Almaden-Clare Felice - San Jose, CA

Almaden's most distinctive place in history started with the New Almaden Quicksilver mine, which played a significant role during the California Gold Rush. The area saw its first wave of American settlers during the mid-19th century. With simultaneous advances in travel such as the railroad system, the town also saw a rapid rate of settlement along with the construction of numerous school houses and businesses. The town continued to develop over the next two centuries, eventually establishing a shift to high technology research as primary industry.

Visit the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum to experience an in-depth look into the history of the town, dating all the way back to the mining era. Browse through a collection traditional exhibits and antique displays of old mining equipment. You can also experience a taste of Almaden's art culture and exceptional wines at the annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.

Adjacent to the Clare-Felice neighborhood, Almaden houses a colorful assortment of eateries, including bakeries, barbecue and sandwich shops, European and Asian bistros, and everything in between. Whether you crave the culinary delights of a traditional American-style pub or a slice of piping hot cheese pizza, you can find it in Almaden. Most restaurants sit along the Santa Teresea Boulevard area.

Country Inn Cafe features an expansive menu that includes everything from wholesome and flavorful breakfast meals to hearty and full-bodied dinner entrees. Enjoy classic bacon and eggs with country fries and a warm muffin, or spring for a crunchy tuna melt. Take comfort in knowing Country Inn Cafe chefs craft each and every dish with fresh ingredients and authentic house recipes. Customers sit in a traditional diner atmosphere filled with a collection of tables and booths complemented by causal country-style decor.

For a unique blend of Vietnamese, French and Asian Fusion cuisine, locals travel to Elements Restaurant. This establishment specializes in an elegant fine dining experience, using only local organic ingredients to create the assortment of savory cuisines on its rotating menu. Quality service, a distinguished ambiance and attention to detail represent the staples of Elements Restaurant. From filet mignon to tea-smoked duck, this high-class specialty bistro has a dish to satisfy even the most particular cravings. Try the New York steak, a cut of premium USDA organic beef marinated with red wine and peppercorn sauce.

The nightlife scene in Almaden encompasses a broad scope of attractions that range from sports bars, hookah lounges and wine bars to pool halls, pubs and music venues. Rookies Sports Lodge on Meridian Avenue serves huge plates of nachos while you watch the big game on the many flat-screen televisions. Happy hour specials run from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so check out the drink specials. Meanwhile, Cuetopia Billiard Cafe provides plenty of entertainment with its impressive collection of 25 regulation size pool tables, four foosball tables, multiple arcade games and a number of delectable appetizers.

Malibu Grill & B-B-Q brings together the greatness of pizza, sandwiches and the sports bar atmosphere to create the distinct dining experience found only at this family-oriented sports bar. Customers love the engaging environment of the restaurant, where more than eight flat-screen HD televisions span one wall of the facility. Catch the latest in NFL, NHL, NBA or extreme sports event. The menu features everything from classic appetizers such as french fries, mozzarella sticks and garlic bread to juicy hamburgers and oven-baked pizza. Visit Malibu Grill & B-B-Q to find out why locals love this friendly family-owned restaurant. Try the blue cheeseburger, which includes a huge patty served with a mouth-watering combination of sauteed onions, crumbled blue cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato on a fresh bun.

Automobiles stand as the most common means of transportation in Almaden, while Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority serves as the area's primary public transportation option. A small collection of taxi businesses offer service in the area, but residents more commonly opt for Uber. Public parking comprises a small collection of garages and lots, as well as on-street residential parking. The Almaden Expressway serves as the town's main thoroughfare, connecting to Norman Y. Mineta Highway and West Valley Freeway. Almaden presents a moderately pedestrian-friendly environment and offers a healthy spread of bike routes throughout the city for cyclists.

A blend of small neighborhood parks, playgrounds and expansive outdoor recreational landscape comprise the distribution of parks in Almaden. Almaden Quicksilver County Park presents an ideal atmosphere for runners, hikers and nature enthusiasts alike, containing a vast spread of trails stretching through a variety of terrain, from dense lush woodlands to rocky and spacious valleys. Smell the crisp clean air, and enjoy the bountiful scenic views as you cruise through the trails of this iconic county park. Make sure to bring your furry four-legged friend for a fun-filled day outdoors. At Almaden Lake Park, patrons enjoy a broad range of amenities that include a collection of trails, a picnic area, playground for the kids and a beautiful lake.

Be sure to attend the annual Almaden Harvest Festival, a community-driven event that features live musical performances by local artists, great-tasting food and plenty of entertainment.

Alamden's cost of living runs 18 percent higher than that of San Jose, and one-bedroom residences rent at an average cost of $1,821 per month. Residents travel to the city center for as little as $2 via VTA, an especially attractive price considering that the gas prices hover around 24 percent higher than the national average. Visit a local pub and grab yourself an ice-cold pint for around $6.

The shopping district of Almaden Valley offers an ample amount of variety, housing everything from home decor and furniture stores to mom-and-pop neighborhood shops and specialty boutiques. A collection of nationally recognized chain retailers also populate the area, providing a hybrid between neighborhood- and commercial-style shopping. Several businesses operate along the Almaden Expressway as well as within surrounding areas.

Got Bikes functions as a combination bike repair and cycling supply shop, selling a full range of biking accessories in addition to a broad inventory of bikes, scooters, skateboards and go-carts. The store specializes in bicycle repair, offering one-on-one consultation and exceptional levels of customer-focused service. Customer recognize the store for its high level of professionalism; the store owner works diligently to ensure that customers are always taken care of, whether they require simple bike rental or an intricate bike tune-up.

For an endless sea of bargains and a diverse product selection, residents of Almaden make their way to Unicorn Thrift Shop. From everyday house wares to high-end fashion, you never know what you'll find among the variety of merchandise contained within the boundaries of the store. Customers enjoy the neatly organized and inviting atmosphere the Unicorn Thrift Shop provides, making for a pleasant and stress-free shopping experience. Staff members happily provide assistance to customers, whether they seek a particular production or expert recommendations. Venture out to Unicorn Thrift Shop, and find out why residents of Almaden consider this local neighborhood store a hidden gem.

A number of first-rate grocery stores service the Almaden area, from simple independently owned markets to major chain grocers. Safeway provides an expansive product selection in a clean and easily navigable layout. Meanwhile, stores like Whole Foods focus on supplying a sundry assortment of natural and organic foods at competitive prices.