Santa Clara County Relocation Guide by Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

RELOCATION GUIDE FOR THE COUNTY OF

SANTA CLARA SERENO

VA L L E Y O F H E A RT ’S D E L I G H T

SA N TA C L A R A COUNTY MAP

A L M A D E N VA L L E Y

CA M B R I A N CA M P B E L L

C U P E RT I N O

EVERGREEN

G I L R OY LOS A LTOS

LOS A LTOS H I L LS LOS GATOS

M I L P I TAS

MONTE SERENO

M O R GA N H I L L

M O U N TA I N V I E W PA LO A LTO

SA N J OS E

SA N TA C L A R A

SA R ATO GA S U N N Y VA L E

W I L LOW G L E N

Valley of Heart’s Delight The County of Santa Clara, also referred to as “Silicon Valley,” is unique because of its combination of physical beauty and economic diversity. With its numerous natural amenities and one of the highest standards of living in the country, the county has long been considered one of the best areas in the United States in which to live and work. The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles. The fertile Santa Clara Valley runs the entire length of the county from north to south, ringed by the rolling hills of the Diablo Range on the east, and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the west. Salt marshes and wetlands lie in the northwestern part of the county, adjacent to the waters of San Francisco Bay. Known at one time as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” Santa Clara Valley once overflowed with abundant agricultural riches. Before the cultivation of this beautiful valley, the land itself provided richly for its original Native American inhabitants, the Ohlone. The County of Santa Clara celebrated its 150th birthday in February 2000.

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The County of Santa Clara has a culture rich in its history, ethnic diversity, artistic endeavors, sports venues and academic institutions. Today, Santa Clara County is a major employment center for the region, providing more than a quarter of all jobs in the Bay Area. It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world. The County’s population of nearly 1.7 million is one of the largest in the state. There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale ranging from Palo Alto to the north, to Gilroy in the south. A significant portion of the county’s land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities. Santa Clara County has 36 school districts, 239 elementary schools, and 51 high schools, plus numerous private elementary and high schools. There are also seven community colleges, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University and Stanford University.

MOUNTAIN 13 VIEW LOS ALTOS

SUNNYVALE

16 SANTA CLARA

LOS ALTOS HILLS

SAN JOSE

CUPERTINO4

EVERGREEN

WILLOW GLEN SARATOGA

CAMPBELL

MONTE SERENO

25%

CAMBRIAN

LOS GATOS ALMADEN1 VALLEY

OF ALL JOBS IN THE BAY AREA ARE HERE

12 HILL MORGAN

1.7

MILLION RESIDENTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY GILROY

CITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY

100+

LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS SPOKEN HERE

MILPITAS

PALO ALTO

Santa Clara County

Cambrian

Almaden Valley The Almaden Valley is a picturesque area located in the southern region of San Jose, CA. The area is named after the New Almaden Quicksilver Mines that produced an ore called cinnabar, which was in operation until the early 1900s. The cinnabar was used for body painting and wall writing by the local Ohlone Indians and it also contained mercury. Mercury was heavily used in the 1800s to assist with the processing of silver and gold during the Gold Rush era, and this mine was one of the most valuable in the state. The mine is no longer used and was converted to the Almaden Quicksilver County Park by the County of Santa Clara which is still operated to this day.

The Almaden Valley is recognized by local residents as an upper-middle class neighborhood with large homes and lots, and some of the best public schools in the San Jose Unified School District. This community is a driving style community with very little in the way of walkable retail or a central downtown core. Amenities such as grocery stores and retail

are primarily located along Almaden Expressway and near Blossom Hill Road and Highway 85 to the north of the Valley. For those who love outdoor recreation, the southern part of the valley offers convenient access to boating on Calero Reservoir, hiking and biking trails, and a 27-hole championship golf course named Cinnabar Hills. For those who desire a more urban recreational environment, Almaden Lake Park and Lake Almaden offer a 32 acre lake that is available for fishing and paddle boating. It also offers a tremendous amount of walking trails and picnic areas. For those desiring private golf and country clubs, the Almaden Golf and Country Club and The Golf Club at Boulder Ridge are both excellent local options. The Almaden Valley has both single family homes, condos, and townhomes that are available for purchase, but the majority of homes in the region are single family homes.

