East San Jose

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.

Nearby guides