west san carlos starts downtown and goes till the 880 freeway (i think) downtown west san carlos street hosts various hotels, the san jose american musical theater, and another theater as well as the convention center. You can also find giant nutcracker characters outside of one of the hotels between market and almaden and there is a carnival that is put on in the parking lot between first and market.

san carlos is also an entrance to the cesar chavez plaza on market street, which hosts music in the park and the christmas in the park among other things.

further west on san carlos is a grocery store...which is the closest large grocery store to downtown...a 24 hour safeway...which has a great selection, but oftentimes long lines...typically in the evening when you are on a late night beer or munchies run.

w san carlos also is home to some of the old school landmarks of san jose like western appliance...it also hosts what they call "antique row" i believe that is what it is called, but there are various antique or furniture stores. don't quote me on that...i dont buy antiques. what i do buy is used clothing and w san carlos is a good street for that. there is a goodwill...a vintage thirft store...moon zoom...and savers...quite possibly one of the best thrift store chains ever....maybe thrift town is better.

perhaps the most excellent thing on san carlos street is the falafel drive in. which has excellent falafels...and the always long line to prove it. i think one of those food network shows checked it out, but it has fast service and good food. i hear the banana shakes are awesome.