The Way Around ConJosé
Welcome to San Jose! This Guide is designed to help you find things you might need or want to make your stay a more pleasant one. All anecdotes are courtesy of the Editor. All directions are given from the Convention Center unless specified otherwise.
Directions, or Which Way is the Way?
First, to get you quasi-oriented, here's a map of downtown San Jose as provided by MapQuest:
Numbered streets run one-way in the downtown district. Odd-numbered streets run northbound; even-numbered streets run southbound.
There are two types of directions you'll see for how to get from point A to point B in the Silicon Valley. The first type are the actual directions. These are usually written by folks from outside Silicon Valley. For example, here's a map of the area around the Convention Center as provided by MapQuest:
The folks at Caltrans who designed these highways ignored the directional guides and arbitrarily designated roads as going north-south or east-west. This means we have north-south and east-west roads that run parallel, as well as north-south roads that are perpendicular to each other. Note that all the highways in the preceding maps run "north-south."
For example, you'll notice part of "southbound" 280 on this map (between the 280 symbol and the intersection with Highway 101, where 280 becomes 680) goes due northeast, while other parts of the highways run east-west, thus causing you to drive "northbound" into the sunset. San Carlos Street, on which you enter the Convention Center, runs east-west and is almost parallel to 280 (they cross at the San Jose/Santa Clara border).
Another oddity with navigating the area by car is the way the roads change names as you drive along them. Some of the ones you're most likely to notice if you drive within a five-mile radius of the Convention Center:
- San Carlos St. becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. at Bascom Avenue.
- Hwy 280 becomes Hwy 680 upon crossing Hwy 101.
- Hwy 880 becomes Hwy 17 at Bascom Ave.
- Lawrence Expwy becomes Quito Road upon crossing Saratoga Ave. In the other direction, Lawrence Expwy becomes Carribbean Ave at Hwy 237, and then becomes Mathilda Ave when it loops around, just before connecting with Hwy 237 again. (The rest of Mathilda Ave's name changes merit another paragraph.)
Nearest Grocery Stores:
Albertson's
Standard grocery store chain. Take Market St. north, turn right onto San Fernando, follow to 6th St., turn left. The market is between 6th and 7th Sts.
Zanotto's Family Markets
Zanotto's is a local chain that specializes in yupscale groceries, including sushi. Go north on Market, turn right onto San Fernando, turn left at 2nd St.
Cosentino's
Not the nearest, but worth mentioning. It's been rated by the San Jose Mercury News as having both the least expensive and best quality produce.
2666 S. Bascom Ave (at Union Avenue)
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave., left onto Union Ave. The store will be immediately on your right.
Nearest All-Night Grocery Store:
Go west on San Carlos St. around 1.25 miles. It's on the same side of San Carlos as the Convention Center.
Nearest Hospital:
Otherwise known as "downtown hospital," it's at the corner of Santa Clara and 14th Streets. Take Market St. north to Santa Clara, turn right at Santa Clara.
Next Nearest Hospital:
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
Also referred to as "Valley Med," this hospital is run by Santa Clara County. By surface streets, take San Carlos St. west, turn left onto Bascom Ave. Valley Med is on your right just after you cross Highway 280.
Nearest Kaiser Hospital:
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
This is also the nearest Kaiser medical facility to the con. Take San Carlos west; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. Turn right onto Kiely Blvd. Turn left onto Kaiser Drive; the hospital is on your left.
Nearest Library to the Convention Center:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Main Library
http://www.sjpl.lib.ca.us/MLK/
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 9:00am-9:00pm
Thursday-Saturday, 9:00am-6:00pm
This branch is across the street from the main entrance to the Convention Center. The library will be closed on Labor Day.
Nearest Houses of Worship
Assemblies of God
http://www.japantownsanjose.org/religion1.html
Protestant, Evangelical congregation affiliated with the Assemblies of God. There are services in both English and Cantonese, as well as weekly Bible Studies and activities for people of all ages.
North on Market St., right onto San Fernando St., left onto 3rd St., right onto Taylor, right onto 6th.
Buddhist
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
Between Jackson and Taylor Streets in San Jose's Japantown district. Go north on Market, right onto San Fernando, left onto 5th Street.
