Located in the geographic heart of the City, Downtown is the City's most unique commercial center and arguably contributes more to the City's identity than any other district.

Location
Downtown includes the oldest commercial and residential areas of the City, which includes the Grand Avenue Commercial District and adjoining residential areas, extending from South Linden Avenue in the east to Chestnut Avenue in the west. Downtown also extends northward in roughly a quarter-mile width along South Linden Avenue to Hillside Boulevard. The area within a half-mile radius of the South Linden Avenue / Grand Avenue intersection, a small portion of which is in Lindenville, supports more than 8,500 jobs (20% of the City total) and 15% of the City's residents.

While the tallest building in Downtown is four stories in height, the majority of buildings, including those along Grand Avenue, are one to two stories tall. Almost all non-residential uses are built to the street. Older commercial buildings have side-parking, permitting a portion of the site to be built to the street. Stores in Downtown generally serve the adjacent residential neighborhoods, although some restaurants have a Citywide draw.

A wide range of housing types, from single-family detached residences to three-story apartment buildings with tuck-under parking, are represented. A handful of apartment buildings with three occupied floors also exist in the northern part of the area. Due to the small lot sizes, there had been little residential redevelopment activity until very recently.

Downtown is well connected to the residential neighborhoods to the west and north, and U.S. 101 and the Caltrain tracks to the east.

For additional information, please call (650) 829-6620.