Cambrian Park, or more broadly, Cambrian, is a west San Jose neighborhood or district and is one of the more affordable, high-value areas in Silicon Valley. The schools are good, the crime is low, and the commute is not too bad. For people relocating to Santa Clara County, this is a place to know about since quality education and affordability are often high priorities!

What’s the compromise for the more reasonable prices of homes for sale? Well, Cambrian doesn’t have an interesting, upscale downtown area like Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, or Willow Glen.

But it does have tons of shopping & restaurants and even a Farmer’s Market. It also enjoys a top notch hospital (Good Samaritan) and plenty of parks as well as a fantastic rec center with a large park adjacent to it, the Camden Community Center, which has tons of programs (including an after school program for youth), classes, and a fabulous pool.  (My family and I lived in Cambrian in the “Cambrian Gardens” neighborhood for 10 years and loved it – our kids made great use of the community center too.)

Altogether, there are about 75,000 to 80,000 residents in Cambrian, spread throughout the three zip codes of 95124, 95118 and a little tiny bit of 95008.

If there is a “central Cambrian Park”, it would have to be near the original Cambrian Park Shopping Center, which was the first actual mall in San Jose! That area is sometimes known as Cambrian Village.  People sometimes use the three names interchangeably: Cambrian, Cambrian Park, Cambrian Village.:

Where is Cambrian Park? Map of approximate Cambrian Boundaries:

View Cambrian Area of San Jose in a larger map

Cambrian Park is a west side suburban area, part of the city of San Jose for the most part (there are a few county pockets, a bit now covered by Campbell, though), which is located adjacent to Campbell, Los Gatos, Almaden Valley, Blossom Valley and Willow Glen.

The Cambrian Park boundaries are, approximately, Foxworthy Avenue, Bascom Avenue, Carlton Avenue, Blossom Hill Road (except for a jut up in the Vista Loop area), Camden Avenue, the Guadalupe Creek (between Coleman Ave and Blossom Hill Rd.) and Almaden Expressway. There are many many zigs and zags, especially with the Los Gatos border, but I sketched out the approximate boundaries so that readers could get a rough idea of the area we call Cambrian Park – see the map above.

What are the schools in Cambrian?

Cambrian is served by 3 elementary school districts: The Union School District (in the area closest to Los Gatos), the Cambrian School District (the part to the north, closer to Campbell) and San Jose Unified School District (covering most of the 95118 section).   High Schools are served by Campbell Union High School District if the homes are in the Union or Cambrian schools area, or San Jose Unified in the rest of Cambrian. (Some school districts are elementary and middle only, with a separate high school district.  Others are “unified”, covering K – 12.)

The newest API scores for Santa Clara County’s public schools have been released as of Nov 29, 2011.  If you are unfamiliar with how API scores work, it’s on a scale of 1 to 1000.  The target number for the county is 800, so anything higher is considered good.  Getting close to or over 900 is rare and is the mark of an exceptionally excellent school.

Cambrian came out even stronger than in years past, particularly in the Union School District, where 5 out of 6 elementary schools were in the 900s and the other 1 school was at 878.

The middle schools in the Union area of Cambrian Park also scored high in 2010, with Dartmouth at 900 and Union Middle at 881. For some reason there are NO scores for 2011.

In the Cambrian School District there are 4 grammar schools, 3 of which slipped from the previous year and 1 of which went up.  Bagby was at 905 this time and the rest were in the 8s. Price Charter Middle School held steady at 864.

The high schools in this region (the Campbell Union HSD) all went up from the previous year, but only one of them, Leigh, is over 800 (Leigh has a strong 822 API).

Maps for the school district boundaries and school of attendance in Cambrian:

Map of the Union School District (loads slowly, please allow more time than seems reasonable):
http://www3.unionsd.org/unionsd/lib/unionsd/union_boundarymap.pdf

Map of the Cambrian School District of its boundaries (zoom in for better view), showing school of attendance maps also (they include the Farnaham charter School):
http://www.cambrian.k12.ca.us/oldSite/district_site/images/Cambrian_School_District_Map.jpg

The Cambrian elementary schools covered by the San Jose Unified School District are:
Almaden Elementary (782 API), Hacienda Science/Environmental Magnet Elementary (872) , and Reed Elementary (844).  The middle schools in Cambrian or covering Cambrian for the SJUSD are Castillero (795, slipped a little from the previous year – this school is in Almaden Valley) and John Muir (782).  The map of this district is not very helpful – cannot seem to zoom in:
http://www.sjusd.org/school/district/map_district/

The History of Cambrian, via the Cambrian Community Council

A friend & past client of mine (who purchased a home with me in Cambrian) very kindly told me about a wonderful article on the history of the Cambrian area which can be found on the Cambrian Community Council website.

Cambrian Area: It was always about the schools!

As with many parts of California, interestingly, the name itself goes back to the naming of a school (Cambria being another name for Wales).  This happened in the mid to late 1800s. The details of the founding of the Union School District and the Cambrian School District are shared there, too. It’s funny to think that more than a century later, the high quality schools in this San Jose neighborhood are still of prime importance and a main driver in home values.

Where was Cambrian originally?

The article further explains that the Cambrian area was an enormous stretch of land, and that Cambrian Park is within that general area (as is “Cambrian Village”, found at the crossroads of Union and Camden Avenues in San Jose).  The boundaries got defined differently at various points in time, and at times has included part of Los Gatos. (I read elsewhere that Cambrian was said to extend as far as Dry Creek Road at one point.) Some areas that were originally Cambrian are now part of Willow Glen or part of Campbell. Our local Realtor MLS defines the area as going roughly from about Foxworthy to the north to Blossom Hill in the south, Almaden Expressway to the east and Bascom Avenue to the west. (It touches Los Gatos, Almaden Valley, Willow Glen, and Campbell.)

If you live in this wonderful part of Silicon Valley, I encourage you to visit the CCC website and enjoy their colorful article, History of the Cambrian Area.

Cambrian Park Neighborhoods

Because I sell a fair amount in Cambrian and lived there, I am very partial to this area and have begun doing posts which are Cambrian neighborhood spotlight pieces.  I hope you will enjoy them.  More posts are to come but here are a few to get you started:

The Alta Vista Neighborhood, Where San Jose’s Cambrian Park and Los Gatos Weave Together Along The Base of the Hills

The “King Street” Neighborhood of Cambrian Park on the Los Gatos Border

Cambrian Park Neighborhoods: How to Choose Where to Live?

How’s the Cambrian Park Real Estate Market?

You can read about the Cambrian real estate market (as well as other Silicon Valley real estate markets in Santa Clara County) on my REReport, which is updated in the first week or so of each month.

The current RE Report for Cambrian Park Houses
The current RE Report for Cambrian Condominiums & Townhouses

What is my Cambrian home worth?

