USA Travel: Los Gatos, California – Activity Recommendations

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This is a list of activity recommendations for a day in Los Gatos, California, USA.

About Los Gatos

Los Gatos is 60 miles south of San Francisco, situated at the base of the Sierra Azules Mountains. Since its incorporation in the 1870s, Los Gatos has transformed from “wheat farming, milling, logging, orchard, and cannery businesses in the 19th and early 20th centuries” to a place that is “tied to Silicon Valley” (Town of Los Gatos General Plan, 2021). Today the town’s charming, romantic downtown area attracts visitors looking for a slower pace within the context of bustling technology scene.

Logistics

Los Gatos, California, USA
Travel to Los Gatos from San Jose or San Francisco International Airports
Los Gatos serves as a gateway to many of California’s delights: Santa Cruz wine country, old growth redwood forests and the west coast (Santa Cruz and beyond)

Map from Los Gatos to coastal California

Connect this itinerary

Map of a recommended walk around Los Gatos

This walk brings you through the downtown commercial district, Old Town Los Gatos, and the University/Edelen Historic District of Victorian and Craftsman/Bungalow style homes. Significant historical structures include the Harry Perrin Home (315 University Ave.), Miles House (130 Edelen Ave.) and Skinkle House (129 Edelen Ave.).

Additional reading: Los Gatos Historical Homes (Town of Los Gatos, California, 2021)

Los Gatos Favorites

Stay

Hotel Los Gatos
Toll House

Dine

Los Gatos Roasting Company – Craft coffee
Centonove – Italian
Andale Mexican – Lunch & margaritas
The Pasteria & Market – Italian
Sweet Peas – Crêperie & sandwiches
Oak & Rye – Wood fired pizza
Dio Deka – Fine dining Greek
Asa Los Gatos – American dining with Spanish & Italian influence

Drinks

Enoteca La Storia
Testarossa Winery

Sweet Treats

Icing on the Cake – Pastries; vegan & gluten-free options
Fleur de Cocoa – Patesserie

Old Town Los Gatos

Commercial District

Wineries

Testarossa Winery

Testarossa is the fourth oldest continuously operating winery in California, located on the site of the historic Noviate Winery built in 1888. Jesuits used the site to make church wines.

“The old stone cellars and beautiful grounds…provide an amazing venue for private events” (Testarossa, 2021). Try their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Los Gatos/Santa Cruz Wineries

We plan to share a comprehensive write up of our favorite Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, including:

Burrell School Vineyards & Winery
Byington Vineyard and Winery
David Bruce Winery
Left Bend Winery
Loma Prieta Winery
MJA Vineyards
Regale Winery & Vineyards
Silver Mountain Vineyards
Villa del Monte Winery

Hike

From the park’s main parking lot on 15451 Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) brings visitors to 34 miles of extensive trails that connect the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park.