A town within a city.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Willow Glen is known for tree-lined residential streets, shopping along bustling Lincoln Avenue, great schools, and friendly neighbors. Casual dining options include family-friendly restaurants, bakeries and pizzerias, and the neighborhood frequently holds downtown festivals, including art and wine walk events.
Almost a century ago, Willow Glen was its own city before being annexed by the City of San José, and the historic charm still remains. The neighborhood is centered around Lincoln between Willow and Minnesota Avenues, featuring repurposed buildings like the Garden Theater alongside modern developments like the Willow Glen Town Square.
SAN JOSé By the Numbers
Population: 1,030,119
Median age: 37
Median household income: $113,036
Median property value: $1.9M
#LocallyOwned
Many local treasures are tucked away in Willow Glen, like Hicklebee’s bookstore, which features appearances by some of the top children’s authors, and Taiwan Restaurant, consistently voted one of the best Chinese food spots in Silicon Valley.
#HolidayLights
Willow Glen is known for holiday displays that draw families and friends from throughout the city. The local business association offers seasonal trolley ride tours that sell out the same day tickets go on sale.
Where to go: CHic’s Picks
Downtown Willow Glen - Lincoln Avenue Discover why downtown Willow Glen is known as “San Jose’s Local Treasure.” Quiet, beautiful streets lead to a bustling and lively walkable avenue, featuring delicious restaurants and eclectic family-friendly shops.
Farmer’s Market – Neighbors stroll to this weekly Saturday morning market at Willow Glen Elementary to grab coffee and a bite to eat while meeting new and old friends alike.
The parking is ample and free, and there’s a playground for the kids!
Three Creeks Trail – The City of San José is developing the Three Creeks Trail into a cornerstone of its public trails system, connecting the Los Gatos Creek, Guadalupe River, and Coyote Creek Trails. Check out the first stretch running through Willow Glen today.
WHERE TO EAT, DRINK & HANG: Lincoln Ave. Edition
The Table – This urban, neighborhood eatery at Lincoln and Willow is constantly packed with locals and visitors sharing meals at long, communal tables, or enjoying drinks and appetizers in a corner patio bar. The focus here is on seasonal ingredients, hand-crafted cocktails, and progressive wines.
La Villa Deli – A few short blocks down Lincoln Ave., the Bertucelli Family has built La Villa into a local tradition over decades of serving up delicious sandwiches, salads, pasta, and of course, their signature ravioli. Stop by on Saturdays for one of the best BBQ lunches in town!
Willow Glen Creamery – After you grab a bite to eat at any of the fabulous locally-owned restaurants along Lincoln, stop by the Creamery, where they blend frozen yogurts in-store every day, stock locally handmade Treat Ice Cream, and offer real "St. Louis silk" frozen custard.
Bring your dog along and ask for a special dairy-free treat!
Midtown Arts Mercantile – Further up Lincoln Ave., away from the bustle of Downtown Willow Glen, sits a 41,000-sqft warehouse that has been converted to an industrial hub for an assortment of creative tenants to make, manufacture, fabricate, and sell their unique products.