If you live in Cambrian now and are wondering about the market value of your home today, there are two approaches you can take.  You can request from me an online valuation (which will be approximate only as it’s “sight unseen”) at either of two places:

Price Your Home request on popehandy.com or at SiliconValleyHomeValue.com

Both of these come to me and I run the numbers personally for home owners who request them (sorry, this offer is not for home buyers).  I can usually turn the info around within a day, but sometimes it takes a couple of days if I happen to be travelling or otherwise overly busy.  If you make a request and for some reason don’t hear back from me within a couple of hours to acknowledge your request, please email or phone me!  Once in awhile, technology doesn’t come through and I don’t get an email alert when I should.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to share your contact info with me at this time, you can also simply browse the sold real estate listings in Cambrian on my Property Analysis page of the RE Report.  Just input an address (it’s not saved, I won’t see it) anywhere in Santa Clara County, and you’ll be able to view nearby sold, pending and available homes for sale close to your property.

What do houses cost in Cambrian?

If you’d like to buy a Cambrian home, you can browse the MLS listings of Cambrian Homes for Sale on this blogsite.  I have them listed by zip code on separate posts for houses, and below this section are the currently available condo and townhome properties which are on our MLS.

Houses for Sale in Cambrian Park, San Jose, 95118

Cambrian Park Houses for Sale in 95124

What do townhouses and condos cost in Cambrian?

Below, please browse MLS listings of Cambrian condos for sale and Cambrian townhouses for sale in 95124 and 95118:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 11. See more 95124 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 5/23/2012)

1. $269,000 : 3485 Wine Barrel Wy, San Jose
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 868 sq ft

   Lot size: 840 sqft
   
2. $825,000 : 2173 Vizcaya Cl Ci, San Jose
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,421 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,952 sqft
   
3. $725,000 : 2816 Paseo Ln, San Jose
   
   4 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,438 sq ft

   Lot size: 871 sqft
   
4. $519,950 : 2881 Meridian Av #157, San Jose
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,383 sq ft
   
5. $439,000 : 6091 Calle De Amor, San Jose
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,490 sq ft

   Lot size: 2,300 sqft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 3. See more 95118 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 5/23/2012)

1. $199,950 : 1325 Joplin Dr #1, San Jose
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 810 sq ft

   Lot size: 435 sqft
   
2. $199,000 : 4970 Cherry Av #201, San Jose
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 675 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,879 sqft
   
3. $219,900 : 4568 Waterville Dr, San Jose
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 771 sq ft

   Lot size: 435 sqft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Often I get emails from people asking if I can help them with finding a rental property. For the most part, my practice revolves around listing and selling real estate in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Silicon Valley generally, so my best information is on what’s for sale, not what’s for rent.  Once in awhile I work on rental housing, but not normally, as rental condos or houses through an agent (if they are listed on the MLS) will usually cost you more than homes you find to rent elsewhere.

The best resources I have found for locating rental properties in Santa Clara County are these (I cannot guarantee or warranty your results, but these are starting points for you):

• Craigslist (link is to the South Bay area)
• Bay Rentals (they do charge a small fee)
• ForRent.com (search by city name or zip code)
• Once you’ve located an area you like – drive around
• possible – the mls search – scroll down on left sidebar widget on this blog and pull down the menu under “all property types” and select Rentals OR run similar search by map on my popehandy.com site at this link ~ you must also find “property types” on left side and then locate rentals under that)

The last bullet point might seem silly, but some of the best apartments, townhomes etc. never get listed anywhere other than a sign in the yard.  So if you love Los Gatos, Campbell, Santa Clara or anywhere else, drive it and watch for signs! (Or talk with friends or acquaintances in areas you like – have them keep an eye out for you.)

Perhaps you want to be in a hotel or inn for awhile before deciding where to rent or buy, or while on temporary assignment at a local business or university. You don’t need me to tell you where to stay in a hotel, but if you are moving here with a pet you might want assistance finding a place which will welcome your cat or dog.  Here’s a great resource for finding pet-friendly hotels, motels and inns here: DogFriendly.com’s San Jose (and nearby) City Guide, which includes accomodations, parks, outdoor restaurants etc.

Right now, it seems to be the case that it’s harder to rent a home than to buy one – at least that is the word on the street.  (And it seems that like with the purchase market, the closer you get to Palo Alto, the tougher it is.)  Tougher still if you have pets or smoke.  If you have pets or smoke and find a rental, the cost per month will be higher.

If you arrived into Silicon Valley via Highway 101, driving south from San Francisco, you might believe that the Santa Clara Valley, the San Jose area and Silicon Valley as a whole has got to seem to be the ugliest place on earth. Although heavily traveled, that is not the “scenic route”.

So, too, if you are looking for a place to live and are groping to find a place that is reasonably priced, fairly safe and not a terrible commute distance. You might not even have “is nice looking” on your wish list. You might not think it’s possible if all you ever see are the ugly concrete tilt-up buildings in north San Jose, Santa Clara, Alviso, or anywhere along the 237 corridor.  That area is an architectural wasteland.

Let me assure you: there are a lot of beautiful places in Silicon Valley where you can rent or buy a home. But how do you find them? It helps a lot to have a local give you a few pointers.  I’ll give you some tips today on finding a scenic place to live.

Hills – An easy way to find a scenic location to make your home is to settle near the hills, especially those in the west valley (the Santa Cruz Mountains or the Coastal Range) as they are green year-round. Communities at the base of the west valley foothills include, in Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, and the Almaden Valley area of San Jose. All of these areas are adjacent to the hills or mountains and offer far better than average schools (many of them qualify as great – compare costs between these areas).

Of course, if you go into the hills instead of just being near the base of them, there will be valley views as well.  If you go to the summit area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, you could really luck out and get a 360 degree view of the Monterey Bay on one side and the valley and San Francisco Bay on the other.  (But that would not likely be a short commute to most of Silicon Valley.)

In San Mateo County, there’s Menlo Park, Redwood City, Belmont, Hillsborough…most of these communities are more scenic as you go closer into the hills. Some even offer a view of the San Francisco Bay.

In the east foothills of San Jose, there are many lovely areas too. Among my favorite are the old section of Alum Rock (with beautiful Spanish style houses up near the country club), some of the rural areas of the Berryessa district in San Jose and the southern part of Evergreen (near Silver Creek and the Villages).

Other hills and knolls - the coastal range and east foothills aren’t the only areas with a higher elevation and views.  Think of the Santa Teresa Foothills Blossom Valley, Santa Teresa areas), Communication Hill (Blossom Valley, Willow Glen), or the occasional small little hill such as Lone Hill in the Cambrian district of San Jose.  You don’t have to get very high up to have a great view.  Look at the terrain maps for small elevations and check those areas out!

Waterways - In addition to the mountains, there are many scenic spots in Silicon Valley alongside rivers, creeks and streams.  When I was a newlywed (back in 1985), my husband and I lived alongside Stevens Creek – that is, the waterway, not the major road – in Sunnyvale.  The apartment complex had a number of units overlooking the creek and there were tons of trees providing a great, green view.  You can check out that apartment complex online – it’s called Brookside Oaks.

