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Milpitas lies at the southeastern tip of San Francisco Bay, between the bay marshes and the foothills of the Diablo Range, at the northern edge of San Jose. Its name means little cornfields in Spanish, from the Mexican land grant Rancho Milpitas of the 1830s. The town grew as a farming crossroads on the road between San Jose and Oakland, and it was incorporated in 1954.
The Ford Motor Company opened a large assembly plant here in 1955, and Milpitas grew quickly. Today it is part of Silicon Valley, home to many technology companies, and its diverse community gives it a wide range of Asian food, especially along the busy shopping centers near Interstate 880.
The historic Alviso Adobe, built in the 1830s, is one of the oldest buildings in Santa Clara County, and the Milpitas library sits in a restored historic school. In the hills above the city, Ed R. Levin County Park offers a lake, trails and wide views over the valley.
The Jose Maria Alviso Adobe, built in the 1830s, is one of the oldest adobe homes in California still standing in its original form, now restored as a city park and museum in Milpitas. Exhibits cover rancho life and later farming families. Grounds open daily, while the house opens on scheduled days, so check before visiting.
Higuera Adobe Park protects the remains of a mid-1800s adobe house of the Higuera family, early rancho owners in the area, set in a pleasant park with lawns, picnic areas and a playground in the Milpitas foothills. Interpretive signs explain the family history. It is a quiet stop for a picnic and a short history lesson.
The Milpitas Library is a large modern public library of the Santa Clara County system, on North Main Street, with bright reading rooms, a children's area, study spaces and community programs. It hosts story times, talks and cultural events. Visitors can use the reading areas freely, and it sits in the walkable Main Street area.
The Great Mall in Milpitas is the largest outlet and value mall in Northern California, built inside a former Ford assembly plant, with around 200 stores, a food court and a cinema in a long racetrack-style layout. Wear comfortable shoes for the long loop, and use the nearby light rail and BART stations to avoid parking.
McCarthy Ranch Marketplace is a large outdoor shopping center on the west side of Milpitas near Interstate 880, with big-box stores, chain restaurants and services. It is practical for supplies and meals when visiting the area. Parking is free and easy, and it is a short drive from the Great Mall.
Milpitas Square is a busy Asian shopping and dining center with a large supermarket, bakeries, bubble tea shops and many restaurants serving Taiwanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and other cuisines. It reflects the city's large Asian community. Go hungry and try several snack shops, and expect a full parking lot at weekend lunchtime.
Ed R. Levin County Park covers grassy hills on the east side of Milpitas, with Sandy Wool Lake, picnic areas, a dog park, horse trails and a launch site for hang gliders. Trails climb to sweeping views of the South Bay. A vehicle entry fee is charged, and the hills are hot in summer, so start early.
The Monument Peak Trail climbs steeply from Ed R. Levin County Park to the summit of Monument Peak, about 2,600 feet high, with views across the whole South Bay and on clear days to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The round trip is long and strenuous. Carry plenty of water, start early and expect windy conditions near the top.
Sandy Wool Lake is a small lake in Ed R. Levin County Park, popular for fishing from the shore, picnics and easy walks on the path around it, with ducks and geese at the water. Hang gliders often land on the hillsides nearby. Fishing requires a California license, and the lake is a calm place to relax at sunset.
Spring Valley Golf Course is an 18-hole public course in the Milpitas foothills, with tree-lined fairways and views over the valley. It has a driving range, a pro shop and a restaurant. It is popular with local players, so book tee times ahead, especially for weekend mornings.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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