San Jose prepares downtown for Super Bowl 50 crowds

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Super Bowl 50 is almost here and although most of the major activities will take place in San Francisco, many business owners in the South Bay expect to see big crowds, especially in San Jose.

As San Jose prepares to welcome the world, the transformation at Plaza de Cesar Chavez is already underway.

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Laura Chmielewski with the Convention and Visitors Bureau says a downtown park will be home to beer gardens, light installations and other family friendly activities.

"It's a big spotlight that's shining on San Jose," said Chmielewski.

On February 1, the SAP Center will host Super Bowl's official opening night.

"The fun around this is not lost on any of us. No city has ever not wanted a Super Bowl back, so we're just going to show people how we party in San Jose," she said.

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Over at San Pedro Square Market retail and restaurant owners are getting ready, scheduling extra staff, and bringing in new equipment to handle the demand.

"We're just hoping, you know, to get into the spirit with all of our customers," said Jenneke Devries of Pizza Bocca Lupo.

"People want to be where they might think a player might be walking by, somewhere where players are going to be grabbing coffee, or something like that, so I'm really confident that we're going to rock," said Daryle Lupretta of Lou's Beach Shack.

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Tourism officials expect nearly all of the hotels in the area will be full throughout the entire week leading up to the game. Downtown hotel rooms are already sold out. They're also forecasting a 275 percent increase in hotel tax revenue, compared to the same time period last year.

"Everybody's familiar with what Silicon Valley has to offer, and I think that will be on display as more people come in," said Benjamin Rada who works in San Jose.

Local residents can't wait for the festivities to start.

"Never thought this would be an opportunity to see such a great event here. I'm really looking forward it, in every aspect," said Mack Stewart who works in San Jose.

Click here for full coverage of Super Bowl 50.