Silicon Valley Communities
Los Gatos
Mountain Foothills. Charming Downtown. Timeless Appeal.
$2.2M
Median Home Price
22
Avg. Days on Market
9/10
GreatSchools Rating
~33,500
Population
11 sq mi
Area
Overview
Small-Town Charm at the Foot of the Mountains
Nestled at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos has spent over a century building a reputation as one of the South Bay’s most desirable addresses — a rare combination of historic charm, natural beauty, and modern convenience. One of the oldest communities in Santa Clara County, the town remains a largely self-contained community with thousands of local businesses serving its residents.
Downtown Los Gatos is the heart of it all: a pedestrian-friendly historic district along North Santa Cruz Avenue lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and acclaimed restaurants that have earned the town a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s premier dining destinations. The town hosts a Sunday farmers market, a summer Music in the Park concert series, and the Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival, all anchored by well-preserved architecture and landmarks like the Forbes Mill Museum.
Education remains central to the town’s appeal: the Los Gatos Union School District and Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District are both highly regarded, drawing families willing to invest in long-term value alongside an exceptional quality of life.
Around Town
Local Favorites
Los Gatos punches well above its size on the dining front — a walkable downtown that rewards those who explore it.
Dining
Dio Deka
Michelin-recognized fine Hellenic cuisine set inside the elegant Hotel Los Gatos — the first Greek restaurant in the United States to earn a Michelin star, and still one of the most celebrated tables in the South Bay.
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
A downtown Los Gatos institution on North Santa Cruz Ave serving prime steaks, fresh seafood, and an award-winning wine list — a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence recipient since 2010.
The Wine Cellar
A beloved Los Gatos fixture for over six decades — fine dining with prime steaks, fondue, craft cocktails, and one of the most thoughtfully curated wine lists in the South Bay in a warm, timeless setting.
Shopping
North Santa Cruz Avenue
The beating heart of downtown — independently owned boutiques, art galleries, home goods, and specialty shops lining a beautifully preserved historic streetscape.
Los Gatos Farmers Market
A Sunday morning tradition in the heart of downtown — local produce, artisan goods, and prepared foods that draw residents from across the West Valley every week of the year.
Old Town Los Gatos
A charming retail cluster of specialty shops, wellness studios, and cafes housed in a historic complex just steps from downtown — the kind of place you stumble into and end up spending an afternoon.
Things to Do
Los Gatos Creek Trail & Vasona Lake Park
A scenic trail and reservoir park at the edge of town — popular with cyclists, joggers, and families looking for an easy escape into open space without leaving the neighborhood.
Music in the Park
A beloved summer concert series held on the Town Plaza — free, family-friendly live music that draws the whole community together on warm summer evenings.
Forbes Mill Museum
A piece of living local history housed in the 1854 flour mill that gave the downtown steakhouse its name — a small but worthwhile look at Los Gatos’ origins as a working frontier town.
Lifestyle & Amenities
Life in Los Gatos
Top-Rated Schools
Los Gatos Union School District and Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District are both highly regarded throughout the Bay Area.
Walkable Downtown
North Santa Cruz Avenue's historic district offers boutique shopping, dining, and galleries in a pedestrian-friendly setting.
Vasona Lake & Trails
Vasona Lake County Park and the 9.5-mile Los Gatos Creek Trail offer paddle boating, fishing, hiking, and biking minutes from downtown.
Easy Tech Commute
Highway 17 and Highway 85 connect Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley corridor.
Around Town
Local Favorites
A few of the spots that give Los Gatos its character — from a three-Michelin-starred dining room to lakeside trails at the edge of town.
Dining
Manresa
A three-Michelin-star, farm-to-table tasting menu destination and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Bay Area.
La Pastaria
A chic Italian restaurant with handmade pasta and sidewalk seating overlooking downtown.
Testarossa Winery
Housed in a historic former Jesuit novitiate, offering wine tastings in downtown Los Gatos.
Shopping
North Santa Cruz Avenue
A historic strip of boutique shops, banks, salons, and an old-fashioned movie theater, perfect for window-shopping.
Los Gatos Farmers' Market
A Sunday tradition in the center of town with fresh produce, flowers, and live music.
Downtown Art Galleries
JO's Art Haus, Gallery 24, and other local galleries showcase the town's vibrant art scene.
Things to Do
Vasona Lake County Park
Paddle boating, fishing, picnicking, and the adjacent Oak Meadow Park with its miniature train ride.
Los Gatos Theatre & NUMU
A restored historic cinema and the New Museum of Los Gatos, anchoring the town's arts scene.
Castle Rock State Park
Scenic hiking trails just outside town, with waterfalls, rock formations, and panoramic mountain views.
Find Your Way
Los Gatos on the Map
A look at downtown Los Gatos and the surrounding area — including a few of the local favorites featured above.
Manresa
Three-Michelin-star dining
Vasona Lake County Park
Trails, lake & picnics
North Santa Cruz Avenue
Downtown shopping & dining
Castle Rock State Park
Hiking & mountain views