West Magazine received numerous awards and was recognized both for its articles and investigative journalism, as well as its art design.

Jeffrey Bruce Klein began working at San Jose Mercury News in 1979, and in 1986 was promoted to associate editor and columnist.

[6] In the acknowledgements in his book The Valley of Heart's Delight, author Michael Shawn Malone comments: "At the Mercury-News' West Magazine, first Jeffrey Klein and then Patrick Dillon, let me push the limits of feature writing.

[11] Hubner's work was recognized with the UAIM trophy "for news coverage of minority problems and concerns in education", at a formal ceremony in Jefferson City, Missouri.

[11] Susan Faludi received a merit award in 1987 in the California Newspaper Publishers Association's annual competition, for her contributions to West.

[13] Sidney Fischer was recognized for artwork published in the magazine, Bambi Nicklen for her work as art director, and Ken Coffelt received an award for free-lance writing.

[17] John Hubner received a third-place award in the contest, for his article on how Salinas, California tire factory employees were affected by benzene.

[21] Hubner's article series was judged for Sunday Magazine Editors Association by Harrison E. Salisbury, former foreign correspondent for The New York Times.