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Saratoga

Saratoga

$4,325,329 Average Value
$1,460 Average Price per Sq Ft
50 Homes For Sale
Saratoga has expansive views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Saratoga has expansive views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

What makes Saratoga a scenic and commuter-friendly city

Saratoga is a prestigious South Bay city west of San Jose, where tree-lined neighborhoods and mountain views blend into one scenic community. Many homebuyers choose the city for its award-winning schools, expansive homesites and strong connection to the outdoors. Historic Saratoga Village, the city's central downtown area, provides a walkable destination for dining, shopping and community events. The community also enjoys a quick commute to many Silicon Valley tech hubs without compromising the area's tranquil, primarily residential atmosphere.

Large homesites and luxury prices shape Saratoga

Saratoga's housing market is defined almost entirely by single-family homes on large lots. Condos and townhouses pop up closer to Big Basin Way and Saratoga Avenue, but housing options across the city look like classic ranch-style homes, spacious New Traditionals and multi-million-dollar custom estates. Properties date from the mid-20th century to the early 2020s. The city's median sale price is around $4.1 million, with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $17 million. This makes Saratoga one of the most expensive housing markets in the South Bay, surpassing San Jose, Campbell and Cupertino.

The neighborhood you choose largely determines the atmosphere of daily life. "You can live in Quito Village or The Golden Triangle and it'll feel more suburban, but there's also plenty of seclusion closer to the mountains," says real estate agent Lisa Sgarlato of Compass Realty. Saratoga Village has a more bustling atmosphere, with higher foot traffic around Big Basin Way.

The city mainly offers single-family homes.
The city mainly offers single-family homes.
Upscale townhomes show up closer to Big Basin Way.
Upscale townhomes show up closer to Big Basin Way.
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Redwood Middle School is a highly rated public school option.
Redwood Middle School is a highly rated public school option.

Award-winning schools, like Redwood Middle, are a major draw

"The schools are a huge reason that families move to Saratoga," says Realtor Olesia Woodward of Intero Real Estate Services. "This is a town that values education." Students are served by the Saratoga Union School District for elementary and middle school, followed by the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District for high school. Redwood Middle School, a 2026 California Distinguished School, is known for its accomplished marching band, which was selected to perform at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.

Saratoga is a quick commute from the Apple campus.
Saratoga is a quick commute from the Apple campus.

Drivers have a reliable commute to Silicon Valley hubs

Saratoga is heavily car-dependent, with limited Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus service and no light rail in the city. Commuters use state Routes 17 and 85 to reach major employers in nearby cities, like Mountain View, Sunnyvale and San Jose. Tech companies like Google and Apple are less than 15 miles away, equaling a roughly 30-minute morning commute. Some parts of the city are more walkable and bikeable than others, particularly in the Saratoga Village neighborhood.

Many people like to hike and mountain bike through the nearby Santa Cruz foothills.
Many people like to hike and mountain bike through the nearby Santa Cruz foothills.

Explore redwood trails, foothill campsites and Japanese gardens

Tucked next to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the city has a strong outdoor lifestyle. "With the mountains right there and so many trails running through the city, you don't necessarily feel like you are in a tech hub like Silicon Valley," Woodward says. Sanborn County Park has over 3,400 acres of natural land for people to explore. The park has many large campsites, and miles of multiuse trails wind through redwood and oak forests.

For a different pace, visit Hakone Estate and Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese-style estates in the Western Hemisphere. Stroll through bamboo groves and Zen gardens with waterfalls and koi ponds before watching a private tea ceremony. Villa Montalvo is another major attraction, offering a variety of themed gardens, hiking trails and vista points.

Plumed Horse is a popular restaurant in Historic Saratoga Village.
Plumed Horse is a popular restaurant in Historic Saratoga Village.

Local boutiques and restaurants line Big Basin Way

Historic Saratoga Village along Big Basin Way is the heart of local shopping and dining. This scenic walkable corridor is lined with a variety of locally owned boutiques, galleries and specialty shops. You can stop for coffee at a sidewalk café or have date night at one of the area's fine dining restaurants. Some of the most popular eateries around include:

  • The Hero Ranch Kitchen, a woodfire-grill steakhouse serving prime cuts and seasonal produce from local farms
  • Mandala Indian Cuisine, a laid-back yet elegant spot for classic curries, biryanis and tandoori dishes
  • La Fondue, a four-course fondue experience with themed dining rooms
  • Plumed Horse, an upscale establishment known for its French and Californian-inspired cuisine
  • Hachi Ju Hachi, a traditional sushi bar serving Japanese fare and thoughtfully curated omakase

Enjoy local events, like The Blossom Festival and live concerts

The community hosts many major events throughout the year. Some of the most popular are:

  • The Blossom Festival, a spring celebration of the area's agricultural past held at Heritage Orchard and the Saratoga Civic Center
  • Saratoga Nights, a monthly live music event in historic Saratoga Village from April through October
  • The Mountain Winery Concert Series, a long-running summer tradition where major musical acts perform at the vineyard's outdoor amphitheater
  • Oshogatsu, a Japanese New Year celebration at Hakone Estate and Gardens

What to know about wildfire risk in Saratoga

Saratoga's western hillsides lie within the wildland-urban interface and are at high risk of wildfire. Homebuyers should budget for potentially higher homeowners insurance and confirm their evacuation zone.

Isabel Butler
Written By
Isabel Butler
Paolo Abellana
Photography Contributed By
Paolo Abellana
Jonathan Bradley
Video By
Jonathan Bradley

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Steven Wen, an experienced agent 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

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
10,639
Number of Homes for Sale
50
Median Year Built
1965
Months of Supply
2.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,770
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,257
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,305
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
747
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
600
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632

Open Houses

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Neighborhoods in Saratoga

Property Mix - Square Feet

Saratoga Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
7
Median Rent
$6,950
Median Single Family Home Rent
$7,900
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$7,100
Median Condo Rent
$3,473
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,950

Demographics

Total Population
28,794
Median Age
52
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.7%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$234,672
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$228,043

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
80.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.5%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Fairly bikeable

Bikeability®

40 / 100

Somewhat walkable

Walkability®

30 / 100

Limited public transit

Transit®

20 / 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.
Saratoga