Los Gatos

Los Gatos is the perfect mix
of small town charm and
sophisticated chic.
Los Gatos
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SOUTH BAY Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains lies this quirky mix of small town charm
and sophisticated chic. Shop cute boutiques, antique shops and art galleries to perfect that simultaneously
classy and cute, upscale and playful look that is so Los Gatos. What the town lacks in quantity and size, it
certainly makes up for in quality and style. Many famous figures, including John Steinbeck, Steve Wozniak,
and Peggy Fleming have called Los Gatos home over the decades, and the town’s peaceful tree-lined
streets and leisurely weekend cyclists make it easy to see why.
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FROM LEFT: ©WILDLIFE GMBH/ALAMY; ©JENNIFER HUNTER
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SCENIC ROUTE
WINE, DINE & THEN SOME
Pack a picnic and head to Vasona Lake County Park, where
you can rent a boat, join over
100,000 annually with a ride on
the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad
or let your children (and your
inner child) loose on the T33
airplane. Admire the 10 private
acres of stately gardens at the
Los Gatos Lodge. Take a walk
on the Los Gatos Creek Trail,
which winds through town and
through two adjoining cities. Or,
take a scenic drive around town
to check out the upscale real
estate, which ranges from century-old million dollar cottages
to behemoth custom mansions.
The Los Gatos gastronomic scene
can be summed up in two words:
café and gourmet. Small Sunday
morning (or any morning) coffee
shops, sidewalk cafés and bakeries line the streets of downtown
Los Gatos, alongside a myriad of
renowned restaurants. Experience the Chocolate Coffee Cream
(fondly labeled the “CCC”) at
Great Bear Coffee. Succumb to
the warm seduction of the Wine
Cellar, taste the artistry at Manresa or catch the catch-of-the-day
at Steamer’s Grillhouse—it’s difficult to find a bad meal here. You
can even enjoy Italian cuisine and
burn off the calories with a few
games of Bocce Ball at Campo di
Bocce, a local favorite. Go “on the
boulevard” (Los Gatos Boulevard,
that is), home to several Bay Area
gourmet grocers, too. Explore
“grape” expectations at a dozen
Los Gatos wineries, recognized
as some of the top spots for
pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon
and chardonnay. Some of our
favorites: Testarossa, David Bruce
and Loma Prieta wineries. Be a
culture vulture and check out the
art and history museums, or the
museums gallery. After hours,
upscale night owls come out
to play among the stylish bars,
lounges and live music of North
Santa Cruz Avenue.
SAN FRANCISCO
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LOS GATOS
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GETTING THERE
Drive about an hour south on
101-S (or I-280-S for a more scenic
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route) to CA 85-S to CA 17-S.
www.town.los-gatos.ca.us
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