Sunday Dharma School Service is from 9:30am-10:00am, Sunday Adult Service is from 10:10am-11am, and Sunday Japanese Language Service is from 1:30pm-2:30pm.
Catholic
On Market by San Fernando St, really close to the con. Formerly known as St. Joseph Cathedral, this place is considered one of San Jose's greatest achievements both architecturally and philanthropically. The performance space's acoustics have been called "near perfect" for chanting, organ and choral recitals.
Spanish mass is offered Sundays at 10am, 1pm and 5:30pm; English services are said Sunday at 8:30am and 11:30am, Saturday at 8am and 4:30pm, and weekdays at 7:30am and 12:05pm.
At Lincoln and Paula Streets. Go west on San Carlos, turn left at Lincoln.
Mass: Sun 9am (English) & 11am (Croatian); Mon - Sat 8am (English); Holy days: 7pm (Croatian); Reconcilation: One hour before Mass or by appointment.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Go north on Market St., right onto San Fernando, left onto 7th.
Eastern Orthodox (Assyrian)
Not really walkable. Go south (left) on Almaden Blvd, right onto Woz Way, turn left onto Auzerais Ave, then turn left onto Guadalupe Pkwy (Hwy 87). Take the Alma Avenue exit, turn left onto Lelong St. Turn right onto Alma Ave., which becomes Minnesota Ave.
Jewish
San Jose State's chapter of Hillel. Go south on Market, turn left onto Williams. Near 7th Street.
Reform; the oldest synagogue in the Silicon Valley.
Go north on Market St.; follow as it becomes Coleman. Turn left onto Hedding, left onto Myrtle, then right onto University Ave.
http://www.uscj.org/ncalif/sanjose/
Go west on San Carlos St, turn left onto Meridian, right onto Willowbrae.
Lutheran
First Immanuel Lutheran Church
Go south on Market St., left onto San Carlos St., right onto 3rd St.
Methodist
Wesley United Methodist Church
http://www.japantownsanjose.org/religion3.html
English Worship Services: Sunday 8:30am, 10:00am; Japanese Language Service: Sunday 10:00am.
In San Jose's Japantown district. Go north on Market, right onto San Fernando, left onto 5th Street.
Presbyterian
Go north on Market St., right onto St. John St., right onto 4th. It's between Santa Clara and St. John Sts.
Unitarian
160 N 3rd St (between St. John and St. James Sts)
The building, designed by George W. Page and dedicated in 1892, sheltered earthquake victims in 1906 and now houses a labyrinth open to the public (11:30am to 1pm weekdays; 12:30pm to 1:30pm Sundays). The domed sanctuary, enhanced by a half-round balcony, seats 275 and has a small stage for musical performances by the San Jose Guitar Society and other groups.
Sunday Worship Services: 9:30am (en Español) and 11:00am (in English).
Downtown San Jose Happenings
Music in the Park
Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, Market and San Carlos Streets
San Jose does this every summer. The city provides free concerts by big-name acts. On August 29th, it's Luce (Contemporary Rock) with opener The Waifs.
Tapestry in Talent
It runs from August 31st through September 2nd and features a variety of locally and nationally-known acts, as well as food vendors and artists selling wares.
This will make getting in and out of downtown San Jose a bit of a nightmare at times. We're told it won't interfere with access to the Fairmont or the Convention Center.
Farmers' Markets
Downtown Farmers' Market at San Pedro Square
http://www.sj-downtown.com/eve_eve_far.html
San Pedro Square between Santa Clara and St. John Streets
Browse through colorful flowers, gourmet foods and fresh fruits and vegetables from California-certified growers.
Berryessa Flea Market
1590 Berryessa Rd. San Jose, CA. 95133
1(408) 453-1110, 1(800) Big-Flea
Open Wednesday Through Sunday, Dawn to Dusk, the biggest Farmers' Market in California.
