Country living on the edge of Silicon Valley
Monte Sereno has been the home of creative minds from author John Steinbeck to artist Thomas Kinkade; today, it’s home to Silicon Valley innovators who want a private, spacious retreat. “It’s nestled in the hills, and you have properties with a lot of acreage and greenery,” says Sammi Moser-Wingo, a broker associate at The Agency and lifelong resident of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. “It’s considered a prestigious area of Los Gatos, because a lot of the properties haven’t been subdivided. They’re a half-acre and up. It allows for more estate-style homes and luxury properties.”
Located within 3 miles of Los Gatos and Saratoga, Monte Sereno’s residents enjoy the convenience of both cities while being steps away from the wilderness of the El Sereno Open Space Preserve. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4, and nearby houses of worship include First Baptist Community Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Custom luxury homes in the foothills
“More than half of the original midcentury ranch-style houses here have been demolished, and new beautiful homes have been erected in their place,” Moser-Wingo says. Newer styles include midcentury modern, 21st-century modern and Craftsman-influenced homes. “It’s all very custom and elegantly done — modern homes, Tuscan homes, any type of style you can imagine. It helps keep it unique and not cookie-cutter.” Moser-Wingo continues, “Everyone takes a lot of pride in how they present their home. It’s a beautiful area to walk through, with a lot of people out walking their dogs or walking in groups.” In May 2024, the median home price here was $4.3 million; prices are up 7% from 2023. A three-bedroom midcentury-modern ranch-style home can start at $2.5 million, while a six-bedroom 21st-century modern home can cost $11.8 million.
Join a club at Los Gatos High
Local kids can start school at Daves Avenue Elementary, then attend Raymond J. Fisher Middle; both earn an A rating from Niche. The A-plus-rated Los Gatos High offers over 100 student clubs, including the AI Research Club, Pickleball Club and Filmmaking Club. Athletic options include field hockey, badminton and wrestling, and the school's sports teams regularly participate in community service projects like cleaning up local parks and volunteering at senior centers.
Hike at the El Sereno Open Space Preserve
The 1,614-acre El Sereno Open Space Preserve is just to the south in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the trailhead for its Aquinas Trail is accessible from the neighborhood; this out-and-back trail includes 8 miles of chaparral meadows and views of the South Bay. Across University Avenue at the 152-acre Vasona Lake County Park, residents can rent a paddleboat during the summer or enjoy a picnic on the vast greenspace. The private La Rinconada Country Club includes a swimming pool, as well as a par-70 golf course with mountain views.
Breakfast in Los Gatos, dinner in Saratoga Village
“Monte Sereno connects arguably the cutest downtown areas in the South Bay: Los Gatos and Saratoga,” Moser-Wingo says. Downtown Los Gatos is a walkable stretch of local businesses and restaurants along Santa Cruz Avenue, including Los Gatos Café, a local breakfast staple that's been serving massive cinnamon rolls since 1987. In Saratoga Village, Big Basin Way is lined with hangouts like La Fondue, which serves European-style cheese fondue with a variety of dipping options, including wagyu beef, venison and local vegetables. Grocery options include Safeway and Lunardi’s, and fresh produce is available each Sunday at the Los Gatos Farmers Market.
Tucked away from major thoroughfares
State Route 9 is the main road through Monte Sereno. The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail’s Winchester station is 5 miles north, and the VTA bus makes several stops on Winchester Boulevard. State Route 9 and Daves Avenue have dedicated bike lanes, and sidewalks are uncommon. The Good Samaritan Hospital is 4 miles east, and the San José Mineta International Airport is a 13-mile trip.
The Los Gatos Children’s Christmas Holidays Parade
Each December, Monte Sereno’s residents flock to downtown Los Gatos for the Los Gatos Children’s Christmas Holidays Parade. “It’s a huge event where basically all the town goes,” Moser-Wingo says. “They close Main Street, and everyone lines the street. You have Santa and local Boy Scout troops, and all different members of the community have a chance to dress up and make floats.”
Increased wildfire risk south of state Route 9
Homes south of state Route 9 are in the wildland-urban interface, an area of high wildfire risk. Residents here should have an emergency plan in case of a wildfire, and residents throughout Monte Sereno may experience reduced air quality from nearby wildfires.
Written By
Annie Franklin
