Living in Santa Clara - 95050
Living in Santa Clara - 95050
95050 - Santa Clara’s Southeast Zone
In partnership with American Dream TV, Vinicius Brasil, the Santa Clara Real Estate guy, takes us on a tour of 95050, Santa Clara's Southeast zone.
Santa Clara is known as the center of silicon valley, its the home to Intel the world's largest chip maker, the 5 times Superbowl Champions the San Francisco 49ers, Mission Santa Clara which was founded back in 1776, and the University of Santa Clara, the oldest institution for higher learning on the west coast.
We start out at one of Santa Clara's famous cafes, Jiaren Cafe.
Jiaren Cafe
Jiaren Cafe is a non-profit neighborhood cafe known for its unique drinks which include matcha, boba teas, local espressos & coffee, as well as fruit & herbal drinks. The owner also offers Latte Art Classes, so you can learn to make your own coffee masterpieces. As a proud supporter of female-owned businesses, Jiaren Cafe serves Ritual Coffee Roasters Coffee and sources products from other local female-owned businesses.
The cafe offers free WiFi for its patrons, a connected yoga studio space for deep relaxation and exercise, countertop tables and benches with easy access to outlets, and plenty of comfortable chairs and cushions, in addition to delicious and healthy drinks. Jiaren Cafe also offers a range of community activities, such as group and private lessons, as well as partnership fundraisers, in order to give back to the community, whether through donations or by providing a fun and educational experience.
If you are in Santa Clara, you have to stop by Jiaren Cafe.
Stop #1 - Old Quad Neighborhood
From Jiaren Cafe, we head over to the Old Quad neighborhood of Santa Clara which surrounds the downtown. The name "Old Quad" comes from the quadrangle shape of the ancient "Town of Santa Clara", as depicted in J. J. Bowen's initial town survey in 1866. The Old Quad is defined as the area bounded on the west by Scott Boulevard, the south and east by Newhall Street, and the north and east by train tracks. The City of Santa Clara does not recognize the Old Quad as a "historic district" at this time; yet, the area is full of historic buildings, landmarks, and stories about Santa Clara's beginnings.
This neighborhood features what is arguably the most famous home in all of Santa Clara, Morse Mansion. This large spectacular Queen Anne Victorian home was originally built in 1892, for Charles Copeland Morse, the “American Seed King” and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are a number of prominent homes built at the turn of the century with varying styles throughout the Old Quad neighborhood. If you are looking for a period home whether grand or more modest, Santa Clara’s Old Quad neighborhood will not disappoint.
Stop #2 - Carmelite Monastery
If you are driving south on Winchester Street you will eventually run it a large parcel of land with rose-colored walls and rod iron gates.
The Old Quad neighborhood is located near one of Santa Clara’s most unique and relatively unknown properties, the Carmelite Monastery. This monastery was originally built in 1917 as a permanent monastery for the community of Cloistered Discalced Carmelite nuns. This serene place is open to the public to walk through and feels like you’re stepping back in time. As you enter you will walk past the rose-colored walls and rod iron gates through a grove of olive trees past a small chapel.
It's a peaceful setting that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time, and it's a lovely spot for an afternoon or morning stroll. One fascinating detail about this site is that it was once a ranch held by Judge Hiram Graham Bond before becoming a monastery.
Interestingly enough, writer Jack Landon was one of the people who was a guest of Judge Bond’s ranch. This ranch, as well as Judge Bond's dog, inspired the start of London’s novel, “The Call of the Wild.”
Stop #3 - Santa Clara University
Located near the Old Quad neighborhood is the Santa Clara University campus, also known as “SCU” and formerly known as the “University of Santa Clara.” The University is one of the oldest on the entire west coast, originally established in 1851 it has evolved into a world-class center for learning and one of the top universities in the region.
Part of the campus is home to the Mission of Santa Clara, which dates back to the era of Spanish rule in 1777. This mission, which was founded by the Franciscan Order in 1777 as part of a chain of 21 Alta California Missions, was the only one of the 21 that the Franciscans gave up to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1851, making Santa Clara University the state's first school of higher education. Mission Santa Clara is still the spiritual and religious heart of the campus today. The Mission Church, which is part of SCU's Division of Mission and Ministry, continues to welcome faculty, employees, alums, and neighbors to worship alongside our student body.
Also on Campus is the De Saisset Museum which houses thousands of art pieces and local historical artifacts. Some of the pieces include works by Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso.
Stop #4 - Taplands
We finish our tour at the outside patio of Taplands, located in downtown Santa Clara in the Old Quad neighborhood near Santa Clara University. If you are a beer aficionado, you will love Taplands.
Taplands is a celebration of the California beer scene, with a concentration on Bay Area breweries and a preference for smaller, lesser-known, but nevertheless excellent brews. Their 25 taps change on a regular basis, so if you come in one day, their taps are likely to be pouring something different the next. They also serve their own beer, which is brewed right next to their custom-built bar.
Taplands serves a simple yet delectable meal designed to complement the beers on tap. The outdoor patio is one of the few in the neighborhood where you can sit and enjoy the lovely South Bay weather while sipping a nice beer.
In addition to brewing its own beer, it features 25 rotating craft cooler-stocked beers with unique craft beers you won’t find anywhere else. It's a great place to meet friends, hang out on a nice sunny day and enjoy a nice snack, and treat your palette to some of the best beers around.
Conclusion
As you can see, there's a lot going on in Santa Clara's southeast zone. From enjoying a delicious drink at Jiaren's Cafe to strolling through the Old Quad neighborhood and admiring the historic homes, to strolling through the peaceful Carmelite Monastery, to admiring the beautiful Santa Clara University and enjoying a nice beer with friends at Taplands, this area of Santa Clara has a lot to offer.
Make sure to watch this episode of 95050 with American Dreams TV on our YouTube channel, or watch the video here.
Next time, join us on American Dream TV for a tour of the north side of Santa Clara, 95054, which will include a look at one of the NFL's newest stadiums, and a look at what the future holds for Santa Clara.
If you are considering a move to Santa Clara or anywhere in Santa Clara County, I would love to be a great resource for you and help you learn more about the area.
To contact me, you can call me directly or send me a message.
Vinicius Brasil - The Brasil Group

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