☆ From parks to gardens to little-known trails: All your favorite San Jose reading spots
Portrait of English poet John Keats, oil painting by Joseph Severn, 1821.
We'll always remember where we finished reading The Crying of Lot 49, or where we first started The Hobbit. In this weekend's exclusive, Opp Now readers—all submissions anonymized, below—share their favorite places in SJ to enjoy a good book. (City staff and pols, take note!)
On a warm spring day, sitting under a tree on the lawn of Villa Montalvo is a relaxing and peaceful place to read. Then afterwards, I can go for a walk on the trails or through the gardens. Bring a blanket!
And sitting on the patio of Margaritaville in Capitola, with a margarita in one hand and a book in the other, is the best. You can listen to the waves and hear kids shouting in the distance.
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The Municipal Rose Garden is beautiful with lots of shady spots for reading. I like to sit under a tree near the fountain in the center. I've also had lots of conversations about books with friends and family while strolling through. It can get crowded, especially when the weather's nice.
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On the slope of Willow Street Park in front of the stage.
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My favorite San Jose reading spot is the Willow Glen Library on Minnesota. In winter, the comfy chairs around the fireplace feel so cozy; and in good weather, their patio with its large shade tree is idyllic.
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Spectra Coffee in SJ! Very upbeat, fun atmosphere. Great sandwiches, too.
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My favorite reading spot in San Jose is Almaden Lake Park. You can gaze out at the lake—ducks flapping and calling here and there—while sitting on a bench under trees. Sometimes the bocce ball players nearby get loud, but that's all part of the fun.
This isn't San Jose, but if you're willing to make the drive: bring your book to Monterey. You can lounge on the beach, go to a bookstore, or even read inside the aquarium.
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At my pool.
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San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, Sanborn Park, the benches along the trail at Rancho San Antonio.
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I love the Saratoga Library, though that's not really SJ, or Blvd Coffee!
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Picnic benches at the Rose Garden. Fountain at the Rosicrucian Museum. The 22 bus. Crema Coffee on the Alameda. Lookout Coffee in Campbell. The park benches overlooking Lake Vasona from Los Gatos Creek Trail. The pagoda at Alum Rock Park. The palm garden in Overfelt Gardens. Picnic benches at Penitencia Creek Park.
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I think sitting around Almaden Lake is a perfect reading spot. So is my couch with a nice cup of tea.
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