Back to the bayfront housing:  you can get waterfront homes in Redwood Shores and Foster City, which are on the north end of “Silicon Valley” on the Peninsula.  Many of those areas are on landfill, and although well compacted, that fill is sitting on old bay mud.  Some structures in those areas have had problem with an undue amount of movement.  Others have had salt water get to their foundations, which can cause the re-bar inside to rust (making the foundation far less strong).  Both communities are super clean and attractive (I have sold homes in both).

Not quite Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz does offer many really lovely places in which to live too – great views from many spots.  Adjacent to Neary’s Lagoon there are apartments, townhouses (some of which are for rent) and low income housing too.  It’s a very scenic part of Santa Cruz and just about a mile from the beach on foot.  A few high rise buildings, such as the condo complex on Broadway, feature views of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Monterey Bay.

Flatlands – not to worry if you strike out with the hills and waterways.  There are still many lovely areas in Silicon Valley that are not included in those areas.  One is the beautiful San Jose neighborhood known as The Rosegarden. It is centrally located, with a great wide open space at the park, and loads of lovely older homes with tons of character.

If you enjoy classic architecture, you might check out a few areas closer to downtown San Jose: Naglee Park, Vendome area and Japantown.

Outside of San Jose, there are scenic urban living or downtown areas in the Willow Glen part of San Jose, downtown Campbell, downtown Saratoga, downtown Los Gatos, downtown Mountain View, downtown Menlo Park, downtown San Mateo, downtown Los Altos and of course the great magnet of them all, downtown Palo Alto.

In some of these places, the downtown area is also right up against the hills – and that is truly beautiful!  (Think Los Gatos, Saratoga, Los Altos, Menlo Park.)  One nice townhome community in Saratoga has both green views within the complex, is right next to the coastal foothills and is just steps away from downtown Saratoga.  The area has top rated schools too.  If interested, check out Saratoga Oaks.) And don’t miss either Japantown or Santana Row for urban living!

Silicon Valley has a number of neighborhoods with great ambiance despite the absence of either hills or a quaint downtown.  Santa Clara’s “old quad” neighborhood (located near Santa Clara University) is just such a spot.

And, of course, there are spots in Santa Clara County with stunning golf courses, parks or heavily wooded or open areas that may not belong to the public but which create lovely vistas nonetheless.  A few orchards still dot Sunnyvale, San Jose, Saratoga and other parts of the valley. (New townhouses on Bersano Lane in Los Gatos are on a hill overlooking Lake Vasona. Beautiful views!)

For scenic senior housing, a retirement home or residential care facility for the elderly (which can mean independent living, assisted living, nursing or other), quite a few spots enjoy scenic views also:  Belmont Village in San Jose looks out over Santana Row on one side and the Winchester House on another; the Atrium in San Jose’s Blossom Valley has views of Mt. Umunhum; Saratoga Retirement Community enjoys a lovely campus but also is in among gently rolling hills and has a view of the Santa Cruz Mountains; the Villages in San Jose’s eastside community of Evergreen sits among lovely rolling hills and a golf course in the middle.

Many people relocating to the San Francisco Peninsula or the South Bay come from areas where homes cost half as much and seem to be twice as big, where there may not be so much congestion and where there is more open space.  We do have places like that, but it’s important to let whoever’s helping you know that this is important.    Whether you’re here to rent an apartment or purchase a townhouse or condo, it can be in a scenic place.  You just need to find them!

What’s Are The Fun Places for Kids In and Near San Jose?

There are oodles of fun things for kids and the young-at-heart to do in San Jose and the greater Silicon Valley area. Here are a few of the more dramatic highlights!

California’s Great America in Santa Clara. Suitable for all ages but teens will like this best! This park does offer some water play areas and some little kid areas (but it’s expensive for that). Shows in air conditioned theaters will be welcome on warm days. Check out the Wow Card (or VIP Pass if you want to park close) if you’ll be back again in the same season.
Information on season passes & free return trips to Great America

List of Attractions Throughout Santa Clara County and Beyond

Gilroy (south of San Jose)

Gilroy Gardens (formerly Bonfante Gardens) Want to make a bigger trip of it to The Garlic Capital of the World? Gilroy offers great shopping to dress up those kids (or yourself)! Outlet Mall – List of Shops. And maybe when that’s all done, do some wine tasting. If you can take a tour, the kids may not even get bored. List of wineries (and breweries) in and near Gilroy. And lastly, don’t forget the Garlic Festival! It happens in late July every year. Yes, it’s hot. Yes, they do really serve Garlic Ice Cream. You need to try it at least once! The Gilroy Garlic Festival – information, recipes, calendar, fun stuff for kids.

Over “The Hill” – Mountains, Santa Cruz & Monterey Areas

The Mystery Spot (in the Santa Cruz Mountains)

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Summertime: free concerts on Friday evenings!

A fun way to trek to the beach & boardwalk is to park and ride – on a narrow guage train ride through the beautiful redwood forest! Or just take a train ride through the trees. It’s a trip back in time to our logging days in the 1880′s and I highly recommend it. Roaring Camp & Big Trees

Well worth the 90 minute drive from San Jose to Pacific Grove: The Monterey Bay Aquarium

On The San Francisco Peninsula

Kids love airplanes, and they’ll love the Hiller Airplane Museum in San Carlos. The Hiller Aviation Museum

North Bay

Six Flaggs Discovery Kingdom Theme Park.

Finding a home to rent in Silicon Valley can be an enormous challenge.  Most Realtors don’t do rentals (since very few are offered on our MLS), so consumers looking to find rental housing are often doing it on their own.  This can be especially tough if you are relocating to the San Jose area!

Who you gonna call?

In my experience, the best places to find homes to rent, besides literally driving through neighborhoods, is online with Craigslist or via Bay Rentals.  Bay Rentals does charge a fee but they do great work and you will know you’re not getting scammed.

Below you can browse properties offered for rent in Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.  There aren’t very many of them but it’s a piece of the information puzzle.

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 3. See more city of Los Gatos real estate.
(all data current as of 5/23/2012)

1. $12,500 : 16491 S Kennedy Dr, Los Gatos
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 6,033 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.28 ac
   
2. $6,000 : 1449 Elwood Drive, Los Gatos
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,620 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,010 sqft
   
3. $25,000 : 14530 Deer Park Ct, Los Gatos
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 12,500 sq ft

   Lot size: 17 sqft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Sorry, but we couldn't find any results in the MLS that match the specified search criteria.

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 3. See more city of Saratoga real estate.
(all data current as of 5/23/2012)

1. $5,200 : 13015 Via Escuela Ct, Saratoga
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,100 sq ft

   Lot size: 13,200 sqft
   
2. $5,500 : 20475 Chalet Ln, Saratoga
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,510 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,050 sqft
   
3. $5,200 : 13744 Camino Rico, Saratoga
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,752 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,945 sqft
   

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Santa Clara County Parks – Silicon Valley Area Parks

Here, please find links and a little info on the wonderful county parks in and near Silicon Valley.

