According to WalletHub, San Jose is among the top ten happiest cities in the United States in 2021. While they did a study and have data to support this, I can tell you my own reasoning why it should make the list. Everything seems somehow brighter and more vibrant here. The sky is a little bluer, the trees a little greener, and the air a little sweeter. Even though it is a huge city, there is also a peaceful sense of community and small town friendliness. It just exudes some kind of invisible harmonious energy. While visiting the Municipal Rose Garden this past week, I stumbled upon another reason San Jose qualifies for this list. San Jose’s stunning variety of storybook homes! It was a beautiful bit of serendipity, and indeed I felt truly, deeply happy.

I have become a hopeless addict of these magical cottages, ever since I moved to the Monterey Bay area and discovered the Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Storybook homes became very popular during the 1920s, especially here in California. Those steeply pitched gables, oddly shaped windows and doors, and crooked little stone chimneys just speak to me. Imagine my delight when I turned on a side street near the rose garden and unexpectedly hit the bonanza!

The majority were on McDaniel and Emery, near the rose garden. I also discovered more of these captivating cottages on Calaveras and Shasta. I was in storybook heaven! It was like stepping into a fairy tale.

I love the quirky tower and the texture of the stones framing the door.  The little fence carries over the natural stone theme.

This looks like it is straight out of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.    

The storybook homes here just feel so cozy.  

A rose canopy on the front window of this house is simply enchanting.

This house directly faces the Municipal Rose Garden.

I love how the little cut out window on the left mirrors the big picture window.

Surrounded by bird of paradise flowers, this home features whimsical windows and randomly placed bricks near the entryway.

I saved the best for last! I love the quaint stone chimney, little dormer window, and curving pathway of this charming cottage. Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoyed the magical storybook homes of San Jose. They help us believe in a world where fairy tales still exist. And a place where everyone lives happily ever after. And finding happiness in all the little things is what life is all about. You may also enjoy 12 Storybook Cottages to Enchant You! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!