San Jose Japan Town Farmers Market
Jackson St. between 7th & 8th Streets (directly in front of Miraido Village)
Computers and Peripherals
Fry's Electronics
You haven't truly been to the Silicon Valley till you've been to Fry's. This isn't just a computer store; it's an institution. Every Fry's Electronics store is decorated in a different theme. The one on Bascom Avenue is done as an Egyptian pyramid, complete with pseudo-hieroglyphics on the wall (for the record, they're gibberish). The San Jose store on Brokaw Road is done in a Mayan theme, complete with a miniature Mayan temple and a coffee bar; the Sunnyvale store theme is "Old and New," with a CD-controlled grand piano plunking out tunes in the middle of the store, and the Fremont store theme is "electricity," complete with a large Tesla coil.
Here you'll find everything you need for a late-night hacking session. You'll literally find computer chips on one side of the store and potato chips on the other. They also sell peripherals, stationery, home and car stereo equipment, appliances, CDs, and tapes.
Hours for all stores: Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am9:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am7:00pm
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom, right onto Hamilton; it's the pyramid on your left.
Obsolete Hardware and Software
One of the big-to-do things in Silicon Valley is buy obsolete computer goods. If you want a part for that old computer you still use, or you want to buy one-off versions of software, you're in the right part of the world.
HSC Electronic Supply
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 7:00pm
Formerly known as "Halted Specialties," they're known as the "hardware tinkerer's store." They've carried everything from lasers to 1 gigaohm resistors.
Weird Stuff Warehouse
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-6:00pm
This place has really good buys on old hardware and software; it's sort of a dot-com graveyard. They also sell things like phone cables and power cords really cheap.
Surplus Computers
http://www.surpluscomputers.com
430 E. Brokaw Road (at Zanker Rd)
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pm
Another place full of bargains from failed dot-coms and surplus inventory from computer stores.
Go north on Market St.; stay on it after it becomes Coleman Ave. and then DeLaCruz Ave. Turn left onto Central Expwy, then turn right onto Lafayette St., then left onto Duane Ave.
Excess Solutions
http://www.excess-solutions.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm
Another place for surplus hardware. It's on Brokaw Road between Hwys 101 and 880.
Fabric and Crafts Stores
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-9:00pm
The nearest fabric store to the con, it's a smaller chain with an okay selection of fabrics and pretty good selection of crafts stuff. Friendly service.
Go west on San Carlos St., turn left at Bascom. Beverly's is in a strip mall on your left where a vacated Greek restaurant's sign still sits.
Hancock Fabrics
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am-9:00pm
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am-9:00pm
1600 Saratoga Ave. (in the Westgate Mall)
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am-9:00pm
Hancock's carries the typical set of sewing notions and lots of fabrics at really good prices.
Michael's
Hours for all stores: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-9:00pm
Westgate Center, 1600 Saratoga Ave., Suite 433
More of a crafts supply store, but they carry notions, as well as some of the bigger things you need for costuming.
Formal Wear Rentals
Tuxedo Fashions of California
The nearest one to the Convention Center; they advertise "delivery service" and are open 7 days a week.
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Meridian for about a block. You can get there via the #23 bus line.
Fernando's Tuxedos
Go west on San Carlos St.; it's about 2.5 blocks past Meridian Ave. Also accessible via the #23 bus line.
Selix Formalwear
Hours for both: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-7:00pm
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave., right onto Campbell Ave. By public transit, take the #23 and transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62.
Near San Tomas Expwy. Go west on San Carlos St. and continue after it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd.
Music Stores
Whether you're looking for a bargain on a used guitar, a place where you can rent a sousaphone, a replacement for your G string, or sheet music, we have the places.
K & K Sound & Lighting
Many pros swear by this place. They carry mikes, amps, recording devices, and mixers. They usually have a few guitars, but they're more of a place for audio/visual stuff.
Go west on San Carlos St.; it'll be on your left just after Leigh Ave.
The Starving Musician
http://www.starvingmusician.com
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00am-7:00pm
The Starving Musician sells new and used instruments; they also have a 2-for-1 deal on strings (and they're not marked up!). It's also a fun place to visit; you never know what you'll find for sale, as they mix their current inventory with their consignment stuff. I've seen a guitarron (the big six-string bass guitar they use in Mariachi bands), regular and guitar lutes, and many international instruments. They sell strings 2-for-1, and their prices are very good.
