River Oaks - San Jose, CA

Before Spanish conquerors came, the Ohlone Native American tribe lived off much of the land that's now North San Jose and River Oaks. The region served as an agricultural center once it became more settled, but shifted to industry during World War II. Now, it's been caught in the tech rush, and many of the River Oaks residents work in the tech industry.

River Oaks lies only a few miles from the Harvest Festival, an annual event that welcomes artists and craftsmen of all varieties. Local artists have the chance to show off the work they've been doing all year, and patrons take advantage of the music, food, and kid-friendly activities that the city puts on. North San Jose also houses the 49ers Museum, which loyally collects artifacts and history regarding the famous NFL team. Expect a long line if you go on a game day.

With more restaurants than you could count just along the Montague Expressway, the southernmost road in River Oaks, this neighborhood provides some of the best dining in San Jose. Start your taste testing off at Zahir's Bistro, a classic Italian restaurant with a simple selection. The many vegetarian options and succulent seafood dishes, such as the lemon seafood risotto, impress everyone who walks through the doors of this small restaurant. Zahir's New Orleans chicken also ranks among the restaurants top flavors.

If you have a hankering for sushi, head to Sen Dai Sushi, where locals rave about the rolls. The sashimi always comes out fresh, and if you're looking for the perfect appetizer, the Hawaiian Poki Salad is an absolute must.

Want a change from the more traditional varieties of ethnic food? Give La Catalana Espana a try. With authentic cuisine that's typical of Spain, such as the Catalana sausage with manchega cheese or the lentil soup, this restaurant provides a chance to give more exotic Spanish dishes a go.

If you want some great choices for going out to the bar, you can find them in and around River Oaks. From the all-in-one sports and dive bar Doghouse Sports Lounge to Bay 101, which has a poker room and miniature casino, there's no shortage of exciting nighttime retreats. The live blues jam at Blue Note Lounge keeps patrons coming back for more, but few other music venues lie near the River Oaks neighborhood.

If you want to take public transit, buses 321 and 828 provide the best means of getting around and transferring to other buses that travel into downtown San Jose. If you'd rather take the light rail toward downtown, you can get on at the River Oaks station, within walking distance from every part of the neighborhood.

When driving, take the Montague Expressway to get around efficiently. Tasman Drive and 1st Street also act as main thoroughfares. River Oaks lies within the middle a triangle formed by the Nimitz, Southbay, and Bayshore freeways, making getting around to neighboring cities easy. On the weekends and weeknights, you might have a difficult time finding a place to park downtown, but parking remains ample for residents within River Oaks.

San Jose has become more bike friendly, and plenty of bike lanes exist in downtown. However, the bike lanes become more sparse going up north to River Oaks, though the parks and nature areas provide paved and dirt paths for biking enthusiasts.

Because River Oaks remains small, walking to your favorite restaurant in the area never takes more than 30 minutes. However, public transportation is a much better option if you want to go downtown.

Don't want to drive yourself? Uber provides a cheaper and quicker alternative to taking a cab, though you can still either hail a cab from the street or call a traditional cab company.

Just outside the western boundaries of River Oaks lies River Oaks Park, a well-kept park perfect for dogs, basketball, tennis, kids, and picnics. This huge space has become a major perk for locals in the area. The newly-renovated park, complete with fun ramps and swings, makes for the perfect family outing. The park never costs anything to use. During the summer, the city holds live concerts in the park free of charge.

Though smaller than River Oaks Park, Lick Hills Park provides many of the same amenities, and even has a number of outdoor grills for getting your friends together for an afternoon or evening outdoors. The stone tables make it a popular spot for picnics, and many tennis enthusiasts come here for the well-maintained tennis courts.

Though many expensive houses lie within the borders of River Oaks, the cost of living falls below the average for San Jose by 21 percent, though River Oaks still costs 40 percent more than the national average. The average apartment in River Oaks rents for about $2,105 per month.

A one-way ticket on the bus or light rail costs $2, though an eight-hour light rail pass only runs $4. Need to fill up on gas? It's going to cost 11 percent more per gallon than the national average. Getting a beer at a local bar runs $5 to $6.

Though River Oaks and the area around it house few major shopping centers, plenty of hobby shops and local sporting goods stores provide the shopping experiences you're looking for. Off the Street Pro Shop stocks supplies for bowling enthusiasts, including bags and customized bowling bowls.

More into gaming than sports? Drop by Game Kastle to find a massive selection of board games and regular Eurogaming tournaments. The staff helps newbies learn the games, and you can try the some of them out before you purchase them.

Safeway and Target remain the primary venue for getting groceries, though the Santa Clara Farmers Market has the best farm-fresh produce for miles around, and many River Oaks residents head that direction for healthier and cheaper produce.