Fountain Alley, pedestrian paseo in downtown San Jose, California, USA

Fountain Alley is a one-block pedestrian paseo in downtown San Jose running between 1st Street and 2nd Street. It began as a narrow lane of mews and a horse trough, and commercial structures have stood along it since the 1870s. The Bank of Italy Building, San Jose's oldest skyscraper, was built on the alley in 1925.

Fountain Alley began as a one-block lane called Archer Street, named for attorney Lawrence Archer who lived at the Second Street end. In 1854 William Campbell drilled an artesian well at First and Santa Clara Streets; a ditch was cut down the alley to drain the overflow, and in 1856 alderman Moody proposed the name Fountain. Frank Lightston transferred the alley to the city on May 14, 1855, and by 1861 it had gas street lamps. The Bank of Italy Building, San Jose's oldest skyscraper, was built on the alley in 1925.

Fountain Alley was first called Archer Street, after lawyer Lawrence Archer, who lived at the Second Street end. Alderman Moody proposed the name "Fountain" in 1856 to match the artesian well William Campbell drilled at First and Santa Clara in 1854, whose overflow drained down the alley. Residents kept saying "alley" rather than "street", and local maps and signposts followed. Since the 2010s the alley has hosted tailgates and pop-ups.

The passage is easily accessible and connects two main streets downtown, making it simple to reach from surrounding areas. Visitors can explore the alley during daytime when events and installations are most visible and the space feels most active.

Fountain Alley was officially transferred to the City of San Jose by Frank Lightston on May 14, 1855. In 1861 it became one of the first thoroughfares in San Jose lit by gas street lamps. Since the 2010s a revitalization program has brought tailgates and pop-ups to the lane.