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Small-town
Silicon Valley: visit San Jose's First Street for holiday shopping
and fun -
Northern California Day Trip |
It may be the center of Silicon Valley, but during
the holidays, downtown San Jose remembers its small-town past. In the
1950s, local businessman Don Lima drew a crowd just by setting up a Christmas
display in front of his funeral home. That simple gesture has blossomed into
Christmas in the Park (free; at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, along Market St. between
San Carlos and San Fernando Streets), a kitschy wonderland that draws more than
400,000 spectators every December.
Beginning December 5,
an animated Victorian village pumps out enough cheer to make Scrooge
smile, while a large Nutcracker display stops shoppers. The sight
of more than 400 decorated trees, some festooned with paper angels
and foil stars made by kindergartners and Girl Scouts, lets you recall
life before pagers and the Internet. On December 5, a tree-lighting
ceremony at 5:30 brightens the night. Two days later at 8:30 A.M.,
the San Jose Holiday Parade makes things even livelier.
After taking in these
festive displays, round out a day by exploring nearby First Street's
cultural corridor, where restaurants, theaters, shops, and museums
share a downtown so compact that it's easy to tour on foot. Museum
stores and galleries offer special wares and discount prices during
the city's Downtown for the Holidays shopping event, so you can
tackle your gift list while checking out an exhibit or two. ......You
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