Neigborhood Info

LOS GATOS-MONTE SERENO CALIFORNIA

The beautiful town of Los Gatos, California is situated at the base of Sierra Azules, in the southwestern portion of Santa Clara County. Located just about 60 miles south of San Francisco, Los Gatos is home to Geographically, Los Gatos, California is bordered by the city of San Jose to the north and east, the city of Campbell to the north, the cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga to the west, and the unincorporated county of Santa Clara and the county of Santa Cruz to the south.

Los Gatos real estate is comprised of beautiful neighborhoods scattered among a wide variety of terrain, ranging from flat topography at the edge of the valley to thickly wooded hillsides. The valley and hillsides both include picturesque creeks, winding streams, and various wildlife habitats.

Living in Los Gatos is truly an enjoyable and unique experience, which explains the rapidly growing Los Gatos real estate market. Los Gatos, California residents enjoy wonderful amenities including excellent schools, darling neighborhoods, breathtaking hillsides, and a plethora of recreational opportunities. Shopping and dining in Los Gatos, California is also a favorite pastime for both residents and visitors to the area.

The town of Los Gatos, California is nestled within the largest metropolitan area of northern California and is closely tied to Silicon Valley. Even among these busy areas, Los Gatos is able to retain its authentic small town charm with a pleasurable, well-balanced mix of residential, commercial, service, and open space properties. Such advantages to Los Gatos residents, businesses, and visitors are part of what makes Los Gatos real estate so appealing.

History of Los Gatos

As one of Santa Clara County’s oldest communities, Los Gatos California was originally named La Rinconada de Los Gatos (Cat’s Corner) by early settlers, due to the high number of mountain lions that lurked through the night. The Mexican Government granted a land patent for the 6,600-acre rancho to Sebastian Peralta and Jose Hernandez in 1840.

By 1868, one hundred acres of the rancho were chosen to serve as a town site. In 1887, the town was incorporated, and by 1890, the town’s population had grown to 1,652. By 1963, the first General Plan was adopted and the town area grew to be an estimated 4,000 acres or 6.3 square miles. The population at that time included more than 11,750 residents.

In 1971, the first General Plan was revised and the town grew to an even bigger landmass of nine square miles, with a population of 24,350. By 1984, Los Gatos covered nearly 10 square miles with a solid population of nearly 28,000 people. Today, the population of Los Gatos California is estimated to include nearly 29,000 residents in a 14 square mile area. Most of the growth of Los Gatos real estate in the 1970s was due to the area’s new developments. During the 1980s and 1990s, the growth was primarily due to annexations, in-fill development, and rapidly changing demographics.

Los Gatos, California Today

Los Gatos has since evolved into a beautiful, independent community featuring residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the main industries of the town included wheat farming, milling, logging, orchard, and cannery businesses. Today, Los Gatos has emerged into a high technology suburb thanks to its closeness to Silicon Valley. Los Gatos, California remains a major destination for businesses of today.

Much of the success of the tourism industry in Los Gatos is attributed to the pleasant climate and easy access by rail from San Francisco. This close proximity to the Golden Gate city is also a number one reason for the rise in Los Gatos real estate. Residents are rewarded with comfortable, small town living in a city that also happens to be within a major metropolitan realm.

For more information about Los Gatos real estate, please call Rick Ardizzone, John Howmiller or Jeff McLaughlin at 1-800-678-3570 or email info@losgatos-saratogahomes.com to make an appointment today.