Located north of Los Gatos and the Almaden Valley, and south of the Campbell and Willow Glen communities, the Cambrian area of San Jose is home to many middle class families who value excellent schools and a decent sized suburban home. It is a small enclave of single family homes, condos, townhomes, and a small mix of retail. There is no downtown core or urban center, but because of its proximity to Willow Glen, Campbell, and Los Gatos, residents can enjoy the nightlife when they want and live in a serene neighborhood environment. What sets Cambrian apart from other communities in San Jose are its elementary schools. The Cambrian School District serves approximately 3,200 students in grades K-8, and all five of the district’s schools have been recognized as California Distinguished Schools. The district is working on bringing technology into the classrooms and has received numerous grants for their curriculum development work. The area is also served by the Campbell Union

High School District. Branham High and Leigh High are the local options based on residency. A portion of the Cambrian area to the east is served by the San Jose Unified School District. The Cambrian area is ideally located for commuters who want multiple options for heading north by car to local job centers. The area straddles Highway 85 with multiple access points and offers relatively quick access to Highway 87 and Highway 17. The area is not ideal for public transit access, as a drive to a local station is required in order to access the system. Public amenities in the area include a newly built public library and numerous city maintained parks. The local Cambrian Park Plaza was purchased by a developer in 2014, and given the location at the heart of the Cambrian neighborhood, will likely be rebuilt into a new retail and restaurant center for the community.

Campbell Located in the West Valley of Santa Clara County, Campbell is a delightful community where tradition and progress have been combined. Named after the prominent civic leader and rancher, Benjamin Campbell, this city is today a thriving and growing community of more than 39,000. Campbell was home to three major canneries in the late 1800s, including the J.C. Ainsley Packing Company, the Hyde Cannery, and the Payne Cannery. The most famous owner was J.C. Ainsley, and his name adorns a park in Campbell located between Harrison Avenue and the railroad tracks. Campbell was incorporated as a city in 1952 and features one of the more lively downtown districts in the region. Excellent restaurants, pubs, jewelry shops, clothing stores, and personal service boutiques adorn the historic district. VTA light rail runs through the heart of the downtown Campbell district and provides access to Downtown San Jose as well as the

Caltrain system. During the summer nights, Campbell is host to a weekly concert series in the park that draws residents from nearby neighborhoods into the downtown. Campbell is also home to The Pruneyard Shopping Center that features over 250,000 square feet of mixed use retail and office space. This center is a popular destination for restaurant goers and features a movie theater as well. The shopping center was acquired by Ellis Partners in 2014, and they are working to enhance the site to attract new retail tenants and make it a larger destination center for the area. The City of Campbell has its own 95008 zip code and is served by the Campbell Union School District and the Campbell Union High School District. The combination of two vibrant shopping districts and the high quality schools in the region have made Campbell a desirable place to live.

Cupertino Alive with energy and rich in diversity, Cupertino is an amazing mix of imagination and cooperation. Home to such high tech firms as Apple and Hewlett-Packard, Cupertino boasts a vibrant economy, beautiful surroundings, and a population full of spirit and optimism. As a city of just over 50,000 people that are highly educated and high earning, this is where the future of technology is determined. Cupertino boasts some of the best schools in the state, and residents within the district can be assured that their children will have a high level education from elementary school through high school. One of the district magnet schools, William Faria Elementary, is consistently pushing toward perfect state testing scores and truly indicates the high level of academic acumen of the students. Cupertino is home to De Anza College, which consistently ranks as one of the top community colleges with transfers into the UC and CSU system. The college is regularly featured on the CNN Money list of best community college success rates for admissions.

While in town, visit the historic Blackberry Farm for a day of picnicking or golf, or hike the various outstanding parks that are located in the foothills. Drive a few miles up Stevens Canyon Road to visit the Stevens Creek Reservoir and the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. For wine lovers, the foothills of Cupertino are home to the highly rated Ridge Winery that regularly produces some of the best wines in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The local and family owned Picchetti winery is one of the oldest in California, has been producing wine for over 100 years and is a perfect venue for private events in an idyllic setting. Cupertino is located entirely within the 95014 zip code and most homes in the area are single family homes. There are also opportunities to purchase condos and townhomes in the city for those looking for a lower cost and lower maintenance option. The schools in the area drive home values, with the best schools located in the foothills of Cupertino.

