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Los Gatos

Los Gatos

$3,018,698 Average Value
$1,237 Average Price per Sq Ft
78 Homes For Sale
Los Gatos blends nature and small-town life with Silicon Valley connections.
Los Gatos blends nature and small-town life with Silicon Valley connections.

What daily life looks like in Los Gatos

Nestled against the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos combines small-town living with easy access to Silicon Valley's tech economy. The picturesque community is well-known for its strong schools, walkable historic downtown and abundance of natural beauty. You can spend your weekends exploring county parks with lake access and trails or browsing small businesses in the heart of town. When the work week starts again, you're just a quick commute from local employers, like Netflix, and many South Bay job hubs.

Los Gatos offers everything from condos to estates

The town has a wide range of housing styles and sizes. Homes within town limits vary from condos and townhouses to New Traditional and ranch-style homes. "You definitely have some huge homes, but there are also some cute cottages and bungalows on the western side of town," says Lisa Sgarlato of Compass Realty. Out in the foothills, lots grow by acres, and properties boast estate-like architecture. Prices run from the lower $300,000s to around $13 million, with a median sale price of around $2.6 million.

Grand estates are common here, especially in the surrounding hillsides.
Grand estates are common here, especially in the surrounding hillsides.
Spacious New Traditional homes are often shaded by mature trees.
Spacious New Traditional homes are often shaded by mature trees.
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Highly rated local schools offer STEAM and arts programs

"The schools are a main reason people gravitate to Los Gatos," says Olesia Woodward of Intero Real Estate Services. "They are constantly in the news for winning awards." Students are served by the Los Gatos Union School District for elementary and middle school and the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District for high school. Raymond J. Fisher Middle School is a standout option, as it's highly rated by Niche and offers electives in STEAM fields and performing arts.

Netflix and other Silicon Valley employers are a quick commute away

Many people work locally; Los Gatos is home to Netflix's headquarters and El Camino Health, both of which shape the local economy. The town is also a quick commute from major tech hubs around Silicon Valley. State Routes 9, 17 and 85 lead drivers to Saratoga, Cupertino, Mountain View and San Jose. The Valley Transportation Authority operates bus services along main roads, and the Winchester light rail station is less than 4 miles away.

Netflix leads as the primary employer in Los Gatos.
Netflix leads as the primary employer in Los Gatos.
El Camino Health is a top employer in Los Gatos and a vital trauma center.
El Camino Health is a top employer in Los Gatos and a vital trauma center.
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Rent a pedal boat at the docks of Vasona Lake County Park.
Rent a pedal boat at the docks of Vasona Lake County Park.

Vasona Lake and the Santa Cruz Foothills keep people outdoors

"The proximity to nature really makes this place a desirable spot," Woodward says. "Especially in the tech industry, people like to be able to unplug and get outside." The recreational heart of Los Gatos is arguably Vasona Lake County Park, an expansive park with acres of open land for picnics and a large lake. You can rent pedal boats or stand-up paddleboards to cruise along the water. Adjacent to the main park, kids can ride a vintage carousel or on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, a miniature train pulled by a restored 1905 steam engine. Hikers and cyclists enjoy the Los Gatos Creek Trail, a popular paved trail connecting the city to many neighboring communities. If you want to hike through the Santa Cruz Foothills, head to Lexington Reservoir County Park or El Sereno Open Space Preserve just south of town.

A historic downtown anchors Los Gatos' dining and retail scene

"There are great restaurants everywhere you turn in Los Gatos," Sgarlato says, but downtown Los Gatos is the place to go for a meal out. This walkable historic corridor has a wide range of locally owned businesses, from cafés and wine bars to upscale establishments. Favorites include:

  • Telefèric Barcelona, a Spanish tapas restaurant with shareable plates and a social atmosphere
  • Gardenia, a French-Asian fusion café inside a historic Victorian home known for its specialty coffee and brunch specials
  • Oak & Rye, a relaxed spot serving up creative wood-fired pizzas and craft cocktails
  • Loma Brewing Company, a popular brewpub with a rotating menu of housemade beers
  • Pedro's Cocina & Cocktails, a scenic and uniquely designed space serving modern Mexican fare with fine tequila pairings
The city also has a bustling retail scene. North Santa Cruz Avenue is lined with independent boutiques and galleries, while Old Town Los Gatos offers retailers like Anthropologie and Sephora in its historic open-air shopping center. Los Gatos Boulevard also has a variety of big-box stores, supermarkets and restaurants.

Enjoy fine dining and shopping in downtown Los Gatos.
Enjoy fine dining and shopping in downtown Los Gatos.
Stop in for a coffee at one of the many cafés in downtown.
Stop in for a coffee at one of the many cafés in downtown.
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Shop for organic fruits and veggies at the bustling Los Gatos Farmers' Market.
Shop for organic fruits and veggies at the bustling Los Gatos Farmers' Market.

People can explore local markets, jazz concerts and an art festival

Los Gatos hosts many community events throughout the year. Some of the most popular are:

  • Los Gatos Farmers' Market, a weekly Sunday market at Town Plaza Park
  • Music in the Park, a free summer concert series on Sunday afternoons on the Civic Center Lawn
  • Jazz on the Plazz, Wednesday evening jazz concerts throughout summer in Town Plaza Park
  • Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival, a two-day fall event celebrating local artisans, musicians and winemakers

What to know about wildfire risk in the hillside parts of town

Many hillside areas of Los Gatos are in the wildland-urban interface, putting them at high risk of wildfires. Homebuyers should budget for higher homeowners insurance, confirm their evacuation zone and factor in periodic PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs during peak fire season from late summer through fall.

Isabel Butler
Written By
Isabel Butler
Elie Karam
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Jeffrey Knight
Video By
Jeffrey Knight

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kelley Solberg, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in Los Gatos, CA

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
11,879
Number of Homes for Sale
78
Median Year Built
1965
Months of Supply
2.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,388
Above the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,769
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,324
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
941
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
786
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Open Houses

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Neighborhoods in Los Gatos

Property Mix - Square Feet

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
14
Median Rent
$4,780
Median Single Family Home Rent
$6,200
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$10,500
Median Townhouse Rent
$5,775
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$6,750
Median Condo Rent
$4,450
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,800

Weather

Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

50 / 100

Minimal public transit

Transit®

10 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Los Gatos