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West Los Gatos

West Los Gatos

$2,675,439 Average Value
$404 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Community and nature in the Santa Cruz foothills

West Los Gatos offers a walkable village lifestyle with highly rated schools and hiking trails through the Santa Cruz Mountains. “It has so much character and maintains a very small-town feel,” says Ducky Grabill, a Realtor with Christie’s International Sereno who’s lived here for over 40 years. “It's got an extremely wonderful sense of community. There are always town fundraisers and events like the Wine Walk and Music in the Park.”

The mix of community and nature has made West Los Gatos (pronounced loss GAT-ohs) a popular place for Silicon Valley’s tech executives to settle down. Netflix is headquartered in the neighborhood’s north, and Highways 17 and 85 provide convenient access to the rest of the Bay Area. “It’s a charming little European-like village tucked up against the foothills,” says Kim Richman, a Realtor with Compass who’s lived in the area for 30 years. “Rich people from San Francisco used to come down to vacation and get out of the fog. That’s when downtown was built with all these little cottages. Now it’s very high-end.”

The mix of community and nature has made West Los Gatos  a popular place to settle down.
The mix of community and nature has made West Los Gatos a popular place to settle down.
Downtown Los Gatos offers charming boutiques and gourmet dining, making West Los Gatos vibrant.
Downtown Los Gatos offers charming boutiques and gourmet dining, making West Los Gatos vibrant.
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Refuel at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company

Along Santa Cruz Avenue in West Los Gatos’ “Old Town,” local shops like She She Boutique sit next to national brands like Anthropologie. The area is packed with restaurants, including the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, a local institution since 1982. This cozy coffee shop’s location near the St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve trailheads makes it a popular spot for cyclists and runners to refuel. “You see everybody there in their spandex and running shoes,” Grabill says. Residents can spend their evenings enjoying a taste of New Orleans at The Bywater, a casual Big Easy-inspired bar that earns the Bib Gourmand rating from the Michelin Guide. The upscale Forbes Mill Steakhouse serves high-quality steaks and seafood; their wine list won Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2023. Residents can shop for fresh veggies each Sunday at the Los Gatos Farmers Market downtown; grocery options include Safeway and Lunardi’s.

Residents can spend their evenings enjoying a taste of New Orleans at The Bywater restaurant.
Residents can spend their evenings enjoying a taste of New Orleans at The Bywater restaurant.
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, near St. Joseph’s Hill trails, is a local favorite.
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, near St. Joseph’s Hill trails, is a local favorite.
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Kick off the holiday season in downtown Los Gatos

Each December, the annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas Holidays Parade draws thousands of people downtown to watch holiday-themed floats, marching bands and Santa Claus amble down Santa Cruz Avenue. Downtown is also home to smaller year-round events, including the free summer concert series Jazz on the Plazz and Wine Walks in spring and fall.

Queen Anne cottages with picket fences

Near downtown, early 20th-century Craftsman and Queen Anne bungalows sit on tree-lined streets lined with picket fences, colorful gardens and manicured lawns. “The building department is very sensitive to maintaining the exterior period of the original architecture,” Grabill says. “You can’t just do whatever you want.” In May 2024, the median home price was $2.9 million. A two-bedroom Craftsman bungalow downtown can start at $1.7 million, while a five-bedroom Craftsman can cost $5 million.

Further west, early 20th-century Spanish Colonials and 21st-century Craftsman-inspired homes are set further back from the hilly streets, which trade sidewalks and picket fences for driveways and privacy hedges. Prices range from $1.6 million for a three-bedroom to $7.6 million for a five-bedroom. Townhouses are available in the neighborhood’s north; a two-bed can start at $1.2 million, while a three-bed can cost $2.8 million. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 3 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4; violent crime receives a score of 1 out of 10.

Queen Anne bungalows sit on tree-lined streets lined with picket fences.
Queen Anne bungalows sit on tree-lined streets lined with picket fences.
West Los Gatos boasts Spanish Colonials and Craftsman homes with private driveways.
West Los Gatos boasts Spanish Colonials and Craftsman homes with private driveways.
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The championship-winning Los Gatos High Wildcats

According to both Grabill and Richman, the schools are one of West Los Gatos’ biggest draws. Local kids can start at Daves Avenue Elementary and then attend Raymond J. Fisher Middle; both earn an A from Niche. At the A-plus-rated Los Gatos High, students can get involved in over 100 clubs and nearly 30 sports. The Los Gatos Wildcats football team is a highlight, winning championships as recently as 2023. “It was magic,” Richman says of the team’s 2023 season. “The whole town rallied behind the school.”

