Santana Row is a European-style village in the heart of San Jose filled with upscale shops, international dining options, courtyards, fountains, intimate public seating areas, and live music on weekends. It offers an artfully designed oasis in Silicon Valley to socialize and unwind. It’s simply a beautiful place and I like spending time there.
The designers of Santana Row went to great lengths to import found objects such as antique doors, metal window grates, and elegantly designed painted emblems. They used these objects to decorate blank walls and service garages throughout the mixed-use development. These old world doors were brilliantly used to mask utility closets.
On this visit to Santana Row, I wasn’t alone in my quest to photograph these old-world doors. A line of people with cameras waited their turn to take selfies and portraits next to these beauties. It’s as if the doors were a major tourist attraction.
After waiting for the “crowd” to disperse, I finally got my turn. I believe these lovely doors were worth the wait. How about you?
A closer look at the hardware details on the doors.
An example of an antique window grillwork placed on a colorful blank wall.
About the Design of Santana Row:
Santana Row is one of the country’s largest urban districts of mixed-use development and covers over 42 acres. The design work happened over the course of five years. The placemaking task meant coordination of hundreds of designers, artisans, and fabricators. Found objects such as a French chapel façade, antique metalwork, pottery, and fountains were imported from Europe and reconstructed on site to add a sense of history and patina. Custom designed and fabricated items included metal work, custom tiles, custom lanterns, chandeliers, fountains, street plaques, corner guards, and portals. The designers even named the streets, created building and residential identities with supporting logos, signs, addresses, and entry details. Quoted from: https://segd.org/content/santana-row.
Inspiration: Thursday Doors.
Capturing Moments 
It looks pretty, but is not so endeared by those of who are native.
It’s difficult when places lose their original character. San Carlos and Stevens Creek Blvd were not looking so pretty when we moved to the area twenty-some years ago. Santana Row revitalized this part of town. Most often though we head to downtown Los Gatos or Los Altos where it’s much quieter than the Row.
While in Los Gatos, look for my planter box on the north side of Nicholson Avenue at North Santa Cruz Avenue, in front of Mike’s Bikes.
Will do. 🙂
those are beautiful weathered doors. Do you love clicking doors?
Thanks for your nice comment! Yes…I love clicking doors. 🙂
Me too 🙂 I usually post them on Instagram rather than a blog post.
Cool. Instagram is a good way to share door finds. Check out Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors. I’d love to see your door photos from Jaipur.
I am already following norm on WP. Probably I will make one post on doors from Jaipur. Are you on Instagram?
I’m not currently using Instagram for Note to Traveler photos. I should. 😁
I’m sure you will another option to post pictures and create followers.
Yes!! I will do it when I get my act together.
Try tags – Doors and doorsofinstagram
Thanks! I’ll take a look. Would never have thought to look for doors on Instagram. 🙂
There are so many people and a huge variety of doors to look at if you are a door lover