Almaden Valley
Avil Soleiman is a licensed real estate broker (DRE #01968159) and the broker-owner of Avil Soleiman Brokerage, located at 1900 Camden Ave, Suite 101, San Jose, CA 95124. He helps people buy and sell homes in Almaden Valley, the southwest San Jose neighborhood in ZIP code 95120, and throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. You can reach Avil at 408-807-5657 or home@avilsoleiman.com, and his clients have given him 5.0 stars from 52 reviews on Zillow (as of September 2026).
How Avil works with Almaden Valley buyers and sellers
Almaden Valley is one of the San Jose neighborhoods Avil serves, and his office sits on Camden Avenue, the same road that runs south into the valley past the Almaden Branch Library and Leland High School. The details that shape daily life here (school district, hillside conditions, HOA rules, the age and condition of the home) can change from one street to the next. For buyers, Avil provides practical guidance through showings, offer strategy, inspections and negotiation. For sellers, he helps prepare the home, price it using recent nearby sales, and market it on its real strengths, communicating consistently from preparation through closing.
Living in Almaden Valley
Where Almaden Valley is (95120)
Almaden Valley sits in South San Jose between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Santa Teresa Hills to the east, and it borders the town of Los Gatos. The neighborhood covers ZIP code 95120, which takes in named areas such as Almaden Country Club, Almaden Hills Estates, Almaden Meadows, Calero, Graystone, New Almaden and Pfeiffer Ranch. Almaden Expressway is the main road through the valley, connecting to Highway 85 and Highway 87, and Blossom Hill Road also crosses the area.
From quicksilver mines to neighborhoods
The valley takes its name from Almadén, the historic mercury-mining town in Spain. Quicksilver (mercury) was identified at New Almaden in 1845, and the New Almaden mines operated until 1975. Santa Clara County then bought the land around the mines and opened Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Mining history still shows up in the neighborhood today, in street names such as Silver Lode Lane and Silver Mine Drive and in the historic district around the Casa Grande in New Almaden.
Homes in Almaden Valley
Almaden Valley is primarily residential, with single-family neighborhoods on the valley floor and homes climbing into the foothills toward the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Teresa Hills. When comparing Almaden Valley homes for sale, check whether a home belongs to a homeowners association and, if it does, review the dues, rules and reserves early. For homes in the hills, slope, drainage and wildfire disclosures deserve as much attention as the floor plan.
Almaden Valley parks and landmarks
Open space is one of the main reasons buyers look at Almaden Valley. Highlights include:
- Almaden Quicksilver County Park: 4,163 acres covering most of Capitancillos Ridge, with more than 37 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and biking. The main entrance is at 21785 Almaden Road.
- Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum: housed in the Casa Grande, built in 1854, at 21350 Almaden Road in New Almaden, with exhibits on the mines and the families who lived there.
- Almaden Lake Park: a City of San José park at Almaden Expressway and Coleman Road. The Lake Almaden Trail circles the lake and links to the Los Alamitos Creek Trail to the south and the Guadalupe River Trail to the north.
- Calero County Park: on McKean Road, with Calero Reservoir for permitted boating and fishing and backcountry trails for hikers and equestrians.
- Almaden Branch Library: part of the San José Public Library, at 6445 Camden Avenue.
Almaden Valley schools
Most of Almaden Valley is in San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD), but not all of it, and school assignment follows the exact address rather than the neighborhood name. As a general guide:
- San Jose Unified School District: high schools include Leland High School on Camden Avenue and Pioneer High School on Blossom Hill Road, middle schools include Bret Harte and Castillero, and elementary schools include Almaden, Graystone, Los Alamitos, Simonds and Williams.
- Union School District and Campbell Union High School District: some Almaden Valley addresses are in Union School District for K–8, which runs Guadalupe Elementary on Vera Cruz Drive in 95120, and in Campbell Union High School District (including Leigh High School) for high school.