Evergreen Located in the southeastern foothills of San Jose, the Evergreen neighborhood is one of the wealthiest areas of San Jose. Much of the home building in the Evergreen area has taken place in the last 30 years, with the development of the Silver Creek Country Club and The Ranch Golf Club. The area also features “The Villages,” one of the most popular 55+ master planned retirement communities in the Silicon Valley. The Evergreen area is recognized for its excellent public schools, with four of the elementary schools in the district achieving a GreatSchools ranking of 10. The distance away from the hustle and bustle of the Silicon Valley provides a quiet environment for neighbors to enjoy. Without any direct links to public transit, most residents commute in their cars along Highway 101, and this has created one of the most difficult commutes in the Silicon Valley.

The nice and spacious homes, excellent schools, and incredible views are the tradeoffs for a long commute. During the last development phase in the mid- 2000s, the Evergreen Village Square shopping center was constructed and currently features a grocery store and other local shops. The square hosts regular community events throughout the year including a local year-round farmer’s market that attracts residents throughout the community. The Evergreen area of San Jose spans across multiple zip codes. Most homes in the area are single family homes, but there are also opportunities for condo and townhome ownership across multiple price ranges. The schools in the area drive home values. 9

Gilroy Best known as the “Garlic Capital of the World,” and home of the annual Garlic Festival in July, Gilroy is located at the southern end of Santa Clara County. With a population of approximately 41,000, the city is known for its peaceful, residential environment, its award-winning parks, golf course and recreation programs, and for its “urban forest,” for which the City has won Tree City USA awards annually since 1979. There are a variety of things to do in Gilroy. With over 145 stores, the Gilroy Premium Outlets is California’s largest outlet shopping center. You can also find Gilroy Gardens, founded by Michael Bonfante, where you can enjoy a day at the amusement park filled with six beautiful gardens, a half-acre Water Oasis attraction and over 20 rides. There are a variety of wineries to visit, many of which are popular wedding venues. Or you can spend time in the great outdoors, enjoying the county parks in the area. Coyote Lake provides opportunities to boat, water-ski, and fish. The 4,595 acre park also has horse, bike, and hiking trails to explore.

The Gilroy area is one of the few regions in Santa Clara County that still has an active farming community. Over the years, prunes, tomatoes, flowers, onions, and, of course, garlic, have contributed to the city’s economic growth. There was a large amount of construction in the area during the last building boom, and this is likely to return in the near future as Morgan Hill and Gilroy still have available areas of open space for builders to develop large tracts of land. The entire Gilroy area is served by the Gilroy Unified School District, with some of the best schools located near Santa Teresa Boulevard. The city is located in the 95020 zip code, although there are plenty of areas in unincorporated Santa Clara County that also share this zip code. The majority of the homes in the region are single family homes, but there are a few condo and townhome developments that have popped up in the region as well over the last 20 years in the heart of town.

Los Altos With a population of approximately 29,000 residents, Los Altos was developed with the concept of a “park in every backyard.” Los Altos began as a commuter town with the Southern Pacific Railroad connecting it to Los Gatos and Palo Alto using steam train service along what is now Foothill Expressway. The town flourished as an agricultural and commuter town throughout the mid 1900s and was eventually incorporated as a city in 1952. Train service through the town was stopped in 1964, as broad adoption of the automobile replaced the usefulness of the train service. Los Altos features a quaint downtown that serves as a popular gathering spot for all the local residents. During the summer months, the city sponsors movie nights downtown and each year there are multiple art, wine, and beer festivals that bring in residents from nearby Mountain View and Palo Alto. The Los Altos Village Association was formed in the 1960s to help promote the local downtown businesses and act as a bridge to the local community, and they have long been promoters of the downtown’s vitality.

The elementary and middle schools in Los Altos are consistently ranked as some of the top in the state, with all of the elementary schools achieving a GreatSchools ranking of 10. The majority of the homes in Los Altos are zoned for the Los Altos School District, but a portion of South Los Altos is zoned for the Cupertino Unified School District. For High School, the students from the Los Altos schools are joined with the students from the Mountain View schools within the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District. Parents who want their children to attend private school have a number of options including the Pinewood School, St. Francis High School, and St. Nicholas Catholic School to name a few. Los Altos is separated into two zip codes that are also shared with Los Altos Hills. The 94022 zip code includes North Los Altos, and this area is located closer to the downtown business district. North Los Altos includes many of the original historic estate homes within the community and includes some of the larger and more expensive new construction homes in the area. Over the past 25 years there has been an increase in condominium and townhome construction in the downtown district to provide the opportunity for local residents to downsize within the community. The 94024 zip code includes South Los Altos and much of this area are tract homes that were built during the building boom of the 1960s. Homes in South Los Altos are typically on quarter acre lots and range in size from 1,800 to 2,500 square feet. 11

Los Altos Hills

Los Gatos

With a population of approximately 8,000 residents and one of the highest median household incomes in the country, Los Altos Hills is well known for its upscale homes, country clubs, and equestrian friendly properties. Industry is not allowed within the town limits and new home construction in Los Altos Hills require a one-acre minimum lot. Many of the original properties in the hills have been torn down and built into incredible palatial estates that sell for some of the highest prices in the Silicon Valley.

