In the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the heart of Silicon Valley is the booming town of Los Gatos. “It’s a ton of people working in the tech industries, which you get all over Silicon Valley, but the big one in Los Gatos is Netflix,” says Lisa Sgarlato of Compass Realty, who has over 15 years of experience in the area. The streaming platform has called Los Gatos home since 2006 but opened a new headquarters in town in 2022. The second-biggest employer in Los Gatos behind Netflix is El Camino Health, a major trauma center located on the north end of town. Besides Netflix and El Camino Health, many of the city’s 33,000 residents commute to other major tech employers like Google and Apple. The city offers luxury living in quiet neighborhoods, fine dining in a bustling downtown district and strong schools.
Nestled in lush foothills, Los Gatos blends nature and Silicon Valley charm.
Netflix leads as the primary employer shaping Los Gatos' workforce.
Enjoy fine dining and vibrant charm in Los Gatos' downtown district.
El Camino Health is a top employer in Los Gatos and a vital trauma center.
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Large lots with private pools
Single-family homes in Los Gatos have a median price of $2.9 million, while townhouses are in the $1.7 million ballpark. “There’s some really charming architecture,” says Sgarlato. “You definitely have some huge homes, but there are also some cute cottages and bungalows on the western side of town.” Newer builds are prominent in the East Los Gatos neighborhood, where prices are typically well over $4 million. While the homes tend to be from the mid-20th century or earlier, prices are higher near La Rinconada Country Club. Houses sit on large lots, and backyards usually have private pools or basketball courts.
Explore Spanish Colonial homes in Los Gatos, rich in architectural heritage and charm.
Discover Queen Ann row houses in Los Gatos, showcasing charming historical elegance.
Spanish inspired home gives the neighborhood a pop of color in Los Gatos.
The Craftsman house in Los Gatos features charming handcrafted woodwork.
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Dining in Old Town Los Gatos
Downtown, or Old Town Los Gatos, is the city’s epicenter of shopping and dining. “There are great restaurants everywhere you turn in Los Gatos,” says Sgarlato. “It’s one of the main things that separates Los Gatos from other cities in the Valley. There’s way more here, from upscale dining to local shops. It has it all.” Old Town is built around North Santa Cruz Avenue and has wine bars, breweries and upscale steakhouses. Coffee and ice cream shops are next to Italian markets and sushi spots. Art galleries, furniture stores and boutique clothing shops dot the downtown district, which is also home to the Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market, open Sundays year-round. Residents come to shop for locally-grown produce and much more. While many businesses in Los Gatos are small and locally owned, the city does have big box grocery outlets like Trader Joe’s and Safeway. Wine lovers will appreciate the proximity to major vineyards such as RobertKarin, Perucci Family Vineyard and Testarossa Winery.
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company in West Los Gatos offers a cozy spot for a perfect brew.
Shop organic fruits and veggies at the bustling Los Gatos Farmers Market.
Enjoy vibrant dining at Bywater restaurant in West Los Gatos, a local favorite for dinner.
Los Gatos is a gateway to celebrated vineyards like Testarossa Winery.
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Los Gatos High earns an A-plus
Kids in the area attend the Los Gatos Union School District, which holds an A-minus grade on Niche. The district includes four elementary schools and one middle school, all rated A-minus or above. Teens head to the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, which Niche rates A-plus and the fourth-best public high school district in California. Most teens in the city will attend Los Gatos High, which has an A-plus grade. “The schools are a main reason people gravitate to Los Gatos,” says Olesia Woodward of Intero Real Estate Services, who has over a decade of experience in the area. “They are constantly in the news for winning awards.”
Located in Los Gatos, Alta Vista Elementary ranks in the top 5% of California schools.
C. T. English Middle School in Los Gatos offers a strong academic foundation.
Known for its strong AP programs, Los Gatos High School leads in academic success.
Hillbrook School in Los Gatos offers a comprehensive education from kindergarten to grade 12
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Hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains
The town of Los Gatos is home to 15 parks, including the 152-acre Vasona Lake County Park. This massive green space is a popular spot for walking or paddle boating on the water. The town also has three major protected open spaces for hiking and bike riding. Since the city is in the shadow of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it has plenty of spots for trail hiking and camping nearby. Residents head just south of town to Lexington Reservoir County Park for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. “The proximity to nature really makes it a desirable spot,” says Woodward. “Especially in the tech industry, people like to be able to unplug and get outside.” Golfers visit La Rinconada Country Club, home to a full course, practice ranges and pro shop. The club also offers a full restaurant, pool and gym.
Grab a paddle boat the docks of Vasona County Lake Park in West Los Gatos.
Hike peaceful trails at St. Joseph's Hill Preserve in Los Gatos.
Enjoy a soccer game at Creekside Turf Sports Park.
Practice your swing at La Rinconada’s full course and driving ranges in Los Gatos.
Enjoying a nice hike at La Rinconada Park.
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Spring into Green
The City of Los Gatos puts on several major events throughout the year. This includes the annual Los Gatos in Lights Winter Celebration, Music in the Park concert series and Spring into Green a festival aimed at promoting sustainability.
Highway 17 to San Jose
Locals can take VTA buses for public transportation around Los Gatos and surrounding communities. Highway 17 runs north and south through the city and provides access to San Jose and the nearest international airport, 10 miles away. Residents can hop on Highway 85 for 51 miles to reach San Francisco.
Crime below national averages
According to the FBI, violent and property crime rates are far below the state and national averages. The Los Gatos Police Department also offers home vacation check-ups, and the department has several reoccurring community events to maintain a strong relationship with the community. Los Gatos sees mild summers and winters; temperatures top out in the low 80s in the peak of the summer and are in the low 60s for much of the winter.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
