At a glance
- Where it is: east of downtown San Jose, from US-101 up into the Diablo Range foothills.
- Known for: Alum Rock Park, active commercial corridors, and hillside neighborhoods with valley views.
- The environment: varied — flat established neighborhoods on the valley floor, and winding hillside streets above.
Housing character
- Post-war single-family homes on compact lots across most of the flatlands.
- Older homes near the Alum Rock Avenue and Story Road corridors.
- Hillside properties in the upper foothills, some with larger lots and views.
- Condominium and townhome developments along the main corridors.
Around town
- Alum Rock Park, one of California's oldest municipal parks, with trails and mineral springs.
- Emma Prusch Farm Park and the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
- Commercial corridors along Alum Rock Avenue, Story Road, and King Road.
- Foothill trailheads and valley views from the hillside neighborhoods.
Getting around
- US-101, Interstate 680, and Capitol Expressway.
- VTA light rail along Capitol Expressway.
- VTA bus service along the main corridors.
- Downtown San Jose is a short drive.
What to check
- Parts of the area sit close to US-101 or Interstate 680 where noise is a factor.
- Foothill neighborhoods have terrain and wildfire considerations that affect insurance.
- Older housing stock in many neighborhoods.
- Conditions and pricing vary sharply from block to block — neighborhood-level research matters here.
- Verify current transportation service, school assignment, permit requirements, hazard information, and total housing costs for the specific address.