On November 18, OEDCA launched a city-wide campaign, Holiday San José, created to support and promote our local retail community through the holiday shopping season. The concept was to provide San Joséans with a guide to some of San José ’s many “Main Street” shopping areas in unique neighborhoods, many offering cultural and historical points of interest. We wanted to celebrate the loosening of the restrictions of the pandemic and encourage local enjoyment of the city and its diversity. 

At the kick-off press conference on City Hall Plaza, Frances Wong, Director of Marketing, Communications & Global Media Relations for Visit San José joined OEDCA Deputy Director Blage Zelalich in unveiling the map and guide. The map has been produced as posters and flyers, which along with Holiday San José stickers will be distributed throughout the city by participating business associations, who helped develop it.

Frances' remarks rallied the city to support our local shopping areas:

“On behalf of Visit San José and our parent company Team San José, we’re excited to partner with the city to support our small businesses and diverse vibrant neighborhoods. 

For residents, our time and money spent in San José is an investment in San José's future. By pledging your solidarity to shop local, eat local and play local, it’s a show of San José Love. 

Every dollar spent in San José stays in San José.  Whether it is tickets to a show, dinner at a restaurant, admission to an attraction or even better yet, a staycation in a hotel... that visitor spend is at work. Tourism dollars, whether from out-of-town guests or neighborhood day-trippers, help alleviate the tax burden of every San José resident. 

Plus, the world is recognizing San José ’s festive cheer. We are on Conde Nast Traveler’s World’s Best Christmas Cities list – the only California city to represent the state. Our unique San José holiday offerings put us in the company of the likes of Copenhagen, London and Rome. 

While you’re out shopping and dining, remember to tap into your inner tourist with Winchester Mystery House holiday tour, Nutcracker and musical performances at the San José theaters, the tree lighting celebrations at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, a visit to the brand new Enchant light-up holiday experience at PayPal Park, a roller-skating session underneath the Circle of Palms and of course, Christmas in the Park. Finally, let’s agree that nothing kicks off a San José holiday season like a snowman hot chocolate in Downtown. 

Thank you to the City of San José for this great initiative. This season, let’s do our community proud and explore San José ’s 18 unique neighborhoods by supporting the unique shops, restaurants and festive culture. I invite you to experience the spirit of San José for the holidays.” 

The map and descriptions for "unwrapping" the shopping areas are also online.