Luz - San Jose, CA

As the first non-military settlement in California, San Jose history goes back to 1777. The original pueblo expanded outward as the population grew and settled farther out laying the foundation for neighborhoods such as Luz. In the 1860s, dairy farming and grain production were the livelihoods of the district's early residents. The 33-acre Overfelt Garden Park was donated to the city in 1959 by the descendants of the area's settlers. The Luz neighborhood has shown consistent growth over the years, but it saw its most significant growth in the 1980s.

For a living-history experience, residents make the 10-minute drive southeast to the History Park village where historic and reproduction buildings, paved streets and trolley cars immerse visitors in the past. History Park hosts ongoing events including the annual Spring Garden Market where visitors find plants, artisan wares, and tasty treats.

Most Luz restaurants line Alum Rock Avenue although pockets of eateries can be found on McKee and North King. Independent eating houses mix it up with big-chain choices that include McDonald's, Subway, and Round Table Pizza.

Enjoy a mix of Italian, Mexican, and American foods at El Patio Restaurant. Bite into a stacked Patio burger loaded with mushrooms, crispy strips of bacon and melted Cheddar cheese, dig into a plate of chicken parmigiana with rosemary potatoes and seasonal veggies, or take on a pair of tacos generously filled with New York steak, shredded cheddar, bell peppers, and onion. Stop in at Jewel of India to savor the exotic ingredients and depth of flavor in traditional Indian cuisine. Start out with cheese pakoras and sweet chutney, and move on to a dish of tender chicken tikka masala with garlic naan to soak up the spicy sauce. Save room for the gulab jamun, a delicately sweet dessert dumpling.

Make the most important meal of the day a good one at A Bite of Wyoming. Chow down on chicken fried steak with eggs and biscuits, or tuck into a ham and cheese omelet with buttery hash browns. Don't be discouraged by the line outside this small diner – it moves quite quickly, and it tells you about the restaurant's popularity.

Not a bar neighborhood in itself, Luz sits just 10 minutes from the bar, lounge, and club zone in the downtown San Jose area.

Luz rates quite well for walkability – you can definitely run a number of errands on foot in this neighborhood. For public transportation, VTA runs bus service on parallel routes along McKee and Alum Rock and an intersecting route along North Jackson. A 20-minute walk gets you to the nearest light rail station. If you can't find a cab to hail, phone for taxi service or book with Uber on your smartphone.

If you want to do the driving yourself, you can easily hop on I-680 to bypass the Bay area for a trip north or, in five minutes, join US-101 for a drive to San Francisco. Metered parking costs $1 per hour weekdays, but it's free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays, and most neighborhood retailers provide free parking for customers.

With flat topography that makes for comfortable cycling, Luz provides a few dedicated bike lanes on main roads for commutes and scenic park trails for leisure rides.

Overfelt Gardens Park stands out as the neighborhood's serene, green gem. This well-maintained park with its beautifully landscaped gardens houses Chinese memorials, pagodas and statues. With benches that seat up to 75 guests, the park's tranquil and picturesque Palm Grove makes an ideal setting for wedding ceremonies and photographs. Trails wind around the park for leisurely strolls or scenic jogs, but because squirrels, turtles, geese and other wildlife call the park home, dog-walking is not permitted. Join in the free family events at the annual Chinese Moon Festival. Nibble mooncake delicacies, and enjoy music, dancing, and lantern-making at this traditional Asian celebration. Hikers, cyclists and dog walkers enjoy Penitencia Creek Park's four-mile trail that connects to the 700-acre Alum Rock Regional Park. At Commodore Park, kids can romp in the playground, adults can work out on the outdoor fitness equipment and the whole family can sit down to a picnic lunch.

The cost of living in Luz comes in slightly higher than the California average but still lower than the San Jose average. You get a break on housing, and rental prices reflect the savings, with the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment coming in at about $1,544 per month. A one-way trip on the bus to the downtown area costs $2, and a tall, cool beer in the pub goes for about $5.

Expect to pay West Coast gas prices. In Luz, the price at the pump runs about 23 percent more than the national average.

Most of the retail activity in Luz takes place along Alum Rock Avenue. Pick up essentials for an exotic Indian wedding at Maharani Fashion. Find bolts of silk fabric for saris and salwars, yards of elaborate trims, ornate fashion earrings, and an assortment of color-coordinated chooras. Get the Bollywood look with dance-style gowns, or choose a traditional richly embroidered sari.

Shop for one-of-a-kind treasures at deeply discounted prices at the San Jose Flea Market. Stroll along the corridors of outdoor booths, and search for costume jewelry, antique tools, toys, collectibles and comic books. Grab carnival eats such as fried Snickers bars, and pick up organic fruits and veggies in the farmers market section. Go before 9 a.m. for free parking.

You can find basic groceries at Bill's Market and Paul's Quik Stop, and at Chavez Supermarket, you can munch on tacos, burritos, and quesadillas at the store's taqueria before you stock up on your groceries.