Wikipedia

Berryessa, 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.

Berryessa
Neighborhood of San Jose
Nickname: 
North Valley
Berryessa is located in San Jose, California
Berryessa
Berryessa
Location within San Jose
Coordinates: 37°23′11″N 121°51′38″W / 37.386329°N 121.86051°W / 37.386329; -121.86051
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountySanta Clara
CitySan Jose

History

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Berryessa hosted a segment of the 2012 Tour of California.

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. 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 70s, the land where the orchards stood was developed into suburban residential neighborhoods and businesses. Today, tiny remnants of the orchards remain, including the Orlando Farm. In 2013 it, too, was developed into housing on Capitol Avenue and the Mattos' apricot orchard off Piedmont Road.[2]

Today, Berryessa is distinguished as a fast-growing bedroom community of San Jose. It is served by VTA light rail and (in 2019[3]), an extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit BART system.

The old Berryessa Elementary School building, built in 1927, is a Spanish Colonial Revival style, designed by noted Northern California architect W.H. Weeks.[4] The building has served as a commercial space since 1983.

Geography

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Berryessa/North San José station (BART).
 
Berryessa Creek Park.

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. It was represented by Chuck Reed, prior to his election as Mayor of San Jose. The current district representative is David Cohen.

Parks

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Community

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Apartments at Newbury Park.

San Jose 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

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The annual Berryessa Art & Wine Festival, one of the best-known local events in the area, has been a tradition for over 40 years.

The festival is typically held in May. It includes 120-150 artist booths and 14 food booths, run by Berryessa non-profit groups. Community Row features booths from various service groups and non-profits that offer information to the festival-goers. Business Row has representatives from the Berryessa community and other local San Jose businesses. A stage area features local amateur and professional entertainment, and there are booths from several local radio stations.

The festival is held on the grounds of Penitencia Creek Park.

Transportation

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Garage at the BART Berryessa/North San Jose station.

Berryessa is well-served by two regional transit systems: VTA light rail and BART.

Education

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Berryessa Branch of the San José Public Library.
 
Berryessa light rail station.
 
Town homes in Berryessa.

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.

Public schools in Berryessa include:

High schools

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Middle schools

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  • Morrill Middle School
  • Piedmont Middle School
  • Sierramont Middle School

Elementary schools

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  • 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
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Notable residents

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The following people either grew up in Berryessa or are current residents:

References

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  1. ^ "San Jose". McCormack's Guides. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  2. ^ "Berryessa". santaclararesearch.net. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  3. ^ "VTA's BART Silicon Valley Extension". Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  4. ^ Preservation Action Council of San Jose - Spring 2010 Report
  5. ^ "Berryessa Branch Library Archived March 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." San José Public Library. Retrieved on March 27, 2010.
  6. ^ https://www.milpitaschristian.org/ Milpitas Christian School
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37°23′11″N 121°51′38″W / 37.3863287°N 121.8605104°W / 37.3863287; -121.8605104

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