Go west on San Carlos St., turn left onto Meridian Ave. It's on your right in a strip mall.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:00am-8:00pm
The original store. Take San Carlos St. west; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. Turn right at Lawrence Expressway, right onto El Camino Real, and it's on your left (you have to make a U-turn after you see it).
Guitar Showcase
3090 So. Bascom Ave. (near Camden Ave.)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-9:00pm
Don't let the fishie on the logo scare you; these folks are actually a lot of fun and don't bite. I've always been treated with first-class service. They're open Sundays, and they have a small consignment shop that's fun to browse through.
Go west on San Carlos, left onto Bascom. By bus, take the #23 west, then transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62.
Paradise Music
3680 Stevens Creek Blvd # 1 (near San Tomas Expwy)
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm
A small, friendly shop that carries both new and used instruments with reasonable prices.
Go west on San Carlos St.; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. The store will be on your left.
Guitar Center
It helps to be male to get decent service here, although they have been improving on that front the last couple of times I've been there. They don't always put prices on their merchandise, but they claim they'll beat anyone's price. They do sell strings, and they're open Sundays.
Music Music Music
Not a musical instrument store, but a sheet music store, and a very good one at that. They've even been caught stocking filk songbooks! They also have a machine that generates MIDI files of popular songs onto floppy disk; I haven't tried it so I can't comment on the quality of the arrangements. Go west on San Carlos St., continue as it changes to Stevens Creek Blvd. Turn right at Winchester, and it'll be on your left (just past and behind Valley Fair Shopping Center). The #23 bus line also goes near there.
Fine Fretted String Instrument
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12:00pm-5:30pm
Specializes in high-end instruments for flamenco, mariachi, and classical music. Go there and drool at the merchandise.
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom. It's in the Bel Gato Shopping Center on your left. By bus, take the #23 west, then transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62.
Gryphon Stringed Instruments
http://www.gryphonstrings.com/
Not walkable, but you can get there by bus (the #23; transfer at the San Antonio hub to the #22). This is a first-rate shop for anything with strings (including harps). They not only sell guitars, but harps, dulcimers, banjos, ukuleles, and violins. They're not open Sundays.
Haight Ashbury Music Center
http://www.haight-ashbury-music.com/
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pm
These folks are nice people. Not quite driveable, but accessible via public transit (aim for "Sunnyvale Town Center" using the #23, transferring to the #54 at DeAnza College).
Post Office
Nearest to the Con:
This is a substation with limited services. Take San Carlos St. east, left onto 3rd.
Food and Beverage Matter
If you're throwing a party you need this stuff.
Costco
We've listed the three closest locations for you. Costco is a warehouse store; you need a membership card to shop there.
The closest one to the Convention Center, at Senter Road near Tully Road. Take San Carlos St. west, turn left onto Almaden Blvd. Take Hwy 280 southbound to the 7th St/10th St exit, getting off at 10th St. Turn right at the end of the ramp, turn left onto Keyes St, then right onto Senter Road.
This one usually has the cheapest gasoline in the county. Not walkable. Take Market St. north; it becomes Coleman Ave; continue on Coleman. Costco will be on your left.
Trader Joe's
Think of this as a discount yuppie store. Their prices are excellent, and the quality is first-rate. They don't sell anything they haven't tried themselves, so even if you've never heard of a brand, you're highly unlikely to go wrong with anything you buy here.
Hours for all stores: 9:00am-9:00pm seven days a week.
1875 Bascom Avenue (Pruneyard Shopping Center)
The closest TJ's to the Convention Center. Take San Carlos St. west, turn left onto Bascom Ave. It'll be on your right.
5985 Almaden Expressway (at Winfield)
5269 Prospect Road (In the Westgate West Shopping Center, between Saratoga Ave. and Lawrence Expwy)
Beverages, & More
A terrific discount store with a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They also have good prices on teas and and a decent selection of munchies, cheese, and caviar. They're also the one place that consistently carries Tullamore Dew. Hint: Register on the web site with "Club Bev" to get discounts on purchases.
Hours for all stores: Monday-Friday, 10:00am-9:00pm
Saturdays, 9:00am-9:00pm
Sundays, 10:00am-7:00pm
14800 Camden Avenue (at Union Ave.)
In the Cambrian Plaza shopping center. Look for the spinning sign at the corner. Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave., left onto Camden Ave.
