ | We love a good laugh — the longtime actor + comedian known for films like “Soul Plane” and “Zoolander” takes the mic.
Lil Wayne | 8 p.m. | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View | $44+ | The Grammy-winning rapper performs a tour “built on 20+ years of Carter classics” with special guests Tyga and Belly Gang Kushington.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Chicano Soul Fest | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | History Park | $34 | Music, art, and lowriders will fill the landmark for this celebration of Chicano culture.
Kansas City Current vs. Bay FC | 7 p.m. | PayPal Park | $13+ | Current or not, we predict tonight’s match will go swimmingly for Bay FC.
Sunday, Sept. 7
60th Anniversary Community Day | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | New Museum Los Gatos | Free | Art activities, tours, and family-friendly fun await as the museum rings in its diamond anniversary; this is free with registration.
“Hamilton” Sing-Along Trivia Night | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden | Free | You’re young, scrappy, and hungry — don’t throw away your shot at trivia glory while singing along to your favorite “Hamilton” songs.
This former Zillow exec is targeting a $1.3 trillion market
Presented by Pacaso
Austin Allison’s Pacaso has already earned $110 million+ in gross profit to date. | Image provided by Pacaso
Austin Allison sold his first company to Zillow for $120 million. Now he’s building another real estate innovator in Pacaso.
Pacaso has already made $110 million+ in gross profits to date by disrupting the $1.3 trillion vacation home market, and the same big investors that backed Uber and eBay have already invested.
But unlike Austin’s previous companies, everyday investors (like you) can invest in Pacaso as a private company. Over 10,000 individuals already have.
$6.3 million. That’s how much Santa Clara says Super Bowl LX will cost when Levi’s Stadium hosts the big game on Feb. 8, 2026. The Bay Area Host Committee plans to cover the costs, and the 49ers will help if necessary. The city’s proposed agreement will likely be finalized next month. (The Mercury News)
Closing
This one hurts. After 16 years in business, Art Bitouki plans to close by the end of the year. The beloved all-ages music hall launched a “Closing Fundraiser” to help honor its commitments to bands that are booked to perform there through December. We’re gonna miss those live shows and weekly events.
Edu
After a fire destroyed the vacant MACSA Youth Center last week, the Alum Rock Union School Board voted to demolish the site. MACSA shut down in 2016 but local groups had been advocating to restore and reopen the youth center. (ABC7 + San Jose Inside)
Trending
Here’s the tea: The ongoing global matcha shortage is taking a toll on Bay Area cafes + bakeries. Local business owners are paying more for ceremonial matcha and having a harder time importing it. They worry that at some point, local matcha drinkers will feel the impact, too. (NBC Bay Area)
Traffic
Slow your roll. City council approved lowering speed limits on 23 street segments across SJ as part of the Vision Zero initiative. Changes including 25 mph at 11th Street from Humboldt to Hedding streets, and 30 mph at McLaughlin Avenue from Tully Road to William Street — see the full list.
Development
Construction is underway on CityView Plaza, an 11-acre mixed-use housing, office, retail, and restaurant development in downtown SJ. Plans for the CityView neighborhood include 686 residences, 204,000-sqft of “modern workspaces,” 35,000-sqft of new shops + restaurants, and a 10,000-sqft fitness center — and that’s only phase one.(East Bay Times)
Concert
San Jose Jazz’s Break Room will host 14 concerts for its 2025 Fall Series. The lineup at the 100-seat venue kicks off with the Marcos Varela Trio on Friday, Sept. 26. Other acts include the nine-piece band Katalyst on Friday, Oct. 24 and Oakland-based artist Veotis Latchison on Saturday, Nov. 1. (The Mercury News)
Civic
San Jose opened its first safe sleeping site for unsheltered locals at East Taylor Street near Watson Park this week. The location can accommodate eight tents and up to 56 people, and features resources to connect locals to permanent housing. The set-up was inspired by a similar site in San Diego. (NBC Bay Area)
Try This
In our best Ryan Seacrest voice: Are you the next “American Idol?” The TV singing competition is hosting its virtual “Idol Across America” auditions via Zoom in California on Tuesday, Sept. 9. If taking the mic is your dream, sign up here.
When some of the big investors who backed companies like Uber and eBay before they IPO’d invest in a new company, people take note. That’s the case with Pacaso — 10,000+ everyday investors are already in. But the chance to join them ends Thursday, Sept. 18. Learn more about the opportunity.†‡*
Aside from megapacks and weekly coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
Jobs of the Week
Seeking more freedom in your workday? Do your job from anywhere in these remote roles.
As SJ prepares to host huge events next year like Super Bowl LX, the NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regionals, and the FIFA World Cup, city leaders unveiled their game plan for a successful 2026. It features new branding and fan experiences across every district, including 13 concerts, 13 nighttime drone or light shows, and 100+ watch parties.
The city’s new microsite — dubbed “SJ26" — will help locals + visitors plan their itinerary around the big events.
“I can’t wait to remind our residents what makes San Jose so special — and share it with the world,” said Mayor Matt Mahan.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Tomorrow marks 103 years since the death of Sarah Winchester. The Winchester House will offer free admission to its gardens and the public can enter the front parlor to pay their respects.
A bell will ring at the 13th hour (1 p.m.) in remembrance of the famous San Josean who left a lasting mark on the great 408.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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