BEST BEACON OF BIKE JUSTICE
In 2008, Palo Alto engineer Jim Gardner realized his new calling while dropping off charitable donations at a shelter, where he saw a homeless man riding around on a dangerously dilapidated bicycle. Knowing that a simple fix would go a long way, he earned his mechanic’s certificate and began tooling bikes for homeless people—free of charge. A year later, he channeled his efforts into a nonprofit: Good Karma Bikes. Today, the service shop still offers free bike repairs and teaches people how to fix their own in free repair clinics each Saturday. But it has since expanded to include programs for young adults aging out of the foster care system.
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Best Bicycle Shop
Good Karma Bikes
460 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Hyland Family Bicycles
1515 Meridian Ave, San Jose
Bicycle Express
131 E William St, San Jose
Best Antique Shop
Not Too Shabby
481 S Bascom Ave, San Jose
Antiques Colony
1881 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Willow Glen Collective
3022, 1349 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Best Motorcycle Shop
Lane Splitter Harley-Davidson
1551 Parkmoor Ave, San Jose
San Jose BMW Motorcycles
1990 W San Carlos St, San Jose
San Jose Powersports
5891 Winfield Blvd, San Jose
Best Car Wash/Detailing
Pacific Hand Car Wash
1667 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Classic Car Wash
16500 Lark Ave, Los Gatos
AJ Professional Detailing
702 Coleman Ave, San Jose
Best Clothing Boutique
Black & Brown
751 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Bombshell Boutique
295 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Details
1322 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Best Thrift Shop
Crossroads Trading Co
1959 W San Carlos St, San Jose
1008 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
Goodwill
Multiple Locations
Happy Dragon
Multiple locations
Best Vintage Clothing Shop
Moon Zooom
1630 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Black and Brown
751 W San Carlos St, San Jose
TIE
Park Place Vintage
1318 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Crossroads Trading Co
Multiple locations
Best Outdoor Gear – Independent
Mountain View Surplus
1299 W El Camino Real, Mountain View
Redwood Trading Post
1455 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City
Stevens Creek Surplus
3449 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose
Best Lingerie Store
Cupid’s Corner
408 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
Pleasures From the Heart
1565 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Romantiques
51 University Ave, Los Gatos
Best Jewelry Store
Joe Escobar Diamonds
450 E Hamilton Ave, Campbell
Shane Co.
21255 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Davidson & Licht Jewelers
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara
BEST WAY TO LEARN THE LAY OF THE LAND
The late Jane Jacobs, whose book The Death and Life of Great American Cities made her one of the most influential urban thinkers of all time, once argued that to truly understand the appeal of cities, “You’ve got to get out and walk.” Thus, upon her death in 2007, her friends memorialized her in a living, breathing homage called Jane’s Walk, a festival of free walking tours that has since spread to cities around the world, including the self-described Capital of Silicon Valley: San Jose. Last year, participants led eight walks and one bicycle ride with 88 participants, who strolled through downtown as their guides showed them new murals, emerging development and historic alleys in the city center. The next Jane’s Walk takes place May 4 through 6 at several locations in San Jose.
Best Bridal Shop
Trudys Brides
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Haute Bride
40 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Elegant Lace Bridal
1061 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
Best Place to Hold a Wedding Reception
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
23600 McKean Rd, San Jose
Corinthian Grand Ballroom
196 N Third St, San Jose
Clos La Chance Winery
1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin
Best Pet Store
Sam’s Downtown Feed & Pet Supply
759 W San Carlos St, San Jose
An-Jan Feed & Pet Supply
Multiple locations
Gussied Up Dog Boutique
1310 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Best Pet Trainer
California K9 Solutions
2123 S 10th St, San Jose
Bay Area K9 Association
1089 Memorex Dr, Santa Clara
A Dog’s Life
885 Commercial St, Palo Alto
Best Art Supply Store
University Art
456 Meridian Ave, San Jose
2550 El Camino Real, Redwood City
The Arsenal
208 Jackson St, San Jose
Accent Arts
421 Jacaranda Ln, Palo Alto
Best Record Store
The Record Man
1322 El Camino Real, Redwood City
On The Corner
530 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
The Analog Room
3185 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
BEST URBAN OASIS
A trash-covered, weed-choked plot that sat empty for decades has transformed into a verdant garden thanks to a partnership struck between a powerful landowner and an aspiring urban farmer. Developer Barry Swenson donated a lease for the one-acre parcel by Citibank and a freeway off-ramp to Zach Lewis in 2013, which laid the foundation for a nonprofit called Garden to Table and gave the Taylor Street Farm the space to harvest locally grown, sustainable food for the community. The nonprofit’s advocacy also contributed to Santa Clara County’s decision last year to offer a tax break to landowners who take a cue from Swenson by letting people plant urban gardens on vacant land.
Best Toy Store
The Wooden Horse
796 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos
Children’s Discovery Museum Store
180 Woz Way, San Jose
Lakeshore Learning Store
1099 S Bascom Ave, San Jose
Best Skate Shop
NC Boardshop
16203 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos
Skateworks
379 State St, Los Altos
Circle A
108 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose
Best Independent Bookstore
Recycle Bookstore
1066 The Alameda, San Jose