San Jose

The Northern California city of San Jose has long been known as a bustling Silicon Valley business hub. Renowned for being one of the most affluent areas in California, San Jose is a diverse and urban city with a high cost of living and much to offer its residents.

 

Originally inhabited by the Ohlone Native Americans before the Spanish arrived, San Jose was officially founded in 1777. It was then known as “Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe” and eventually became a part of Mexico in the early 1800s after the Mexican War of Independence. When California achieved statehood in 1850, San Jose was the state’s first capital.

After World War II, San Jose experienced a dramatic economic boom as more and more people moved to the area. Today, housing prices skew higher, as is typical for Silicon Valley; single-family ranch homes will typically cost you close to a million, if not into the low millions, while larger luxury mansions are found within exclusive country clubs. Downtown high-end apartment buildings are plentiful.

San Jose is an urban and tech-focused city, with incredible employment opportunities and lots of amazing schools and universities. The area is diverse and lively, with plenty of fun opportunities for shopping and dining.

 

Residents tend to be employed by local Silicon Valley company headquarters, which include Google, Apple, Adobe, and many more. The area is popular with young professionals who desire an urban environment with lots of nightlife! For families who don’t mind living in or around a major Californian city, San Jose offers a fantastic school system and is also ranked as one of the healthiest places to live in America.

San Jose is packed with plenty of amazing opportunities for shopping and dining! With a variety of fashionable boutiques, shopping malls, and fine dining establishments, you’ll have no trouble finding great things to do here.

 

BellaJames is the perfect boutique for comfortable, casual women’s clothing—not to mention amazing gifts and accessories. Shop for your furry friend at Gussied Up Dog Boutique, a family-owned shop that sells dog toys, yummy treats, and even canine apparel! Make sure not to miss Westfield Valley Fair, an upscale shopping mall featuring all of your favorite retailers.

 

Locals love picking up fantastic seafood at casual King’s Fish House or Bertucelli’s La Villa, a gourmet Italian deli serving sandwiches, salads, and a wide variety of incredible pasta. If you’re looking for some of San Jose’s finest dining, check out Adega (San Jose’s Michelin-starred restaurant), La Foret, or Naschmarkt.

This lively and exciting city is full of community-building events and fun things to do, especially in terms of educational opportunities. There’s always something new to learn in San Jose!

 

Celebrate the holiday season with San Jose’s Christmas in the Park! This family-friendly event takes place from November to January, where visitors can enjoy beautiful lights, musical exhibits, and decorated trees. You can also view stunning art during the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.

 

The whole family will love the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, a fun museum with educational and hands-on exhibits, a Cultural Celebration series, and a Discovery Youth program. Take in a soccer game at the Earthquakes Stadium (formerly known as Avaya Stadium), which also hosts fitness classes and serves as an event venue.

San Jose is served by multiple school districts, including the San Jose Unified School District and East Side Union High School District. The Catholic Diocese of San Jose operates several schools in the area, including Bellarmine College Preparatory and Notre Dame High School. Notable universities in San Jose include: