Almaden Valley

 

The historic neighborhood of Almaden Valley lies on the southwest side of San Jose, adjacent to the 17,000-acre Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Residents of Almaden Valley enjoy impressive views of Mount Umunhum and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Almaden Valley has easy access to shopping, fine restaurants, and other amenities because downtown San Jose is just a 30-minute drive away.

 

The Almaden Valley was settled in the 1820s by miners seeking the quicksilver (mercury) from the hills, a history is recounted at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. La Foret is a restored boarding house turned into a celebrated French-cuisine restaurant. Homes in the Almaden Valley range from classic ranches to multistory estates on spacious lots. Outdoor recreation is popular due to the many parks and nature preserves in the valley.

 

• Quiet neighborhoods surrounded by mountain views
• Mild climate with 250 days of sunshine
• Miles of trails and acres of parks and open space
• Quick access to the airport, downtown, and major highways

 

Almaden Valley is a peaceful residential community. The neighborhood has numerous, small subdivisions, each with its own architectural style and character. In any subdivision, you're never far from one of Almaden's twelve city parks. Annual festivals, such as the Almaden Art & Wine Festival and the New Almaden Music Festival, bring the community together and attract visitors to Almaden Valley. Hiking, bicycling, and water sports are favorite recreational pastimes.

 

Almaden Valley's premier fine dining restaurant, La Foret, serves classic French cuisine, seafood, and wild game. An exquisite dining experience can also be found at Elements, a Euro-Asian bistro featuring gluten-free, Vietnamese flavors. Start your meal with Cha Oc in Banana Leaves an escargot appetizer. Then have the Tea-Smoked Duck or the Australian Rack of Lamb. They also have traditional favorites, such as Pho and Vermicelli Bowls. 

 

When you are craving a casual meal, you can meet up with friends at Mr. Mojito JF Bar and Grill in their spacious outdoor seating. At Mr. Mojito, you can enjoy a pizza, a classic fajita, or a full rack of BBQ ribs with your mojito. The fun flavors of mojitos and margaritas will keep you coming back for more. You'll also find a variety of diners, chain restaurants, and coffee shops in Almaden Valley. 

 

Almaden Valley’s shopping centers are along the centrally-located Almaden Expressway. The Westfield Oakridge Mall is the largest mall in Almaden Valley with 108 stores. It is anchored by Macy's and has an Apple store, Lush, and Michael Kors. The mall also has 32 restaurants and snack shops, including a Cheesecake Factory and a Taiwan tea store, TP Tea. Almaden Plaza is another major mall with 43 stores and several restaurants. It is where you will find large big-box stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, PetSmart, and Buy Buy Baby.

 

It's no surprise that outdoor activities lead the way in Almaden Valley. The abundance of natural areas combined with the gorgeous year-round weather makes it hard to stay indoors. Residents enjoy picnicking, hiking, and biking at the Quicksilver County Park. The park also has some of Santa Clara County's most popular equestrian trails. Nearby Almaden Lake Park has catch-and-release fishing.

 

The Almaden Golf and Country Club provides members and guests tennis, swimming, dining, and a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course. The Almaden Swim and Racquet Club is a popular spot for recreational and competitive swimming. Families love the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo for its rides and animal exhibits.

 

Many of California's most acclaimed schools, both public and private, are located in Almaden Valley. The area overlaps several school districts, including San Jose Unified School District, Union Elementary School District, and Los Gatos Union Elementary School District.