The City of San Jose announced on April 17 that the Viva CalleSJ program will hold its “Eastside Quest” open streets event on Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event invites residents and visitors to walk, bike, skate, and participate in non-motorized activities along temporarily closed streets forming a goalpost-shaped route on White Road and Alum Rock Avenue.
The program aims to connect neighborhoods while promoting active transportation and local economic activity. According to the city, participants can explore local art, culture, music, and family-friendly activities through interactive “side quests” at various hubs including Mexican Heritage Plaza, Alum Rock Village, Cimarron Park, and Fernish Park.
This event marks the start of a three-part series for 2026. Additional events are scheduled for June 14 and September 13 with each focusing on different areas of San Jose. For more than ten years Viva CalleSJ has brought communities together by providing equitable access to public space. A recent study by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University found that the September 2025 event attracted about 150,000 people; approximately two-thirds spent an average of $53.67 per person during their visit.
The City of San Jose promotes cultural diversity through initiatives like the Japanese Friendship Garden and Mexican Heritage Plaza as noted on the historical context page. The city also maintains historical sites such as the San Jose Historical Museum in Kelley Park featuring relocated buildings and collections according to its historical context page.
San Jose is led by a mayor elected at large with an eleven-member council representing specific districts according to its official charter. The city features unique replicas such as statehouses built in both 1899 and again in 1949 as documented historically, serves neighborhoods throughout Santa Clara Valley according to its historical records, and strives to deliver quality services while fostering a vibrant community for all residents as stated in its mission.
These outcomes demonstrate what organizers say is ongoing success: “These outcomes demonstrate the program’s continued success in connecting neighborhoods and creating equitable access to public space.”