Our SOMOS Mayfair team shared what they love about our beautiful East San José community! We are deeply rooted in the Mayfair neighborhood - a vibrant and historical neighborhood that has a huge legacy of social services, community organizing, and social justice movements. Mayfair was home to the renowned labor leader Cesar Chavez and a birthplace for the Mexican-American civil rights movement. Today, the Mayfair neighborhood is a working class, cultural hub drawing first- and second-generation immigrants from Latin American and Asian countries. Mayfair is both a community of transitions and new beginnings, where immigrants come and families settle to pursue their dreams. The majority of our team lives in East San José and we are spreading the word about the rich history and culture that exists here.

Here are some of our team’s favorite spots (in no particular order):

1. Mexican Heritage Plaza

Address: 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116

When Brenda Martinez Salcedo (Marketing & Communications Coordinator), first moved to East San Jose, she wanted to find a place that connected with her culture and the first place she felt connected to was the Mexican Heritage Plaza. One of her favorite memories was when she took Beginner Adult folklorico classes a couple years ago with the Lupeños de San Jose and she enjoyed learning about the different regions in Mexico. To this day, she loves attending cultural events at the Plaza.

Maria Urquiza (Leadership Development Coordinator) shared, "We have celebrated SOMOS at the Plaza for our annual Gracias a la Vida event. I have so many great memories of people who are still here and others who transitioned but gave so much to SOMOS."

“My most recent and favorite one in the last couple of years though is the Mexican Heritage Plaza (SOAC) because I am creating new and wonderful memories with my daughter she took their "baila y canta" class and loved it but most importantly because every year they have a Dia de Los Muertos ceremony where there are Aztec dancers and vendor selling artesanias. It is tradition for me and my daughter now to go every year I use to do it with my mom and now I am able to do it with my daughter and show her our culture, she loves watching the dancers.” - Maria Ortiz, Finance Coordinator.

2. Jalisco Taqueria

Address: 401 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116

Ismerai's (Front Desk Receptionist) favorite East Side spot is Jalisco's! She shares, "I love, love, LOVE their burritos de Al Pastor. No other place makes them like Jalisco's."

3. Emma Prusch Park

Address: 647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116

One of Jessica Trejo’s (SOMOS FRC Family Advocate) favorite East Side spots is Emma Prusch Park because she remembers when her children were toddlers and she would take them to run around with the chickens.

“My 90 year old mom and I visited this place and walked together. When there is an opportunity, my mother holds the chickens and enjoys seeing the animals.” - Angelica Lujano, Learning & Leadership Development Manager

4. Lake Cunningham Regional Park

Address: 2305 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148

"One of my favorite spots to relax, listen to the water, or go biking is Lake Cunningham Park. My dogs love chasing the geese and squirrels! This place is near and dear to my heart, it's where I first learned to ride a bike as a child, and every Easter I looked forward to going egg hunting thinking the geese were laying the eggs haha." -Esmeralda Yepez-Espinoza, Operations Coordinator.

5. Tropicana Shopping Center

Address: La Placita Tropicana, San Jose, CA 95122

“From the grocery store to La Placita. You can eat some delicious food and buy just about anything you need. Tropicana is the spot! Born and Raised in ESSJ, that grocery store has been a staple in the community my entire life. “ - Juan Angel Lujano, EMPUJE Coordinator.

Omar Salazar, SOMOS Mayfair Family Advocate, spent much of his childhood weekends shopping at the Tropicana with his dad to get some carnitas and tortillas. He shares, "eating tacos on the hood of my family’s car was something that I hold dearly in my memories."

6. Veggielution

Jessica Trejo, FRC Family Advocate, enjoys attending Veggielution's first Saturday which is full of activities for the family including a cooking class.

7. OLD MACSA Building

This spot is currently closed. Address: 600 Sinclair Dr, San Jose, CA 95116

Victor Vasquez, Co-Executive Director, shared that his favorite Eastside memory is the MACSA building. He shares, "Despite how it looks now, my favorite place is the OLD MACSA building. This building is testament of the power of Chican@ community organizing and of people having a vision of the alternative solutions they need for their community. MACSA is a testament of Community self-determination and out of MACSA, hundreds of leaders have emerged in Santa Clara County. The seeds of what became SOMOS Mayfair also started in the offices of the MACSA building."

8. Peter’s BakerY

Address: 3108 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127

Janelle Garcia, ParentChild+ Home Visitor, shared that her favorite Eastside spot is Peter's Bakery because her family has bought the burnt almond cake for many years. It's a special dessert that has become a tradition and a reminder of East San José.

9. Alum Rock Park

Address: 15350 Penitencia Creek Rd, San Jose, CA 95127

“My favorite East Side spot is Alum Rock Park. From the road that takes you there to the park itself. It brings beautiful memories of going on walks with my siblings, hiking, exploring nature and seeing Deers hidden through the trees. As a little girl I was fascinated by animals and bugs, you can just imagine how much I loved outdoors. I hold those memories close to my heart.” - Brenda Garcia, Painter FRC Program Supervisor

10. SOMOS Mayfair

SOMOS Mayfair’s current headquarters is located at 1695 Alum Rock Ave, Suite 10, San José, CA 95116. Our Family Resource Centers are located at Chavez Elementary (2000 Kammerer Ave, Room 20, San José, CA 95116) and at Painter Elementary (500 Rough & Ready, Room 10, San José, CA 95133).

“My favorite place on the Eastside is the former SOMOS HQ. This place holds so many heartfelt memories that have shaped me: I’ve seen transformation and been transformed myself here. From painting protest signs in the parking lot, to gathering at colleagues’ desks to think through new campaigns, to the many potlucks, bridal showers, graduations, baby showers, costume parties, heartaches & farewells…….our old HQ is really special to me. I look forward to building new memories and welcoming more people in to the same love at Quetzal Gardens!” - Chelsey Prewitt, Marketing & Communications Manager.

We hope you check out these spots and enjoy! Meet the rest of our staff and learn more at somosmayfair.org/our-team and follow us @somosmayfair on social media to stay up-to-date on what is happening in East San José.

SOMOS Blog

10 East San José Spots to Visit