The Almaden Winery neighborhood, just off Blossom Hill Road in San Jose, has a rich and interesting past, dating back to the mid 1850s when the site was first planted with grape vines.  It was the first winery in Almaden Valley and one of the oldest in the state of California.  (It survived the prohibition period by getting licensed to make sacramental wine and by bottling grape juice.)

In this post I’ll share some photos of the neighborhood with you, explain about the three different builders/developers and show you where to find each one.

With a bit more than 300 houses, the Almaden Winery area is quite popular, with its homes selling quickly.   The community centers around a lovely park, and additionally there’s a newer library adjacent to it – the Vineland Branch of the San Jose public library system.

There are three developments within the Almaden Winery neighborhood:

What are homes like in the Almaden Winery?

The design is primarily Mediterranean, lots of windows and natural light, smaller lots generally, mostly two story homes with two car garages.

View Almaden Winery Neighborhood in a larger map

Tresor:  home sizes vary from about 1570 square feet to 2300 square feet (on lots of less than 4000 SF).  The front yard landscaping is handled by the HOA, there are private roads and a small HOA fee of about $85 per month as of this writing.  These are on zero lot lines (so are “patio homes”) and of the three neighborhoods, these tend to be the most affordable.

Vineland: homes are a bit larger and so are the lots.  Also zero lot lines in most cases.  Properties here may enjoy 2300 to 2800 square feet on lots of 4000 to 6000 square feet.

Vintage: houses range from 1500 to 2600 square feet, and the lots range from about 5000 SF to 7000 SF. A few even have pools. These are not patio homes or zero lot line properties. Many homes, perhaps half, have 3 car garages. Some streets are particularly “tight knit”. I heard from a colleague that the residents on Chaumont have a block party each year, for instance.

Where is the Almaden Winery neighborhood?

Located off of Blossom Hill Road and close to Dartmouth Middle School, the neighborhood is at the mouth of the Almaden Valley but is now technically considered a part of Cambrian Park and has a Cambrian zip code, 95118.  The Guadalupe Creek and some percolation ponds are the back boundary (homes on just the other side of the water are considered officially part of Almaden Valley).  A number of homes enjoy a beautiful waterfront view and unobstructed vista of the mountains.  Some of them are on larger lots, too, and sell for a premium.

Interested in seeing one of these great homes? I just listed one at 5641 Le Fevre Drive, San Jose 95118 (MLS # 81045200). Want to see what else is currently available? Below I have an IDX feed that should show every listed home in the Vineland, Tresor and Vintage subdivisions within the Almaden Winery neighborhood.

Almaden Winery Neighborhood Homes Listed for Sale

Want to buy a house in the Almaden Winery area? Here’s what is currently available. Please contact me for information on these homes, or to hear about others coming on the market soon! (As of Sept 28, 2010, I’m aware of two other homes in the area of these 3 subdivisions which are coming on the market within the next seven days. One will be a short sale, the other a “regular sale”. Call me if interested in knowing more!)

The Streets in the Old Almaden Winery Neighborhood

Bellagio Dr
Bergamo Ct
Bergerac Dr
Bordelais Dr
Bouchard Dr
Brionne Dr
Chambertin Av
Chambertin Dr
Chaumont Dr
Domaine Dr
Le Franc Dr
Le Fevre Dr
Mireille Dr
Ravenna Ct
Touraine Dr
Treviso Av
Treviso Dr

Want to buy or sell a home in this beautiful part of San Jose along the Almaden – Cambrian border? Please contact me and we can talk about the area, local real estate, its variables and how to work on getting your next house bought or sold!
Mary Pope-Handy
mary (at) popehandy.com 408 204-7673

Since early July, fire danger signs have been out at Belgatos Park in Los Gatos (and I suspect at other parks throughout Santa Clara County too). To the right is the sign at the park’s main entrance.  It admonishes the visitors:

“High Fire Danger  No Smoking No BBQs”

To anyone who’s lived in Silicon Valley long, this is understood – the fire danger is quite high here in summer.  Unlike most of the east coast, it does not rain here in summer (at least not often and not much), and our green grasses and plants of spring turn to kindling very quickly.  One stray match, hot cigarette butt or one illegal firework can smolder into a flame which grows fast with the smallest amount of wind to destroy property, animal life and potentially human life, make breathing bad for days and leave a scar on the land.

This sign at the entrance may not feel very compelling to some as the lush green grass in the background would seem to contraindicate restraint.  But venture to the park’s side entrance on Bacigalupi Drive (or hike up the trails) and you’ll understand immediately why this is nothing to take lightly.

Except for one little tuft of partially green grass, “cardboard hill” is entirely dry. So is the rest of this beautiful open space.

If you live close to or have open space in San Jose’s Alum Rock, Almaden, or other east foothill areas or the west valley places like Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Sartoga, Cupertino or anywhere the foothills, your property is likely considered to be in a high risk fire hazard zone. If so, each year you are mailed information from Cal Fire reminding you of your obligation to provide clearance around your home and to cut down the dead brush.

Just outside of the main entrance to the park there’s a large and open lot which has a few trees, some prickly pear, and a lot of grasses and weeds in winter and spring.  (It also had a rattlesnake it in by the prickly pear when my daughter walked past with our dog one day a month or two ago.) Below is a pan of two pics I took with my Blackberry and later stitched together – the park entrance is out of sight but is a little to the left of this photo.

These owners have done as needed and disked the field to help prevent fires or the spread of fires.

There are things you can do to “harden” your own home is you live near open space – that is, to make it more resistant to fire. Check out the whole list on the Cal Fire site, “Ready For Wildfire“.

Willow Glen is one of the most charming areas of San Jose, consisting of many older homes which feature lovely, classic architecture.  Most Silicon Valley home buyers treasure the Willow Glen charm and ambiance, but many are seeking newer homes.  A fabulous option is “The Willows“.

KB Homes built “The Willows” in 1999 to 2000.  It is tucked away at the southernmost tip of Willow Glen, off of Foxworthy Avenue & close to Almaden Expressway, but only about 2.5 to 3 miles from all the action on Lincoln Avenue.

The tree-lined streets are built in something of a loop shape with Rubino Circle being the main access or loop road.  Situated on the inner part of the loop are homes with smaller lots that are a little more affordable.  The outer part of the circle is built with slightly larger homes on larger lots (but none of the lots are “big”). Sidewalks with soft curbs at the corners accompany the streets and make for a pedestrian-friendly, bike, wheelchair or stroller friendly area. Visit in the early evenings and you will see children and adults walking, strolling, taking dogs for a walk etc. – always a good sign! Because the neighborhood is a bit like an oversized cul-de-sac (no through traffic), it is very quiet in terms of traffic.  The area has large street lights, too, making for a safe feeling community.

Something not often found in other neighborhoods that’s a real plus here: the front yard landscaping is taken care of by the home owner’s association.  Living at the Willows is “easy care” since only the house itself and the back yard require maintenance!

Rubino Park is a frequent destination for residents at The Willows. It offers a playground, picnic areas, basketball hoops and a huge expanse of lawn.  Additionally, Canoas Garden Elementary School has access on Rubino Circle too, and it also has a large lawn area that the neighbors enjoy.

What are homes like in The Willows?

Houses here are all 2 story and all have attached 2 car garages. Homes range in size from about 1800 SF to about 2600 SF, generally, and are anywhere from 3 to 5 bedrooms.  One floorplan is either offered as a 4 bedroom or a 3 bedroom plus “loft”, which can be an office, den, TV area, exercize room or anything else (and can easily become a fourth bedroom).

Many of the homeowners at The Willows have enhanced and upgraded their homes and yards. When first built, most of these houses had white tile countertops, but a good many owners have added either Corian or granite countertops.  Kitchen appliances only last 10-15 years in most cases, so many have already been replaced, sometimes very nicely improved with large gas burner stoves, for instance.

