Santana Row

Imagine yourself strolling along a wide boulevard shaded by an unusual mixture of tall palm trees and stately oaks. A flower-filled park runs down the boulevard's center, where shoppers rest on shaded benches listening to a classical guitaristwhile watching a game of chess played with two-foot-tall pieces on an oversize board. The street-level storefronts carry luxury names like Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo. AVove them, overlooking the scene, townhomes done in Mediterranean pastels feature turrets, columns, arches and wrought-iron balconies.

Are you in southern Italy or France? Actually, you're at Santana Row, just a few miles downtown from San Jose.

Often described as an urban village, Santana Row offers a lively collage of chic boutiques and luxury stores, along with a medley of eateries, bustling nightspots, a day spa and fitness club, a cinema and even an elegant four-star hotel.

Notable for its wealth of big-name brands, the list of cosmopolitan shops includes Burberry, Tourneau, Furla, Brooks Brothers, Diesel, and Anthropologie, along with other chains like Tommy Bahma, Chico's and Urban Outfitters. Locally owned boutiques also provide a nice homegrown touch to the mix.