Escape to Saratoga, California: From the Vines to the Great Outdoors

Saratoga's small-town charm easily helps you to escape the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. Nestled just west of San Jose on the edge of Silicon Valley, Saratoga is overflowing with chic boutiques, world-class restaurants, wineries, and rustic natural beauty. With plenty of things to do in Saratoga, it's easy to disconnect and take advantage of your time in this charming city.

Located on the main street of Saratoga Village, Saratoga Oaks Lodge is just a quick stroll from a myriad of boutiques, shops, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and culinary destinations that feature farm-to-table cuisine from local purveyors. This historic downtown area offers a vibrant cultural escape in the midst of the great outdoors. Explore the Santa Cruz Mountains and its burgeoning collection of wine tasting rooms, starting at the nearby Mountain Winery. Experience their summer concert series or check out world-class performances at the Montalvo Arts Center.

Make a tranquil escape to Hakone Gardens, or challenge yourself to the rugged hiking and biking trails at Castle Rock State Park or Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Of course, no trip to the Bay Area is complete without a visit to the coast. The golden sands along Santa Cruz Beaches are perfect for sun-filled splashes during your stay. Whether you're in town for business or leisure, Saratoga is an ideal destination for your trip.

Montalvo Arts Center

Experience a wealth of visual arts inside and outside of at this architectural landmark. Surrounded by exquisite gardens, an arboretum and miles of hiking trails. Stroll the grounds of Montalvo Arts Center before enjoying a performance in the Carriage House Theater. The Montalvo Arts Center showcases a diverse array of musical concerts, comedy, theater, and dance productions in its three magical venues.

The Mountain Winery

The Mountain Winery offers an unparalleled setting for a wide variety of special events, live performances, weddings, corporate meetings, retreats, and holiday parties amid the oak casks in the historic stone-masonry Winery. Start your journey in the wine tasting room and enjoy dinner with a view before taking in a summer concert.

Hakone Gardens

As the oldest Japanese estate and garden in the Western Hemisphere, explore this 18-acre retreat nestled in Saratoga, Ca., spanning over a century old. Take a leisurely stroll through the perfectly manicured gardens or sample some Japanese tea in Hakone's tea and bamboo gardens.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Step out and into the crisp cool air at Big Basin Redwood State Park where sorrel and ferns cover the ground and the majestic redwood forests can tower over 50 feet tall. Embark on scenic hiking trails for every level and expect to see diverse wildlife as you explore this enchanting terrain in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Santa Cruz Coastline

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - California’s oldest seaside amusement park - which has thrilled visitors for 107 years. Check out the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff Carousel, two national historic landmarks. One of the best places for tidepool exploration is Natural Bridges State Beach, where little ones will delight at the tiny crabs, sea stars and sea anemones nestling in underwater crevices when the tide goes out. Santa Cruz beaches stretch over 16 miles, each with unique and fun nature discoveries.

Castle Rock State Park

Head out to this hiker's paradise, situated along the Santa Cruz Mountains. Perfect for all skill levels, Castle Rock offers challenging trails along with unrivaled vistas of sculpted sandstone and natural rock formations. Home to various types of plants and vegetation, this park is ideal for viewing California's famous Redwoods and giant fir trees. The 34-mile trail system conveniently connects to the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Sanborn County Park

Spend the day at this lushly wooded, 3,453-acre park located in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Saratoga and Skyline Boulevard. Hike, picnic, explore the nature center. In the summer, head to Sanborn for outdoor Shakespeare performances and catch your favorite tale.