San Jose is home to some of the most influential innovations in California, from the floppy disk and hard disk drives to Eggo waffles and The Wave. The ultrawealthy community is home to some of the largest industries in the nation, including manufacturing, high-tech, scientific, and more. As a result, residents in the area are among the most affluent in California.

Making up most of the residential and commercial building designs and styles, San Jose is made up of primarily Greek Revival, Carpenter Gothic, Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, Stick, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Bungalow, Prairie, Tudor Revival, Art Deco, Art Modern, Italian Renassaince, and Mid-Century Modern. Major attractions characteristic of these styles over the last two or more centuries include the Winchester Mystery House and Villa Mira Monte.