4175 Stevens Creek Blvd (near Kiely Blvd.)
Take San Carlos St. west; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. The store will be on your right.
Cost Plus Imports
4050 Stevens Creek Boulevard (between Saratoga Ave. and Kiely Blvd.)
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-9:00pm
Sometimes the best buys on wine and beer are here. They also stock imported candy and cookies and interesting munchies. It's practically across the street from the Santa Clara Beverages, & More.
Take San Carlos St. west; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. The store will be on your left.
Cash and Carry
1731 West San Carlos Street (at Leigh Ave.)
(408) 971-2636, (408) 971-2637
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 6:00am-6:00pm
Go here first, then buy what you don't find here elsewhere. These folks close early, but their prices are worth the midday haul. They sell party supplies, food in large quantities, serving dishes, and restaurant supplies.
Take San Carlos St. west for about a mile and a half; it'll be on your right.
Smart and Final
The folks who own Cash and Carry own this chain as well. Their selection is wider, quantities are sometimes easier to deal with, and they're open later. They sell janitorial/cleaning supplies, restaurant supplies, party supplies, and food.
2152 Monterey Road (at Curtner Ave.)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00am-8:00pm
The closest one to the Convention Center. Take Market St. south a little over two miles; it eventually becomes Monterey Road.
5281 Prospect Road (at Saratoga Ave.)
(408) 517-8803, (408) 517-1498
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-9:00pm
Take San Carlos St. west; it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. Turn left onto Saratoga Ave, then right onto Prospect Road. The store is on the right in the shopping center at the intersection of Saratoga Ave. and Prospect Road.
2065 El Camino Real (at Scott Blvd)
Party Supply Stores
These places are more oriented towards party supplies rather than food, beverages, cooking, and serving stuff.
Party America
Hours for both: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-8:00pm
They sell party supplies. Their prices aren't as good as Smart and Final's, but they have a wider selection of party decorations and favors.
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave., right onto Hamilton Ave. By public transit, take the #23 and transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62.
Diddams Amazing Party Store
The nearest branch of this party supply chain. One block south of Stevens Creek Blvd (aka "San Carlos St."), on the right.
Affordable Treasures
The "look at what fell off the truck" of party supply stores; you never know what you're going to find, but what you find can be pretty amazing. Their prices are better than Party America or Diddams and their selection is more eclectic. This is where we bought the paper flowers used as decoration for the San Francisco in 2002 bid parties.
Take San Carlos St. west, turn left onto Bascom Ave., which becomes Los Gatos Blvd. The store will eventually be on your right.
Japantown
San Jose's Japantown is one of the largest Japantowns in the United States. Japantown is located near downtown San Jose in the Jackson and Taylor neighborhood between 1st and 7th Streets. It is accessible by light rail and bus.
If driving, take Guadalupe Parkway north to Taylor Street exit and continue east to Fifth Street. Turn right and continue to Jackson.
If on foot, take Market Street east, right on San Fernando, left on First Street.
Japantown is also available by bus and Light Rail. The light rail station nearest is Japantown/Ayer Street Station.
Bicycle racks are available on all primary Japantown streets.
In Japantown you'll find places selling books, manga, and videos. There's even a shop that makes fresh tofu daily.
Japanese Market Outside Japantown
Banks
Because this is the "downtown" district, most of the major banks have branches here, complete with ATMs. Hint: If you want a free withdrawal, buy somethingat the See Albertson's. at E Santa Clara St between 6th and 7th using your ATM card and ask for cash back.
Sanwa Bank California
East on Almaden Blvd; if heading from the Convention Center, the bank will be on the left side of the road.
1 Almaden Blvd (at Santa Clara St.)
Cross Almaden Blvd at San Carlos, go north on Almaden Blvd about four blocks.
Chiao Tung Bank
Head north on San Carlos St. The bank is 1.5 blocks and on the other side of San Carlos from the entrance of the Convention Center.
Bank of America
On the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street, across Plaza de Cesar Chavez from the Fairmont.
A few feet north of the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street, across Plaza de Cesar Chavez from the Fairmont.
