95120Lifestyle

Almaden Valley— one of the best places to live

This article is as seen on www.sanjosemagazine.com

Residents enjoy the fruits of their labors in nearby Silicon Valley amid Almaden Valley

Nestled in the rolling foothills of south San Jose, beneath the Santa Cruz Mountains, Almaden Valley offers an upscale, family-oriented neighborhood with a smalltown atmosphere.

Bordered by Willow Glen and Los Gatos, residents of this idyllic community enjoy being close to downtown San Jose while living in a rural setting. However, Almaden is not without its Silicon Valley connections. IBM’s Almaden Research Center calls it home, as do scientists, executives, and engineers.

From French cuisine to fine art, Almaden has it all. Residents can enjoy an evening spent discovering a wine’s delicate bouquet or a morning reading the community newspaper over a frothy Caramel Macchiato. They can visit the local nursery for the perfect garden accessory, go for a jog along a park trail, or play a round of golf at one of Almaden’s premier golf courses.

It’s not just the natural beauty, but also the heart of the community that makes life in Almaden so extraordinary. In this safe, close-knit environment, children still play outside and neighbors stop for a chat. A friendly atmosphere prevails, with families socializing at schools, barbecuing at block parties, and cheering on their children at Cabana Club swim meets.

Almaden schools are National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished Schools. Both of its middle schools are highly acclaimed, with one being an academic, visual, and performing-arts magnet.

A jewel in Almaden’s crown is the innovative Almaden Branch Library and Community Center, which includes a community room, gymnasium, preschool, children’s library, and teen lounge. The two-story, 65,000-square-foot building, accented with stunning artwork, also features dramatic views of the nearby hills.

Almaden residents are actively engaged in supporting their community. The annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, organized by the Almaden Valley Women’s Club, funds local charities. Almaden is also the site of various marathons and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Almaden Valley is named after the New Almaden Mines, which operated from 1845 to the 1970s. La Casa Grande, the mine manager’s residence, is now the site of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. Built around 1848, the Carson-Perham Adobe is one of the area’s oldest buildings and was the home of George Carson, the mine company’s bookkeeper, postmaster, telegraph operator, and Wells Fargo agent. Almaden Quicksilver County Park, which contains remnants of the mining era, provides an expansive open space for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and wildlife. Encompassing 4,147 acres, the park contains 33 miles of scenic trails and captivating vistas.

Neighborhood parks dot Almaden Valley, with Almaden Lake Park offering an array of recreational activities, including a sandy beach. Visitors enjoy bird watching, paddle boating, fishing, swimming, and bocce ball.

In Almaden, from friendly neighbors to scenic surroundings, residents enjoy all the best that life has to offer.

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