California Ridge, San Jose, CA

California Ridge is a secluded hill-top enclave tucked against the northern edge of Almaden Quicksilver County Park, reached only by the winding climb of Sterling Gate and Copper Peak. Inside, a single looping street (Shelby Creek, Tiffany Canyon) curves around oak-dotted open space, serving fewer than fifty custom homes from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Architecture trends traditional California - stucco, stone accents, three-car garages - and most lots run a third to half an acre, with terraced backyards that look out over the Santa Clara Valley. It feels more like a private hillside retreat than a city neighborhood. Recreation is practically outside the front door. Residents walk straight into Quicksilver’s hiking and biking trails or take a five-minute drive to Almaden Lake for kayaking and picnic lawns. Shopping and dining are not as convenient: the nearest full grocery run is ten minutes down Almaden Expressway, and the last stretch home is a dark, rural climb after sunset. Traffic is minimal inside the loop, but morning commuters funnel onto narrow Sterling Gate before meeting wider suburban arterials. Life here is quiet, outdoorsy, and HOA-kempt. Yards are manicured, wildlife sightings are common, and neighborhood gatherings revolve around trail walks rather than block parties. The price of serenity is occasional wildfire smoke concern and limited street lighting, which some buyers may flag as a safety drawback.