If you’ve been singing the lyrics “I walk a lonely road” a lot lately, you’re not… alone (well, in a sense). San Jose roads are actually less lonely than many, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
If national averages indicate anything, it’s that roads overall may have been more lonely during the past few years. According to a recent data report by Streetlight, annual average daily walking trips dropped 36% in the US between 2019 and 2022.
How does that national average shake out in San Jose, and where are the best spots to raise those national trend (and step count) numbers? Let’s take a look.
By the numbers
- -31% | Percent change in walking trips in California
- -33% | Percent change in walking trips in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
- 51 | San Jose’s score out of 100 on Walk Score’s walkability meter
What does a percent change in walking trips mean? Say a metro area sees a -50% change in walking trips. This means, on average, walking trips declined by 50% in that area. (For the record, none of the top 100 metros in the study saw that much of a decline — the biggest dip was 49% in Akron, OH.)
Where to walk the walk
Wondering where you can get your steps in? Check out these pedestrian-friendly spots around town, from local parks to protected streets.
- San Pedro Square | This social hub is our favorite place to stroll around for food, shopping, and drinks — and it will get even better for pedestrians soon.
- Guadalupe River Trail | Walk nine miles through public murals, historic monuments, and art installations that all tell the story of San Jose + Silicon Valley.
- Vasona Lake County Park | Spanning 152 acres, enjoy a nice walk around the lake or along Los Gatos Creek Parkway — a paved 9.5-mile trail.