Spanish for “The Cats,” the Town of Los Gatos acts as a natural gateway between the greater Santa Clara basin and the beautiful Pacific Coast of California, while still possessing a small town feel and charm from its rich history. With a population approaching 30,000 and a high median household income, Los Gatos is one of the most prestigious towns in Santa Clara County. Stroll the friendly streets of downtown, visit the museums, picnic in the park, ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, or set off on the trail for a family hike along Los Gatos Creek.

The Town of Los Altos Hills has a very politically active citizenry and has several volunteer committees covering issues such as open space, environmental initiatives, and maintenance of historical places within the town. Foothill College, a public community college, is located off El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills. It offers many associate degrees, certificates, and transfer options. Los Altos Hills piggy backs off the utility services and downtown amenities of nearby Los Altos, as well as the excellent Los Altos Schools. There is a portion of Los Altos Hills to the North that is zoned into Palo Alto Schools, and this area tends to record higher real estate sale prices. Los Altos Hills spans across the 94022 and 94024 zip codes and shares these zip codes with Los Altos. While close to nearby Los Altos and the hustle and bustle of the Silicon Valley, Los Altos Hills is one of the few places that takes you back to the natural roots of the region. For those looking for a serene environment with mature trees, wildlife, and a rural feel, Los Altos Hills is an excellent option.

The Los Gatos community is bounded by Highway 85 to the north and the Los Gatos Mountains to the south. Downtown Los Gatos is located on Santa Cruz Avenue and is well known for its exceptional restaurant and bar scene as well as local specialty retailers. The east side of town near Los Gatos Boulevard is where many residents find their local grocery shopping centers including a Whole Foods, Lunardi’s, Safeway, and other retailers. The Los Gatos community schools are highly ranked from the elementary through the high school

level. The high school sports teams at Los Gatos High are often competing for Section Championships in multiple boys and girls sporting events. The town also maintains an excellent parks system including Vasona Park and neighboring Oak Meadow Park, which are regularly frequented by residents on weekends for picnics and local team sports. The Los Gatos Creek begins in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of town and runs through the town through neighboring Campbell and San Jose to the Guadalupe River, which flows into the San Francisco Bay. The Los Gatos Creek Trail runs alongside the creek from Lexington Dam through Vasona Park and all the way to San Jose and offers residents walking, running, and biking trails the entire distance. These trails are used year round and the weekends are especially busy. Los Gatos is also surrounded by several miles of mountain bike trails that can be accessed from the downtown area. The primary zip codes in Los Gatos are 95030 and 95032.

Milpitas As one of the oldest settlements in Santa Clara Valley, Milpitas, which in Spanish means “little cornfields,” has experienced remarkable growth since the first settlers began living there in 1852. Located at the northeastern border to Alameda County, Milpitas has a population of approximately 62,000. The city enjoys the benefits of the valley’s explosive growth in the computer and electronics industry and has a wide selection of housing, ranging from custom hillside homes to lower-cost multi-family housing. Milpitas was formed as a city in 1954 and was often a target of annexation by the City of San Jose, but the local residents fought to stay a separate city. Milpitas is now home 12

to many local computer hardware and chip manufacturing companies such as Flextronics, KLA-Tencor, and Sandisk, and the industrial base helps support the local city services. Milpitas actually ranks as the top in the nation with the largest percentage of residents employed in the computer and electronic products industry. The schools in Milpitas are part of the Milpitas Unified School District and are a huge draw for parents looking for excellent schools in an affordable neighborhood. Three of the Milpitas elementary schools (John Sinnott, Curtner, and Marshall Pomeroy Elementary) have achieved 13 a GreatSchools ranking of 9 or higher.

