North San Jose - San Jose, CA Area Guide

North San Jose and its surrounding neighborhood of Berryessa first developed as farming communities. Farmers cultivated apricot and prune orchards, and fruit packing companies dominated the local agriculture scene. In the mid-20th century, developers transformed North San Jose into a suburban neighborhood with residents who mainly commuted to San Francisco or San Jose. Now, North San Jose locals live and work in Silicon Valley, far removed from the old farming days.

Learn more about North San Jose at the South Bay Historical Railroad Society at the historic railroad depot. Art fans travel to downtown San Jose to check out the Kaleid Gallery and the Anno Domini Gallery for modern art. Music fans like the seasonal San Jose jazz festivals as well as cultural gatherings like the Obon Festival in Japantown.

Outer North San Jose residents have a few dining options near their own neighborhoods. However, most bars and eateries center on Highway 101, which bisects North San Jose closer to Santa Clara and the center of San Jose itself. Therefore, residents living closer to Milpitas and looking for a neighborhood meal or a drink need to travel a few minutes. Vespa Restaurant serves Vietnamese fusion food made with quality ingredients. Try the lamb chop with noodles or the highly rated seafood egg roll as an appetizer. For a relaxed night, pair some wine with your meal, since Vespa also functions as a wine bar.

North San Jose residents who like Mediterranean food can go for a quick bite at SAJJ, a Mediterranean grill with a few locations in the San Jose area. Set up like a Chipotle, the restaurant serves bowls of falafel with tzatziki sauce and chicken shawarma. Regulars like the pomegranate chicken salad with hummus or a pita with falafel and vegetables. For a good lunch or breakfast during the week, stop by Kerrie's Kafe off Orchard Drive for a meal. Try lunch favorites, including hot dogs with peppers piled on or a well-cooked chicken ciabatta sandwich with sweet potato fries. Hungrier folks can grab a Kobe burger to fuel up for the rest of the day. Keep in mind that Kerrie's Kafe does not open during the weekend.

Join the North San Jose locals at a dive bar in the neighborhood, such as Doghouse Sports Lounge on North First Street. Hang out for a sports game, take advantage of the happy hour specials, and listen to tunes on the jukebox. Smoke This Hookah Lounge attracts hookah enthusiasts near Santa Clara but also functions as a social hangout. For live music, travel out of the neighborhood to Milpitas. There, listen to artists at Community Coffee or at Blue Note Lounge. The closest club, Taste Nightclub, draws in dancing fans from all around the North San Jose area.

Outer North San Jose’s wide streets and winding roads make it difficult for its suburbanites to walk around to do errands. Though many residents walk for exercise in the nice weather, most North San Jose residents drive to do their shopping. Biking and public transit, however, prove to be good alternatives to driving in the northern suburbs.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority provides several bus lines and light rail trains throughout North San Jose all the way up to Milpitas. These buses and trains facilitate commuting to Santa Clara or elsewhere in Silicon Valley for work. Commuters who drive can access Highway 101 and interstates 880 and 680 easily.

Most locals in San Jose can call for a cab that just takes a few minutes to arrive. Lyft and Uber ridesharing services give rides to outer North San Jose residents also. Drivers don’t worry about parking in North San Jose, but driving to downtown can involve some searching for a space, as well as paying parking meters.

The entire North San Jose neighborhood makes bicycling easy. Most main roads contain bike lanes, where bicyclists can ride safely and out of the way of cars.

Some large parks, such as Ulistac Natural Area, scatter the landscape. This park features seven natural habitats on 40 acres of space. Visitors come to Ulistac to check out wetlands, vegetation and wildlife native to the South Bay. Residents can bring their dog but must keep them on a 6-foot leash while traversing the free park. Kids prefer the park across the street, Lick Mill Park, for its playground and athletic courts.

Exercise fans enjoy use of Alum Rock Park in Alum Rock Canyon, located near the Diablo Mountains. The park, which does not permit dogs and requires a $6 parking fee in its lots, features hiking, biking and picnicking along 13 miles of unpaved trail.

Most North San Jose locals go downtown for festivals, especially music festivals and events like the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.

Living in San Jose carries a significantly higher cost than the national average. A typical one-bedroom apartment in North San Jose rents for about $2,360 a month. An average glass of beer costs about $4. A tank of gas in North San Jose costs about 20 percent more to fill than the national average.

Public transit users pay $2 for a one-way trip. Frequent commuters can consider the annual pass option, which costs $770.

Rivermark Village fills up with locals who like to do their shopping at Safeway and other chains, such as GameStop. However, Rivermark Village mostly distinguishes itself from other plazas due to its food options. Great Mall in Milpitas serves as an alternative to Rivermark Village and houses many more clothing retailers. North San Jose shoppers can visit Aeropostale, Van Heusen, Timberland, and other popular brands or head to Coach for high-end deals.

North San Jose shopping enthusiasts generally go to downtown San Jose or to Santa Clara for local boutiques and special deals on clothes. Aristocrats, located in Japantown, carries streetwear brands for both men and women. Isabella Boutique stocks dresses, shoes, purses, and other women’s clothing items. Those who prefer to shop for games over clothes enjoy Channel Fireball Game Center.

Grocery shoppers in outer North San Jose go to Safeway and Trio Foods for their food needs. Tsukuda Fruit Stand on Seeley Avenue sells fresh fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce. Additionally, the Santa Clara Farmers Market gives organic fans a chance to pick out some great food as well as baked goods and juices for the week.