SoFA District

The South First Area (SoFA) serves as downtown San Jose’s visual arts and entertainment district.  Cool, organic and creative, SoFA is a place where you can interact with some of the most eclectic and artistic people in the city.

Spend the day enjoying rich architecture and galleries such as the Institute of Contemporary Art, Anno Domini, Works and the one-of-its-kind San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.  Do-it-yourself at Higher Fire and the Art Glass Institute.  For a delicious and aromatic respite, try Caffe Frascati or Cafe Stritch.

Return in the evening for a variety of music, a stage production at City Lights or San Jose Stage, symphony and opera offerings at the restored California Theatre, and exciting nightlife.

And with places such as Il Fornaio, Original Joe’s, Emile’s and Blue Chip, SoFA is recognized as one of downtown’s major culinary destinations.

Plenty of fun events occur in SoFA during the year.  South First Fridays and STREET MRKTs enliven the district 10 times a year.  ZERO1 and CINEQUEST program in the SoFADistrict.  The renovated Parque de los Pobladores, now an “outdoor living room for the arts,” comes alive now more than ever.

Come back often, because the artistic elements on the street and the landscape are ever-changing.  The unexpected is expected in SoFA.

SoFA Businesses and Galleries