Monte Sereno Monte Sereno, which means “peaceful mountain,” is an all residential community of approximately 3,400 residents known for its rural character and wooded hillsides as well as its magnificent estates. Because of the city’s beauty, location, and superior schools, many Silicon Valley executives have chosen Monte Sereno as their home. One of the city’s points of interest include the home in which American author, John Steinbeck, wrote The Grapes of Wrath. Monte Sereno is located adjacent to Los Gatos and most of the residents are served by the Los Gatos Union Elementary School District or Saratoga Elementary School Districts. Both districts have top rated schools that regularly place in the upper tiers of the annual school testing results. Students attending high school will either attend Los Gatos High School or Saratoga High School within the

Los-Gatos Saratoga Union High School District. A small portion of residents near Bicknell Road fall into the Campbell school districts to the North. Monte Sereno is linked to Los Gatos through city services as well as schools. The city shares police, parks and recreation, and also youth sports leagues with Los Gatos, and for many, all of the downtown amenities as well. Monte Sereno is primarily a residential community and does not allow commercial uses within its city limits. Monte Sereno shares the 95030 zip code with Los Gatos.

Morgan Hill Known as the Gateway to the Central Coast, Morgan Hill is only 15 miles from the majestic Pacific coast. It offers its residents an abundance of wide open spaces and views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This family oriented community provides big city amenities while maintaining a small town feel. It has become a popular bedroom community to Silicon Valley, just a quick drive south of San Jose. Like the rest of the South Bay, it has a Mediterranean climate. Its close proximity to high tech industries, its rolling hills and valleys, plenty of parks, horse stables, and trails to explore add to the allure of this quaint town. The annual Mushroom Mardi Gras is a favorite festival among locals featuring live music, food vendors, artisan crafts, and cooking demonstrations. Spend a Friday evening under the stars enjoying an outdoor summer concert at the Morgan Hill Community Theater. Sample fresh produce at the downtown Farmer’s Market, open Saturdays year round. The Aquatics Center offers various water features including a spray-ground, competition pool with diving boards, recreational pool with water playground, and a warm water instructional pool. Stroll through the charming downtown to discover the array of multicultural restaurants and shops.

Explore the great outdoors at one of many parks the city has to offer including Henry Coe

State Park, Anderson Lake Park, Harvey Bear Park, Morgan Hill Community Park and Uvas Canyon Park. Henry Coe State Park is the largest state park in Northern California with over 87,000 rugged acres of ridges, meadows and canyons, and numerous species of wildlife and vegetation. The park is open year round and offers hiking, mountain biking, and camping. With elevations ranging from 700 feet to over 3,500 feet, the views are breathtaking and provide ample opportunities for amazing photographs. Anderson Lake Park features over 3,100 scenic acres including hiking and biking trails and a lake for boating enthusiasts. Harvey Bear Park is officially known as “Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park” and boasts 4,500 acres of trails for horseback riding, biking and hiking. Morgan Hill Community Park offers playgrounds, basketball courts, ball fields, tennis courts, a dog park, a duck pond and a skate and BMX park. Uvas Canyon County Park has over 1,100 wooded acres nestled on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains and offers hiking, camping, and picnicking. Morgan Hill is located in the 95037 zip code. The majority of the homes in the region are single family homes, but over the last 20 years there has been an increase in condo/ townhome construction as a lower cost housing alternative. 15

Mountain View Once covered in orchards and vineyards, Mountain View began as a stagecoach stop and an agricultural center for the lush Santa Clara Valley. The city is home to approximately 70,000 residents and to many nationally and internationally known corporations such as Google, LinkedIn, Symantec, and Intuit. In recent years, the City of Mountain View has developed some of the finest recreation facilities the Bay Area has to offer including an innovative regional park from reclaimed landfill.

present, and future technology within the area. Mountain View has had a long history as the center of semiconductor manufacturing, though manufacturing has since left the area and multifamily housing has filled its place. For those looking to enjoy the arts, the Mountain View Performing Arts Center is an incredible venue to view performances. The city closes off Castro Street for art and wine festivals throughout summer for a Thursday night concert series.

Mountain View’s downtown Castro Street has become one of the most vibrant downtowns on the Peninsula with many startups calling it home. The local restaurants and shops have benefited from the virtuous cycle of increased lunch, dinner, and happy hour traffic. The proximity to the Caltrain station and connection to VTA makes Mountain View an ideal spot for employees who don’t want to drive to work. Caltrain’s Baby Bullet service stops in Mountain View and provides a convenient 45 minute trip to and from San Francisco during peak hours.

