Welcome to Willow Glen (San Jose)
A charming city with a bustling downtown and tree-lined streets
Willow Glen is a charming residential city near the California coast with historic homes and tree-lined streets. Named after the willow trees that grow aplenty throughout the neighborhood, this picturesque town looks like a page out of a storybook. Traditional homes with Victorian and Spanish-style architecture are well maintained and updated throughout the tree-lined streets of this desirable area, with many architecturally distinct homes originally built in the 1920s and 1930s.
Known for its perfect blend of urbanity and suburban living, those who call Willow Glen home enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to small-town pleasures and big city conveniences. Residents bask in hometown comforts in quiet neighborhoods. Commuters appreciate the quick access to downtown San Jose, one of the top ten largest cities in the country, and all major highways in the area. The warm California climate makes waking up each morning in Willow Glen to the shining sun a dream come true.
What to Love
Historic architecture dating back to the 1920s and 1930s
Small town charm with stunning landscaping
Convenient commute to downtown San Jose
A lively main street with delicious restaurants and boutique shopping
Local Lifestyle
Willow Glen has everything a resident could need from a major city with the pleasures and serenity of a small town. Local life tends to be quiet and laid back, with most activities occurring in the afternoon and evening hours in the downtown district.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Known for its historic downtown and the many boutique shops along Lincoln Avenue, Willow Glen is a joy to explore. Family and friends will always be able to find a delicious restaurant to dine at, a new shop to explore, or a fun activity to join. While there isn’t much of a nightlife scene per se, there are plenty of activities to experience. Downtown Willow Glen is also very walkable, with an abundance of restaurants, boutiques, cafés, antique shops, and more spread across the main street. There are roughly 250 local businesses located in the area, most of them independently owned.
The options in the restaurant scene are plentiful, ranging in everything from sports bars to wine and cheese tastings to lounges.
Bill’s Cafe is the most popular breakfast spot in town, with homemade croissants, cinnamon rolls, and soups made from scratch to make any mouth water.
For a scrumptious brunch and a cool mimosa,
The Table is a wonderful place to dine. Another beloved hotspot with a casual setting where patrons can pick up a delicious sweet or savory crepe is
Crepevine. Residents also adore
Braise for its menu of classic American cuisine.
Traditional Italian foods, like pasta carbonara and Caprese salad can be found at
Vin Santo, served in an intimate space with warm decor. Those in search of something a little more upscale can treat themselves to dinner at the classy
Black Sheep Brasserie. When a sweet tooth is calling, locals love to indulge in the chocolatey treats at
Powell’s Sweet Shoppe.
The shopping scene provides residents with all of the items they could possibly need within the neighborhood. There’s
BellaJames and
Boutique Dandelion for women’s apparel and
Willow Glen Collective for antiques. Willow Glen also has national, big box stores with technology, cosmetics, and general retail items. There’s also a conveniently located grocery store in town.
Things to Do
With its beautiful natural scenery, festive local attractions, and convenient location, there’s always an exciting activity for residents of Willow Glen to enjoy. An active calendar of
community events ensures there’s always something to do.
Residents love to attend the
Saturday Farmer’s Market for fresh produce and farm-to-table food. In the springtime, the
Spring Wine Walk is a pastime in this eclectic city, where a well-made and locally produced wine is greatly appreciated among locals and visitors alike.
The incredible California temperatures make for many days in the great outdoors, as the neighborhood features plenty of parks with outdoor recreation facilities such as hiking and biking trails.
With its convenient location close to the shoreline, visiting pristine beaches such as
Santa Cruz Main Beach and spending the afternoon participating in water activities is only a short ride away.
Schools
Residents of Willow Glen have a blend of public and private schools to choose from. Students attend the
San Jose Unified School District, where they benefit from small class sizes and top-of-the-line equipment to ensure educational success.