🙌 What to do around SJ this weekend (8/9-8/11)

🌟3 Weekend Events to Attend

Perseids Meteor Shower at Castle Rock State Park

• When: Sat. (8/10), 7:30PM-Midnight

• Where: Castle Rock State Park Parking (Castle Rock Trail, Saratoga, CA 95070)

• Price: Free admission with $10 parking (but registration needed)

• Description: Bring a blanket and watch one of the best meteor showers of the year at this nearby state park. Optimal viewing time starts after around 11PM, and if conditions are ideal, you can see up to 50-70 meteors an hour. An astronomer will also give a talk. Fun fact: This meteor shower occurs as Earth’s orbit passes through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The “shooting stars” we see are actually the result of the debris particles entering and burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.

Swades Indian Night Market

• When: Sat. (8/10), 3-11PM

• Where: Children’s Discovery Park (180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA9511)

• Price: $5 admission for early bird tickets; $10 at the gate

• Description: Enjoy a Desi street food fest, a night market with over 100 vendors, a tri-color lantern festival, and more at this celebration of India’s independence. The free parade will start be from 3 to 4:30 PM, followed by a flag walk of the longest Indian flag (over 100 feet!).

San Jose Jazz Fest

• When: Fri. (8/9) 5PM-2AM, Sat. (8/10) 1PM-2AM, Sun. (8/11) 12-9PM

• Where: Various location around Plaza de Cesar Chavez park

• Price: Starting at $43.80 (buy tickets here)

• Description: Featuring artists like 14-time Grammy-winning pianist Herbie Hancock and more, this 3-day festival will definitely jazz up your weekend. The event will feature over 100 jazz, blues, Latin, and R&B performances across 10 stages, as well as craft vendors, food, and drinks.

🚗1 Place to Visit

Montalvo Arts Center 

• Where: 15400 Montalvo Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070

• Price: Free admission

• Description: Just a 25-minute drive from the San Jose Mineta Airport, this beautiful oasis of nature and arts is a perfect day trip. Enjoy a picnic on the lush grass of the Great Lawn, appreciate the artwork around the grounds of the historic villa, or take a hike under the redwoods in the surrounding hills.

🍽️1 Restaurant to Try

Stan’s Donuts

• Where: 2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051

• Description: Forget Krispy Kreme—come to Stan’s Donuts for the best donuts in San Jose. Open since 1959, this beloved family-run business makes fresh donuts daily. They only take cash and check, but they have an on-site ATM if you forget. Try their famous glazed donuts ($1.75 each) and buttermilk donuts ($2 each; different flavors every day of the week).*

👀 New to SJ

Gardenia

• Where: 115 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

• Description: A beautiful new brunch spot housed in a restored Victorian mansion in downtown Los Gatos. Try their Kalua pork hash browns ($13), smoked wagyu brisket French dip ($19), and passion fruit pralines ($12).*

An Vat Nha Cam

• Where: 1111 Story Rd Ste 1011, San Jose, CA 95122

• Description: A small new spot for Vietnamese street foods in the Vietnam Town food court. Try their tre tron ($20.99), bap xao ($9.99), and oolong milk tea ($6.99).*

*Prices based on online sources; might change.

Thanks for reading!

See you next week,
Cindy

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