With a city that ranks No. 5 in the U.S. News list of best places to live in the US, it’s no surprise ~2 million people call it home. With a population like that, where do all of these San Joseans eat, drink, play, and live?

We are setting out to answer that with SJtoday’s Neighborhood Guides. Much like our past guide to Japantown, this ongoing series will take you on an exploration of the communities that make San Jose feel like home. We’ll dive into history, things to do and discover, places to park, where to live, and more to showcase some of the best qualities our neighborhoods have to offer.

What do we define as a “neighborhood”?

While we love suburbs like Berryessa + Blossom Valley, these guides will focus on small communities within our city (think: Rose Garden and Little Italy). These small but mighty parts of San Jose typically feature restaurants, parks, living spaces, festivals, events, and more, and span one to a handful of blocks.

How will we choose what neighborhoods to cover?

This is where you come in. We are asking you to rave about all of your favorite neighborhood communities in San Jose — whether it's one you call home, always stop by with out-of-town visitors, or daydream about moving to.

Are you intrigued by Vendome’s history? Do you love being able to walk from a Cambrian coffee shop to a clothing store in a matter of minutes? Ever wonder why SoFA gained popularity so quickly? We want to hear all about it + share the inside scoop with our readers.

Head to the button below to point us in the direction of some of the best neighborhoods around town — from areas with rich history + astonishing architecture to the best places to retire or purchase your first home.

Take the survey.