Circle of Palms Plaza

A Glimpse into California's Past

Tucked between downtown San Jose's modern buildings stands the Circle of Palms Plaza, a space that holds more historical weight than you might guess at first glance. This unassuming spot actually marks where California's first state capitol building once stood from 1849 to 1851, during San Jose's brief but notable stint as the state capital. You'll discover California Historical Marker 461 here, quietly telling this story to anyone who takes a moment to read it.

Walk around and you'll notice the concrete surrounding the state seal contains actual quotes from the 1849 state constitutional convention in Monterey - the very meeting where San Jose was chosen for this important role. These inscriptions give a tangible connection to those early days of California statehood.

Simple Yet Meaningful Design

The plaza's design is straightforward but symbolic - a ring of elegant palm trees encircling a California State Seal embedded right into the pavement. It's this circular arrangement of palms that, unsurprisingly, gives the plaza its name.

The space sits at an interesting crossroads, bordered by some of San Jose's notable landmarks: the San Jose Museum of Art with its cultural offerings, the upscale Fairmont San Jose Hotel, and the business-focused Silicon Valley Financial Center.

Winter Transformation

During the cooler months, the plaza undergoes a complete character change when the San Jose Downtown Association installs San Jose Downtown Ice - an outdoor skating rink that brings a touch of winter magic to this otherwise history-focused space. The rink transforms the plaza into a lively gathering spot where you can glide around on ice while surrounded by those historic palms - a unique blend of recreation and remembrance.