Atlas of San Jose

The Atlas of San Jose is a living, gallery-first guide to the places that give our city its character — its landmarks and neighborhoods, its legacy businesses, and the everyday buildings that carry San Jose’s remarkably diverse architectural and cultural heritage.

Created by the Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ), the Atlas gathers these places into chapters you can explore by photograph, map, and story. Some chapters trace the city’s official landmarks; others celebrate long-standing legacy businesses or distinctive design traditions like the South Bay’s mid-century breeze blocks. Each one is an invitation to look more closely at the city around you — and to help protect what makes it worth preserving.

Start exploring the chapters below.