Cupertino

Set 2 miles south of Apple Park in Silicon Valley, Downtown Cupertino is a mostly residential community close to highly rated schools, tech hubs and commercial centers. “Cupertino's one of the most coveted cities to call home in the Bay Area,” says Spencer Hsu, a Realtor with Exp Realty and over 6 years of industry experience. Hsu continues, "Residents here love the blend of urban and suburban life." Kevin Swartz, a Realtor with Atria Real Estate and over 10 years of experience, says, "Homebuyers want to come here if they work in the tech industry and have children who they want to get into the best schools." Homes in Downtown Cupertino are typically ranch-style from the 1950s and '60s, and some were designed by the renowned midcentury architect Joseph Eichler. “This is the only place in Cupertino where you’ll find Eichler homes, and they’re very popular,” says Swartz. The nearby Lawrence Expressway and Highway 280 make it easy for residents to get to other tech hubs like Sunnyvale, North San Jose and Mountain View, and the neighborhood receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. Most homes in Downtown Cupertino sit along sidewalk-and-tree-lined streets, within walking distance of schools; low-water, drought-tolerant landscaping is common. Midcentury Craftsman-style bungalows and ranch-style homes are popular here, as are a handful of minimal, single-story Eichler homes, with trademark features like clean lines, courtyards and a focus on natural light. Two-story Spanish Revival- and French Country-style homes built between the late 20th century and early 2000s range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. “For original construction from the '50s or ‘60s, the average price is about $2.6 million," says Swartz, "but homes renovated or built in the past 20 years sell for an average of $3.8 million." Swartz says the market moves fast here—most homes receive multiple offers and sell within 10 days. “Most of the time, when I see families purchasing in Cupertino, it’s because of the schools,” says Swartz. The neighborhood is zoned within two school districts -- Cupertino Union for elementary and middle school, and Fremont Union High for high school -- and Swartz points out that all local schools are within walking distance of neighborhood homes. Kids here can start at C.B. Eaton Elementary, which is rated A by Niche and focuses on personalized learning for each child, then move on to Sam H. Lawson Middle, which is rated an A-minus. At the A-plus-rated Cupertino High, students who struggle in the classroom can apply for the Terra Nova program, which offers additional academic support. The 13-acre Creekside Park offers a basketball half-court and multiuse fields, as well as tree-shaded walkways along Calabazas Creek. Less than a mile west, Wilson Park includes grassy fields, a fitness course and a baseball diamond; also here is the Wilson Ceramics Studio, where residents of all ages can sign up for public workshops or schedule private classes. Swartz says the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve is a popular spot for weekend hikes, with trails like the 3-mile Seven Springs Loop, which winds through shade and sun, offering views above the city. Along Main Street, local eateries range from Oren's Hummus, a casual Mediterranean spot with plant-based options, to the upscale Alexander’s Steakhouse, which offers five-course meals of Japanese-fusion. Swartz recommends Lazy Dog, a restaurant that serves craft cocktails and American comfort food in a cozy, cabin-like setting, and Eureka, a rustic bar and restaurant with happy hour specials. “Eureka has a lot of beers on tap and a very extensive whiskey menu, as well. You can do whiskey or beer tastings there.” Neighborhood grocery options include Japanese specialty market Tokyo Central (also called Marukai Market), and a Trader Joe’s. Main Street hosts several seasonal events throughout the year, like pumpkin decorating at Pumpkin Palooza in October and a Santa meet-and-greet and tree lighting in December. A free summer concert series is held each year at Memorial Park (about 2 miles west), featuring local bands and musicians; on Independence Day, neighbors can enjoy live music at the Memorial Park Amphitheater and gather at local Creekside Park to watch the fireworks display. “The area’s pretty conveniently located,” says Swartz. “You’re very close to Lawrence Expressway and Highway 280, which are big commuter routes.” San Jose is 10 miles south and a 15- to 30-minute drive, depending on traffic. Apple Park, local schools and Main Street are within walking/biking distance of most Downtown Cupertino homes, and while Swartz says that public transportation isn’t commonly used in Cupertino, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses do make stops along Miller Avenue. Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center is 3 miles northeast, and San Jose Mineta International Airport is 10 miles northeast.

