Geography Milpitas, California

the southeastern foothills of milpitas

milpitas located @ 37°26′5″n 121°53′42″w / 37.43472°n 121.89500°w / 37.43472; -121.89500 (37.434586, -121.895059). milpitas lies in northeastern corner of santa clara valley, south of san francisco. milpitas considered san jose suburb in south bay, term used denote southern part of san francisco bay area.

according united states census bureau, city has total area of 13.6 sq mi (35.3 km). 13.6 sq mi (35.2 km) of land , 0.050 sq mi (0.13 km) of (0.36%) water.

the median elevation of milpitas 19 feet (6 m). @ piedmont road, evans road, , north park victoria avenue, elevation 100 feet (30 m), while western area @ sea level. highest point in milpitas 1,289-foot (393 m) peak in southeastern foothills.

to east of milpitas range of high foothills , mountains, part of diablo range runs along east side of san francisco bay. monument peak, prominent summit in eastern milpitas hills, 1 of oldest , well-known symbols of milpitas. has broadcasting antenna provides several television channels san francisco bay area.

although not within milpitas city limits, monument peak, calaveras reservoir, arroyo hondo, laguna valley, , surrounding region culturally , historically considered part of milpitas. (loomis, patricia - milpitas: century of little cornfields) many portuguese farmers azores have settled there, including coelho, covo, mattos, serpa, , silva families. nicknamed longtime milpitans hill people. these azorean families still own undeveloped lands in milpitas foothills, such silvas living on old calaveras road. southeasternmost hills belong city of milpitas, leases lands cattle livestock companies.

there many creeks in milpitas, of part of berryessa creek watershed. calera creek, arroyo de los coches, penitencia creek , piedmont creek of creeks flow milpitas hills , empty san francisco bay. (see berryessa creek)

urban layout

large, new homes on kristinridge way, milpitas. located south of parktown development , adjacent hillcrest.

milpitas divided 3 sections interstates 680 , 880. west of i-880 largely industrial , commercial area. between i-880 , eastern counterpart freeway, i-680, industrial zone in south , residential neighborhoods in north. other residential neighborhoods , undeveloped mountains lie east of i-680.

in reality, milpitas has no concentrated downtown center, instead has several small retail centers located near residential developments , anchored supermarket. so-called midtown area, oldest part of milpitas, has few remaining historic residences , commercial district existed before 1945. midtown situated in region main , abel streets run parallel each other bordered montague expressway in south , weller street @ north end. usps post office, saint john baptist catholic church, elementary & junior high catholic school, milpitas public library (which incorporates old milpitas grammar school building), smith/devries mansion, senior center, , elmwood correctional facility in midtown section of milpitas. milpitas civic center, includes city hall, not located in midtown, stands @ intersection of milpitas , calaveras boulevards. civic center separated midtown calaveras overpass. boundaries divide major milpitas neighborhoods , districts include calaveras boulevard running east west , union pacific railroad, runs north south. newest retail centers west of interstate 880. there several predominantly asian retail centers store signs written in chinese, vietnamese, , korean.

climate

typical oak savannah landscape. photo of mount hamilton, peak southeast of milpitas.

set within warm mediterranean climate zone in santa clara county, milpitas enjoys warm, sunny weather few extreme temperatures. rainfall confined winter months. during winter, temperatures relatively warm @ average of 31 °f 59 °f (-0.5c 15c). showers , cloudy days come , go during season dropping of city s annual 15 inches (380 mm) of precipitation, , spring approaches, gentle rains gradually dwindle. in summer, grasslands on hillsides dehydrate rapidly , form bright, golden sheets on mountains set off stands of oak. summer dry , warm not hot in other parts bay area. temperatures infrequently reach on 100 °f (38 °c) days in mid 70s high 70s. june september, milpitas experiences little rain, , autumn approaches, weather gradually cools down. many temperate-climate trees drop leaves during fall in south bay winter temperature warm enough evergreens palm trees thrive.