Snoop Dogg and San Jose
Story by Ginny Prior
The elevator doors were closing. With my usual frenetic pace, I sprinted across the foyer and wedged my body into the gap between the gray metal doors. Suddenly, the stars aligned and I was face to face with Snoop Dogg and his entourage. Playing a gig at the Shoreline that night, they were staying at my hotel — the San Jose Fairmont (now Signia by Hilton.)
After graciously agreeing to a photo, Snoop and I parted ways. But if we’d had time to hang out, here are the top 10 places I’d take Snoop Dogg in downtown San Jose:
1. Japantown
San Jose has one of just three historical Japantowns left in the United States. Five blocks north of downtown, this strikingly authentic neighborhood has the ornate San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, a pre-World War ll sweatshop, a 1947 gas station transformed into Roy’s Station Coffee and Teas, and numerous other historical buildings and sites.
2. Japanese American Museum of San Jose
Located in the onetime Eichler home of Dr. Eiichi Sakauye, the docents in the museum do a remarkable job of telling the history of this community and the hardships that Japanese Americans faced during internment. Here you can pick up a free walking tour guide of this 135-year-old neighborhood.
3. San Pedro Square Market
This place exudes cool, with art and live music and multiple gourmet food vendors from which to choose. Craft beers and wine make this a popular watering hole for locals. It’s also adjacent to the historic site of two of San Jose’s oldest structures, The Gonzales/Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House. There are public tours on Wednesdays and Fridays.
4. The Tech Interactive
Directly across from the Signia by Hilton, this is a must-see museum with hundreds of hands-on exhibits that immerse you in the Silicon Valley experience. It includes an IMAX theater.
5. San Jose Museum of Art
Kitty-corner from the Tech Interactive, this engaging space has an excellent collection of modern and contemporary art. It’s connected to — and integrated with — an 1892 building that once housed the Post Office.
6. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
The first non-mission parish built in California, this multi-domed house of worship has 39 stained glass windows and a Latin frieze on the ceiling that dates back 143 years.
7. San Jose State University and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library
With picturesque tree-lined grounds in the heart of downtown, it’s worth a walk around this easily accessible campus. The library is a collaboration of the university and city library systems, and the artwork and city views add to the ambience.
8. The De Anza Hotel
Hands down the best place to hear live jazz in an elegant Art Deco setting. Plush sofa seating and craft brews and cocktails make this a hot spot for locals and visitors.
9. SOFA Creative District
The South of First Street scene is eight blocks of indy shops, art galleries, nightclubs and eclectic eateries. Live music punctuates the twinkle of streetlights in this walkable downtown strip.
10. Arcade bars with giant TVs and dozens of e-games for solo or group play
Guildhouse has 18,000 square feet of gaming and dining space. MINIBOSS has 32 arcade games and 12 pinball machines in over 5000 square feet of space. They also serve local wines, craft beers and cocktails along with elevated dishes like roasted forest mushroom and fried duck egg sandwiches, Wagyu beef sliders and oxtail poutine.
In fact, speaking of e-games, Snoop Dogg has been known to play a game or two, especially Madden Football and FIFA soccer. Who knows — maybe you’ll spot him, like I did, hanging out in San Jose.
