Long before it was pumping out semiconductors and tech billionaires, the Santa Clara Valley was the largest fruit-producing region in the country. Until the 1960s, what was then known as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight” was full of orchards growing peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and many other varieties of fruit.

Most farms have been paved for housing developments and tech campuses. But you can still visit one of the last working orchards in San José, a tiny farm just a short drive from the campuses of many Silicon Valley giants.

Nestled between Highway 85 and housing development, the J&P Cosentino Family Farm still grows fruit and veggies on 2 acres and features a year-round farm stand and regular on-farm tours.

An aerial photo of a patch of green trees in the middle of a residential neighborhood. — An aerial view of J&P Cosentino Farms, showing its 2 acres of remaining farmland, surrounded by a housing development and Highway 85. The farm spanned 10 acres when it first opened in 1945. (Courtesy of Brighton Denevan)

“Occasionally, first-timers here would say, ‘This is a funny place for a farm,’” chuckled owner Phil Cosentino. “I’d say, ‘Oh, this is a funny place for homes.’ Because, years ago, there were no homes here, it was all farms … as far as the eye could see in any direction. This is the way the valley was. All orchards.” [pullquote size="medium" align="right" citation="Phil Cosentino, owner, J&P Cosentino Family Farm"]‘… years ago, there were no homes here, it was all farms … as far as the eye could see in any direction. This is the way the valley was. All orchards.’[/pullquote]Cosentino and his family have worked this orchard since 1945, when his dad, Dominic, first bought the land. Back then, the Cosentinos owned a full 10 acres in San José. But, that all changed when the freeway was built.

“In 1984, they took the land and called it eminent domain … and then, we were left with the 2 acres,” said Jason Cosentino, Phil’s grandson. He’s a former chef for Google who’s come back to run the farm, creating the Cosentino Farm Kitchen food line of jams and sauces.

“We are making a commitment to this day that this is our last 2 acres,” the younger Cosentino said. “We’re sticking our foot down and it’s not going anywhere.”

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Jason said what helped this 80-year-old orchard survive and thrive was that his grandfather Phil decided to use those last 2 acres to plant double the number of trees. [pullquote size="medium" align="right" citation="Jason Cosentino, founder, Cosentino Farm Kitchen"]‘We are making a commitment to this day that this is our last 2 acres. We’re sticking our foot down and it’s not going anywhere.’[/pullquote]Today, more than 600 trees are bearing 90-plus varieties of fruit, including apricots, plums, prunes, nectarines, apples, figs and persimmons. Plus, grapevines, berry bushes and so much more.

This year, the Cosentino family began offering tours, allowing visitors to walk through the orchard and pick the fruit right off the trees while enjoying free samples and learning about the farm’s history.

“There are only five trees that are original from my great grandfather, that he planted in the early 1950s,” Jason told a crowd of nearly 100 visitors on a recent tour. He gestured to the canopy of a large, papershell almond tree.

During the one-hour walking and tasting tour, Jason also gave tips on correctly picking the fruit off the trees. (Here’s a tip: You’re supposed to pull figs away from the tree by tugging in the opposite direction of where the stem is coming out.)

Phil Cosentino sits with his grandson Jason Cosentino while holding freshly picked grapes at J&P Cosentino Family Farm in San Jose on Oct. 17, 2023. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

“So inspiring, just to see a local farm,” said visitor Diana Jonathans of Campbell, who drove for the tour. “All the family members here. To hear the wisdom of the original O.G., Mr. Cosentino, was super touching.” [pullquote size="medium" align="right" citation="Christy Sgarloto, resident, San José"]‘I never knew this was all back here. I would always come to their fruit stand … but I had no idea that it was this big.’[/pullquote]The tour has also attracted neighbors curious about the trees behind the farm stand they’ve been stopping by for years.

“I never knew this was all back here,” said Christy Sgarloto, who lives a few blocks away and would often stop by to purchase stone fruit for her peach crisps. “I would always come to their fruit stand … but I had no idea that it was this big.” [aside postID=news_11963136 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS68075_230818-HetSayRestaurant-17-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg']Her husband, Steve Sgarlato, knew the Cosentino name from the family-run supermarkets in San José, Santa Clara and Silvercreek until they decided to focus on the farm back in 2011. He had no idea that the farm was so lush.

“Never been in here … and it’s just amazing,” Steve Sgarlato said. “I wish there were more places like this.”

The year-round orchard and farm stand sits right off Highway 85 on Carter Avenue in San José. It’s a trip your taste buds will be glad you made. On your way back home, as you’re inhaling figs, grapes and pluots, you might even begin singing Dionne Warwick’s classic: “Do You Know the Way to San José?”

The next Cosentino Family Farm Tour is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

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