San Jose

Welcome to San Jose

A diverse and innovative Northern California city.

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Lively and diverse San Jose is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and is known as one of the most vibrant, tech-savvy cities in California. Whether you live, work, or play here, there’s always something new and exciting to see and do.

Originally inhabited by the Ohlone Native Americans, the area that we now call San Jose was explored by the Spanish and officially founded in 1777. For a period following the Mexican War of Independence, the city was part of Mexico, then ceded to the United States in 1848. Like many cities, San Jose experienced an economic boom after World War II, causing many people to pour into the area and lay down roots.

Today, San Jose is the most populous city in Northern California, known as an innovative tech industry hub and a thriving urbanized metropolis. Housing prices are expensive, as is the cost of living—for a comfortable family home, you can expect to pay into the millions. Architectural styles tend to be more eclectic here—there are Victorian houses, luxurious contemporaries, traditional California ranch homes, and sprawling mansions.

What to Love

  • Diverse population
  • Thriving urban atmosphere
  • Lots of fine dining and shopping


People & Lifestyle

San Jose offers a great mix of urban and suburban life, with a vibrant and bustling downtown and more laid-back residential neighborhoods. You can have it all in San Jose, with a quick commute between work and your luxurious, relaxing home!

Though the cost of living is high, San Jose remains a fantastic place to raise a family. The schools are top-notch, and there are plenty of outdoor activities and community events. San Jose is also a popular area with Silicon Valley professionals who want to live close to their workplace.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

San Jose is a busy city filled with fantastic entertainment and dining opportunities. Take the family out to a fabulous local restaurant or enjoy the nightlife with friends!

Explore the shopping scene at Santana Row, a fantastic three-block street filled with boutiques and all of your favorite high-end retailers.

San Jose is home to an incredibly diverse food scene. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants to try, ranging from Bay Area favorite Scott’s Seafoodto Amber India, an upscale Indian eatery. Locals love dining on Chinese favorites at Golden Palace, and, of course, you’ll want to try upscale Portuguese hotspot Adega, San Jose’s first Michelin-starred restaurant.

Things to Do

From sporting events to national landmarks, San Jose is jam-packed with exciting things to do! There’s never a dull moment in this city in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Music lovers will have a blast at the San Jose Jazz Festival, which is held every August and features spectacular live performances. Don’t forget to catch a game at the SAP Center, where the NHL’s San Jose Sharks regularly play.

People travel from all over the country to explore the Winchester Mystery House, a famous mansion that’s shockingly unique in design—and just might be haunted. In keeping with San Jose’s tech-savvy reputation, the city is home to The Tech Interactive, a science and technology center for the whole family to enjoy. Northern California’s largest waterpark, Raging Waters, is also located nearby!

Schools

San Jose is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:

  • Silver Oak Elementary School
  • John Muir Elementary School
  • Union Middle School
  • Lynbrook High School
  • Evergreen Valley High School
  • Piedmont Hills High School