West San Carlos St, Downtown

San Carlos Street, in downtown San Jose, is probably the best indicator that there is a college nearby. The blend of cheap eateries (La Victoria Taqueria) with more expensive restaurants like Il Fornaio serve to accurately represent both the urban downtown and the university life. It is a bit of an odd amalgamation, as the two do not necessarily work in perfect conjunction with one another, but the result is a well-maintained street that happens to have a laid-back college feel to it.

For some reason, skateboarders are almost as common as pedestrians in this neighborhood. This is neither good nor bad but is something to be aware of. While this town is not necessarily the best in the Bay Area, especially given its reputation, West San Carlos Street is about as exciting as downtown San Jose gets.

I'm usually on San Carlos St. when I need to get my car washed, fixed, or head to Safeway for groceries. There is a nice little car wash place on Montgomery St and West San Carlos St. I also take my car to a mechanical shop on San Carlos. The mechanic shop is call Precision Tune Auto Care and it's right across from the Safeway. There is a Wallgreens across from Safeway as well.

West San Carlos street is a Mecca of businesses. You have of fast cash shops, retail outlets and other consumer companies. The area is pretty commercial and lacks that sort of comfort feeling that you would get in other streets in San Jose. Maybe there is just too much concrete and very little green. The road itself is in great condition though, so driving even in heavy traffic can be smooth and easy. The street is also exceptionally wide and offers plenty of areas to do "legal" u-turns. The street is frequented by cops that are always hanging out in the little parking lots to catch people that run red lights or are speeding, so beware of them.

west san carlos starts downtown and goes till the 880 freeway (i think) downtown west san carlos street hosts various hotels, the san jose american musical theater, and another theater as well as the convention center. You can also find giant nutcracker characters outside of one of the hotels between market and almaden and there is a carnival that is put on in the parking lot between first and market.

san carlos is also an entrance to the cesar chavez plaza on market street, which hosts music in the park and the christmas in the park among other things.

further west on san carlos is a grocery store...which is the closest large grocery store to downtown...a 24 hour safeway...which has a great selection, but oftentimes long lines...typically in the evening when you are on a late night beer or munchies run.

w san carlos also is home to some of the old school landmarks of san jose like western appliance...it also hosts what they call "antique row" i believe that is what it is called, but there are various antique or furniture stores. don't quote me on that...i dont buy antiques. what i do buy is used clothing and w san carlos is a good street for that. there is a goodwill...a vintage thirft store...moon zoom...and savers...quite possibly one of the best thrift store chains ever....maybe thrift town is better.

perhaps the most excellent thing on san carlos street is the falafel drive in. which has excellent falafels...and the always long line to prove it. i think one of those food network shows checked it out, but it has fast service and good food. i hear the banana shakes are awesome.