East San Jose History

East San Jose is a neighborhood in San Jose, California with a population of 108,506 and located in Santa Clara County. East San Jose was also the name of a small former city that sat on the east side of San Jose, which was annexed by the city of San Jose in 1911. Before World War II, East San Jose was a small section of San Jose located on the east banks of the Guadalupe River and west of today’s highway 101.  After World War II, the area saw rapid development, along with much of the Santa Clara Valley which used to be known as the Valley of Heart's Delight.   

The neighborhoods within East San Jose include Evergreen, Alum Rock, East Foothills, King & Story, Little Portugal, Silver Creek Valley, and Meadowfair.  These include the zip codes of 95121, 95122, 95127, 95135, and 95138. 

Some of the neighborhood highlights of East San Jose include Eastridge Mall, Lake Cunningham, Raging Waters, Reid-Hillview, Capitol Expressway, Mount Hamilton Rd, Lick Observatory, Hellyer Park, Emma Prusch Farm Park, and much more. 

Vibrant and diverse East San Jose is home to plenty of unique ethnic cuisines including taquerias, pho, and a variety of small stores selling Mexican and Vietnamese imports. Outdoor draws include Raging Waters, Emma Prusch Farm Park, with community gardens and an orchard, and Lake Cunningham Park, which features a huge skateboarding hub, a fitness trail, and a picnic area. Nearby, the Mexican Heritage Plaza hosts cultural festivals and contemporary dance and plays.

Drive through East San Jose and you’ll find a familiar American landscape: strip malls and franchises, highways and subdivisions. You could be almost anywhere, except for the occasional palm trees, the Diablo mountain range in the distance — and the increasing number of signs written in languages other than English. Because this part of northern California, particularly the few-mile stretch between Story Road and Tully Road, is the home of thriving Hispanic and Vietnamese communities.