Wells Fargo Bank
Near the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street, across Plaza de Cesar Chavez from the Fairmont.
Heritage Bank of Commerce
http://www.heritagebankofcommerce.com/
Almaden Blvd at Park Ave. Follow Almaden north one block; it's in the tall "Heritage Bank" building.
Bank of the West
San Fernando Street between Market Street and First Street. Go north on Market, turn right on San Fernando.
Comerica Bank
Almaden Blvd between San Fernando and Santa Clara Street; across from Post Street. Cross Almaden Blvd., then go north 4.5 blocks.
Santa Clara St north of Almaden Blvd. Cross Almaden Blvd at San Carlos, go north on Almaden Blvd about four blocks. Cross and turn left at Santa Clara Street.
Greater Bay Bank
Market Street between San Fernando and Post Streets. Go north on Market; on the same side of Market as the Fairmont.
First Bank & Trust
Almaden Blvd at Santa Clara St. Cross Almaden Blvd at San Carlos, go north on Almaden Blvd about four blocks.
San Jose National Bank
Market at Santa Clara Streets. Go north on Market St; it's two blocks north of San Fernando Street.
Credit Unions
Municipal Employees CU
Asbury Street at San Pedro Street.
Go north on Market Street, right at San Fernando Street, left at First Street, left at Taylor Street, right on San Pedro Street.
Santa Clara County Federal CU
852 N 1st St (between Taylor and Hedding Sts.)
Go north on Market Street, right onto San Fernando Street, left at First Street.
Electric Federal Credit Union
Stone Avenue about a block from Almaden Expwy. Go south on Almaden Blvd, stay on as it becomes Almaden Expwy, fork left at Stone Avenue.
Peninsula Postal Credit Union
Leigh Avenue by Southwest Expwy. Go west on San Carlos, left at Meridian, right at Southwest Expwy, left at Leigh Ave.
Alliance Federal Credit Union
265 Curtner Ave (between Monterey Road and Hwy 87)
Curtner Avenue between Stone Ave and Little Orchard Go south on Market; it merges with First Street and then becomes Monterey Hwy. Right at Curtner.
2105 Forest Ave (at O'Connor Hospital)
Between Bascom Avenue and Hwy 880. North on San Carlos, right at Bascom Ave, left at Forest Ave.
Provident Central Credit Union
Go south on Market; it merges with First Street and then becomes Monterey Hwy. Left onto Tully Road.
Commonwealth Central CU
http://www.commonwealthccu.org/
1651 N 1st St (between Sonora Ave. and Skyport Dr.)
Go north on Market Street, right onto San Fernando Street, left onto First Street.
Hardware Stores
By "hardware" here we mean hammers, nails, and wood, rather than disk drives, routers, and chips. For that kind of hardware, see See Computers and Peripherals. or See Obsolete Hardware and Software. .
Orchard Supply Hardware
Hours:Monday-Friday, 7:00am-9:00pm
The nearest hardware store to the Convention Center, and allegedly the first OSH. Take San Carlos St. west, or take the #23 bus line.
Home Depot
480 E Hamilton Ave (across from Fry's Electronics)
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave., right onto Hamilton Ave. By public transit, take the #23 and transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62.
Southern Lumber Co
http://www.southernlumber.com/
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm
The "drool and slobber" of lumber stores, this place has lots of exotic woods. They will cut anything to size for you and deliver it.
Bookstores
Do I need to explain why we included this category?
Spartan Bookstore
http://store547.collegestoreonline.com/
211 S 9th St (on the San Jose State University campus)
(408) 924-1800, (800) 370-9794
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7:00am-9:00pm
It's a college bookstore, and yes, you'll be dealing with back-to-school rush, but if you want esoteric academic books, cards, pens, or San Jose memorabilia, it's a good place to go.
Phoenix Bookstore & Coffee Shop
First Street at Reed Street. Go south on Market 5.5 blocks, staying on as it becomes First Street. The bookstore will be on the right.
San Jose Museum of Art
Waldenbooks
This Waldenbooks is at the San Jose Pavilion; it's one of the few businesses to survive in this ill-fated attempt at a downtown shopping mall. It has a small science fiction section. The magazine racks are more extensive.