Wildlife caution – A word to the wise: in the grassy, hilly areas especially, please hike or jog with friends and pay attention as you walk or run the trails. Rattlesnakes tend to sun themselves in the clearings – which means on the path! Mountain lions, also known as pumas, are not commonly seen but they are indigenous to the area, as are ferrel pigs, bobcats and coyotes. Any of these could ruin your day with a wrong encounter, so please go in groups and pay attention to your surroundings!

Almaden Quicksilver this was once the largest mercury mine in the world, named after a similar mine in Spain. The mine shafts extended all the way into what is now Los Gatos (off Hicks Road) This is a great spot for field trips. While in that area, don’t miss the split graveyard on Bertram Road- and look the grave for just Bert’s arm (nope, I’m not kidding).

Alviso Marina they stopped dredging this years ago but it is now a park. Eventually there will be a trail ringing the bay. Awesome place to bird watch and take photos.

Anderson Lake waterskiing destination in the east foothills over Morgan Hill

Calero south of Almaden toward Morgan Hill.

Chesbro Reservoir west of Morgan Hill – fishing & non-power-boating. No trails yet.

Chitactac Adams Heritage County Park now this is cool – it’s a 4 acre site just outside Gilroy and Morgan Hill which is all about the Ohlones who used to inhabit this beautiful valley of ours. Free park. Open from 8am til sunset. Self-guided tours available.

Coyote Creek Parkway 18 mile parkway along lovely Coyote Creek, south of San Jose and north of Morgan Hill.

Coyote Lake outside of Gilroy in the east foothills, “The 4595-acre park, which features a 635-acre lake, provides camping and boat launch facilities nestled in the Mount Hamilton Range.” Ranger station also has displays on native wildlife and Ohlone Ways.

Hellyer This park includes a public 9 hole course in a 205 acre “urban park”

Joseph D. Grant in the hills above Alum Rock, this is a 9,553 acre park – biggest in the county system.

Lexington Reservoir crew happens! Super place to take in other people doing hard work or to enjoy some fishing. No swimming allowed. Just off highway 17 a little outside of Los Gatos.

Los Gatos Creek eventually this will connect Lexington Reservoir to the Bay. Now it goes a fair distance from Lexington through Campbell down to about 280. Wonderful place to ride bikes, roller blade or jog – in a group (some lone women have been assaulted on this sometimes remote trail, so please be careful)

Mount Madonna off Hecker Pass Highway between Gilroy and Watsonville. Great views. There are some historical sites to see (ruins of an old mansion) and some beautiful “white deer” are kept there too.

Penitencia Creek in Berryessa district of San Jose, a scenic spot

Rancho San Antonio close to Cupertino and Los Altos – a great place to go running

Sanborn in the Santa Cruz Mountains over Saratoga – great place to hike

Stevens Creek & Upper Stevens Creek in the foothills above Cupertino

Uvas Canyon County Park – East Morgan Hill. Hiking (waterfalls to be enjoyed), camping and picnicing. Special spot for youth groups to camp.

Uvas Creek Preserve Run by the city of Gilroy, 1.9 mile paved trail (strollers, bikes, rollerblades?).

Vasona Lake in Los Gatos – also the town of Los Gatos offers Oak Meadow Park as a corner out of the county park. There’s lots to do: sailing (and lessons through the rec dept in summer), paddle boats, a hand painted wooden carosel (in Oak Meadow), a tiny railroad (The Billy Jones Wilcat Railroad), tons of swingsets etc. Great place to do photography – very scenic setting with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. In winter, see the Festival of Lights in December. In summer, catch Shakespeare in the Park. Always lots going on here.

Villa Montalvo in Saratoga – hiking & trails (NO picnics) – musical performances – art shows. If you like photography, this is a wonderful setting for it.

Today consumers have a lot of choices as to where to search for properties for sale in Silicon Valley (the South Bay area, Santa Clara County, San Jose, Los Gatos, Almaden etc.).  But not all “find a home” sites are equally accurate.  Some websites display listings that are sale pending, sold & closed or even withdrawn.

The very best, most accurate and most often updated site is the public branch of our agent-supported Multiple Listing Service or MLS, which is MLSListings.com.  You can find it at www.MLSListings.com. (If sending your own agent info a house, it is helpful if you provide both the street address and the MLS #.  By the way, the first few digits of the number imply the year that the listing was put into the system.  811 = 2011.  810 = 2010.)

Why is MLSListings.com the best source for finding Silicon Valley homes for sale?

It is updated constantly.  Within a few minutes of whenever a real estate agent or broker changes the listing status, comments, photos, showing instructions, open house information,etc., the new information is displayed on MLSListings.  While it’s not instantaneous, most changes appear within 5-10 minutes (photos being the slowest to load).

MLSListings is syndicated out to some other sites, but some don’t update often (or at all).  Other sites rely upon the listing agent to go to that one site and update the status.  Realtors and other licensees get busy and this task may slip through the cracks, making you believe that a home is available when it’s not. MLSListings.com is the source.

You don’t have to register. Some of the portals that you might consider visiting to view the MLS info may not include the virtual tour or all pics – or might show them to you only if you register.  You do not need to register to view houses, condos, townhouses, multi units etc. on MLSListings.com.

How is the public’s version of the MLS different from the realty agent’s version of the same data?

More info is shown to the agent, including the seller’s name (if listed), phone numbers, the sales type (REO or short sale, if distressed property), special showing instructions, school district name (and possibly the precise school name), commission rate or other compensation offered to the buyer’s agent, the sales history of the property, the tax records, and some other small details.

Your agent can provide you the info on specialized areas or home types that might not be displayed to you.

What about off market listings or pocket listings?

Some areas and some brokerages have seller clients with houses for sale which are not listed on the MLS.  There can be many of reasons for this.  But they are not impossible to find if your agent has a lot of initiative.  You do not have to go to a certain brokerage to get access to those listings.  But your agent should network – that old fashioned method of talking with other real estate professionals – to see if there are any hidden properties which might be a match for you.

I have several services which provide listing information to my clients and to my readers.  These are updated frequently but they “pull” from the MLSListings.com system.  For ease, a lot of home buyers or sellers want to keep a pulse on the market by getting listings sent to them by email.  These systems are updated every few hours, so are pretty good, but if you ever need or want to double check the status, go to the source.

One of the many reasons the Almaden Valley of San Jose is so popular is the wonderful public schools.  Almaden, like the rest of the county, does not have “easy” school district boundaries.  Instead, it’s complicated – Almaden is served by several different public school districts and various schools within one of them.  It can be very confusing for home buyers to figure out which areas belong to which elementary, middle and high schools. Today we’ll address this broad topic, looking at both the districts and the individual schools, providing links to both.  We’ll include API scores and maps of district and school boundaries too.

