Tier Point Run to San Jose in Nov 2023: Day 5 – San Jose – Morning

The start of another day in Silicon Valley! Another night of broken sleep, but the thought of a Starbucks and some breakfast kept me going.

I was awake a little before 3am; caught up with the Vickster and planned aspects of my day in San Jose.

First off, I needed to head out to Starbucks at 5am. I decided I may as well go to the same place as yesterday on North Capitol Ave.

When I got there, although the lights were on, it was as dead as a dodo.

The next store in my sights was one built into a Safeway on the way back to the hotel.

The lights were on at Safeway – I don’t think I have ever seen such a big supermarket open with absolutely no one inside!

All I was bothered about was that I could get in and the Starbucks consession was open – it was.

After picking up my coffee, I headed back to the hotel and I remembered that no one had asked me to register my car, although I didn’t see any real need to do so.

I was parked in a Diamond member parking spot, close to the building.

Breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn started at 7am and as a Diamond member, I had $10 to spend per person.

Based on reports on the web, that didn’t appear to go a long way!

Luckily with Vick wanting a similar breakfast to me, (even though she wasn’t around), I was able to order two breakfast dishes and English muffins to take them up to my room.

That would keep me going through lunch until a potential visit to the Cheescake Factory this afternoon.

So, Starbucks done; breakfast done. What next for the morning? I decided I would head into San Jose Downtown to see some of the central attractions.

I know San Jose was never going to be full of top-rated tourist spots, but there were some key focal points I needed to see.

I chose to park in a ParkSJ managed car park, located on Market and San Pedro Square, where you get the first 90 mins free, then you pay $1 for each 15 mins thereafter. I made sure I was out before my 90 mins was up, so parking was free.

1. San Pedro Square Market

San Pedro Square Market is a popular food market with lots of food stalls, bars, and cafes.

It’s got an interesting vehicle parked outside, but although open, it was quiet on a Sunday morning.

I grabbed a photo and then moved on.

2. St Joseph’s Cathedral Basilica

St. Joseph’s was the first church of the Pueblo de San Jose. It is also the oldest non-mission church in the state of California.

The original adobe structure was built in 1803 and burnt down in 1875, at which point the present domed cathedral was constructed.

Later work added ceiling paintings, wall decorations, and stained glass.

The church is still active and holds mass seven days a week. It was open when I walked past!

3. Street Art/Graffiti Murals

There are lots of examples around the city. They brighten up the city of San Jose and do not have the typical negative image that is normally associated with such graffiti in other cities.

It’s also worth noting that there was no homeless people in the city as far as I could see.

Although, as I later found out, there was a good reason for that.

4. San Jose City Hall

San Jose’s City Hall is one of the city’s most iconic structures. The building was designed by Richard Meier and opened in 2005. It includes an 18-story tower, a rotunda, and council chambers.

It’s an unusual collection of architectural structures which makes this city hall truly unique.

5. San Jose State University and the Martin Luther King Library

San Jose State University was founded in 1857 – it’s the oldest public university in the state.

Walking through the campus, I found the Olympic Black Power statue, which depicts the two track stars who, after winning medals at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, raised their fists in silent protest of human rights violations and racial injustice.

Also on the campus is the Martin Luther King Library.

6. The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Tech offers hands-on and family-friendly exhibits demonstrating the role that technology and innovation has in everyones’ lives.

Examples of the exhibits include an earthquake simulator and a space simulator.

At that point, I decided to head back to the hotel. It had already been a long day (for me), so I needed a bit of a rest!

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