We often head to the South Bay Area for weekend events that run early in the morning or late at night. Case in point, my son recently had a baseball tournament with the first game starting at 8am. We have an hour commute if we leave from home, but include the time it takes to get ready, grab a bite to eat on the way, and having to be at the field an hour before game time, that means we wake up at 4:30-5am! No one in our family functions that well, that early. Our remedy for times like this are weekend staycations. We’re so close to home, but even closer to our venue that gives us extra time in the day to relax! Our stay at the Wild Palms Hotel in Sunnyvale, California was more than perfect as a family staycation that was also our lifesaver for those early morning baseball games.
Within minutes of checking in, I knew this was going to be a great place to stay. The hotel staff had cheery attitudes, there was a basket of Starburst candies on the table, games for families to check out during their stay, and adult beverages! It was HOT this weekend and yes, those were going to be on our list to grab on the way to the pool!
Our room was an oasis in Silicon Valley! We stayed in the suite to fit our family of five comfortably and the King bed was dreamy, check out this bedroom!
The wall was a sunburst of color and the canopy was romantic yet relaxed enough to fit the theme. I felt like I was staying at an island resort on our honeymoon. It was too bad we had to share the room with a rollaway bed (wink). With a view that overlooked the pool, we could monitor the crowd and decide on when we were going to take a dip!
The living area carried the beach theme with a picture over the sofabed that I am still thinking about. I feel that I’ve seen it before years ago, I was very drawn to it during our stay.
The dining area was great to bring our daily breakfast back to each morning as the dining room fills up fast. They may not look like it, but those chairs were so comfortable!
The pool area did not disappoint! Just down a flight of stairs you almost forget completely that you’re in San Jose. The pool is kept immaculate! Each early morning while we sipped coffee before the ball games, we observed the pool cleaners prepping for the day.
It was near 100 degrees over our weekend and we knew that the pool was heated, but it was just right. Enough to cool you down, but not shockingly cold either. There’s a plethora of pool tubes, floaties, and toys available for the whole family to enjoy during your stay.
Tables and comfy couches surround the pool and during summer months they fill up.
Breakfast is complimentary with your stay and it’s a great spread. Eggs, rice, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, sausage, cold cereals, oatmeal, miso soup, breads, pastries, and a variety of juices, tea, and coffee.
Just outside the lobby and dining area is this great outdoor cushioned sitting area to sip coffee, have a cocktail, or enjoy breakfast. It’s covered and safe from rain, but open on the ends with heaters for year round relaxing.
Evenings at the hotel included turn down service, sweet treats, and air-conditioned movie nights.
This is our second joie de vivre property in the San Jose area, and we’re nothing but thrilled with them. This magical find amid the city is one will will definitely stay in again for a romantic staycation away! Everything you need in a hotel with plenty of free parking, plus close to dining, activities, and shopping! I didn’t even mention how reasonable the prices are, plus their great packages for families and even pets! You will have to visit their website to learn more, https://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/sunnyvale/wild-palms-hotel.
Our stay was partially hosted, all opinions are 100% our own.
The movie Winchester has me intrigued to no end. Maybe it’s because I visited the now museum/attraction, 
In theaters everywhere February 2, 2018 and inspired by true events. On an isolated stretch of land 50 miles outside of San Francisco sits the most haunted house in the world. Built by Sarah Winchester, (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren) heiress to the Winchester fortune, it is a house that knows no end. Constructed in an incessant twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week mania for decades, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms. To the outsider it looks like a monstrous monument to a disturbed woman’s madness. But Sarah is not building for herself, for her niece (Sarah Snook) or for the troubled Doctor Eric Price (Jason Clarke) whom she has summoned to the house. She is building a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts, and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters…
Written by Tom Vaughan and the Spierig Brothers (Jigsaw, Predestination) and directed by the Spierig Brothers. The cast includes: Helen Mirren (Eye In The Sky, The Queen), Jason Clarke (Mudbound, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes), Sarah Snook (Steve Jobs, Jessabelle), Angus Sampson (Insidious, Mad Max: Fury Road), Finn Scicluna-O’Prey (True Story with Hamish & Andy, The Secret River).
