94220: Where the Rain Smells Like Wet Concrete and Dreams Feel a Little Rusty

okay, so. i’m back. from… well, from somewhere. specifically, 94220. you know, the area around *San Jose, California. I’m a touring session drummer, and this gig landed me there for a few weeks. Honestly? It was… something. Not bad, just… unexpected. Like finding a perfectly ripe avocado in a bag of rock-hard ones.

I just checked and it’s drizzling steadily right now, a sort of persistent, grey hug. The kind of rain that makes everything smell like wet concrete and old pennies. Feels like 10.35 degrees, which is… brisk. I’m not gonna lie, I missed sunshine. But hey, at least it wasn’t scorching.

I spent most of my time holed up in a rehearsal space, naturally. But when I wasn’t pounding on drums, I was wandering. It’s a weird mix of suburban sprawl and pockets of genuine character. There’s this one little Vietnamese bakery on Story Road - seriously, find it. It’s called Banh Mi Ba Le. Get the #3. Trust me. I overheard someone saying it’s the best banh mi this side of Saigon.

“Don’t go near the flea market on weekends. It’s a tourist trap and you’ll get ripped off. Unless you’re looking for a vintage bowling shirt, then maybe go. But still, be careful.”

That was some drunk advice I got from a guy at a bar. He seemed to know what he was talking about, though. I checked out the flea market anyway. He was right. Mostly just overpriced junk and aggressive vendors. But I did find a pretty cool patch for my jacket. Small victories, right?

I tried to find some decent coffee. It’s a quest, always. Found a place called Voyager Craft Coffee. It was… fine. Not life-changing. But the barista was nice. I’m picky, okay? I need my single-origin, ethically sourced, pour-over perfection. I’m a monster, I know. Check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/voyager-craft-coffee-san-jose.

If you get bored, Oakland and Fremont* are just a short drive away. I did a quick day trip to Oakland - much more grit and character, if you ask me. San Jose felt… a little too polished, maybe? Like a showroom car. Still, there were moments. Like stumbling upon a tiny, hidden park with a koi pond. Or finding a record store crammed with vinyl treasures.

Someone told me that the Alum Rock Park is beautiful, especially in the spring. Apparently, there are waterfalls and hiking trails. I didn’t have time to check it out, but it’s on the list for next time. I also saw a post on a local forum (https://www.nextdoor.com/) about a community garden that’s supposed to be amazing. I’m always down for a good garden.

Honestly, the whole vibe was… a little melancholic. Like a faded photograph. But in a strangely comforting way. It’s not a place that screams at you. It whispers. You have to listen closely to hear it. I’m already missing the rain, weirdly enough. And the smell of wet concrete. And that banh mi.

Oh! And I almost forgot. I saw a review on TripAdvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g32885-San_Jose_California-Vacations.html) that said the Tech Interactive is surprisingly fun, even for adults. Might check that out next time I’m in the area.

I’m already thinking about my next gig. Hopefully, somewhere with slightly more sunshine. But I’ll always remember 94220. It left a mark. A small, slightly rusty, but definitely memorable mark. And I’m pretty sure I left a drumstick somewhere.

Check out some other things to do in San Jose here: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/things-to-do

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