Homes for Sale in Sunnyhills Milpitas, CA

Sunnyhills is one of the older and more established neighborhoods in Milpitas. Its rich history is closely linked to the opening of the Ford Motor Company plant in Milpitas back in 1953. This ushered in a transformational change to the area bringing about new housing and retail development to what used to be hay fields, walnut trees and barren land. In particular, Ford’s move brought about tracts of housing to be built in the Sunnyhills neighborhood to accommodate its workers. Ford’s workforce diversity was instrumental in making Sunnyhills one of the most racially integrated and progressive communities. Today with the Ford plant long since gone (where the Great Mall now stands), its pioneering legacy lingers. This groundbreaking integration remains a driving positive influence in Sunnyhills’ present day civic-minded and welcoming community, represented by an active neighborhood association.    

Sunnyhills’ eastern edge is bounded by I-680 (Sinclair Highway) and its western edge by the Northern Milpitas Boulevard. Its northern boundary starts at Dixon Road off of Sinclair, dipping into Conway & Roger Streets before resuming on Washington Drive, while its southern boundary runs the length of Jacklin Road.

Its proximity to the I-680 makes for easy connections to the larger Silicon Valley.

LAYOUT & NEIGHBORHOOD

Located on Sunnyhills’ northeastern part is Albert Augustine Jr Memorial Park, a 6-acre park with playgrounds, a separate play area for toddlers, picnic tables and grilling facilities. An open grass area leaves plenty of room for field games and surrounding trees make for peaceful relaxation. There are walking and jogging trails for fitness enthusiasts as well.  It should be noted that Albert Augustine Jr was a leader of the African-American community in the Sunnyhills neighborhood and worked at the Ford Automobile Plant and served on City commissions including the parks and was a tireless advocate for Sunnyhills. 

On the southeastern part of the neighborhood, off of Escuela Parkway and Sandal Court is Sandalwood Park,  a smaller neighborhood park with play equipment and picnic tables & facilities

 Sunnyhills housing inventory mainly consists of single-family homes in one or two-story configurations. There are apartment complexes closer to Northern Milpitas Boulevard.  It’s an established neighborhood with private yards and 1 or 2-car attached garages. A lot of original owners still live out here with some beginning to sell their property.  You will find that listings may feature renovated homes or come ‘as-is’ requiring some updating.

Single-family homes come in variety of sizes – you could find anywhere from 3 to 6 bedrooms with minimum of 2 bathrooms – each designed for comfort and convenience.  Some properties have been updated with pleasing aesthetics like paver driveways, hardwood floors, brand new kitchens and high grade cabinetries. Some properties have invested in future-proofing their homes with updated copper pipes, new roofs, or solar system with a full backup battery as well as electric vehicle chargers in the garage. 

Great schools tend to be an influencing factor for putting down roots and Sunnyhills has plenty to offer.  What makes Sunnyhills very appealing to families is having three highly-rated schools right on its premises within walking distance. Marshall Pomeroy Elementary School is recognized as one of US News Best Elementary Schools. Thomas Russell Middle School is a recipient of US News Best Middle School Award surpassing expectations in math & reading proficiency. There’s also Milpitas High School (MHS) a consistent award-winning school ranked by US News Best High Schools.  The agency’s ranking takes into account scores in proficiency tests, college-readiness, and breadth of curriculum and graduation rates.  MHS is one of 22 school districts recognized by the College Board for achieving success in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Not only do students shine in academics but they’re also successful in athletics (go Trojans!) winning in badminton, swimming, baseball, track & field to name a few.

Sunnyhills is also near private schools/institutions to give families more options.

AMENITIES & LOCAL HOTSPOTS

On the northwestern tip of Sunnyhills along the North Milpitas Boulevard is City Square Center, a convenient one-stop stop anchored by an Asian supermarket (Lion Food Center) and features  a mix of retail & service shops (bakeries, salons, tea shops) and restaurants. Towards Jacklin Road is Smart & Final Extra! a warehouse grocery chain that comes in handy for buying bulk for picnics, parties and large gatherings.    

Sunnyhills may be a small neighborhood but it’s got some local dining spots with a loyal following: 

• Taqueria Las Vegas on North Milpitas Boulevard has been serving some of the best Mexican fare in the area. Fans rave about their fresh tacos, unlimited chips & salsa bar as well as their warm and friendly service.
• Taiwan Porridge is a go-to destination for authentic Taiwanese comfort food. It may be a no-frills, pick-dishes-yourself type of dining but it more than makes it up with the sheer variety & wonderful flavors of its menu.
• Be prepared to take a culinary journey at Vande Bharat on Dixon Road: customers give glowing reviews about their curries, biryani, vada, thali and so much more. With flavorful foods served in a cozy setting, it is certainly succeeding in its mission to let folks ‘Discover India on a Plate’.
• For casual Cantonese dim sum, head out to Yin Ji Chang Fen and get your fill of tasty dumplings, rice noodle rolls and their crowd pleaser: congee that comes plain or with a variety of surprising toppings.
• Kalesa is a mainstay for Filipinos and foodies alike – from adobo, sisig to pinakbet & much more – it’s home cooking in an elevated atmosphere. Be sure to come in hungry and make room for the quintessential halo-halo dessert!
• If you’re craving for some Korean food, Lucky Soul Diner/Jeonju has your number. Diners rave about their galbijim, bibimbap and onion/shrimp pancakes. Some loyal customers would even drive long distances to dine here. The restaurant is certainly doing right by operating not just a restaurant “but hub of culinary creativity and family gathering”.      

Debbie Indihar Giordano is a long-time Milpitas resident having lived in its various neighborhoods and has intimate knowledge of the area. Milpitas is a much-sought after real estate market for its livability and accessibility. Let Debbie’s extensive knowledge and insider’s perspective guide you to the home that best fits you. Don’t miss out on opportunities in this fast-changing & dynamic market – give her a call and get her on your side!