Stay Over Options

Many attendees need to get back home to work on Monday, so can't partake of activities on Sunday. So, we've scheduled some low key, fun things for those who are able to stay. All of these events involve a mile or so of walking in an urban setting.  Breakfast isn't provided, but we're starting several of the tours at coffee shops. Sunday afternoon would be a great time to explore on your own if you have the time. Tour guides are available on-line if you want to do one of them by yourself. Participants who register for these tours will receive a VTA day pass to reach the starting points.

Downtown Treasure Hunt

We'll meet at 10:00 AM at the bandstand at the north end of Plaza de Cesar Chavez, across the street from The Sainte Claire. After instructions and forming teams, the clues will be opened at 10:15,  the teams plan their strategies and head out to points of interest (many with an IA spin) throughout downtown San José. At each point you'll need to collect a some data, e.g. a date, a name... The finish will be at 12 at the Sonoma Chicken Coop where you can get lunch. A tasty prize, inspired by a fact in James Lick's story, awaits the first and second teams to finish the hunt!

Sixty Years of Worker Housing - An Economic Mirror of San José Development

Starting at 10 AM, there will be a walking tour of the Buena Vista neighborhood in west central San José that highlights approximately 60 years of changing worker housing, from small bungalows housing cannery workers of the early 1900’s to the classic glass-walled Eichler homes of the 1960’s housing the first wave of the technology boom.  Participants should take VTA Bus 23 or drive to the starting point at TBD W. San Carlos St.

The Beautiful Way - Tour Guide

Starting at 10 AM, a walking tour will explore The Alameda and the Shasta-Hanchett neighborhood. The tour is inspired by the recently published book The Alameda, the Beautiful Way by Shannon E. Clark, which is available from several of the stores.  This will include aggressive adaptive reuse of a former cannery as new housing, and other traces of the industries in the area.  Some magnificent homes will be seen, including one designed by noted architect Julia Morgan. Take VTA Bus 22 or drive to TBD The Alameda where the tour will start.

Japantown/Heinlenville - Tour Guide

At 10 AM we'll meet in Japantown at the corner of 5th and Jackson for a partial repeat of the Earlybird tour there. Take VTA light rail to the Japantown stop and walk five blocks east on Jackson. For the more athletic, we'll walk back to downtown through the Hensley neighborhood, with it's rich collection of Victorians.