What does it cost to live in The Willows?

Most of the homes for sale in the Willows are priced somewhere in the 600s to 700s depending upon a number of things, such as

• home size
• lot size
• upgrades, enhancements, improvements and remodeling
• exact location (regular street vs private court + other location issues)
• type of sale (short sale or bank owned will sell for less)

The homes in the inner part of the loop tend to be on lots of about 2,000 SF rather than between 3,000 and 4,000 SF.  Because they are on smaller, private drives, there’s not the same kind of parking as you get on a regular San Jose street.  For those reasons, the homes tend to sell for a little less.

Map of The Willows

View The Willows of Willow Glen (San Jose) in a larger map

I have just listed a wonderful home in The Willows at 870 Brevins Loop. To learn all about it, see a virtual tour, lots of photos and to check on the open house schedule, please visit the following page.

http://www.popehandy.com/870-brevins-loop-willow-glen-san-jose.html

Hope to see you there at the open house!

Fifty years or so ago, San Jose was still a very agricultural area. The Blossom Valley and Santa Teresa neighborhoods enjoyed great open spaces, farmland and orchards. Today that’s nearly all gone. But there is still a large, undeveloped area there at Branham Lane and Snell Avenue (the border area for these two districts of San Jose), not far from the Vistapark neighborhood or the Hayes Mansion area. I wonder what it will become as the valley continues to fill. Hopefully at least some of it will remain open.

Below are a couple of photos taken of this agricultural oasis last weekend, by my husband, Jim, with the mustard in full bloom. It’s a beautiful reminder of Silicon Valley’s past as “the Valley of Heart’s Delight“.

The first view is looking west to north-west:

Same area, but looking a little up and to the left – and you see part of a barn…

 And from the other end of this field, a view the other way, looking east.

Even from a satellite view, you can tell that this is a huge amount of acreage! If you’ve never been out to the Santa Teresa or Blossom Valley areas of San Jose, I would suggest making this a part of your itinerary when you do go. It is truly refreshing to see so much open space, and it’s equally surprising to find it right on the valley floor. There’s plenty else to do once you’re out in this part of Silicon Valley. Continue on to the oldest part of San Jose, ironically called “New Almaden”. Or visit Santa Teresa County Park. Explore San Jose!

View Larger Map

Wildwood Park is downtown Saratoga’s quiet getaway spot. Situated on Fourth Street, just off Big Basin Way in Saratoga Village, it’s a stone’s throw to great dining and shops, but borders a pleasant residential neighborhood too. For people fortunate enough to buy or rent a home in the downtown area, the park is a wonderful plus.

What makes Wildwood Park in Saratoga so special? In addition to a nice play structure and an open, grassy area (which you might expect in any city or town park), Wildwood offers a sandy volleyball court, restrooms (many smaller parks don’t) and perhaps best of all, Saratoga Creek. Tall Eucalyptus and Sycamore trees grace this downtown retreat too, so there’s no shortage of shade on warm days.

As a teenager, I attended Saratoga High School (class of 1977) and visited the park with friends or to work on my photographic skills. This is a great location for shooting pictures. What could be cuter than a child or pet by the creek? [Sometimes my girlfriends and I used to watch old movies in the quonset hut theater, The Vitaphone (it was at Big Basin Way and Third) that was then a part of downtown Saratoga's charm. I wish I had thought to take pictures of that theater when I was downtown - it's long since gone. Happy downtown Saratoga memories.]

Today I stopped in to try videotaping the park since I was in the neighborhood on the real estate broker’s tour and literally was on 4th Street already. About 2 weeks ago I got a Flip Video so am learning (critics be gentle!) and hope that these couple of clips give you a sense of the tranquility and beauty of the park if you have not had the pleasure to visit it in person yourself. If you live elsewhere in Silicon Valley, perhaps next time you dine in Saratoga, you can make a side trip to see the quaint little park nearby. It’s a worthwhile visit, especially if you have a camera in hand!