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San Jose is the seat of Santa Clara County and the largest city in Northern California, occupying the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the region known as the South Bay. With roughly one million residents, it is the third-most populous city in California and the economic and cultural heart of Silicon Valley, the world's preeminent technology hub. Homegrown and relocated tech companies, semiconductor and software firms, and their suppliers and services define the local economy and much of the area's character. The city predates its tech identity by more than two centuries. San Jose was founded in 1777 as the first civilian settlement in Spanish Alta California, and its history survives in the San Pedro Square and downtown's older districts, as well as in landmarks around the valley. A revitalized downtown combines high-rise offices and residences, museums such as The Tech Interactive, the SAP Center arena and a growing food and arts scene. Residentially, San Jose is a collection of distinctive neighborhoods rather than a single uniform suburb. Willow Glen and the Rose Garden offer historic homes, tree-lined streets and walkable commercial strips; Japantown preserves one of the last remaining Japantowns in the United States; and districts like Almaden, Cambrian Park and the Berryessa area add suburban and foothill settings. Housing is overwhelmingly single-family, with townhomes, condos and new higher-density development concentrated near downtown and transit corridors. For homebuyers, San Jose offers proximity to Silicon Valley's employers, a mild climate, strong schools in many districts and a large, diverse housing stock — paired with a cost of living and home values among the highest in the nation. It suits technology professionals, families and anyone whose work or life centers on the Bay Area economy, and it rewards those who value job proximity over affordability.

Population 1,013,240

County Santa Clara County

Active Listings 1889

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is San Jose in?

San Jose is the seat of Santa Clara County, California, in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and the heart of Silicon Valley.

What is San Jose known for?

San Jose is known as the capital of Silicon Valley and a global technology center. It is the largest city in Northern California, home to San Jose State University and one of the nation's last remaining historic Japantowns.

What school districts serve San Jose?

San Jose is served by several districts. San Jose Unified School District covers a large central portion of the city with about 25,000 students across roughly 41 schools, while areas also fall within East Side Union, Evergreen, Campbell Union and other districts.

How do people commute in San Jose?

San Jose is a transit hub served by Caltrain, BART, VTA light rail and bus, and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor from Diridon Station. Mineta San Jose International Airport sits northwest of downtown, and Interstates 280 and U.S. 101 serve drivers.

Is San Jose expensive to live in?

Yes. San Jose has among the highest home values and living costs in the United States, driven by Silicon Valley's economy and limited housing supply. Buyers and renters should expect costs well above the national average.

City Guide

About San Jose

Real Estate & Housing

San Jose's housing market is defined by scarcity, high demand and a deep single-family-home stock. Historic neighborhoods such as Willow Glen and the Rose Garden feature Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival homes and Victorians from the early twentieth century, many on tree-lined streets. Mid-century ranch and tract homes dominate much of the city's sprawl, while downtown and areas near transit have added townhomes, condominiums and high-rise residences. New single-family construction is limited by geography and existing development, pushing the market toward renovation of older homes and denser infill. Buyers face one of the nation's most competitive and expensive markets, driven by Silicon Valley incomes.

Neighborhoods

Willow Glen, southwest of downtown, is one of San Jose's most sought-after neighborhoods, known for its Craftsman and Victorian homes, tree-lined streets and a walkable commercial district of boutiques and cafes. The Rose Garden district, named for the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, features Spanish Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture and a central, park-anchored setting. Japantown, just north of downtown, is one of the last remaining historic Japantowns in the United States, with restaurants, shops and cultural institutions. Almaden and Cambrian Park offer suburban and foothill settings to the south, while The Alameda and Naglee Park add historic corridors near downtown. Santana Row provides a dense, mixed-use urban option.

Lifestyle in San Jose

San Jose's lifestyle is shaped by its diversity and its position at the center of Silicon Valley. Downtown pairs museums, the SAP Center and live music with a restaurant scene that ranges from La Victoria Taqueria's late-night burritos to Vietnamese cuisine in the Little Saigon district and chef-driven downtown dining. Japantown, Willow Glen and the San Pedro Square Market each add distinct gathering places. The city's cultural calendar includes festivals, farmers markets and the Dine Downtown restaurant event. Its population is among the most diverse and multilingual in the nation, reflected in its food, schools and civic life. It is a busy, car-centered metropolis with a growing urban core.

Schools & Education

San Jose is served by multiple school districts, reflecting the city's size. San Jose Unified School District covers a large central portion of the city and enrolls roughly 25,000 students across about 41 schools, while other areas fall within districts such as East Side Union High School District, Campbell Union, Evergreen and Oak Grove, among others. Families typically evaluate schools at the district and individual-campus level, since quality and programs vary across the city. Higher education is a major presence, with San Jose State University downtown and nearby Santa Clara University, San Jose City College and the wider Bay Area's university network.

Getting Around

San Jose is a major regional transit hub. Caltrain runs commuter rail from Gilroy through San Jose and up the Peninsula to San Francisco, with the city's Diridon Station serving as a central connection for Caltrain, VTA light rail, Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and intercity buses. BART service reaches into San Jose, extending the Bay Area's heavy-rail network southward. VTA operates light rail and bus service throughout Santa Clara County. Mineta San Jose International Airport sits just northwest of downtown, offering direct flights across North America, while highways including Interstate 280, U.S. 101 and State Route 87 knit the city into the Bay Area's road network.

Parks & Recreation

San Jose's recreation spans urban parks and foothill open space. Alum Rock Park, California's oldest municipal park, established in 1872, offers roughly 13 miles of trails, mineral-spring history and a gateway to Santa Clara County open-space preserves. The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, with thousands of rose bushes, anchors the Rose Garden neighborhood. The city's extensive park system includes Guadalupe River Park, Kelley Park and numerous neighborhood greenspaces, while the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range foothills provide hiking, mountain biking and open space nearby. Professional sports, minor-league baseball and live entertainment at the SAP Center round out the leisure landscape.

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