The gears are turning for the tenth anniversary of California’s 
In a throwback to their very first Haunt, Great America presents the Backwoods Maze. With an inspired set designed to throw you into the creepiest camping trip you can imagine, let’s check into our cabin in the woods. Let the full moon light your way….
As you make your way around the park, you won’t be able to avoid the three Scare Zones. Will you die laughing in Jester Town? Or maybe the storybook characters in Feary Tales will spin you a story that will enchant you for a thousand years. Then again, you might be tempted to join the dead army that is summoning you to Underworld Alley.
If you’re in the mood for a show, then sit a spell in Ed Alonzo’s Psycho Circus of Magic & Mayhem. You might remember Ed Alonzo from his role on the classic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. He was the madcap magician Max who ran the school canteen. Now he’s joined by five very lovely assistants who will mesmerize you with classic disappearing acts and bizarre magic. But don’t neglect the other shows, Nytewalkers, Blood Drums, and my new favorite, Sideshow. Combining today’s top music with zombies and acrobatic displays, this outdoor attraction will be a favorite with the whole family.
Kimberly is a writer for Jen is on a Journey. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer, natural wellness proponent, synesthete, steering wheel drummer, seasoned book club member, weather wimp and bad tennis player. Her introspective travel writings have garnered the praise of several friends, two kids and a husband, a dog named Wolfie and a cat named Lavender. She was hatched and raised in Missourah, but has traveled the world and now hangs out in a beautiful little California valley, playing trivia, and belting out karaoke. Her latest endeavor is recipe-based blog that you can find at 
Tacos of cod (grilled and fried), carnitas, carne asada, chicken chile verde, and even chorizo and potato came to us in batches of 10. Try all 3 of the salsas, the yellow has a hefty kick and oh so delicious! Fun spot to break up your shopping trip or take a date. The bar is beautiful in here and the drinks were flowing. Don’t leave without grabbing a plate of churros con chocolate! Also look up more bay area locations: three in San Francisco and the other in Palo Alto! 
We had a few on our table and shared them all to find what we loved and frankly, what we didn’t. I loved the Monterey Common, a Vienna style lager the most and the Uproar Saison was a close second. Pair these beers with some of the most flavorful sliders I’ve had in a while and you have a delicious lunch or dinner right there! Take a visit to Uproar Brewing Company at 439 S. First Street, San Jose.
Lunch, dinner, full bar for happy hour plus a gluten free menu, it’s worth trying out! Visit Olla Cocina at 17 N. San Pedro Street, San Jose.
Here you can order up your favorite cocktail, I like a midori sour or the signature Diving Diva (do you see her in the photo above), and a pizza and listen to jazz most evenings with Salsa on the first Thursdays of the month!
The Fettucini Diavola was scrumptious with fresh jumbo prawns, sundried tomatoes, capers, and chili flakes. Because the burger comes with pickled cucumber, my husband has been pickling his own cukes and putting on his homemade ever since! With or without a room in the hotel, this is a spot we will return to often! See for yourself at 233 W Santa Clara Street, San Jose.
Exploring San Jose’s art and culture can be overwhelming, there is simply so much to do and often you have little time to do it all. When you narrow it down to seeing some of the best museums in the area, then I can help you plan a trip. Here is a list of 6 great museums to explore in San Jose. You can bring the whole family if you wish, they’re extremely family friendly or you can go alone or take your loved one and relive your childhood. Whichever is your plan of attack, these museums will have you entertained hours at a time!
The Tech Museum of Innovation
The San Jose Museum of Art
Debuting August 25, This is Not a Selfie will explore the fine art of self-portraiture in the age of the selfie. Also, there is a great bag you can borrow for your trip through the museum with children to immerse them in art while keeping them busy! The museum has discounted prices and evening hours every third Thursdays for $5 after 5pm, visit 110 South Market Street, San Jose.
The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles
The Japanese-American Museum
The Winchester Mystery House
The Children’s Discovery Museum