Those looking for a place to settle where they’ll find a diverse range of shopping options, as well as parks and nearby freeway access, can add Calabazas to the list. This suburban neighborhood is located just a few miles south of Cupertino, which is home to tech employers such as Apple. As the area schools are well-regarded, many young families find it an appealing choice. Throughout the community, neatly landscaped yards are separated by hedges or knee-high fences. Many of the single-family homes have private driveways, but with a good mix of apartments, condos and townhouses in Calabazas, on-street parking is also common. Proximity to a diverse selection of shops and restaurants is another draw for homebuyers. Though the neighborhood is largely residential, South De Anza Boulevard, which runs through the community, has a wide variety of shopping and dining options. Some locals may find Trader Joe’s has the groceries they’re looking for, but others may find India Cash & Carry and H Mart have a more enticing selection. Anyone shopping for plants will find an equally varied selection. There is a garden center at Home Depot and Yamagami’s Garden Center is just south of State Route 85. “Customers can buy bonsai trees created by our staff or pick out their own bonsai starts and choose the pot that they like best,” says Kellyanne Cassell, a long-time area resident who has worked for Yamagami’s since 2017. “We also get in tropical fruit trees from southeast Asia, and we teach people how to grow, prune and fertilize them.” Area restaurants include Siam Thai Cuisine, Liuyishou Hot Pot and Bobbi's Coffee Shop & Café. Area housing includes condos, townhouses and single-family dwellings. Buyers might find a two-bedroom condo listed for just under $1 million. Three-bedroom townhouses generally sell for around $1.5 million, depending on the age and condition of the unit. Many of the single-family homes in the area were built in the 1950s and 1970s. There are several ranch-style houses, some with second-story additions above their garages; three-bedroom ones often sell for around $3 million. Two-story contemporary or Mediterranean-inspired residences with four or five bedrooms may run closer to $4 million. The city of Cupertino hosts a variety of events throughout the year. There are outdoor movies at Creekside Park and live music at the Memorial Park Amphitheatre; both are about 2 miles away from Calabazas. Residents who have an interest in gardening can visit Yamagami’s Garden Center to learn from their experts. “We have a rotating schedule of classes, and most are free. We teach how to prune trees, grafting and how to care for vegetable plants,” Cassell says. One of the defining features of the neighborhood is Calabazas Park. Locals can find tennis courts, walking trails and a BMX track at the park. Next to the park is a community garden and the Calabazas Branch Library. Jollyman Park, to the west of the neighborhood, has more than 11 acres of public space for playing ball or exploring the shaded playground. Those looking for more time in nature can drive about 2 miles to the Parker Ranch Trailhead for a hike to a scenic vista. They can also take the Union Pacific Trail, which follows the old Union Pacific rail line. "There are also a ton of wineries within a short drive," Cassell says. "I am not a big wine drinker, but I like to go and look at the historic homes and hike the trails. They aren't stuffy places like in Napa Valley — you can bring your dog and your kids." Most Calabazas residents will find that having a car is essential. Though there are sidewalks through most of the area and Valley Transport Authority (VTA) buses run along De Anza Boulevard, State Route 85 is the main connector. Locals can also find the San José Mineta International Airport within a 12-mile drive from the neighborhood; from there, they can take direct flights to 40 international and domestic destinations. There are several churches within a short drive of homes in Calabazas; one is a meeting place for Tongan members of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints, and another offers Christian services in both English and Mandarin. The nearest Level I Trauma Center is located in the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, less than 7 miles from the neighborhood. Children can attend schools in the Cupertino Union School District for elementary and middle. They will then be zoned for the Fremont Union High School District. Most will begin their learning at Dilworth Elementary School, which earns an A-minus on Niche. They may continue learning at Miller Middle School, which focuses on student-driven learning and gets an A on Niche. Many area children will go on to A-plus-rated Monte Vista High School to earn their high school diploma — 97% of their graduates attend college. People who live in Santa Clara County face the risk of certain environmental hazards, which include wildfires, earthquakes, heat waves and landslides, per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The county has an emergency management team that is in charge of educating and preparing residents for these risk factors.