Thoughts on 5 mile region to the west of the Diridon station? (Santa Clara: transfer, live)

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by syborg

Sonarrat, just so this newb doesnt freak out about anything, the Caltrain does have the baby bullet express to PA right? You are only asking about VTA, which is the "light rail?" Im guessing this is another train service that stops at Diridon as well? Thanks

I was thinking of the express bus to Palo Alto. If you're talking about the train only then you're certainly on the right track.

[Jarkatmu]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

I was thinking of the express bus to Palo Alto. If you're talking about the train only then you're certainly on the right track.

Sorry to confuse everyone; Let me clarify a few things.

Caltrain is the regional rail/commuter train service that operates between San Jose and San Francisco. They do have the express train or baby bullet which will get you to Palo Alto from San Jose Diridon in 20 minutes.

VTA is the local transit provider in Santa Clara county and they operate bus and light rail services county wide. Light rail is different from Caltrain; it has more stops, operates in city streets, and is better for shorter distances. The Mountain View-Winchester light rail line connects with Caltrain at the San Jose Diridon station.

The express bus I was referring to is VTA's line 522, which is really a limited stop service instead of an express service that travels along El Camino Real between San Jose and Palo Alto. It's a good backup to Caltrain if Caltrain has issues. VTA operates express bus services that travel on the freeway during commute hours only, but sonarrat's right; there's no freeway express bus service between Palo Alto and San Jose.

[syborg]

Thanks again for the great info

[511pf]

Be aware that Whole Foods has been promising that store for a good five years. It would really add to the neighborhood, but I wouldn't count on it just yet. The condos/townhomes right near Diridon don't come up for rental all that often. It may also be possible to rent from an owner at Plant 51.

Not sure when you're moving or what your budget is, but this two bedroom duplex for $1,800 is a pretty good deal: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2822135806.html (broken link). One bedrooms at the Avalon apartments next to Diridon are going for $2,000, which is *nuts*. These same apartments were available for below $1,600 in summer 2010.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Jarkatmu

Yes. The pedestrian tunnel that links the main station building on the east side of the tracks to the platforms extends to the light rail station near the townhomes and plant 51 so there's no problem accessing the station from the west side of the tracks.

Here's some info on transit oriented living in that area:

If your employer doesn't provide a transit pass, consider buying a Caltrain monthly pass as it will also give you unlimited rides on VTA, which is the local bus and light rail transit provider in your neighborhood and greater Santa Clara County. You'll need to get a Clipper Card, which is an electronic smart card to purchase a monthly pass. Another transit note: Caltrain is generally reliable, but it melts down every once and a while due to suicides (people jump in front of the train) and train mechanical problems, but lucky for you VTA runs a bus route from Palo Alto Caltrain, down El Camino and The Alameda which is a good, albiet slow, alternative if Caltrain has issues. Follow @caltrain on twitter for crowdsourced information on train delays and issues.

If you ever take the bus to or from Palo Alto, try and take the 522, which is a limited stop version of line 22. 522 runs every 15 minutes until 7PM or so and it stops at the Alameda and Race. The 22 runs every 12 minutes all day long with limited 24 hour service in the early morning. Line 22 is a convenient way to get to downtown San Jose because of its frequency. Just show up at a stop and a bus will probably be along shortly. It's good for traveling short distances to downtown.

Day to day needs: There's a mega sized Safeway on the corner of San Carlos and Race, which is pretty convenient. Depending on how your train home meshes with the line 63 schedule, you could hop on line 63 at Diridon station, which will take you to the Safeway, do your shopping and walk home. Not bad. Additionally, sometime soon Whole foods will start construction on their latest branch across the street from Diridon station. There's a Walgreens downtown on the corner of 1st and Santa Clara.

Finally, if you're itching for a different neighborhood to experience outside of Downtown SJ, the Alamdea, and Palo Alto, consider hopping light rail to Downtown Campbell. It's a 10 minute ride, and the area has a nice mix of small shops, restaurants, etc.

Excellent post. I'd add just one thing. There's a closer drugstor than the one at 1st & Santa Clara. There's one right across the street on the Alameda within walking distance.

[RebekahOwen]

The little strip of homes between Stockton and the Alameda is kinda funky and the homes right around the train station are older victorians all in varying states of updating. I like the Cahill Park condos behind bluefin sushi - even though they look like stacked railroad cars. The Alameda turns into West Santa Clara if you want to head downtown or to the arena and yes, one day, there will be a whole foods on the corner of Stockton and the Alameda.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by 511pf

Be aware that Whole Foods has been promising that store for a good five years.

Good point. That sign has been there FOREVER and they still haven't started construction.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Good point. That sign has been there FOREVER and they still haven't started construction.

Known locally as a ruse to fill the Plant 51 units when they opened.

Question is: What will happen to the value of those when construction starts on the A's stadium? Might be a noisy/dusty/congested place for a while.

[syborg]

bummer on the whole foods, nice trick though! What would be the best route to San Jose Airport from Diridon?

[511pf]

Originally Posted by syborg

bummer on the whole foods, nice trick though! What would be the best route to San Jose Airport from Diridon?

I belive you can still take Caltrain to the Santa Clara station and catch an airport shuttle from there, or light rail to the Metro Airport station and catch an airport shuttle from there. I don't have the info right in front of me, but I believe the light rail route requires a train change. The airport shuttle is free.

It's less than a 10 minute drive if you have someone to drop you off/pick you up.