Rose Printing Co
49 N 1st St, Suite A (between Santa Clara and St. John Sts)
This store specializes in legal materials, including Santa Clara County court forms, self-help books by Nolo Press, videos, and software.
First Street between Santa Clara and St. John Streets. Go north on Market, right at San Fernando, left at First.
San Jose Historical Museum
Saint John St between San Petro St. and Almaden Ave. Go north on Market, right on Saint John Street.
Roberts Book Store
http://www.robertsbookstore.com/
330 S 10th St (at San Carlos St.)
This is where San Jose State students go to buy used textbooks.
By foot, go east on San Carlos through the San Jose State Campus; by car, go east on San Carlos, right at Fourth Street, left at San Salvador Street, left at 11th Street, left at San Antonio Street, right on 10th Street.
Woodruff & Thush
81 E San Fernando St (between Second and Third Sts)
Alao listed as "A. Aardvark Used Books," this is one of my favorite places to shop in downtown. Browse through row after row of old, rare books, and even 78s. The shop has a friendly long-haired resident cat.
Memorabilia of San Jose
250 W Saint John St (at Almaden Blvd)
Specializes in used and rare stuff.
Cross Almaden Blvd at San Carlos St., go north on Almaden Blvd about six blocks.
Recycle Book Store
1066 The Alameda (at Race St.)
This is San Jose's largest used book store. Three rooms of floor-to-ceiling shelves fill a massive space that used to be a roller rink, yet you can still find a cozy place to sit and read in front of the window. There's also a friendly store cat.
Go north on Almaden Blvd, left onto Santa Clara St., follow as it becomes The Alameda.
Odyssey Books
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, noon-8:00pm
Saturday and Sunday, noon-5:00pm
Owner Peter Dent deals in used books at the higher end of the scale in both literary quality and condition, specializing in Fiction. The store also features about 40 other categories in History, Social Sciences, Humanities and Popular Culture. He carries mostly hardcovers and trade paperbacks, scuttling the science fiction paperbacks to a tiny room in the rear. If you're looking for something in particular, ask.
Go north on Almaden Blvd, left onto Santa Clara St., follow as it becomes The Alameda. It's about three blocks past Recycle Book Store.
Laundry Service
Copy Shops
Kinko's
93 E San Carlos St (between 2nd and 3rd Sts)
Office Supplies and Stationery
For that oddball marker, paper, and so forth. Also see See Bookstores., as some of them also carry that kind of stuff.
McWhorter's Stationers
95 S Market St (at San Fernando)
The nearest stationery store to the Convention Center.* If not, that "honor" goes to the See Spartan Bookstore.. (*I've listed this location, but I'm not sure whether it's been reopened. The parent company went bankrupt last year, but the stores and name were bought out by a guy who's been trying to reopen all the old stores.)
685 Saratoga Ave (at Moorpark)
I do know this location has been reopened.
Go west on San Carlos; continue after it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd, go left onto Saratoga Ave. It'll be on your right.
Staples
By Santa Clara Costco; not walkable. Take Market St. north; it becomes Coleman Ave; continue on Coleman. Costco will be on your left.
Office Depot
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00am-8:00pm
Not walkable. Take Market St. north; it becomes Coleman Ave; continue on Coleman after it becomes DeLaCruz Ave and then Trimble Ave. Turn right onto Seaboard Ave. and right onto Channing Ave.
3951 Stevens Creek Blvd. (near Saratoga Ave.)
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-9:00pm
Go west on San Carlos St.; continue after it becomes Stevens Creek Blvd. By bus, take the #23.
Office Max
Hamilton Plaza Shopping Center
1760 S. Bascom Ave. (at Hamilton Ave.)
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-9:00pm
Go west on San Carlos St., left onto Bascom Ave. By bus, take the #23 line, then transfer at Bascom Ave. to the #62 line.
Willow Glen Kosher Market
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:00am-6:00pm
Fridays and Sundays, 10:00am-2:00pm
Full line of kosher products including meat, dairy, frozen foods, and wine. Sandwiches in the shop, Shabbos Take-Out service. Deliveries Tuesday & Thursday evenings. Please call the day before delivery