Disclaimers about schools of attendance:

First, schools – especially the most popular ones – are sometimes impacted, or full.  If you move into an area it is likely that you can have your students attend the neighborhood school but it is NOT GUARANTEED.  For example, if your nearest or assigned school is Williams but it’s full, your child may be assigned to Simonds or some other elementary school.  You will remain in the same district but may not have the nearest school.  This is particularly a problem when moves happen in the middle of the school year.

Second, sometimes boundaries change between schools in the same district.  This usually only happens after a lot of public debate and discussion, but it can happen. (This is also true for some designated natural hazard zones such as flood plains – those maps can and do sometimes change!)

Third, the San Jose Unified Schools in the Almaden Valley did have court-ordered busing from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s to help with desegregation. This practice ended in 1996 and the court order was lifted in 2003.  You can read about the history of the San Jose Unified School District online.  Although it appears unlikely that busing will happen again, I cannot guarantee that it won’t.

These are the three broad regions and their schools:

1. San Jose Unified School District covers the majority of Almaden (it includes schools at all levels).
2. The Union School District and Campbell Union High School District is the next largest school district for Almaden – this is the northwest corner of Almaden
3. The Los Gatos Union School District & Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District. This covers just a very few properties on or near Guadalupe Mines Road (Via Saronno, Via Lugano, Via Fortuna, Via Maggiore, part of Via Campagna)

The Santa Clara County Office of Education oversees all of the school districts in our county.

Public High Schools serving Almaden (you can check the API scores of these and all Santa Clara County public schools online):

1. Leland High School (SJUSD) follows Almaden Expressway and is the school for the southern part of Almaden Valley. API scores are high (890 in 2010) so many home buyers prefer to be within this area.
2. Pioneer High School (SJUSD) is not located in Almaden, but rather in Blossom Valley, but is the school for a significant number of Almaden homes east of Almaden Expressway (API 823 in 2010)
3. Leigh High School (API  817 in 2010) and Branham High School (API 781 in 2010) (CUHSD) are both options for most of the northern part of Almaden which is close to Los Gatos
4. Los Gatos High School (API 873 in 2010) (LGSUHSD) serves a tiny sliver of homes just off Guadalupe Mines Road.  It must be at least a 20 minute drive for these students to get there, but the school boundaries were drawn long before the city of San Jose and the town of Los Gatos finalized their limits.

Public Middle Schools for Almaden Valley – all of these Almaden middle schools or junior high schools exceed the county’s target number of 800, and most of them can boast API scores of over 900.

1. Bret Harte Middle School (SJUSD) – prized school with APIs over 900 (909 in 2010) – adjacent to Leland HS
2. Castillero  Middle School (SJUSD) – a good school, APIs just over 800 (806 in 2010)
3. Dartmouth Middle School (Union School District) – highly regarded with 2010 API at 900
4. Fisher Middle School (LGUSD) – highly regarded with high scores (910 in 2010)

Public Elementary Schools for Almaden Valley students: every public elementary school in Almaden has excellent API scores, all over 900

1. Williams Elementary (SJUSD)  -  incredibly high scoring with 972 API score in 2010
2. Graystone Elementary (SJUSD) – highly regarded, 958 API in 2010
3. Simonds Elementary (SJUSD) – another high powered school with 968 API in 2010
4. Los Alamitos Elementary (SJUSD) – also over 900 APIs, in 2010 it was at 916
5. Guadalupe Elementary (Union Schools) – also over 900 APIs, scored 930 in 2010
6. Blossom Hill Elementary (LGUSD) – 956 API in 2010

To which school is a particular Almaden Valley home assigned?

It can be tricky to find out which property belongs to which district or individual school.  Within the San Jose Unified School District (which covers much of San Jose and some of Santa Clara), you can use the School Finder site online to see where an address falls. For other areas, there are maps of school boundaries.

Regarding the Almaden Valley luxury home market, most are in the San Jose Unified School District and feed into Bret Harte and Leland High.

Which part of Almaden Valley has the very best schools?

If you are basing the idea of “best schools” purely on API scores, which may or may not be the best approach, the area you’ll be aiming at will include Williams Elementary as it has one of the highest scores in the state (though all elementary schools in Almaden have over 900 scoring), Bret Harte Middle and Leland High.  The next section of this post includes the maps for each of these schools.  If you are in the Williams area, it automatically continues on to Bret Harte and Leland (just remember my disclaimer, above, that if those schools are full they could, theoretically, send your student to the other nearby public schools in the district).

I. San Jose Unified School District Area Maps: maps of  each of these institutions’ coverage area

Pioneer High School – primarily the northwest part of Almaden, mostly west of Almaden Expressway

Leland High School – appears to be almost 50/50 on both sides of Almaden Expressway – includes some very nice areas east of Almaden Expressway such as the Shadowbrook area (maybe slightly more homes on the west side?)

Brett Harte Middle School – mostly southern part of Almaden

Castillero Middle School – largely northern and central Almaden

Graystone Elementary – most of the area east of Almaden Expressway as well as the far southern parts of Almaden

Los Alamitos Elementary – north central Almaden

Simonds Elementary – middle of Almaden

Williams Elementary – southwestern Almaden, 100% west of Almaden Expressway

II. Union School District & Campbell Union High School District Areas

Map for Guadalupe Elementary & Dartmouth Middle School areas – Map of Union School District with school boundaries shown. Please also see the Union School District “School Finder” online.

Leigh High School area map – much of this is a “free area” where students and their families can decide if they want to go to either Leigh or Branham – see bottom right corner of map.

III. Los Gatos Union School District & Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District

Selling and buying homes can be exhausting and emotional, even overwhelming.  This level of stress can rise when children are involved as parents also “run interference” to a degree to help make the transition smooth for their kids.  Another added stresser is relocation to a new community far away.

What can parents and their real estate agents do to help the youngest members of the family to move as peacefully and contentedly as possible?

Communication about the moving process is key

Few of us like surprises that come on a big scale and change the way our lives are lived on a day-to-day basis.  This is also true for our offspring, for whom routine can be a comfort.   Just as you wouldn’t begin a vacation without explaining to your three year old that it’s only a trip and that you will later return home, so too it helps to explain to your child that the family is staying together, the toys, furniture and pets are coming along, but that the house or condo will be “new”.  Providing a sense of security and reassurance first can enable the process to be possibly even fun. (Young kids will think that the furniture and toys go with the house so will likely vocalize their preference for a new place with the most fun stuff unless they understand that their toys will move with them.)

Selling your kids on a relocation

If your move includes a relocation to a totally new community, it will be helpful to discuss (and better, show) your little one the benefits of moving there – the new park and playground, the children’s museum, being closer to the beach or whatever plusses are a part of the new area.   If you’re moving up, explaining that your toddler will now get his or her own room (“like a big kid”) or to your teen that the new house will have a pool or whatever new feature may help also.  Here in Silicon Valley, there are a lot of fun things to do with children so it will be easy to discuss the benefits of living here, especially with older kids who will appreciate how kid-friendly the San Jose area is.  Coming from an area with a lot of snow? Tell them about our weather!  Yes, relocation often involves doing a “sales job” with your kids – most of the time they won’t be interested in budging, particularly if they are teenagers or in high school.

