Discover Los Gatos: Culture, Water and Nature

Los Gatos combines cultural discoveries with experiences on the water and in nature. Those planning a trip with a variety of ideas for each day will find opportunities here for museum visits, historic impressions, a ride on a steam train and activities at Lexington Reservoir. When choosing a holiday rental or holiday home, the desired focus can therefore provide important guidance: Should the trip primarily combine culture, exercise, nature or different interests?

Culture and special experiences in Los Gatos

The New Museum Los Gatos, or NUMU for short, is a public nonprofit art and history museum founded in 1965. Its exhibitions focus on Bay Area artists and local history. This gives visitors a direct connection to the culture of the region. Downtown Los Gatos offers another historical dimension: The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those interested in art, local history and regional identity can incorporate these themes into their travel plans.

The cultural offerings also include ArtNow, an annual juried art exhibition and educational program for high school students in Santa Clara County, presented by NUMU. The combination of an exhibition and an educational program makes ArtNow a distinct cultural focus. Oak Meadow Park is home to the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. Visitors can ride the authentic steam-powered train there. The railroad also serves to preserve history and entertain the public.

Creek Trail, Reservoir and Nature Experiences

For days involving more physical activity, the Los Gatos Creek Trail offers a clearly defined route: It begins at Lexington Reservoir and follows Los Gatos Creek for almost 9.5 miles through the Town of Los Gatos. This information helps with day planning without implying a specific walking time or level of difficulty. Those who would like to include a longer route in their itinerary can make the trail a focus of its own and plan the other activities for another day.

Special rules apply to watercraft at Lexington Reservoir. Only boats with limited engine power and hand-launched watercraft are permitted, including canoes, kayaks, inner tubes and stand-up paddleboards, or SUPs for short. Electric motors such as trolling motors are also permitted. These requirements are relevant when planning a stay at the reservoir because they specifically limit the water activities possible there.

The Youth Science Institute, or YSI for short, is located at the northern end of Vasona Lake County Park. It offers programs and excursions that teach science and promote appreciation for the natural environment. The regional area around Los Gatos is also home to boutique wineries along Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Downtown Los Gatos and Summit Road. This makes it possible to combine nature-related, scientific and regional impressions into different travel ideas without presenting them as a single excursion destination.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday rental in Los Gatos, it is worth first determining the desired mix of experiences. For those interested in culture, NUMU, ArtNow and historic downtown take center stage. Those who would like to include water and nature can consider the Los Gatos Creek Trail, Lexington Reservoir or YSI. The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad adds a historic experience with its own atmosphere. This makes it possible to choose a holiday rental or holiday home more deliberately according to the planned travel rhythm, without assuming specific amenities or unverified proximity to individual attractions.

Other Places in the Area

For further travel planning, you can also explore the following places: Los Altos, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, San Martin, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and San José.

To the higher-level travel overview: Santa Clara.