Willow Glen

Willow Glen

San Jose, California Homes for Sale

About Willow Glen

Named for the dozens of willow trees that once inhabited this former marsh, the smallish independent town of Willow Glen joined the city of San Jose in 1936. The close-knit community twice fended off efforts to divide its quaint downtown, successfully defeating propositions for a railroad and an expressway. Historic Lincoln Avenue, home to the town's electric street car during the 1920's, is now the neighborhood's main gathering place. Stretching from Interstate 280 in the north to Curtner Avenue in the south, Willow Glen fronts Route 87 and downtown San Jose on the neighborhood's eastern edge. Interstate 880, which changes to State Route 17, borders much of the western end.

Quick Facts

Current Prices: $900,000 to $4,598,000

Closed Prices: $120,000 to $6,064,500

Median Sale Price: $1,560,000

Average $ per sq ft: $1014

Association Fee Ranges: $95 to $500/mo, $0 to $500

Type: Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single-Family Home

Age: 1895 to 2023

Sq. Ft.: 470 to 11805 Sq. Ft.

Bedrooms: 0 to 6 Bedrooms

Bathrooms: 0 to 7 Bathrooms

Around Willow Glen

No matter where you live in Willow Glen, you're within easy reach of shops, restaurants, entertainment and freeway access. Lincoln Avenue is the cultural hub, and at times can be pretty lively. Meridian Avenue is also pretty busy, but it is closer to Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair, both local shopping hangouts. If you want to live in a quieter part of town, try one of the many side streets. You'll find a mixture of homes, condos and apartments throughout Willow Glen.

There are restaurants a plenty in Willow Glen. Choose from authentic Mexican cuisine at the casual Taqueria Tlaquepaque or Italian food at the high-end Fratello Italian Restaurant, which also features a wine and cocktail bar. Are you in the mood for a steak or top-notch seafood? Try the Three Flames Restaurant, a 30-year old Silicon Valley landmark. Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que is just on the other side of Route 87, handy for that "gotta have some ribs" craving.

Take a walk along Willow Glen's tree-lined streets and it's easy to forget you're just blocks away from Downtown San Jose. The sidewalk cafes, vintage boutiques and low-key coffee shops give Willow Glen a small-town feel. You're apt to find strollers parked outside kid's stores and sidewalk water bowls for your four-legged furry best friends. Lincoln Avenue is home to various events, such as the "Art on the Avenue" and "Paws on the Avenue", held annually.

If your Friday night passion is a night out on the town, you're in luck. Try the Willow Den, a lively Lincoln Avenue club and wine bar. Just outside the neighborhood try the Miami Beach Club with its Latin beat. Take in a high-octane hockey game at the SAP Arena, home to the NHL San Jose Sharks. Rather see a movie? Multi-screen theaters at Santana Row and CiniLux are nearby.

Spend your Sunday exploring technology or reveling in Mother Nature. Roughly a mile from Willow Glen you'll find the Tech Museum of Innovation and the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. The latter is the gateway to Guadalupe River Park, a three-mile long open green space that follows the Guadalupe River. Follow Willow Street east and you'll find the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo and the historic Japanese Friendship Garden, both in Kelly Park. Do you prefer some ghostly entertainment? Four miles west of Willow Glen you'll find the Winchester Mystery House. Built by Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune. The Victorian-era home is a local landmark with an eccentric past.

Locals Love

  • Small town feel
  • Plenty of shopping and entertainment
  • Easy access to major interstates

Locals Don't Love

  • Commute traffic
  • Some noise on Lincoln Avenue

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