Please note: school scores are extremely important for many reasons, including home values.  Please take a look at my blog post on understanding school scores in Santa Clara County at my Move2SiliconValley blog.

Selling a home in Silicon Valley with kids

Planning to sell your house or townhouse and have children at home with you?  This will require some extra time, effort and planning.  As with any other home sale, decluttering is key, but it’s more challenging if you have little people!  It is also important to do the fixes and improvements which will give you the best return on investment, of course, and finally to stage the home for sale – and try to keep it “perfect looking” for showings.  It is sometimes tempting for exhausted parents to skip the “sale prep” but don’t do it – there are ways to make it easier but not eliminate it.

Get help:  there are people who are professional organizers who can be hired to help you decide what to file, toss and keep.  I know services which can be hired to do the handyman type jobs, cleaners which can be brought in to tackle everything from the usual housekeeping to the deep cleaning which may be required in places such as the window tracks (often ignored but can gross out home buyers if there are years of grease and dirt built up!).  Don’t go it alone – when you have kids, it’s enough to pack and help them move without also trying to do every bit of physical labor too.

Depending on the family situation, sometimes it is easiest to complete the move to the new home first and then sell the original one (whether vacant or fully staged is another issue) since it may be nearly impossible and far too stressful to have the intrusion of showings and the constant effort in keeping one’s home in show-ready condition. (If the showing schedule is too restrictive, you will likely have much more trouble both selling and in getting your best price.  Making it easy to see improves your odds all around.)

If you cannot move first, it is possible to schedule showings so that your home life is invaded as minimally as possible, but understand that the more you restrict showings, the harder it will be to sell your place and to get top dollar.  Not every home buyer can see your property on the weekends (especially in winter, when many young buyers are off skiing at Tahoe).  They can’t all view homes before 3 or 5pm because many have a commute and cannot get there until 6 or 7pm.    My advice, if you need to keep showings down, is to provide at least a couple of evenings a week when buyers can see your home until 7:30 or 8pm plus at least the afternoons on the weekend.  Plan to take your family out for the afternoon or evening so that home buyers can see your residence without feeling pressured to hurry through.  (For religious reasons, some will not view homes on Saturdays and others will not view them on Sundays. So provide both.)

If you are juggling both selling one home and buying another, please read my article on this situation: How to Sell One Home and Buy Another Without Losing Your Mind.

Home buying in Silicon Valley with children

Want to purchase a townhome, condo or house but not sure if you should bring your kids along as you look at propertis in the San Jose, Los Gatos and Saratoga areas?  Often it is much easier for parents if they can get a family member, friend or sitter to stay home (or go out) with babies, toddlers and small children.  As you go through furnished abodes, many will not be child-proofed, may have delicate and even expensive things on display or have unsafe conditions for little people.  Most parents are so focused on their children (not getting hurt and not hurting anything) that it can be a challenge to concentrate on viewing the listings.  This is especially true for first-time home buyers.

With older kids and teens, having them join you as you house-hunt may help with their buying in to the process.  They may learn a lot and spot things which you might miss, so can be allies to you.  In some cases, though, your children or teens may be so opposed to moving that having them accompany you may backfire.  You’ll have to decide on that.

If your younger family members do join you, please make sure you stay together as you view the homes for sale.  The home owners and agents cannot keep an eye on either your kids or the belongings of the house if everyone splits up.  Additionally there may be information your Realtor will share with you, and often everyone will want to hear it, so it behooves everyone to stay together.

Each family situation will be different, but in most cases kids can do very well with a move when they understand what’s happening and why and there’s a degree of predictability to the process.  Communication is key, as is helping them to appreciate the positive aspects of the upcoming move.    Once you have moved, it can be helpful in the transition if they can continue to keep in touch with friends from their old area or school.  Play dates, when possible, can smooth some of the emotional bumps that they may have.  Making new friends through school, recreation opportunities (clubs, summer programs, etc.), and centers of worship can help them to integrate into their new surroundings too.

For people relocating to Silicon Valley, there can be some significant surprises (beyond the “sticker shock’” of our home prices in the San Jose area). Here are a few pointers to help you in your transition:

• The school district boundaries do not follow the boundaries for the city or town
  • For instance, in the Town of Los Gatos there are 3 school districts
  • Saratoga has seven school districts (four elementary and three high school districts). Being in Saratoga could mean having Cupertino Schools or Moreland Schools or Saratoga Schools or, if you’re in the mountains over the village, even Los Gatos Schools. Part of San Jose has San Jose Unified Schools, but in some areas its Union Schools, Alum Rock or other districts. The Cambrian Park area of San Jose, for instance, has 3 elementary school districts: Cambrian, Union and San Jose Unified.
  • The reason for this confusing situation is that the school district boundaries were drawn before all the cities and towns in Santa Clara County were clearly defined (or the boundaries expanded)
  • School performance scores are probably the # 1 driver behind the value of any given location. Many parents choose the home only after deciding upon either a school district or even a particular elementary, middle, or high school. (Read more about understanding school scores on my Silicon Valley relocation blog.)
• The mailing address city or town may not be the “actual location” of the property
  • This is a rare situation, but sometimes the mailing address will say ˜Los Gatos” when in fact the home is part of San Jose or Campbell or is an unincorporated area of the county. This has to do mostly with postal routes or with unincorporated areas using a mailing address for a long time and then being incorporated.
• We have “expansive clay soil” here and water is a big issue. (Please see related post on buying hillside homes in Silicon Valley.)
• Most of our housing is ranch style tract homes. Were sorry about that and apologize in advance for the visual assault that this creates. Developers went nuts in the post WWII boom and created massive urban sprawl, one of the only things that isn’t so delightful in the Valley of Hearts Delight.

A few non-real estate Silicon Valley surprises too:

So perhaps its no surprise that the population in Silicon Valley is fairly cheerful most of the time.

If you are relocating to Silicon Valley and would like more information, please contact me. I’m happy to email you a relocation package and any specific information you might need.

More online relocation resources, too:  I also have a small website and blog connected to it, both of which are dedicated to the topic of Silicon Valley relocation.

Silicon Valley relocation website
Silicon Valley relocation blog

Often I get emails from people relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area and sometimes folks are confused about what’s in or near Silicon Valley. That makes sense because some of the “regions” we discuss don’t have completely hard and fast boundaries.

The SF Bay Area includes nine counties that touch the bay or are nearby, but additionally some areas that aren’t so neatly defined, such as “Silicon Valley” or “The Delta”. So to help out people who are relocating, I sketched out on Google Maps the larger regions of the San Francisco Bay Area, which include (with map colors below):

• San Francisco – light blue
• the Peninsula – dark blue
• the South Bay (Santa Clara County) – in orange
• the East Bay – pink
• the North Bay – yellow
• the Delta – green
• the Monterey Bay – light blue

Click on the different colored areas for more information on each one. (Defined areas are only approximate.)