Dave Avenue Elementary in West Los Gatos offers a welcoming and engaging learning atmosphere.
Dave Avenue Elementary in West Los Gatos offers a welcoming and engaging learning atmosphere.
Top education at Los Gatos High in West Los Gatos.
Top education at Los Gatos High in West Los Gatos.
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Hiking trails at St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve

The 152-acre Vasona Lake County Park, just north of downtown, is a community gathering space where residents can paddleboat in the lake and stroll along 2 miles of trails. To the south, hikers and mountain bikers can have their pick of trails in the 1,614-acre El Sereno Open Space Preserve and the 270-acre St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve. The private La Rinconada Country Club’s par-70 golf course and swimming pool provide alternative ways to get outside. The CineLux Los Gatos Theatre downtown shows the latest blockbusters in a restored Art Deco movie theater. Nearby houses of worship include St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Grab a paddle boat at the docks of Vasona County Lake Park in West Los Gatos.
Grab a paddle boat at the docks of Vasona County Lake Park in West Los Gatos.
Ride a bike or go hiking in the trails at Vasona County Lake Park in West Los Gatos.
Ride a bike or go hiking in the trails at Vasona County Lake Park in West Los Gatos.
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Highway 17 in West Los Gatos offers quick access to the stunning Santa Cruz beaches.
Highway 17 in West Los Gatos offers quick access to the stunning Santa Cruz beaches.

Summer beach traffic on Highway 17

Highway 85 passes through West Los Gatos’ north, and Highway 17 in the east connects to the beaches of Santa Cruz, 21 miles south. According to Richman, summer beach traffic on Highway 17 can cause congestion throughout the neighborhood. “Waze sends people through the residential streets downtown to try to avoid the traffic on 17,” she says. “Every little street can get completely jammed on a three-day weekend.” Residents can get around the neighborhood on the Valley Transportation Authority bus. Bike-friendly residential streets and sidewalks make the area convenient for cyclists and pedestrians. The Good Samaritan Hospital is 3 miles away, and the San José Mineta International Airport is a 12-mile trip.

Increased wildfire risk south of Saratoga-Los Gatos Road

Homes south of Saratoga-Los Gatos Road are in the wildland-urban interface, an area of increased fire risk. Residents here are advised to have an emergency plan in case of a wildfire, and they may experience smoke and ash during fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south.

Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Elie Karam
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Aiyshanti Green
Video By
Aiyshanti Green

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sanguinetti Greenman Group, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norman Y Mineta San Jose International

44 min drive

Bus

Knowles & Market

Bus

Pollard & El Camino Hospital Los Gatos

Bus

Pollard & Teakwood

Bus

Main & Santa Cruz

Bus

Santa Cruz & Andrews

Bus

Santa Cruz & Blossom Hill

Bus

Pollard & Summerwood

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Los Gatos US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

West Los Gatos Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$399,000
Median Sale Price
$383,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$415,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$295,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$399,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
95
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$404

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,141
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Median Year Built
1969
Months of Supply
2.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,290
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,046
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,437
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
924
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
786
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,147

Open Houses

  • Friday, Aug 1
    1 - 4pm

    105 Strathmore Place, Los Gatos, CA 95032

    $1,898,888

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,122 Sq Ft
    • 105 Strathmore Place
    • New 12 days ago

    Location 3x, Come see this incredibly charming 3 bdrm/3 bath end unit Townhome (family room 1st flr-can be 4th bdrm for the Senior Family Members) nestled in the vibrant city of LG. A spacious home boasts a thoughtfully designed kitchen, featuring granite counters, island w/a sink & a gas oven range perfect for culinary enthusiasts & small home office to boot. The flooring offers a variety of

    Ric Bareng KW Silicon City

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    1 - 4pm

    230 San Mateo Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

    $2,999,888

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 1,831 Sq Ft
    • 230 San Mateo Ave
    • New 1 day ago

    STUNNING! Welcome to 230 San Mateo Ave a reimagined modern farmhouse in walkable Los Gatos with over $450K in curated upgrades. This 3BD/3.5BA home offers 1,830 SF of light-filled living space on a 6,100 SF lot, steps from Vasona Park, downtown, dining, and shopping. The freshly painted exterior, modern white siding, drought-tolerant turf, veggie garden boxes, and drip irrigation offer curb

    Deepak Compass

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    1 - 4pm

    17820 Daves Ave, Monte Sereno, CA 95030

    $4,468,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,901 Sq Ft
    • 17820 Daves Ave
    • New 7 days ago

    Elegant Single-Story Retreat in Prestigious Monte Sereno. This beautifully built 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence, constructed in 2008, offers timeless elegance and modern functionality all on a spacious single-level floor plan. Designed with comfort and sophistication in mind, the home boasts soaring ceilings, custom finishes and rich walnut-tone hardwood floors, complemented by natural stone

    Steve Bianchi Realty World-Bianchi & Associates

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sanguinetti Greenman Group, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
15,025
Median Age
46
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$164,468
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$184,697

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.2%
College Graduates
72.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

13 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West Los Gatos