Berryessa, San Jose
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
Berryessa | |
|---|---|
Neighborhood of San Jose | |
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| Nickname(s): North Valley | |
  Berryessa Location within San Jose | |
| Coordinates: 37°23′11″N 121°51′38″W / 37.386329°N 121.86051°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Clara |
| City | San Jose |
Berryessa is a district of San Jose, California, located in North San Jose.[1] The district is named after the Berryessa family, a prominent Californio family of the Bay Area which historically owned most of the area.
History[]
In the late 19th century, Berryessa was a small farming community well known across California for its high-quality fruit. Hostetter Road, Capitol Avenue, Piedmont Road, and Lundy Avenue were formerly surrounded by apricot and prune orchards, whereas today this area is distinguished as a fast-growing bedroom community of San Jose, served by VTA light rail and (in 2019[2]), an extension of the Bay Area's BART system.
The old Berryessa Elementary School building was built in 1927 and designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style by noted Northern Californian architect W.H. Weeks.[3] The building has served as a commercial space since 1983.
The J. F. Flickinger Fruit Packing Company, one of the largest fruit packing companies in the Santa Clara Valley, was located around present-day Hostetter Road. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, the orchards were developed into suburban residential neighborhoods and businesses. Tiny remnants of these lands remain today, including the Orlando Farm till 2013 when it too was developed into housing on Capitol Avenue and the Mattos' apricot orchard off Piedmont Road.[4]
Geography[]
The district borders Milpitas along Landess Avenue to the north and the Alum Rock neighborhood of East San Jose along Mabury Road to the south.
The residential neighborhood is part of the Fourth City Council District, along with Alviso, and was represented by Chuck Reed prior to his election as Mayor of San Jose. The district representative is now .
Parks[]
- Berryessa Creek Park
- Penitencia Creek Park
- Alum Rock Park
- Boccardo Look Trail
- Cataldi Park
Community[]
San José Public Library operates the Berryessa Branch Library and the Educational Park Branch Library.[5]
Berryessa is home to the long-established San Jose Flea Market.
Berryessa Art & Wine festival[]
The annual Berryessa Art & Wine festival is one of the most well known local events in the area and has been a yearly tradition for over 40 years.
The current festival, typically held in May, includes 120-150 artist booths, 14 food booths (all run by non-profit groups from the Berryessa area), a Community Row area with booths from a variety of service groups and non-profits offering information to the festival goers, a Business Row with representatives from the Berryessa community and other local San Jose Businesses, a stage area with entertainment by local amateur entertainers as well as professional entertainment and booths from several local radio stations.
The festival is held on the grounds of Penitencia Creek Park.
Transportation[]
Berryessa is well-served by regional transit lines, namely VTA light rail and BART.
- VTA light rail:
- Berryessa (VTA)
- Cropley (VTA)
- Hostetter (VTA)
- Penitencia Creek (VTA)
- BART:
- Berryessa/North San Jose station
Education[]
Berryessa Union School District operates public schools. Saint Victor Catholic School and Milpitas Christian School[6] (founded in Milpitas but now located in Berryessa) are the only private schools in the area.
Schools in Berryessa include:
High schools[]
Middle schools[]
- Morrill Middle School
- Piedmont Middle School
- Sierramont Middle School
Elementary schools[]
- Brooktree Elementary School
- Cherrywood Elementary School
- Laneview Elementary School
- Majestic Way Elementary School
- Noble Elementary School
- Northwood Elementary School
- Ruskin Elementary School
- Summerdale Elementary School
- Toyon Elementary School
- Vinci Park Elementary School
Gallery[]
King's Crossing at Newbury Park
Townhomes on Mabury
Café on N. Capitol Ave
Townhomes on Mercado Way
Notable residents[]
The following list of people either grew up in Berryessa or are current residents of the area:
- Rex Walters - former NBA player and Head basketball coach at USF
- Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf - DJ and Music producer
- Chuck Reed - former Mayor of San Jose
References[]
- ^ "San Jose". McCormack's Guides. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "VTA's BART Silicon Valley Extension". Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ Preservation Action Council of San Jose - Spring 2010 Report
- ^ "Berryessa". santaclararesearch.net. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ "Berryessa Branch Library Archived March 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." San José Public Library. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.
- ^ https://www.milpitaschristian.org/ Milpitas Christian School
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berryessa, San Jose, California. |
- Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council
- City of San Jose, Council District 4
- Berryessa branch of San Jose Public Library system
Coordinates: 37°23′11″N 121°51′38″W / 37.3863287°N 121.8605104°W
- Neighborhoods in San Jose, California