New York has its dead ends, but San Jose has cul-de-sacs, a French term that literally means the “bottom of the bag.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Living on a cul-de-sac doesn’t mean the people are at the bottom of the bag. It says that they want a quiet street without too much traffic—perfect for families who want their younger children to get to know about playing outdoors. These are community streets that encourage people to meet their neighbors. Fortunately, there are plenty of cul-de-sacs here in San Jose.

For example, there’s a five bedroom, four bath house on 1026 Maple Court in Berryessa on a quiet cul-de-sac with just nine homes. This two story, 2,045 square foot home is practically brand new, built in 2007. The convenient, open floor plan and 10 foot tall ceilings give it an airy, spacious feel. Though there is no family room, the previous owners transformed one of the bedrooms into a media room, which functions as an intimate den area and leaves the living room for more formal occasions. The eat-in kitchen is lovely, with granite countertops, beautiful wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. A large island in the middle leaves plenty of room for puttering, while preparing a meal for the family. The house also includes a convenient two car garage, and plenty of space outdoors, both in front and in back. This house is selling for $679,000.

Another beautiful home, tucked in at the bottom of a cul-de-sac, can be found at 2878 Richgrove Court in Evergreen. This is a four bedroom, two bathroom house of 2,036 square feet, situated on an enormous, 10,043 square foot lot. The combined living room-dining room, the family room, and the master bedroom all have vaulted ceilings, while one of the other bedrooms has been converted into a home office. The kitchen comes with beautiful hardwood cabinets and plenty of granite counter space. People living on a cul-de-sac want quiet, indoors and out, and there is plenty of outdoors here. The backyard includes a lovely patio and spa, and there is also a private courtyard. This home is selling for $675,000.

2988 Glen Alden Court in Evergreen is located right at the bottom of a long cul-de-sac, right next to Cunningham Lake. This is a vast, 2,606 square foot home, located on a 10,086 square foot lot, with plenty of room to add a pool and tennis court. With five bedrooms and three bathrooms, it’s the perfect home for a growing family. It also features a large living room-dining room combo and a second dining area in the family room, as well as an eat-in kitchen with lovely hardwood floors. Outside there’s a basketball court and a lovely pergola for taking in the afternoon breeze while getting away from the sun. This is a true family dream house, and it’s selling for $543,000.