Guidebook for Los Gatos
Food Scene
This family-friendly place has wood-fired pizza and an awesome outdoor area w/ boccee ball courts. Be sure to check out Saturday afternoon wine tasting -- the Petit Syrah is bomb!
10 locals recommend
Nonno's
21433 Broadway RdThis family-friendly place has wood-fired pizza and an awesome outdoor area w/ boccee ball courts. Be sure to check out Saturday afternoon wine tasting -- the Petit Syrah is bomb!
Fresh, authentic and really reasonably priced Italian food with an upscale atmosphere.
38 locals recommend
Tramonti
528 Seabright AveFresh, authentic and really reasonably priced Italian food with an upscale atmosphere.
Fabulous food with a gorgeous ocean view of picturesque Capitola. Great for a nice dinner date. The Surf & Turf is amazing!
50 locals recommend
Paradise Beach Grille
215 EsplanadeFabulous food with a gorgeous ocean view of picturesque Capitola. Great for a nice dinner date. The Surf & Turf is amazing!
Gayle's is a must for lunch or bakery items. Their assortment is unparalleled and it is always bustling with happy customers.
155 locals recommend
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveGayle's is a must for lunch or bakery items. Their assortment is unparalleled and it is always bustling with happy customers.
Unique, very romantic restaurant in a secret garden-like setting.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdUnique, very romantic restaurant in a secret garden-like setting.
The BEST Mexican in the Santa Cruz area. Really friendly staff to boot!
9 locals recommend
El Jardin Restaurant
655 Capitola RdThe BEST Mexican in the Santa Cruz area. Really friendly staff to boot!
Great Mexican food that is reasonably priced for downtown Los Gatos dining.
34 locals recommend
Pedro's
3935 Freedom CirGreat Mexican food that is reasonably priced for downtown Los Gatos dining.
This former speakeasy and bordello on the old stage line offers live music and grubbin' BBQ in a chic Western setting. It has a packed bar in the evenings & live music. Reservations recommended.
12 locals recommend
The Cats
17533 Santa Cruz HwyThis former speakeasy and bordello on the old stage line offers live music and grubbin' BBQ in a chic Western setting. It has a packed bar in the evenings & live music. Reservations recommended.
Tasty, cheap Indian lunch and dinner buffet right in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz.
7 locals recommend
Sitar Indian Cuisine
1133 Pacific AveTasty, cheap Indian lunch and dinner buffet right in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz.
Amazing, Michelin quality food perfect for a special occasion. Reservations required.
22 locals recommend
Nick's Next Door
11 College AveAmazing, Michelin quality food perfect for a special occasion. Reservations required.
This is a trendy, modern farm-to-table pizza joint with a great ambiance. They also serve brunch from 10-2 on weekends. Arrive early as they don't accept reservations for parties < 10.
30 locals recommend
Oak & Rye
303 N Santa Cruz AveThis is a trendy, modern farm-to-table pizza joint with a great ambiance. They also serve brunch from 10-2 on weekends. Arrive early as they don't accept reservations for parties < 10.
Quintessential Vegan Santa Cruz cafe in downtown. Tasty meals and desserts with a hearty helping of Hippy ambiance.
39 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
103 Lincoln StQuintessential Vegan Santa Cruz cafe in downtown. Tasty meals and desserts with a hearty helping of Hippy ambiance.
Quaint creperie and cafe that serves tasty breakfast and brunch items.
6 locals recommend
Sweet Pea's Cafe & Catering
453 N Santa Cruz AveQuaint creperie and cafe that serves tasty breakfast and brunch items.
Famous for their chocolate and cheese fondue, they are one of the oldest and well-established restaurants in LG. Great place for a romantic date or dining al fresco on a warm day.
7 locals recommend
Wine Cellar Restaurant
50 University AveFamous for their chocolate and cheese fondue, they are one of the oldest and well-established restaurants in LG. Great place for a romantic date or dining al fresco on a warm day.
Starbucks
624 Blossom Hill RdThis is your closest Starbucks.
Peet's Coffee
798-1 Blossom Hill RdThis is your closest Peet's Coffee.