View San Francisco Bay Area Region in a larger map

The Delta is a set of waterways that empties into the SF Bay at a northeast point and crawls through part of the San Joaquin Valley and Stockton areas – it’s part East Bay but part central valley. The Monterey Bay is not really part of the San Francisco Bay Area but is so close that it’s worth including too.

What about Silicon Valley? It’s primarily in the “south bay” and nearby areas. Silicon Valley is mostly Santa Clara County with a little of Santa Cruz County, Alameda County and a fair amount of San Mateo County.

View Silicon Valley in a larger map

Disclaimer: maps are approximate only!

In some parts of Silicon Valley, by crossing a particular road or driving a few feet, the whole look, feel and pricing of an area can change.

Bel Estos Drive near Rosswood Drive in San Jose

This is true for Rosswood Drive at Union Avenue in Cambrian Park.  On both sides of the intersection, there are many homes of 1200 to 1400 square feet (some larger too) all built around the same time.  Both are San Jose 95124 addresses.  Both are good areas – but the 2000 and 2100 blocks are  nicer than the 1800 & 1900 blocks of Rosswood and those homes sell for more. Why? What makes one area sell for more than another?

In the case of Rosswood Drive, part of it has to do with the beautiful canopy of trees that line the two thousand block of Rosswood and the adjoining streets (Bel Escou, Bel Canto, Bel Estos, Esther, etc.). Part of it is just that the homes are a little better maintained.  Historically, Union used to divide the schools too, and that used to be part of the higher prices – but that’s not really the case now.  (A similar jump happens along Los Gatos-Almaden Road by Harwood too – same builder, Leep, but prices nudge up just a little for homes closer to Blossom Hill Road.)

How can you tell, from looking at a neighborhood, how it compares with nearby streets in the same part of town generally?  Sometimes you cannot know from looking alone (for example a flood plain, earthquake fault or school boundary won’t show), but I’ll give you some cues as to what makes areas more or less desireabile visually.

These are some things I teach my San Jose area buyers to watch out for (lower values) in terms of appearance and sounds:

• too many cars on the street (the more, the worse) – sense of crowding
• junky cars, boats, RVs
• neglected landscaping
• homes in need of paint
• “bars on the windows” and “security doors” in more than one home on the street
• loud music
• trash and trash cans out when it isn’t garbage pick up day
• graffitti
• Lots of RVs (motor homes, trailers, boats)  especially if there are many of them, will pull a neighborhood’s value down
• wire or cyclone fencing in the front yard

Conversely, indicators that a street or area may be better include these:

• people out walking dogs
• people pushing strollers or exercising in the neighborhood
• tidy homes and yards
• if there’s front yard fencing, it’s picket style or similar (not wire or cyclone fencing)
• cars that are well maintained or newer
• most cars either in garages or in driveways – street mostly clear of cars
• tree-lined streets
• quiet areas (you don’t hear TVs, stereos blaring)
• “pride of ownership” evident – evidence of completed home improvement projects, for instance

Also please note:  when looking at values online, you may not realize that a house value might jump or decline 3-5% in some areas simply by crossing the road. Local agents who are active in the marketplace do know, though, so it’s good to get professional help when trying to understand home values.

The Santa Cruz, CA, Lighthouse

Santa Cruz is just 30-60 minutes “over the hill” but in many ways is an entirely different world than Silicon Valley.  I spent a lot of time there while growing up in Santa Clara and Saratoga, mostly because my grandparents lived in Pasatiempo (a lovely neighborhood centered on a golf course) in Santa Cruz and later in retirement communities nearby.  Jim and I lived in Santa Cruz ourselves for three years when we were newly married.  [I taught first at Marello Prep in Santa Cruz (now closed) and later at Notre Dame High School in Salinas while living at the coast, in life before real estate.]

We have a lot of wonderful memories & experience with the Santa Cruz – Capitola – Aptos – Soquel area.  Today I wanted to share a few general tips and food tips for those who may be new to this part of California and spending some time by the coast.

Some general tips

1. Weather: always, always have layers available as the shore is unpredictible.  It might be 100 in Willow Glen but cold and windy with the fog rolling in at the wharf.   The coastal communities have varying degrees of fog, sun and wind: microclimates are the norm.  If it’s sunny and toasty at the lighthouse, it may not be that way at Seacliff Beach. Don’t rely on webcams!
   
2. Restrooms: know where the restrooms are before you visit.  The city of Santa Cruz has a list of public restrooms and a map online. It’s pretty awful if you spend a lot of time shopping on Pacific Avenue (downtown Santa Cruz), only to find no bathroom when you need one.  Your visit will be happier if you plan ahead!
3. There’s more to do than just the beach: the coastal communities near Santa Cruz have loads going on with festivals, shows, musical productions and more.  Check out the online roster of events near the Monterey Bay.
4. The Boardwalk has no admission fee and is a great place to people-watch and get tasty junk food, even if the rides don’t appeal to you.  In summer there are free music concerts on Friday nights (check the website for info) and on Monday & Tuesday evenings after 5pm they celelebrate 1907 nights: rides and hot dogs, cotton candy and most fountain drinks are just $1 each.   This is a bargain!
   
5. The Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive has beatiful views and is a wonderful place to take photos of the area.  It’s also a fun spot for watching surfers and those throwing a frisbee or walking or riding past (people watching, generally).  The area has a paved path which makes it great for bikes, roller blades, strollers and wheelchairs too. (When we lived there, we could occassionally see an otter or two in this area also. I’m not sure if that is still true or not, but I hope so.)
6. Traffic:  “Beach Traffic” happens in summer on weekends and holidays.  It can begin as early as 10am if there’s a very bad heat wave inland, but usually does not really kick in until 11am or later.  The return wave of cars climbing over the coastal range begins at around 4pm and can last until 7 or 8, depending on when the fog rolls in.  Beach traffic can double your time in the car, so try to avoid it!
7. Highway 1:  Although many improvements have been made to the connection between Highway 17 southbound and Highway 1 southbound, “The Fish Hook” is still no fun and the traffic on 1 south of Santa Cruz seems to be eternally congested despite widening.  While getting to Santa Cruz from San Jose may be smooth, things will nearly always slow down as you inch south from there toward Capitola, Pajaro Dunes or Monterey.  Allow extra time.  Or, just go extra early. (The pic below was taken on Friday, July 23, 2010 at about 5pm.)

