Sometimes when it rains, it pours. Such is life lately, but word on the street is every cloud has a silver lining. Perhaps it’s fitting then that our latest neighborhood guide centers on a city named Sunnyvale and its transforming downtown corridor.
Murphy Avenue, the neighborhood’s main street, was converted into a pedestrian mall in 2023. The area features a combination of historic and modern buildings, longtime businesses and newcomers, all within walking distance of the Sunnyvale Caltrain station.
Midpeninsula residents will recognize familiar names on and around Murphy Avenue, from former Palo Alto spot Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro and another location of Turkish restaurant Meyhouse to the forthcoming Zareen’s eatery, a fourth location for the popular Indian Pakistani chain.
Edwina Dueñas delves into where to play, dine and unwind in downtown Sunnyvale. Which Silicon Valley neighborhood should we spotlight next? Let us know where The Six Fifty should go.
Sunny(vale) days sweeping the clouds away,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Downtown Sunnyvale developments: Where to play, dine and unwind in a transforming Silicon Valley corridor
What comes to mind when you think of downtown Sunnyvale? For many locals, downtown is synonymous with Murphy Avenue, the Heritage District’s character-filled block of restaurants, small businesses and historic buildings.
Artist Seema Kohli’s ‘internal journey’
Change is a constant in the works of Indian artist Seema Kohli, from the themes she explores, even to the variety of media in which she works. She will visit the Peninsula for her first solo U.S. exhibition and a series of talks and workshops Feb. 24-March 1.
SF Beer Week 2026 brings beer releases, food trucks, live music and more to Silicon Valley
The crown jewel of the Bay Area’s beer calendar is back. SF Beer Week kicks off Feb. 20 and runs through March 1. The festivities, which started in 2009, will include more than 100 different events and 130 participants, including breweries, bars and kitchens in Silicon Valley.
Congrats to Ray B., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s Eaton Park in San Carlos!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
My Fair Lady: Feb. 20-March 8 The Pear Theatre presents an intimate, immersive take on the classic musical.
The Sex Lives of Puppets: Through Feb. 21 This puppet show for adults from Blind Summit Theatre is based on real data from the UK’s National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles.
Woodland Creatures Weekend: Feb. 21-22 Filoli celebrates local wildlife with nature walks, crafts and storytelling.
Lamb Yoga: Feb. 21 and March 22 Hidden Villa hosts 45-minute outdoor yoga classes in an enclosed sheep pasture, followed by a half-hour of play time with the lambs (bring a mat or towel, and clothing that can get dirty.)
Mingle at Main: Feb. 21 The San Mateo Public Library Foundation presents an evening of live jazz music from Sonya Jason and refreshments held at the Main Library.
The Nairobi Movement: Feb. 21 Dr. Frank J. Omowale Satterwhite, Vulindlela I. Wobogo and Juanita Croft present “The Nairobi Movement: A Unique Period in the History of East Palo Alto,” a talk about the grassroots activism and renaissance period in East Palo Alto between 1960 and 1980, when Black residents organized for community power.
Jennifer van der Kleut: Feb. 22 Author Jennifer van der Kleut discusses her suspenseful new novel “The Better Mother,” in conversation with fellow writer Carmela Dutra.
Ellie Lopez: Feb. 28 Peninsula Books hosts Bay Area author Ellie Lopez, whose debut poetry collection, “Chillona,” was released in the fall, along with several other performers.
Plan Ahead:
The Amazing Nature of Animal Senses with Ed Yong: March 3 Peninsula Open Space Trust presents an evening with Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Ed Yong, author of “Immense Word.” Yong will share information about the incredible sensory worlds of many kinds of animals, followed by a book signing.
A Storied Evening with Kimberly Ford Chisholm: March 3 Local author and lecturer Kimberly Ford Chisolm gives a book talk on how to get the most out of what you read, focusing on Lorrie Moore’s “Birds of America.” The event is part of the Ravenswood Education Foundation’s Literacy Challenge.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2026: March 6-7 The annual Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, showcasing environmental issues and adventurous outdoor sports, makes a tour stop on the Peninsula.
Irish Soda Bread: March 6 Learn how to make Irish soda bread with Grainbakers, including mixing dough, selecting add-ins, shaping the loaf and taking home a container of Irish cream to drizzle on after baking.
St. Paddy’s Beer Stroll: March 13 Downtown Los Altos hosts a festive walk featuring samples of local craft brews, live music and shopping specials.
Gangstagrass: March 19 Catch the acclaimed musical collective fusing hip-hop and country music sounds, blending American urban and rural music traditions, at a concert in Saratoga.
David Byrne: April 16 Iconic musician David Byrne, best known as the frontman of art-rock band Talking Heads, is on tour for his latest album, “Who Is the Sky?” and making a stop at Stanford.
Get up close with Año Nuevo’s elephant seals in all of their blubbery, bewhiskered glory
Now is the time to visit the world famous NorCal breeding grounds
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