Here we are in 2023, and it feels like we’re still not done with 2020. Many people are still working from home and may never go back to the office, Zoom meetings have become the default, and sitting on the couch surfing your streaming services has replaced a night out on the town.
But with the new year, we’ve all got a chance to shake off those old habits, get out of the house and — gasp! — maybe get to hang out together again. I know, staying home is so much easier and you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, I’ve got a few ideas.
Of course, COVID-19 is still with us, so take appropriate precautions depending on your level of comfort. And don’t think of these as New Year’s resolutions — those are made to be broken — but as opportunities to get in touch with the outside world again.
TAKE IN A SHOW: Performing arts organizations are still struggling with small audiences as they try to stay open and keep actors, musicians and behind-the-scenes tech workers on the job. Attending a concert, play or other performance once a month would go a long way toward keeping them afloat.
You can stick with the bigger names — Broadway San Jose, TheatreWorks, Symphony San Jose, Opera San Jose — and do just fine, but why not explore something new at City Lights, San Jose Stage, Teatro Visíon, Tabard Theatre Company, San Jose Playhouse Palo Alto Players or the Los Altos Stage Company?
The next generation of actors are getting their start performing for CMTSJ, Playful People Productions and Starting Arts. The Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose offers a mix of live and streamed performances, and when it comes to music, don’t forget the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, the Mission Chamber Orchestra and the San Jose Wind Symphony.
Most offer lower-priced previews for the budget-conscious, and if you find something you really like, think about subscribing for a season.
GO MAD FOR MUSEUMS: There’s an incredible diversity of museums and galleries to experience right here in Silicon Valley, and you could make a museum trip one weekend a month and only see a fraction of what the region has to offer.
In downtown San Jose, you can explore the San Jose Museum of Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art, MACLA, the Museum of Quilts & Textiles, Works, Chopsticks Alley, Anno Domini and Kaleid. Santa Clara has the Triton Museum and the de Saisset at Santa Clara University. The Cantor Museum of Art at Stanford is a gem, as is the Euphrat Museum at De Anza College in Cupertino.
Families can have fun at the Children’s Discovery Museum or the Tech Interactive in downtown San Jose or the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.
Looking for something a little different? Try the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose or the New Museum in Los Gatos. History Park in San Jose and the Montalvo Arts Center and Hakone Estate and Gardens — both in Saratoga — all provide an experience not confined by a building.
LET’S DO LUNCH: Workers are slow in coming back to the office in Silicon Valley since the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been disastrous for restaurants. So whether you’re in the office or at home, how about taking one day a week to go out to lunch?
You can visit a new restaurant (or at least one that’s new to you) or introduce a friend or co-worker to one of your old favorites. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you might want to treat yourself to a splurge once in a while.
TAKE A HIKE — OR A BIKE: Remember all those parks you explored during 2020 when those were the only places anyone could go? Well, they’re all still there. Make a plan to visit the mineral springs at Alum Rock Park, stroll by the Stanford Dish or hit the 342 miles of hiking trails at Santa Clara County’s 28 regional parks.
If you’d rather get outside on two wheels than two feet, there are more bike paths than ever before. Check out the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s website at www.bikesiliconvalley.org for routes and ideas.
At the very least, it’ll help you work off that weekly lunch. If you’ve got other suggestions for getting outdoors this year, let me know and I’ll share them with readers in a future column.
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