Explore the Best Getaways in Los Gatos

“To see Los Gatos is to love the town,” Sunset Magazine gushed in 1915, and it remains true today. With the Santa Cruz Mountains providing a stunning backdrop and an inviting downtown replete with historic architecture, Los Gatos offers a wealth of activities for day-trippers and weekend visitors alike.

Why Should You Go? Will You Like Los Gatos?

Los Gatos is notable for its vibrant shopping scene, fine dining, and numerous outdoor activities. The picturesque and well-preserved downtown area attracts both locals and tourists. Additionally, it serves as an excellent base for wine tasting adventures in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains.

Best Time to Go to Los Gatos

The weather in Los Gatos tends to be more favorable than in the fog-laden surrounding areas. Being situated away from the ocean and bay results in clearer skies, while temperatures remain cooler than in other adjacent flatlands.

7 Great Things to Do in Los Gatos

• Wine Tasting: Arrange for a designated driver and embark on a scenic drive through the redwood forests to explore some of the Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Not far from town, Testarossa Vineyards is California’s fourth-oldest continually operating winery.
• Pamper Yourself: Indulge in a massage, facial, or a soothing body treatment at Spa Los Gatos, one of the area’s premier day spas. Nearby, Yoga Source, voted the best yoga studio in the area, offers restorative yin yoga classes on Sundays, along with a diverse range of other practices.
• Active Outdoors: The Los Gatos Creek Trail runs through town, providing numerous opportunities for walking, running, and biking along a paved path that follows the charming little creek from Lexington Reservoir to Vasona Lake.
• Shopping: The town council manages business growth strictly, ensuring retailers enhance the local atmosphere and limit chain stores. Popular shops along Santa Cruz Avenue, Main Street, and University Avenue include The Indian Store (Native American art), In the Old Manner (elegant vintage clothing), and Domus (housewares). High-end window shopping is also possible with Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Lamborghini dealerships located centrally.
• The inviting Los Gatos Theatre is a delightful spot to catch the latest film, featuring a classic marquee and a newly renovated art deco interior.
• Fun With the Kids: Oak Meadow Park (University Ave at Blossom Hill Rd) features the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and the historic W.E. “Bill” Mason Carousel. Nearby Vasona Lake offers paddle boat and rowboat rentals from early spring through fall.
• Indulge Your Inner Foodie: Check out the dining options below in the Best Bites section. For cooking enthusiasts, Sur La Table provides weekly cooking classes, alongside a weekly Farmers Market downtown that is one of the best in the region. Sweet tooth? Don’t miss a visit to Fleur de Cocoa.

Annual Events You Should Know About

• Third Saturday of January, April, July, and November: Attend the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association’s Wine Passport Weekends.
• May: Enjoy the annual Silicon Valley Open Studios, showcasing regional artists and their work.
• Summer: Look for outdoor concerts at the nearby Villa Montalvo and Mountain Winery.
• December: Participate in the Festival of Lights at Vasona Park.
• December: The historic Homes Tour, hosted by the Los Gatos Museums, allows a glimpse inside historic homes, views of vintage cars, and entertainment.

Tips for Visiting Los Gatos

• Finding parking downtown can be challenging, with many areas having two-hour limits. To avoid hassle, utilize unlimited parking available on Santa Cruz Ave across from the Toll House, at the lot behind Washington Mutual at Hwy 9 and Santa Cruz Ave, or the lower level of the lot off University Avenue at Royce. During busy holiday seasons, taking advantage of free valet parking is advisable.
• Public restrooms are limited, so you may need to request access from local merchants until plans to alleviate this issue materialize.
• If you are susceptible to motion sickness, consider bringing your preferred remedy for drives into the mountains.
• Be mindful that summer weekends can result in heavy traffic heading to Santa Cruz via Hwy 17, creating considerable delays before reaching Los Gatos. A recommended alternative is taking Winchester Blvd, which runs parallel to Hwy 17 from Stevens Creek Blvd into town, where it transitions to Santa Cruz Ave.

Best Bites

Locals flock to the Los Gatos Cafe (340 N. Santa Cruz Ave) for omelets and delicious potatoes, while Southern Kitchen (27 E. Main) is famous for its biscuits and gravy, among other comfort foods.

This quaint town is home to Manresa, a Michelin-star restaurant known for its exquisite dishes, though reservations are highly recommended due to the popularity and high cost. Other excellent dining options include (sorted alphabetically) Cin Cin Wine Bar, Dio Deka, Forbes Mill Steakhouse, and Nick’s Next Door.

For a fun twist, visit Campo di Bocce, where you can reserve a bocce ball court to play or simply enjoy watching others.

Where to Stay

Hotel Los Gatos is highly rated among visitors on tripadvisor.com, along with the more budget-friendly Garden Inn Hotel, both situated downtown. Explore prices and read guest reviews for these Los Gatos accommodations at Tripadvisor.

Where Is Los Gatos?

Los Gatos is approximately 52 miles from San Francisco, 126 miles from Sacramento, and cerca of 225 miles from Lake Tahoe.

Residents of Santa Clara Valley can conveniently access downtown Los Gatos via trolley service to Vasona Station, where shuttle buses are available.

If you are coming from San Francisco or the Peninsula, consider taking the scenic route home along Hwy 9 and 35 instead of returning via the highway to enhance your journey.