California Shopping Malls   San Jose, California - Also known as Silicon Valley, There's no better place to experience a weekend getaway than San Jose and no better time than now. Whether you're visiting for a convention or just want to explore new environs, San Jose is one of those rare California destinations with a downtown that's large enough to fill the minutes of your trip and tantalizing enough to lure you back again and again.   A different vacation or business experience at  Santana Row, reminiscent of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, features street level shopping & dining and Hotel Valencia Santana Row overlooking the streets and plazas. Designed by Dodd Mitchell of Los Angeles (who also designed The Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills) guestrooms include Brazilian cherry wood floors, plantation shutters, white marble bathrooms and custom designed Valencia Beds.     The mixed commercial / residential venue contains condos, Hotel Valencia Santana Row, restaurants and shops set along plazas with decorative fountains, grass lawns and play areas.   Shops in Santana Row include Anne Fontaine, Ann Taylor Loft, Anthropologie, BCBG Max Azria, Burberry, Chico's, Diesel, Gucci, Indigo Palms, Japanese Weekend Maternity, Oilily, Penelope, Salvatore Ferragamo, Smith Alder, Ted Baker, Theory, Tommy Bahama, Urban Outfitters, Eli Thomas Menswear, Kuhlman, Ted Baker, Jacadi, and Nanoo. Bella Boutique, Bella Dolci, Brooks Brothers, Camper Shoes, Donald J. Pliner, Oakley, Pink Stripes, Sur La Table, and Tumi.   Restaurants at Santana Row are Citrus at Hotel Valencia, Left Bank Bistro, Amber India, Blowfish Sushi To Die For, Straits Café, Maggiano's Little Italy, Pasta Pomodoro, Pizza Antica, Fantasia Tea Cafe, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Rosie McCann's Irish Pub, Starbucks, Village California Bistro, Yankee Pier, Consuelo, Chili's Grill & Bar, Wahoo's Tacos, Ben & Jerry's, Cocola Bakery, Joseph Schmidt, Subway, Lisa's Tea Treasures, Smoothie King, Vintage Wine Merchant.   It's hard to fathom that a city of nearly one million population feels just right. But amazingly, San Jose ranked as #1 Safest City in the US in 2005! It's one more reason we love to visit.   From Chicago to New York, Los Angeles to Orange County, those seeking a weekend getaway need look no further than San Jose, California. Historic San Jose is a city filled with architecture, art, history, culture, fabulous foods and mind games.  From a giant chess board at Santana Row to the world's largest Monopoly game board at Riverwalk near the San Jose Convention Center, people of all ages can engage in intellectual pursuits. Performing arts theaters, public art displays and museums such as Tech Museum of Innovation offer opportunities to challenge the mind in artful play.   Located 50 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and 50 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County,  California's third largest city enjoys a beautiful Silicon Valley landscape of rolling hills and friendly climate. Mild year-round temperatures and winter rains provide the perfect conditions for growing wine grapes. Surrounded by gently-rolling hills that include some of California's oldest wineries, wine tasting and wine tours provide fun excursions to the nearby countryside.   But for those who want to stay in the heart of the city to soak up the culture or perhaps attend a conference or convention at San Jose McEnery Convention Center, you need never rent a car to see many great cultural and sporting events outside your hotel room. There are two high-rise hotels making up the the two end-pieces of the convention center with our favorite Marriott San Jose. As of this writing, Marriott is newly-renovated with a fantastic restaurant and direct access to the convention floors and exhibits without ever leaving the building, a real plus for exhibitors and attendees.   Marriott San Jose features a wonderful restaurant and a smaller cafe featuring Pete's Coffee drinks. For those familiar with the wonderful Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio, it is located across the street. Starbucks Coffee is located in the convention center, providing the pick-me-up or custom morning brew you desire. One hotel that seems elegant, yet warm and inviting is  The Fairmont San Jose. Located across a plaza from the convention center, it features a movie theater, restaurants and shops all within a block of its doors. It's long been known as one of Downtown San Jose's finest hotels.   Whether attending a convention or taking our recommendation to see San Jose on a whim, you'll be amazed at the number of things you can do by walking just a few blocks any direction. Not only do you have access to a variety of great hotels, restaurants, light rail and a convention center, you can visit an art museum, a tech museum, a kids museum, an historic church, see a play, see sports, a concert or live jazz in night club. It's all within walking distance.   One of San Jose's favorite museums is within easy walking distance across the street from Santana Row. Winchester Mystery House is a unique house of over 20,000 square feet that includes stairways and closets to nowhere, many strange design features and items built with 13 components. The Winchester rifle heiress, Sarah, designed the house based on information provided by the spirits of those killed by the famous guns her husband manufactured. Sarah never worked from a set of plans, guests are told. For those seeking contact or at least a brush with the unusual, Winchester Mystery House promises to provide an entertaining experience.   Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California is a hands-on technology museum devoted to inspiring the innovator in everyone. Located in downtown San Jose directly across the street from the Convention Center, it is open to the public daily. Features include special and permanent exhibits (most are hands on and participatory), a wonderful gift shop and the Imax Theatre where films come to life though a special screen, advanced sound system and inclined cushioned seats. thetech.org   Facts from San Jose, California Oldest civil settlement in California, founded in 1777 California's first capital 3rd Largest in California and the West Coast, 11th Largest in United States 300 sunny days per year with an average annual temperature of 70 degrees The Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport is three miles from downtown 12 major airlines servicing nearly 200 daily non-stop flights from all major U.S. cities   Accolades Third Most Fun City in America by Cranium Inc. 2004 Recipient of America's Most Livable City Award by Partners for Livable Communities Fifth Best Place to Live in America by Money Magazine Safest Big City in America (population 500,000+) for three consecutive years by Morgan Quitno Press (based on FBI Crime Statistics) Sunset Magazine described our downtown as an "eminently walkable area with level streets, balmy weather and well-marked attractions." "The Epicenter of Silicon Valley" by Zagat.com