In its impressive inaugural year, Viva CalleSJ brought out an estimated 35,000 people to walk, bike and explore the streets of San Jose.

The event was so successful, city officials decided to bring the event back for a second year.

Viva Calle translates to “the streets live” or “long live the streets,” which speaks volumes of its mission. Last year, the route stretched from downtown San Jose to the East Side and Emma Prusch Farm Park. This year’s event will take place Sept. 18.

The route will be announced in May during National Bike Month, giving locals the chance to explore more hidden neighborhoods in their city.

Ed Solis, a recreation superintendent for San Jose’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, created the event after returning from a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. He told SanJose.com there are new plans in the works to make this year’s event even better.

“People in San Jose are active, they want to be outdoors,” Solis says. Viva CalleSJ gives residents the opportunity to not only explore neighborhoods but also celebrate their neighbors. “San Jose’s diversity is unlike any other,” Solis adds. “We have the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam and a strong, vibrant Latin community.”

Solis recalls a woman telling him she didn’t think it was safe to walk on the East side”= until taking part in last year’s Viva Calle event. A man who had never eaten Vietnamese food in his life tried something new and became a fan. First-timers attending the event can expect to see experience plenty of music, art and culture in a family-friendly environment. Food options should also expand to include Indian, Mexican and Thai.

Mr. Solis says the event emphasizes creating a healthy lifestyle for local children and families, and he hopes San Jose will have up to three or four more open-street events like Viva CalleSJ in the coming year.

The main goal is to get people to slow down and explore the city in a unique way.

“You just see things differently on a bike,” Solis says, “things you wouldn’t notice flying by in a car.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring or volunteering for VivaCalleSJ should go to vivacallesj.org.

 

Information about the updated route can be found here.