Life In The Rose Garden | Perspective From A Local

What do you like best about it? The location is wonderful and the architecture is fabulous! Many of the homes are crafted with amazing stonework and historic design. It’s also an incredibly safe neighborhood. At any time of day you can walk down tree-lined streets and revel in the beauty of this neighborhood. Plus, hip vintage boutiques dot the nearby Alameda strip, while dining spans informal eateries, global restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.

How has the neighborhood changed recently?  Many of the smaller, cottage-style homes have been renovated or removed and transformed into larger single family homes. Though there are still quite a few centuries-old homes.

What’s the transportation scene like? Nearby is Diridon station, a reliable bus route, and light rail system. I’d say public transportation is fine for commuting to work, but with kids, I would rely pretty heavily on a car to get around.

Tell us something we don’t know about the neighborhood: In the 20’s, the Municipal Rose Garden, from which the neighborhood received its name, was a pear and prune orchard.

Favorite Restaurant? The neighborhood itself mostly consists of residential living, but right down the street on the Alameda is the fantastic LUNA. A prime example of a restaurant living up to its hype, LUNA offers innovative, fresh, authentic, and absolutely delicious Mexican food made with ingredients from sustainable farms. The service is impeccable, margaritas are tasty, parrillada will keep you coming back for more, and there plenty of Vegan/Vegetarian options as well.

Nearest grocery store (and why you like it)? Zanotto’s. On top of their wide variety of produce, which is often locally sourced. I absolutely love that they offer Marianne’s ice cream and Gizdich pies from Santa Cruz. The staff are also incredibly friendly and knowledgeable as well, so it’s pretty hard not to buy up the whole store!

Good for kids? Absolutely! The neighborhood is serene, friendly, and the schools are top notch.

Best place to get brunch? Bill’s Cafe. Get there early because this place is packed around 9 am, but the wait is always worth it! I like to order their fresh squeezed orange juice and Hawaiian pancakes, they’re loaded with bananas and macadamia nuts.

Best park? The Municipal Rose Garden of course! It’s the perfect spot to stop for a picnic on a sunny day.

Beloved neighborhood joints? The Rosicrucian Museum is a wonderful place to bring your friends and family. It’s architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak and houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America. The docents are very knowledgeable and the tomb replica is always a hit!

Favorite family friendly activity nearby? The Greek Festival is  a wonderful experience for the whole family. There are vendors selling delicious foods, belly dancing, and live traditional music. If you go, you have to get the loukoumades. They’re little fried dough balls of fluffy deliciousness covered in honey and dusted with nuts and cinnamon.

Where are the best places to experience the outdoors?  The Heritage Rose Garden is 5 ½ acres and features more than 3,000 rose shrubs. You can sign up for a docent-led tour, adopt a rose, or take pruning lessons there.

Are the stereotypes true? Yes, the Rose Garden is the picturesque site that is in every high school prom and proposal photo.