San Jose - Jacksonville, FL Area Guide

San Jose is part of Jacksonville's Southside area, once known as "South Jacksonville." Originally, a port on St. Johns River not far from San Jose served as a vital conduit for citrus fruits, which were then distributed all over the southern United States.

Now, the San Jose neighborhood offers its residents a refreshing, bright and family-oriented place to call home. The area's ethnically diverse populace contributes positively to its community spirit, which also lives in the three schools in and around the neighborhood.

A number of museums, including the Cummer Museum of Art in Jacksonville's Downtown area, sit within easy driving distance of San Jose. The Downtown region also houses a number of art galleries, particularly within the area between Market Street and Julia Street. Central Jacksonville also hosts a number of annual music festivals, including the Jacksonville Jazz festival, which takes place annually in the spring.

San Jose residents enjoy a great selection of different cuisine options. In fact, there are several highly rated eateries in the neighborhood that regularly attract patrons from the wider Jacksonville area. Visit the larger streets in San Jose to discover new foods or savor old favorites.

Nile Ethiopian Restaurant on Powers Road, rumored to be the best Ethiopian restaurant in Florida, is a haven for the senses. Be prepared to encounter new and delicious smells as soon as you walk through the door. Most of the dishes served in this restaurant are presented on large platters meant for sharing. Diners use traditional injera bread, made from teff, to scoop the food instead of a knife and fork. Doro watt, a spicy chicken stew cooked in berbere seasoning mix, makes an excellent introduction to Ethiopian food.

Pepe's Hacienda on Dupont Avenue is a truly authentic Mexican spot imbued with a distinctly south-of-the-border vibe. Outstanding staff members make this place shine; you'll get served quickly, even on a busy Friday night. Tender, flavorful steak tacos are made with Mexican crema, queso fresco and fresh avocado for a mouth-watering kick. Delectable refried beans and rice accompany the meal. Menudo, a Mexican soup made with beef, crushed oregano, cilantro, lime and red chili, is available every day of the week — until the restaurant runs out.

For a lip-smacking diner experience, head over to First Coast Deli & Grill on St. Augustine Road. Treat your palette to a half-pound Angus beef and Swiss cheeseburger, or enjoy a hearty chicken and potato salad. The diverse and inclusive menu at this venue includes several generously portioned vegetarian and vegan options. You'll find First Coast Deli & Grill conveniently open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

In the evening, residents either stick around for a subdued night at one of the local eateries or travel further afield for more intense action. You can visit Pure nightclub, south on Philips Highway, to shake your stuff on the dance floor. Friendly, knowledgeable bar staff and talented DJs give the nightspot its lively vibe.

For music, head north into Jacksonville, where a variety of venues await. Jack Rabbits nightclub, which sits on Hendricks Avenue about 4.5 miles north of San Jose, offers reasonably priced, well-concocted cocktails and live music. Audiophiles will love Jack Rabbits' excellent sound system.

Most people in San Jose own a car, in part because of the distance between the neighborhood and Jacksonville city center. Getting onto the local highways is a cinch — just go east along University Boulevard South at the north end of San Jose and turn onto Philips Highway. Alternatively, keep going across Philips Highway and merge onto Interstate 95. Most properties have dedicated parking spots, driveways or garages in which to park vehicles. Many local businesses have attached parking lots.

Residents also bike or walk short distances. Dedicated biking lanes run up and down Power Avenue on the east side of the neighborhood, making the busy street safer for cyclists who choose to ride to work or to the local stores.

You can get into the city center by bus in about 40 minutes. Simply board a northbound number 17 bus on University Boulevard South. Then, transfer to an outbound number 19 bus at Rosa Parks Transit Station and travel to your central destination.

You won't usually be able to hail a cab on the street in San Jose because of its suburban location. However, many local cab companies, including Checker Cab, serve the area. Call them on the phone or book online to order a sedan, a minivan or an airport shuttle. Choose UberX, UberXL and UberBlack for a cheaper ride-sharing alternative to a traditional taxi.

You'll find San Jose Country Club, founded in 1947, at the south end of the neighborhood. This facility offers its members plenty of outdoor space as well as golf, tennis, fitness classes, and swimming and boating activities. Junior members gain access to golf and tennis as well. You must pay a fee for membership, and you need an invitation to join. Speak to a helpful team member at the club for further details.

Take your furry canine friend to Dog Wood Park on Salisbury Road in the Baymeadows neighborhood for an afternoon out. With its 25-acre fenced-in section and a dedicated swimming area, the design of this spacious park pleases even the pickiest pooch. You can expect to pay just over $10 for a day of fun at Dog Wood Park. Visitors can also choose from monthly and annual memberships.

Outdoor events in the Jacksonville area include the annual 15K Gate River Run, which takes its participants through the inner city area and over a few of Jacksonville's most famous bridges. If you enjoy music, mosey on down to Dunk Fest Jacksonville, which takes place in May near the St. John's River in Downtown. Every October, the Jacksonville Air Show thrills area residents with an array of daring aeronautic displays.

Overall, the cost of living in San Jose hovers about 2 percent lower than the Jacksonville average. The price of gas runs up to 9 percent lower than the Jacksonville average or 7.5 percent lower than the national average, which is great news for your budget. You can expect to pay about $581 per month in rent for a one-bedroom property.

You'll only hand about $3.25 to your server for a draft beer or $4.25 for an imported bottle of lager. Craft beer prices vary depending on the brewery and the specific batch size.

Bus fares prove equally reasonable: You can get into central Jacksonville and back again for $3.00, or even $1.50 if you qualify for a reduced rate. Seniors ride for free.

Most of the shops in San Jose sit on the north side of the neighborhood along St. Augustine Road and University Boulevard West. Most high-end retailers operate in central Jackonsonville. You can, however, find a beautiful pre-owned Rolex watch at A-Coin & Stamp Gallery on St. Augustine Road.

Interesting local stores include La Tienda Jewelry and Pawn, located on St. Augustine Road. Peruse a fascinating selection of wares, including high-quality jewelry pieces, an extensive collection of guitars and unique vintage memorabilia items. Friendly staff members and a casual atmosphere make this shop a fun place to search for buried treasure.

Women with the urge to shop frequently check out Ms. Mulligan's on San Jose Boulevard. This consignment shop has it all. Check out low cost women's apparel and accessories. The ever-changing inventory keeps women coming in for more.

To find gardening supplies and a selection of heirloom-variety plants, visit Trad's Garden Center on San Jose Boulevard to the south of San Jose. You can also find pest control and lawn fertilization services at this well-respected local business.

Over 10 grocery stores lie within a mile of San Jose. Publix Supermarket at University Square on Route 109 at the north of the neighborhood offers its patrons a wide array of foods and essential items. You can pick up staples, including milk and bread, at CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens, both of which also lie at the north end of San Jose.

Several farmers markets operate seasonally in the Jacksonville area. Locals especially love Jacksonville Farmer's Market, the largest and most comprehensive farmers market in the Riverside area. A large number of vendors all operate out of this venue, so you can negotiate and shop for the lowest available prices on locally grown and sustainable produce items. Jacksonville Farmer's Market opens for business every day of the year.