Traffic Along Highway 1 South of Hwy 17 in Santa Cruz on a Friday Afternoon

Some food-related tips

1. Shadowbrook in Capitola is a wonderful restaurant - a great place for brunch, lunch or dinner.  It’s built into the side of a hill going down toward the Soquel Creek and you can ride the funicular down the the restaurant.  Great service.  There’s a nice patio overlooking the river – fun to watch the people in paddleboats go by and see the ducks and other birds too.  Romantic spot.  Do make reservations.  1750 Wharf Road, Capitola 95010   (800) 975-1511
2. Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria in Capitola can’t be beat!  Pasteries and desserts are fabulous, but so are the roasted meats and savory food items.  Eat there or take home; there is also outdoor dining available (with heat lamps and clear plexiglass walls to break the wind). Not fancy, but delicious!  504 Bay Ave Capitola, California USA 95010 831.462.1200
3. Mackenzie’s Chocolates in Santa Cruz.  Truly delicious chocolates in all kinds of shapes, including cell phones, airplanes, a lighthouse, banana slugs (the mascot of UC Santa Cruz) etc. They offer milk, dark and sugar free chocolates too.  Plan to go early and put the chocolate in a cooler for the trip over the mountains if need be!   They don’t have the same closing time all seven days of the week, and several times we have arrived there only to find the store closed (M-F closes at 5:30, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 5pm). 1492 Soquel Avenue   Santa Cruz, CA 95062   831-425-1492
4. The Wharf is full of great restaurants and super views, but my favorite is The Miramar Fish Grotto.  The service is good, food is great and prices are reasonable for the area.  45 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5460  (831) 423-4441

Whether you are visiting the Santa Cruz area for a few weeks or a few hours, there are many things to do in addition to the most obvious attractions at the beaches.  I hope my tips will be helpful and you’ll love your time along the coast.

Every area has its linguistic quirks, and the San Jose – Silicon Valley – Santa Clara County region is no exception. Some of it is in the words we use, some of it’s the way we pronounce things, and some of it is just the way we think.

Places:

The Hill – refers to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Going “over the hill” means going to Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, or somewhere along the coast.

The City – means San Francisco, even though it’s smaller in population than San Jose.

South County – areas such as Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Coyote Valley (and outlying areas)

The Bay – is the San Francisco Bay, not the Monterey Bay.

The Airplane Park – this is Oak Meadow Park in the Town of Los Gatos

Paul Masson Winery – is now known as the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, but long time locals and natives may call it by its old name

Northern California or NorCal – starts somewhere around this area and goes north from here

Central California or Central Coast – Santa Cruz is really part of the Central Coast, but we tend to think of it as NorCal territory

LA – is Los Angeles, not our own Los Altos

The Mountains – normally this means the Santa Cruz Mountains, the coastal range (unless you’re discussing skiing)

New Almaden – is actually the old part of Almaden, an historic district where the old mercury mine used to be until a better, safer way was found to extract gold ore.

Distances:

In Silicon Valley, we don’t tend to say “it’s ten miles from here”, but instead usually say “it’s a half an hour from here”.

It’s about an hour or a bit more to The City.  About a half hour from Los Gatos to get over the hill, longer if there’s beach traffic or you’re starting in San Jose.

If you drive fairly quickly and don’t stop much, it’s about six hours to LA.

Traffic and Freeways:

Rush hour traffic – runs from appx 7 – 9am or a little later and 3-7pm on weekdays.  Just say no.

Beach traffic – on hot summer weekends or on holidays, beach traffic can kick in as early as 10am going over the hill and starts back at 3 or 4, depending on whether or not the fog is rolling in.  Go early and stay late, or go early and come back early, but avoid beach traffic: it can make the trip twice as long, especially if your trip involves getting onto Highway 1 and going south to reach Aptos, Capitola, Soquel, etc.

Freeways – although our freeways have names, such as “The West Valley Freeway” or “The Nimitz”, we don’t ever use them. Ever.  Freeways are called by their numbers, with out a leading “the” (which you’d find in SoCal or on the east coast, but not here).  So we’d call it “Highway 85″, NOT “the Highway 85″ and NOT “The West Valley Freeway”.  (In contrast, in southern California they wouldn’t give the number, they’d say “take the Pasadena Freeway“.)

Highways – highways are unpredictable.  Sometimes we call them by number, as in “highway 9″ and other times by the name “Los Gatos – Saratoga Road”.

County Roads and State Routes – does anyone ever use those numbering systems? No. They don’t.  At least not here in the “South Bay” area.  I have no idea why maps include them.  Tell someone you’re taking county route blah-blah-blah and they will think you’re nuts.  Save yourself embarassment and forget that system entirely. Just use the street name.

Other Stuff:

Skiing – downhill snow skiing. Water skiing is always referred to as water skiing. Just skiing is snow skiing. Cross country skiing is always called cross country.

Home – can mean your residence, city or town, Santa Clara County or even California, if your plane is touching down after a long trip out of state.

Sharks – the team, not the animal.  San Jose nominally touches the San Francisco Bay at Alviso, and yes, there are some small sharks in the bay, but don’t expect anything like a Great White in Alviso.

High-Tech – can mean engineering, software, biotech, webstuff, social media, Google, Facebook,  or any other number of things that the average non-high-tech person doesn’t understand.

The Merc – refers to the largest local paper, the San Jose Mercury News.

Dressing up – if you want more than khakis and sandals in spring, summer or fall, be very explicit.  Most of the population, particularly those in high-tech, don’t dress up on a regular basis. 

Spanish names – if you speak Spanish or Italian, hearing how “San Jose”, “Los Gatos”, and many other places are pronounced may make  you cringe.  So don’t stress about the right way to pronounce these places.  If you say it the way a place is supposed to be said, you’ll be right.  And if you mess up, you’ll sound like a local.  My favorite:  San Jose as “Sannozzay”.

Mixing languages – many, many people here speak another language (most popular are Spanish and Viet Namese, but loads of other languages are heard here), and it is not unusual to hear conversations between bilingual people dart in and out between two languages (English and Spanish, English and Russian, English and Hindi, you name it).  We are used to it and you will get used to it too.

Mixing languages and high-tech – if you are lucky enough to know anyone in high-tech, you may have to sometimes remind him or her that you aren’t fluent in that language. They sometimes slip into that high-tech lingo without even noticing that they’re doing it.  It sounds like English but isn’t, so just gently remind them and they’ll kindly translate.

Last weekend my family and I took a visiting relative to see some sights in the area, including to Filoli in Woodside.  If you have never visited this grand & gracious estate on the peninsula, it’s something to put on your “must see” list.

The house is 36,000 square feet (thirty six thousand sq. ft.!), ten times larger than a “big” home. The house sits upon approximatey 650 acres, most of it in its natural state but more than a dozen acres beautifully landscaped with lawns, flowers, roses, bushes, trees, ponds and a pool. 

Please enjoy some photos of our time at Filoli last weekend.  Some of these were taken by me, but most were shot by my daughter, Clair Handy (used by permission, of course!).

The Filoli Center is located at 86 Cañada Road Woodside, CA 94062

Filoli is open Tuesday through Sunday for self-guided tours (docent led tours are Tues through Saturday).  All donations, admissions, membership etc. go to preserving Filoli Center. For more information, please visit the Filoli website: http://www.filoli.org/