A Holiday Shopping Experience

If you are looking to find some unique gifts this holiday season, then you will want to visit the 7th Annual German Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14.

If you are looking to find some unique gifts this holiday season, then you will want to visit the 7th Annual German Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14. All of the fun takes place in Downtown Mountain View, just a few miles from Hotel Zico. Local artists will be selling their finest hand-crafted creations, and there will be plenty of German goods also available. In addition to all of the incredible shopping, there will be live entertainment, pictures with Santa Claus, kids’ crafts, carnival games, and even a climbing wall. Don’t forget to bring your appetite so you can sample from the various food and drink booths that will be available all day long. The free admission event starts at 11 am and does not end until 9 pm. With lots of fun and games, children’s activities, and shopping opportunities, The German Holiday Market is the perfect event for the entire family.

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving is a day full of food, family, football, and lots of fun. If you are looking for something new that could become a Thanksgiving tradition, then you will want to participate in the 15th annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Thanksgiving is a day full of food, family, football, and lots of fun. If you are looking for something new that could become a Thanksgiving tradition, then you will want to participate in the 15th annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. The race takes place in nearby San Jose and all of the proceeds go to local charities, with millions already raised from previous races. With a 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run, there is a race for all of the members of your family regardless of age and running ability. This incredibly popular race is the largest Thanksgiving-themed race in the entire country, and once you have participated for the first time, you will start planning on making this a yearly event. What better way is there to build up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner than a family fun run that benefits local charities?

Pumpkin Patch Fun

There is something special about picking out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween straight from the patch where it was grown.

There is something special about picking out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween straight from the patch where it was grown. Whether you plan to remove and bake the seeds (a yummy treat), make a jack-o-lantern, or simply add some autumnal decorations to your house, visiting a pumpkin patch is a great way to kick off the Halloween season. One of the most popular and family friendly pumpkin patches in the Mountain View area is the ABC Tree Farms Pick of the Patch Pumpkins. The location on Hillsdale Ave in San Jose is only about 15 minutes from Hotel Zico. You and your family will be delighted by the wide variety of pumpkins and gourds available for purchase at the patch. In addition to the pumpkin themselves, this location has pumpkin themed inflatables, Halloween displays, and plenty of photo opportunities. Parking and admission are free, so you can explore the pumpkin patch at your leisure before picking your favorite for purchase.

Immerse Yourself in Music

On September 19, Musikiwest presents Fandango! a magical musical journey through the works of Spanish and Latin American Baroque.

On September 19, Musikiwest presents Fandango! a magical musical journey through the works of Spanish and Latin American Baroque. The goal of Musikiwest is to use chamber music as a way to promote community, conflict resolution, and empathy between cultures. This performance will take place at the Mitchell Park Library, just 10 minutes from Hotel Zico. The program will be run by Nell Snaidas, a soprano, who will guide the audience through a wide range of music starting with Spanish Baroque and including stops in Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, and the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Nell will be joined on this journey by Daniel Swenberg on lute and theorbo, Francisco Fullana and Siwoo Kim on violins, Rex Benincasa on all of the percussion instruments, and Michelle Djokic on cello-continuo. Musikiwest presents Fandango! is the perfect way to introduce yourself and your family to the culture and music of Latin America.

A Celebration of the Arts

The annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts is one of the most popular events in the area every year.

The annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts is one of the most popular events in the area every year. Now in its 38th year, the 2019 Palo Alto Festival of the Arts hopes to be the biggest and most successful ever. The festival takes place in downtown Palo Alto, just 15 minutes away from Hotel Zico. From 10 am until 6 pm on August 24-25, over 300 artists from across the United States will showcase some of their best work. Other highlights include street artists who will amaze the crowds with their ability to create masterpieces out of chalk pastels right there on the sidewalk. Plus, there will be a Kids’ Art Studio to help encourage the artists of the future. All festival long there will be delicious food from local restaurants, plenty of microbrews, and an impressive wine selection. With live music and entertainment to complete the package, the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts is a celebration of art that you will not want to miss.

The Funniest Musical of All Time

The Book of Mormon, a musical created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame as well as Robert Lopez of Avenue Q fame, found immediate success upon its release on Broadway in 2009.

The Book of Mormon, a musical created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame as well as Robert Lopez of Avenue Q fame, found immediate success upon its release on Broadway in 2009. The winner of 9 Tony awards, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon, has been hailed by many as the funniest musical of all time. From July 16 until July 21, this hysterical comedy will be performed by Broadway San Jose at The San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. This beautiful performance space is located just 15 minutes from Hotel Zico. Since its original release in 2009, The Book of Mormon has delighted audiences all around the world, so you won't want to miss the chance to see this show for yourself. Buy your tickets in advance because this show is almost certain to sell out every performance of the San Jose leg of their tour.

The Best Bash in Town

If you are looking for loud live music, some fun in the sun, and a large variety of craft beer, then you'll want to attend the 2019 Bash Music and Craft Beer Festival on June 15.