The schools in Mountain View have been steadily improving over the last 10–15 years. Google’s continued support of technology initiatives in the community and local schools has helped with these improvements. The schools located in the 94040 and 94041 zip codes are typically considered the best schools in the area, but the northern schools within the Mountain View Whisman School District are quickly catching up. At the high school level, students are assigned to the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District and attend either Mountain View or Los Altos High School based on their residence address. There are some areas in the 94040 zip code that are assigned to the Los Altos school district, and homes in this area typically sell at higher prices.

Mountain View is home to the Computer History Museum, Moffett Field, and the Nasa Ames Research Center. These are symbols of the past,

Palo Alto The blend of business and residential areas anchored by a vibrant downtown defines Palo Alto’s unique character. Palo Alto, known as “Birthplace of the Silicon Valley,” is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technological development. Palo Alto’s proximity to Stanford University, considered one of the best universities in the world, adds to the city’s prestige and desirability. Distinctive in every way, with a population of approximately 59,000 residents, Palo Alto offers its business community a diverse and exciting environment in which to work and live. Palo Alto is home to numerous corporate headquarters for world class technology companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, VMware, and SAP. Many of these firms are located in the renowned Stanford Research Park on Page Mill Road, and many of the local giant technology firms (e.g. Google and Facebook) started in the park but relocated due to space constraints. Google has only recently re-established a presence in the park to get a foothold back in Palo Alto. The research park is credited with creating an ecosystem where companies can grow, have access to local law firms, and to the venture capital firms located nearby on Sand Hill Road. Residents moving to Palo Alto are often attracted by the impressive public schools system which provides children with an experience that combines excellent teachers with low student-teacher ratios. The schools in the Palo Alto Unified School District are consistently ranked as the top in the state, and local Gunn and Palo Alto High often appear in national rankings for the quality of their education and admittance rates to top universities.

For parents looking for private schools, there are numerous options available; some that offer bilingual immersion opportunities, some that are focused on the whole child, and some that are strictly focused on college preparation. Palo Alto to the North of Oregon Expressway has primarily older Craftsman and California Colonial homes that date back to the late 1900s. South of Oregon Expressway, homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s and include ranch style homes along with Eichlers and midcentury homes. The areas to the north and closer to the downtown typically command premium pricing, and the overall cost of housing in the entire city is some of the highest in the state on a per square foot basis.

There are three zip codes that serve the majority of the residences in Palo Alto: 94301, 94303 and 94306. The 94306 zip code is shared with East Palo Alto which is a separate city.

San Jose Founded on November 29, 1777 (as Pueblo de San Jose), San Jose is California’s first civilian settlement and the site of the first state capitol. As the hub of Silicon Valley, San Jose has become a popular destination for tourists and business travelers as it offers a wide variety of exciting cultural, recreational, educational, and entertainment opportunities. San Jose is a city proud of the cultural and ethnic diversity of its population and workforce. The city sponsors numerous cultural festivals, and numerous ethnic chambers of commerce are active in the community. As the third largest city in California, the population is approximately 894,000.

downtown San Jose, is a popular hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. This public market has over 25 unique vendors selling a variety of food, coffees, beers and cocktails. Located at the same site as San Pedro Square Market, the Peralta Adobe is the oldest building in San Jose and offers outdoor seating for a relaxing evening. If you’re looking for a show, you can catch a performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts or a comedy show at the San Jose Improv. Before heading to a fanfavorite Sharks hockey game, grab dinner at Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life for some of the best ribs in the area.

There are endless things to do and places to visit in various pockets of San Jose. The Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Santana Row, and HP Pavilion are just some of the sites to see.

Since San Jose is such a large city, there are various neighborhoods in the community that have different schools and local cultures. Areas like Willow Glen, Cambrian, Evergreen, and Almaden Valley have distinct neighborhoods that many people know, but the rest of San Jose can typically be classified as West San Jose, East San Jose, Central San Jose, and South San Jose.

The variety of food and dining choices is abundant. San Pedro Square Market, in

WEST SAN JOSE is distinct because many of the homes in the area are zoned into the Moreland Elementary School District or the Cupertino School District, which have higher rankings than the nearby San Jose Unified School District. Students in this area will attend high school in either the Campbell Union High School District or the Fremont Union High School District. West San Jose is conveniently located close to many retail centers and amenities including Westgate Mall, El Paseo de Saratoga, and Santana Row, a popular local destination. Generally this area includes the 95117, 95129, and 95130 zip codes in San Jose. EAST SAN JOSE which includes Berryessa and Alum Rock is located on the eastern side of Highway 680 and offers affordable housing options compared to other parts of San Jose.. The Berryessa area has its own elementary school district with excellent test scores for the majority of schools in the district. With the forthcoming BART extension into this area, due to be completed by 2040, the economic health and vitality of this region is expected to see a significant boost. Both areas are served by the East Side Union High School District.

