7 Best Sights in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, The Bay Area

Horseback riding and wine tasting makes a great combination for a day in the mountains; it’s that duo that draws visitors to this longtime farm and winery above Saratoga. A former test pilot, George Cooper founded the winery in 1972 and all of the wine continues to be sourced exclusively from the 28 acres of vines on the estate. Don’t miss the unique Test Pilot red blends and the quiet specialty of the winery: Cabernet Franc.

One of the most iconic names in American wine, Ridge’s 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon participated in the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting between French and Californian wines. See that celebrated Monte Bello Vineyard here, a stunning hillside of wine royalty with a mesmerizing view over the South Bay. Longtime winemaker Paul Draper was a visionary for prioritizing single-vineyard expressions and a minimal-intervention approach to crafting wines, and the winery continues that tradition. Visitors can usually purchase a taste of Ridge’s signature Monte Bello wine (a red Bordeaux-style blend), but fair warning, it’s one of the country’s most expensive wines.

About as isolated as it gets, this winery rewards visitors with outstanding Pinot Noirs from the 8 acres of vineyards on property and views that can extend over the mountains to Monterey Bay on a clear day. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. Wines from the estate and much further afield are across the board enjoyable in the tastings.

Situated at the southern end of the San Jose sprawl as the last city stop in the Bay Area before Santa Cruz and the gateway to the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos is a fun, exciting city that has also maintained its small-town vibe. The downtown area is almost L-shaped, where Santa Cruz Avenue connects with Main Street for two different thoroughfares that feel like one together. Along Santa Cruz, there’s the beautifully renovated art-deco-style Los Gatos Theatre ( 43 Santa Cruz Ave.). Excellent cocktails and seasonal eats are served at The Lexington House ( 40 Santa Cruz Ave.); standout pizzas at Oak & Rye ( 303 Santa Cruz Ave.); notable pastas are offered at The Pastaria & Market ( 27 Santa Cruz Ave.); fantastic breads and pastries from Manresa Bread ( 40 Santa Cruz Ave.); and house-made brews are showcased at Loma Brewing Company ( 130 Santa Cruz Ave.). Elsewhere in downtown on the small side streets are creative cocktails from Los Gatos Soda Works ( 21 College Ave.), the unique gluten-free Italian cooking of Polenteria ( 10 Victory La.), and modern Spanish tapas at Telefèric Barcelona ( 50 University Ave., Suite B270).

Beyond downtown, Los Gatos is a residential city with a variety of neighborhoods and parks. Vasona Lake is a beautiful reservoir within a county park ( parks.sccgov.org) that includes a children's railroad pulled by a steam engine and is a must-visit for families. At the far northern tip of the city is the headquarters of Netflix.

This longtime producer above Saratoga is widely considered the region's Pinot Noir whisperer. Its vineyards date back to 1945 when one of the most iconic names in California wine, winery founder Martin Ray, planted them at an elevation of roughly 2,000 feet. Mount Eden also produces outstanding estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings on the veranda include three wines and are by appointment only.

The northernmost winery open to the public in the Santa Cruz Mountains is named after its founder, a legendary heart surgeon. Pinot Noir is the specialty here, but tastings often include a few wild cards like Nebbiolo. The tasting room is surrounded by rolling vineyards, yet the real postcard views are in the adjacent area where weddings are held with a panoramic backdrop of what must be close to half of the Bay Area.

Near Loma Prieta, as high as one can go in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this fun winery balances high-quality wines with a more laid-back atmosphere that encourages relaxing all afternoon. There’s a boccie court, splendid vineyard views, and excellent estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Charcuterie boards are sold for hungry tasting groups, and once a month or so there's a food truck on hand. This is one of the few local wineries that welcomes both children and dogs.