Los Gatos vacation rentals

Pretty Los Gatos makes a great base

Once Los Gatos was roamed by mountain lions prowling and screaming in the night, but now it is a picturesque town that celebrates its history with a charming Old Town and quaint wine bars and shops. Free summer concerts, jazz in the plaza, and a vibrant arts festival lure visitors to wander the beautiful streets. Los Gatos vacation rentals provide a home base to hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains or take a tour of coastal wineries. When summer temperatures soar, a short drive will find you at the seaside where Pacific waves will cool you off in no time.

Holiday light displays in Los Gatos

When winter falls on Los Gatos, Vasona Park is transformed into a dazzling display of lights and music for the annual Festival of Lights, and in December you can tour elegant historic homes decked out in their finest holiday regalia. Los Gatos vacation rentals are lovely places to return to after a day of luxurious pampering at a local spa, or a day of hiking through the towering redwood forests. Children will enjoy Oak Meadow Park where they can take exciting rides on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and the W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel. You can have a jolly afternoon on the water by renting paddle boats or row boats at nearby Vasona Lake.

Old-world charm and coastal wineries in Los Gatos

Wandering the streets of Los Gatos is sheer pleasure with its exquisitely preserved Old Town, 19th-century Victorian architecture, and charming shops. A short drive will take you touring coastal wineries sprinkled throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, and just might inspire you to take a cooking class and learn to pair Tuscan and Mediterranean dishes with the wines you tasted. Los Gatos vacation rentals are close to the town plaza where the weekly farmers' market celebrates the best fruits and vegetables of the region.

Mediterranean climate in Los Gatos

Los Gatos basks in a Mediterranean-style climate of ample sunshine, clear blue skies, and warm days. Summer temperatures can soar into the high 80s, so that's a great time to head for the hills for morning hikes, then to nearby lakes or the beach for cooling swims in the afternoon. Winter temperatures are balmy, averaging in the low to mid 60s with an occasional frost but no snow. This a lovely time to explore numerous wineries in the area, take in a day of shopping in Old Town Los Gatos, or learn local history at the Forbes Mill Annex museum.

Los Gatos sits close to mountains and beaches

Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Azules, Los Gatos sits where the lower slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains meet the Santa Clara Valley. With densely wooded hillsides and a beautiful Old Town on the valley floor, it is only an hour south of San Francisco. Although it is a bustling and vibrant town, Los Gatos is also home to curious squirrels, ambling deer, and the occasional coyote wandering along the boulevard. The white-sand beaches of Santa Cruz are only 30 minutes away, and hiking trails in numerous state and county parks are within a few minutes' drive.

Traveling to and around Los Gatos

The nearest airport is in San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO), located 35.1 mi (56.6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), which is 9.4 mi (15.2 km) away.