You MUST try the Mint Tea Herbal, Philz Way. This place is incredible.
195 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
101 Forest AveYou MUST try the Mint Tea Herbal, Philz Way. This place is incredible.
Sightseeing
Great spot to watch local surfers and the sunset. Come here any Sunday evening and you'll see flame dancers and hula hoopers putting on quite a show.
81 locals recommend
Steamer Lane
700 W Cliff DrGreat spot to watch local surfers and the sunset. Come here any Sunday evening and you'll see flame dancers and hula hoopers putting on quite a show.
Beautiful State Parke situated on the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There are hiking trails in the lush and mossy forest with unusual rock formations popular with rock climbers.
64 locals recommend
Castle Rock State Park
15451 CA-35Beautiful State Parke situated on the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There are hiking trails in the lush and mossy forest with unusual rock formations popular with rock climbers.
CA's oldest state park has over 80 miles of hiking trails in old growth and recovering Redwood forests. There are lots of waterfalls, too! Dogs are allowed in the park, but not on any of the trails.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayCA's oldest state park has over 80 miles of hiking trails in old growth and recovering Redwood forests. There are lots of waterfalls, too! Dogs are allowed in the park, but not on any of the trails.
Essentials
Whole Foods-like store in the mountains if you don't feel like heading into the valley.
24 locals recommend
Summit Store Inc.
24197 N Summit RdWhole Foods-like store in the mountains if you don't feel like heading into the valley.
Trader Joe's
635 Coleman AveOur favorite grocery store!
Whole Foods Market
777 The Alameda...when Trader Joe's doesn't carry it.
Everything Else
Kennedy Trail
Kennedy TrailChallenging trail that is dog-friendly and leads to the summit of the mountain range.
Soquel Demonstration State Forest
29400 Highland WayIncredible mountain-biking.
Mount Umunhum
Great place for challenging and scenic road biking.
This trail is a great place for strolling, roller skating or biking. The trail connects Los Gatos to the town of Campbell and is shaded in most parts.
9 locals recommend
Los Gatos Creek Trail, Main St. Bridge Access Point
This trail is a great place for strolling, roller skating or biking. The trail connects Los Gatos to the town of Campbell and is shaded in most parts.
Arts & Culture
Retro place great for indoor roller skating. There is always a nice crowd and sometimes themed dress-up events.
13 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright AveRetro place great for indoor roller skating. There is always a nice crowd and sometimes themed dress-up events.
Historic downtown theatre with two digital screens in a luxury setting.
27 locals recommend
Los Gatos Theatre
43 N Santa Cruz AveHistoric downtown theatre with two digital screens in a luxury setting.
Historic estate with hiking trails, special art-related events and beautiful gardens. Dogs are allowed on some trails with leashes.
41 locals recommend
Montalvo Arts Center
15400 Montalvo RdHistoric estate with hiking trails, special art-related events and beautiful gardens. Dogs are allowed on some trails with leashes.
Drinks & Nightlife
A must-visit if you're not in the mood for winery tastings. Casual, yet classy Italian wine bar has an incredible selection of wines and cheeses. They do not take reservations.
9 locals recommend
Enoteca La Storia
416 N Santa Cruz AveA must-visit if you're not in the mood for winery tastings. Casual, yet classy Italian wine bar has an incredible selection of wines and cheeses. They do not take reservations.
Handcrafted specialty cocktails and small plates in a trendy, modern-industrial setting.
13 locals recommend
Jack Rose Libation House
18840 Saratoga-Los Gatos RdHandcrafted specialty cocktails and small plates in a trendy, modern-industrial setting.
Entertainment & Activities
A Santa Cruz tourist staple experience! The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz. A goofy and unique experience.
208 locals recommend
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdA Santa Cruz tourist staple experience! The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz. A goofy and unique experience.
Roraing Camp is an historic steam train that provides several themed routes in the Santa Cruz mountains. Fun for the whole family -- be sure to check for special events.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdRoraing Camp is an historic steam train that provides several themed routes in the Santa Cruz mountains. Fun for the whole family -- be sure to check for special events.