Always confirm school boundaries with the district before making an offer; SJUSD, Union School District and Campbell Union High School District each offer an online school finder or boundary lookup.
Buying a home in Almaden Valley
Many Almaden Valley homes back up to hillsides or open space, so read the Natural Hazard Disclosure for wildfire hazard zones, ask about defensible space, and get homeowners insurance quotes early in escrow rather than after you remove contingencies. Check city permit records for additions, pools and converted garages, and confirm the jurisdiction for any hillside or rural parcel before planning changes. For commuting, Almaden Expressway and Highway 85 are the main routes; VTA’s Almaden light rail shuttle ended in 2019 and was replaced by bus service, so the closest light rail stop for much of the valley is Ohlone/Chynoweth on the Blue Line. After closing, the Santa Clara County Assessor reassesses the property and the county sends a supplemental property tax bill, which is generally not paid through a mortgage impound account, so plan for it. If you are just starting out, Avil’s page on deciding to buy walks through the first steps.
Selling in Almaden Valley: home value and Prop 19
Online estimates are a starting point, but Almaden Valley values can shift from one street to the next based on school district, lot size, views, slope, HOA and condition. Two homes a block apart can sit in different school districts, so pricing should be based on truly comparable nearby sales. Sellers who are 55 or older may also want to look at Proposition 19, which can let eligible homeowners transfer their property tax base to a replacement home anywhere in California. For a valuation based on recent nearby sales, request a home valuation or call Avil at 408-807-5657.
Almaden Valley real estate FAQ
Is Almaden Valley part of San Jose?
Yes. Almaden Valley is a neighborhood of San Jose in ZIP code 95120, not a separate city, and it borders the town of Los Gatos. Several of its best-known parks, including Almaden Quicksilver and Calero, are Santa Clara County parks. If you are looking at a hillside or rural parcel, confirm which agency handles permits for that specific address.
What ZIP code is Almaden Valley?
Almaden Valley is ZIP code 95120, which includes areas such as Almaden Country Club, Almaden Meadows, Calero, Graystone, New Almaden and Pfeiffer Ranch. Nearby Cambrian and Blossom Valley use different ZIP codes, so check the specific address when you search.
Which schools serve Almaden Valley?
Most of Almaden Valley is in San Jose Unified School District, whose schools include Leland High School, Pioneer High School, and Bret Harte and Castillero middle schools. Some addresses are in Union School District for K–8 and Campbell Union High School District, including Leigh High School, for high school. Use each district’s lookup tool and confirm with the district before making an offer.
What should I check before buying a hillside home in Almaden Valley?
Read the Natural Hazard Disclosure for wildfire hazard zones, ask about defensible space, and request homeowners insurance quotes early. Have inspectors look at drainage, retaining walls and the slope around the house, and check permit records for any additions. If the home is in a homeowners association, review the dues, rules and reserves as well.
How much is my Almaden Valley home worth?
The most reliable estimate comes from a comparative market analysis of recent nearby sales, adjusted for your home’s size, condition, lot, views, school district, HOA and any ADU. Online estimates are a starting point but often miss those details. You can request a valuation on the What Is My Home Worth page at avilsoleiman.com or call Avil Soleiman at 408-807-5657.
How do I find a trusted Almaden Valley realtor?
Start by checking the agent’s license on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website, then read reviews on more than one platform, such as Google and Zillow. Ask about recent transactions in the neighborhoods you are considering, how the agent communicates, and who handles each step of the process. Avil Soleiman is the broker-owner of Avil Soleiman Brokerage in San Jose (DRE #01968159), has 5.0 stars from 52 reviews on Zillow (as of September 2026), and can be reached at 408-807-5657.
Avil also helps buyers and sellers across San Jose and in nearby Los Gatos, Campbell and Morgan Hill. Whether you are buying your first home, moving within the area or preparing to sell, call Avil Soleiman at 408-807-5657 or email home@avilsoleiman.com. DRE #01968159.