san josé · santa clara county
San José's Best Neighborhoods: Willow Glen, Rose Garden, Almaden Valley & More
San José is the largest city in Santa Clara County, with more than a million residents and about 178 square miles, so "San José" covers very different places. This guide focuses on the neighborhoods the Property Nerds® know best: early-1900s residence parks near downtown, the former City of Willow Glen and its Lincoln Avenue main street, and the foothill communities of the south and east.
population, 2020 census
land area
featured neighborhoods
light rail lines
neighborhoods
Ten San José neighborhoods worth knowing
Historic districts near downtown, garden suburbs, and newer foothill communities. Tap a ZIP to search homes there, or a district for our school guide.
Southwest of downtown, centered on Lincoln Avenue
Willow Glen
Willow Glen was its own incorporated city from 1927 to 1936, when residents voted to join San José. The North Willow Glen Conservation Area is mostly small-lot homes built between 1885 and 1955, and Lincoln Avenue's tree-lined business district has shops, restaurants and the historic Garden Theater.
West of downtown, around the Municipal Rose Garden at Naglee and Dana avenues
Rose Garden
Named for the Municipal Rose Garden, dedicated in 1937. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Rosicrucian Park are nearby, and The Alameda runs along the neighborhood's edge.
The eastern part of the Rose Garden area, between The Alameda and Park Avenue
Shasta-Hanchett Park
Two residence parks laid out by John McLaren, designer of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park: Hester Park (1893) and Hanchett Park (1907). The City describes homes from about 1906 to 1935 in Craftsman, Queen Anne and Spanish Revival styles, with several Prairie-style houses and the heritage palms of Martin Avenue.
Just east of downtown and San José State, bounded by Santa Clara Street, 11th Street, William Street and Coyote Creek
Naglee Park
Once the 140-acre estate of Gen. Henry M. Naglee, first subdivided in 1902. The City describes early-20th-century homes in an eclectic mix of styles, many architect-designed, and Naglee's own 1860s house still stands at 14th and San Fernando.
Southern San José between the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills and the Santa Teresa Hills
Almaden Valley
Named for the New Almaden quicksilver mines, now a National Historic Landmark district inside the 4,163-acre Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Today the valley is mostly residential, with Almaden Lake Park and the Los Alamitos Creek Trail.
Southwest San José, centered near Camden and Union avenues
Cambrian
Closely tied to the Cambrian School District, with roots going back more than a century. Most of Cambrian is in San José, with a small unincorporated pocket; Cambrian Park Plaza's carousel sign is a county landmark.
Southeast San José in the foothills east of US 101, near Silver Creek Road
Silver Creek Valley
A community planned in the late 1980s around the Silver Creek Valley Country Club, established in 1992, with single-family homes and townhomes on the hills.
East San José along the eastern foothills, around San Felipe, Yerba Buena and Quimby roads
Evergreen foothills
Largely farmland into the 1970s. Evergreen Valley College opened in 1975, and next to it Montgomery Hill is a California Historical Landmark marking John J. Montgomery's early glider flights.
South San José below the Santa Teresa Hills, west of US 101
Santa Teresa and Blossom Valley
Named for Rancho Santa Teresa, granted in 1834. The 1,673-acre Santa Teresa County Park includes the historic Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch, and VTA's Blue Line ends at Santa Teresa Station.
The west side, next to Cupertino, Saratoga, Campbell and Santa Clara
West San José
Several school districts cross city lines here, including Cupertino Union, Moreland and Campbell Union, with Fremont Union or Campbell Union High for high school. Landmarks include the Winchester Mystery House and Santana Row.
schools
San José is split among many school districts
Elementary districts include San José Unified, Union, Cambrian, Moreland, Campbell Union, Cupertino Union, Evergreen and Oak Grove; high schools come from San José Unified, East Side Union, Campbell Union High or Fremont Union. See our guides for Union, Cambrian, Moreland, Campbell Union, Cupertino Union, Campbell Union High and Fremont Union.
property nerd note
In San José, the same street name can cross two school districts, and ZIP codes don't follow district lines. Confirm any address with the district before you write an offer. Start with our Silicon Valley schools guide.
getting around
Getting around San José
VTA light rail
Three lines: the Blue Line runs from North San José through downtown to Santa Teresa, the Green Line through downtown and Diridon Station to Campbell, and the Orange Line from Mountain View through Milpitas to Alum Rock.
Caltrain
San José Diridon is the main station, with electric trains to the Peninsula and San Francisco; Tamien, Capitol and Blossom Hill serve South San José.
BART
Berryessa/North San José station connects to the East Bay and San Francisco; the extension to downtown and Diridon is in design.
Airport
Mineta San José International (SJC) is about 3 miles from downtown, reached from US 101, I-880 and Route 87.
Freeways
US 101 and Interstates 280, 680 and 880 cross the city, with Route 87 north-south through the center and Route 85 linking South San José with Los Gatos, Cupertino and Mountain View.
Highway 17 Express
Santa Cruz METRO's express bus connects downtown San José and Diridon Station with Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz.
your san josé team
Buy or sell in San José with the Boyenga Team
Eric and Janelle Boyenga and the Property Nerds® at Compass have sold more than 2,500 Silicon Valley homes, $2.6 billion in all, since 1996, from Willow Glen bungalows to Almaden Valley and Silver Creek.
Search San José homes Get my home value (408) 373-1660 (650) 383-8606
faq
San José neighborhoods FAQ
Is Willow Glen its own city?
Not today. Willow Glen was an incorporated city from 1927 until 1936, when residents voted to join San José for city services. It's now a San José neighborhood, and Lincoln Avenue still works as its main street.
Which San José neighborhoods are historic districts?
The City recognizes historic districts and conservation areas including Naglee Park, the Hanchett and Hester Park area (Shasta-Hanchett) and North Willow Glen. If you're planning exterior changes to a home there, check with the City's planning department first.
Which school district serves a San José address?
It depends on the street. San José is split among many elementary and high school districts, including San José Unified, Union, Cambrian, Moreland, Campbell Union, Cupertino Union, Evergreen, Oak Grove and East Side Union High. Use each district's locator for a specific home.
Is Cambrian part of San José?
Mostly. Most of Cambrian is in the City of San José, but a small unincorporated pocket remains in Santa Clara County.
What ZIP code is Almaden Valley?
Almaden Valley is in 95120.
Can I get downtown without a car from South San José?
Yes. VTA's Blue Line runs from Santa Teresa Station through South San José to downtown and on to North San José, and Caltrain's Blossom Hill and Capitol stations have weekday service.
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