If you are looking for loud live music, some fun in the sun, and a large variety of craft beer, then you'll want to attend the 2019 Bash Music and Craft Beer Festival on June 15. This unique music festival will take place at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds which is less than 25 minutes from Hotel Zico. Let’s start with the music; headlining the show are nationally renowned bands Rancid, Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies, L7, and Sharp Shock. In addition to the music, the festival features an incredible array of craft beers from lots of local and not so local craft breweries. Some of the names that will be participating in this year’s festival are Santa Clara Valley Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Ghost Town Brewing, Lead Dog Brewing, Booze Brothers Brewing Co., and many more. The Bash Music and Craft Beer Festival is an exciting and unique event that you will definitely not want to miss.

detail of colorful dresses with patterns

Highlights of the Himalayas

2019 marks the 36th year of the Himalayan Fair in Berkley.

2019 marks the 36th year of the Himalayan Fair in Berkeley. This unique festival, which highlights Indian and Nepalese culture, takes place at Live Oak Park which is only about 15 minutes fro Hotel Zico. The event is free for admission, but there is an exciting raffle where you can win a round trip vacation to Nepal. The Himalayan Fair features plenty of live entertainment, delicious food, and lots of crafts, all of which celebrate the culture of the Himalayas. Some of the incredible dance performances include the Odissi dance by Jyoti Kala Mandir, Bollywood inspired dances, and local Bhutanese and Tibetan community dance schools. The event was created to celebrate all of the interesting cultures in the Himalayas, but it also serves as a fundraiser for local community groups. If you are interested in learning more about these fascinating cultures then you will definitely want to attend the festival on May 18-19.

person looking at an art gallery with moving people in the back

Art of the Greater Bay Area

The Triton Museum of Art has been providing the Santa Clara community and surrounding areas with an impressive collection that includes both historic and contemporary works.

The Triton Museum of Art has been providing the Santa Clara community and surrounding areas with an impressive collection that includes both historic and contemporary works. For the most part, The Triton Museum of Art celebrates the art of the Greater Bay Area, so this is your opportunity to immerse yourself in local art. The Triton is located only about 15 minutes from Hotel Zico, and the works housed there are definitely worth the short trip. Some of the most popular current exhibitions include Going Places: Drawings by Ric Ambrose, Mark Eanes: The Passionate Spectator, a collection of Eanes’s photography, and Contemporary Traces on Ancient Land which examines native identity in the modern world. The Triton Museum also features many exciting events like the Triton Museum’s Annual Gala: Roaring Twenties on May 4. Whether you attend a spectacular event or simply swing by for an afternoon, The Triton Museum of Art is a must-see destination.

Langston Hughes Project Concert

Legendary writer and activist Langston Hughes published his collection of jazz poetry titled “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” in 1961.

Legendary writer and activist Langston Hughes published his collection of jazz poetry titled “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” in 1961. Now, nearly 60 years later, his unique and rhythmic poetry has been turned into a multimedia performance. The Langston Hughes Project Concert will take place on March 17 at the Community School of Music and Arts which is only about 10 minutes from Hotel Zico. This incredible and unique performance brings Langston Hughes’s words to life by combining them with music as well as images. The lead musician, Dr. Ron McCurdy, uses his trumpet and stage presence to pay homage to the legendary figure who helped usher in the Harlem Renaissance. After sitting in the audience for one of these performances, you are sure to agree that Dr. Ron McCurdy more than accomplishes his goals. Because of performances like this, the legend of Langston Hughes will continue on into the future.

See the Bard's Tale

Many scholars consider King Lear to be William Shakespeare’s crowning achievement.

Many scholars consider King Lear to be William Shakespeare’s crowning achievement. It is the play where the man known as the Bard was truly at the height of his powers. On February 17, you have the incredible opportunity to see a screening of a live performance of King Lear that is currently running in London’s West End. This performance has been receiving rave reviews with particular praise being given to star Sir Ian McKellen and director Jonathan Munby. The recorded performance will be screened in high definition at Hammer Theatre Center which is less than 20 minutes from Hotel Zico. McKellen so perfectly captures Lear’s descent into madness over the division of his kingdom that you will feel like you are actually in London rather than thousands of miles away. This contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s classic play is one that all theater lovers should experience at least once in their life.

Where Fun and Learning Meet

The Palo Alto Junior Museum is currently in the middle of constructing an incredible new facility that will open in 2020 in Rinconada Park.

The Palo Alto Junior Museum is currently in the middle of constructing an incredible new facility that will open in 2020 in Rinconada Park. However, the fun and learning continue at their temporary location at the Cubberly Community Center which is only about 10 minutes from Hotel Zico. They still have a small collection of animals that includes hedgehogs, insects, rats, and even reptiles that you and your family can interact with. The Palo Alto Junior Museum is filled with hands-on science exhibits that allow visitors to learn while having lots of fun. In fact, your kids will be having so much fun, they won’t even realize that they are learning. When you can combine a family outing with an opportunity to learn more about the world around us, you have found a perfect vacation experience. The Palo Alto Junior Museum is just the place to have such an experience.

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