Hi there,

I'll be spending a week in Saratoga, CA this summer. Any suggestions on places to stay, unique restaurants, and/or activities in town or within close proximity? I will rent a car, but would like to stay within 15-20 miles of the city center. I would love a hotel or inn with a pretty pool and garden!

Thanks in advance for your tips.

Saratoga is at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains, so lots of things to do up there. Big Basin state park is great - near the town of Boulder Creek, off Hwy 9. Plenty of hiking (choices range from easy to strenuous), picnicking, etc. There are also some county parks along Hwy 35, which intersects with Hwy 9 at the summit. There are also quite a few wineries in the Santa Cruz mountains, if that interests you.

There is a summer concert series up at Mountain Winery, which is just outside of Saratoga.

But understand, Saratoga itself (the "downtown") while very very lovely, is just an upscale suburb, population about 30,000, not a "city" in any sense of the word.

In case you were wondering about Saratoga's "upscaleness":

Estimated median household income in 2008:
Saratoga: $167,204
California: $61,021


Estimated per capita income in 2008: $81,268

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008:
Saratoga: over $1,725,037
California: $467,000




Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Sarato...#ixzz0qIy84KVv

Thanks so much for the info! Where should I stay???

VIneyards and wine-tasting, shopping, concerts sound great. Hiking, not so much...

Well, why did you choose Saratoga?

Ahhh... I'm meeting someone there, but she will only be available evenings.

I would love a hotel or inn with a pretty pool and garden where I can sit to read while sipping on a cocktail!

Saratoga really isn't a hotel sort of place -- nor a week's stay sort of place for that matter, unless you are maybe visiting friends/relatives.

As sf7307 says, it is mainly a posh residential area w/ a bunch of cafes/restaurants along its main road.

I'm w/ sf7307- you chose Saratoga for some reason - why? Do you actually have to stay IN Saratoga -- if so your options will be pretty limited.

There doesn't appear to be any hotels with pools in Saratoga itself (which seems to have only one hotel andone B&B).

If you want to drive up/down the road a bit, try the Hotel Los Gatos, which does have a pool.

Here's the Tripadvisor reviews of Hotel Los Gatos:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

or the Los Gatos Lodge:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

Hope these might fit your needs.

If you're so inclined, take a drive up to Palo Alto, about 20 miles -- great downtown, Stanford University campus (excellent museums on campus, among other things -- the largest Rodin sculpture collection outside of France, for one)

Hey, EasyTraveler, I just came up with Hotel Los Gatos from my research, as well.

SF7307, would Hotel Los Gatos be a convenient place to stay?

What about La Hacienda Inn?

Thanks again, folks.

La Hacienda is fine too. I always think of it as being in Monte Sereno, but the way these city boundaries weave around the hills and mountains, guess it's still considered Los Gatos.

La hacienda would place you closer to Saratoga, but the Hotel Los Gatos is a newer and better property, IMHO.

You can't go wrong with either. check out the reviews online and see which one fits your needs better.

also check out the Toll House in Los Gatos

There is wine tasting in the Santa Cruz mountains, about 10-15 minutes from Los Gatos/Saratoga. These are windy roads, so careful if you are prone to motion sickness.

Hotel Los Gatos is a beautiful hotel with a great restaurant and close to downtown Los Gatos where there are great restaurants and shops. And even close to a hiking trail although you didnt seem interested in hiking.

Never stayed there as daughter lives close by so no need to - but have had several dinners at the restaurant Dio Deca which I really enjoyed. ( daughter was friends with owner so waited on hand and foot) and great food

Are you a foodie who is willing to spend $$$$ on dinner? If so, check out Manresa in Los Gatos --- it's often on the best-in-the-country lists.

Also, I thought of a couple of other places you might enjoy Filoli in Woodside, and Hakone Gardens in Saratoga.

http://www.hakone.com/

http://www.filoli.org/

According to a neighbor of mine who went recently: Manresa's food has gone downhill but their prices remain sky high. Be careful. There are plenty of good places to eat.

Filoli and Hakone Gardens are good suggestions.

There's also Villa Montalvo in Saratoga. You can just stroll the grounds, go on a short hike, or just sit somewhere and enjoy this beautiful property. There are various art events held there which might interest you.

http://www.montalvoarts.org/

I haven't been to Manresa at all -- easytraveler's neighbor may well be right. The people who recommended it to me have great taste, but they haven't been in at least a year.

Thanks, everybody! Great tips!