CENTRAL SAN JOSE includes the heart of Downtown San Jose along with the areas between highways 880, 87, 280, and 680. North San Jose is lumped into the Central San Jose area for housing review purposes since the majority of North San Jose is industry. The central region is primarily served by the San Jose Unified School District. Schools in the area vary and school boundaries determine where students will attend based on their residence. The San Jose Unified School District is the largest district in the region and has been working on steps to increase proficiency and reduce the opportunity gap each year by modifying classroom sizes and curriculum for their students. SOUTH SAN JOSE is bounded by Highway 87 on the West, Highway 101 on the East, and extending down to the foothills. The northern area of this region is served by the FranklinMcKinley School District, and the southern area is served by the Oak Grove Elementary School District. Both of these districts have a wide range of schools and there are distinct differences in home prices in neighborhoods as a result of school boundaries. This area is also served by the East Side Union High School District.

Saratoga Named after Saratoga Springs, New York, because of the discovery of mineral springs, Saratoga is known for its charming downtown village, beautiful city parks, and award winning wineries. Saratoga has a population of approximately 30,000 and strives to maintain the elements of its natural beauty and colorful past through careful zoning policies and historic preservation.

Santa Clara Santa Clara is located about 45 miles south of San Francisco and is conveniently located near freeways, airports, railroads, light rail, and other forms of public transportation. Known as the Mission City, Santa Clara dates back to 1777, when Spanish missionaries built a mission where Santa Clara University is currently located. Almost encircled by the City of San Jose, Santa Clara has a population of 102,000. As well as having its own convention center, the city is home to the training grounds of the San Francisco 49ers and Paramount’s Great America. The George F. Haines International Swim Center can be found in Santa Clara and is home to world-class Olympic swimmers, divers, and synchronized swimmers. The Santa Clara Swim Club offers a range of competitive swimming programs and is known for their Gold Medal Team in the USA Swimming Club Excellence Program. Santa Clara families also enjoy events such as The Nutcracker, put on by the Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department and their Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival. The 52-acre Central Park offers a great setting for the Art & Wine Festival, which tends to attract more than 50,000 people throughout the two-day event each year.

Santa Clara was voted as one of the ten All- American Cities in the New Millennium by the National Civic League. It is also rated as one of the most affordable cities in the

nation for business and one of the region’s lowest combined utility cost areas out of the nine Bay Area counties. Their public safety department is also one of the fastest in the state. Santa Clara has its own unified school district, and students attend schools based on their residency location and through open enrollment. There are two magnet schools in the district that students can apply to through a lottery system. The district also extends into a small portion of Sunnyvale as well as Alviso in North San Jose. The schools are generally considered good performing schools, with some of the best located in the Birdland neighborhood of Sunnyvale, near the new Apple campus. Santa Clara University is a top private Jesuit university located near the San Jose border on the The Alameda, and is also the site of Mission Santa Clara. Santa Clara has three primary zip codes: 95050, 95051, and 95054. The 95050 zip code includes the heart of Santa Clara around Santa Clara University. The 95051 zip code includes areas to the west of San Tomas Expressway between Central Expressway and Stevens Creek Boulevard. The 95054 zip code includes the area north of Central Expressway, which is home to more of the city’s industry and commercial space. The city has a nice blend of single family homes, condominiums, and townhomes across all price ranges.

music. You can attend concerts, family theater, art events and more, and the art programs here serve nearly 200,000 visitors each year. The Mountain Winery is another popular venue in Saratoga and has a great concert schedule each year.

The 18 acre Hakone Gardens is found in Saratoga and offers a peaceful and beautiful setting for visitors to enjoy. It is regularly utilized for special events such as weddings, baby showers, and retreats. It is the oldest Japanesestyle residential garden location in the Western Hemisphere and is one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s premier sites. You can take a leisurely stroll and view koi pond gardens or go on a docent-led tour.

The local Saratoga schools continually rank as some of the best in the region from kindergarten through 12th grade. Elementary and middle school students primarily attend one of the 4 highly rated schools in the Saratoga Union School District, but on the boundaries of Saratoga they may attend schools in the Campbell, Cupertino, or Moreland Districts. At the high school level, the majority of students will attend Saratoga High, but some students will filter into local Monta Vista, Lynbrook, Prospect, or Westmont High Schools depending on their location.

Another Saratoga site to visit is the historic Villa Montalvo. Once owned by U.S. Senator James Phelan, this venue is world-renowned. At his death, Phelan made a request that Villa Montalvo remain a public park used for the purposes of art, architecture, literature, and

Saratoga is located in the 95070 zip code, and the majority of homes in the area are single family homes located on large lots. There are some condominiums and townhomes located in the downtown area and on the outskirts of the town.

Sunnyvale Advertised as “the City of Destiny,” with a population of over 131,000, this city was initially known for its vast open space and fertile soil which made the area ideal for fruit orchards. Today the city combines the advantages of an attractive suburban residential setting, a diverse population, metropolitan cultural opportunities, and a dynamic economic base that includes technology, biotech, aerospace, communications, and manufacturing. Sunnyvale is home to the Moffett Naval Air Station and Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, which are major local employers. In 2014, NASA announced it would be leasing the Moffett Federal Airfield to Google for 60 years and Google has been using the airfield to store planes used for atmospheric research. Sunnyvale is also home to some of the nation’s most successful businesses, many of which have taken up office space in the new Sunnyvale Town Center and in the newly constructed Moffett Business Park. Sunnyvale offers residents quality parks and a Public Safety Department that brings together fire and police functions for efficient and successful safety. Sunnyvale is proud to have 22

one of the lowest crime rates in the nation and has an excellent public schools system. The majority of homes are served by the Sunnyvale School District, but there are some locations in Sunnyvale served by the Cupertino School District and the Santa Clara Unified School District. Sunnyvale homes with Cupertino schools regularly sell at higher prices compared to other homes in the district. Most of the city is served by the Fremont Union High School District by Homestead High and Fremont High. Sunnyvale is comprised of 4 zip codes: 94085, 94086, 94087, and 94089. The 94085 zip code includes the area between Highway 101 and Central Expressway. The 94086 zip code includes the area between Central Expressway and El Camino Real, and it’s where the Sunnyvale Town Center and City Hall are located. The 94087 zip code includes the areas south of El Camino Real and is primarily a residential area with homes zoned for the best schools in the city. The 94089 zip code is located north of Highway 101 and includes Lakewood Village, multiple mobile home parks, and newer townhome and condo developments located near Fair Oaks and Tasman.

Willow Glen The tree lined streets of downtown Willow Glen offer a small-town feel nestled in the city of San Jose — the 10th largest city in the nation. The quaint downtown features sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, boutiques, vintage shops, and dog-friendly water bowls. Residents regularly head to Lincoln Avenue to conveniently grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, head to the bank, and to drop off their dry cleaning. There are no other areas in San Jose that have the same feel as Willow Glen, which is what makes it so desirable to many. The Willow Glen area has a long and storied history. Willow Glen began as a marshy area with numerous Willow trees surrounding the Los Gatos Creek and Guadalupe River. It was drained in the early 1900s and planted with orchards. Later, homes and roads were built over the farmland and Willow Glen began to urbanize, with Lincoln Avenue developing as its downtown shopping area. In the 1920s, a railroad was proposed to run through the middle of the community, and area residents joined together to successfully prevent the railroad from dividing the town. In 1927, the area was incorporated as the town of Willow Glen. By the 1930s the growth of the community made it necessary to join the City

of San Jose and in 1936, the town of Willow Glen ceased to be as it became annexed into the City of San Jose. The neighborhood homes throughout WIllow Glen include a wide range of architectural styles: Bungalow, Neoclassical (Queen Anne Cottage and Neo Colonial), Craftsman, Mission and more. The town is primarily a driving or walking town, but it is well served by light rail stations near its borders that provide access to the downtown and the Caltrain system. Willow Glen is known for their many events throughout each year: Dancin’ on the Avenue, Founders’ Day, Willow Glen 5K Run/Walk, and many other wine and beer festivals. If you look hard enough while walking downtown, you’ll find our Sereno Willow Glen office on Lincoln Avenue! The schools in Willow Glen are also a primary draw to the region. Willow Glen is served by the San Jose Unified School District and nearby Booksin Elementary School is one of the top schools in the area. Willow Glen High School is also well regarded in the region for its strong academic and sports programs. Willow Glen spans primarily across the 95124 and 95125 zip codes.

NOTES:

THIS GUIDE IS A COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERENO S E R E N O.CO M

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