Staycation: Los Gatos
For Sunday strolling or Monday procrastinating, there may be no better South Bay town than Los Gatos, cradled in the foothills off Highway 17.
Main Street, Los Gatos.
Photograph by Victoria Alexander
Wide, shaded sidewalks skirt three adjacent streets North Santa Cruz, Main, and University—where boutiques, cafes, and tasting rooms are housed in tidy storefronts spanning the architectural gamut from art deco to mission revival. Those who grow weary of cappuccino-powered browsing can set off on a hike or bike ride to the high dam at Lexington Reservoir.
Poke around
Treasure hunters seeking gems from the not-so-distant past are drawn to Vintages’ eclectic collection of nearly forgotten ephemera. These antiques were once common household objects: tiny silver salt spoons, multicolored rhinestone brooches, silver-plated magnifying glasses, letter openers, 1930s skeleton keys, and handkerchiefs. Crafters and scrapbookers stop in for decorative papers, ribbons by the yard, and handmade trims. 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., , vintagesantiques.com
Sleep green
Certified by Santa Clara County as a Bay Area Green Business, the Mediterranean-style Hotel Los Gatos offers 71 rooms and suites, many boasting fireplaces and balconies. All offer small luxuries like cushy Egyptian cotton linens, down comforters, plush bathrobes and slippers, and access to the on-site Elia Spa. Pets are welcome, too. 210 E. Main St., , hotellosgatos.com
Dine like the gods
Opa! serves up traditional Greek favorites—rice-stuffed grape leaves, spinach and feta pie, avgolemono soup, and succulent gyros—plus a few surprises like pita-based pizzas and feta mac-and-cheese. The cozy dining room holds only about a dozen tables, so avoid peak hours or expect to wait. 27 N. Santa Cruz Ave., , opawillowglen.com
Pretend you’re in Paris
Extra-dark chocolate is the key ingredient in Fleur de Cocoa’s namesake confection, a bittersweet chocolate mousse with dark chocolate sponge cake soaked in Grand Marnier. Not craving chocolate? Nibble on an apple tarte normande, an almond croissant, or a lemon tartelette while musing over the pages of Madame Bovary. 39 N. Santa Cruz Ave., , fleurdecocoa.com
Drink and do good
Raise funds for breast cancer research by visiting Fleming Jenkins Winery Tasting Room and buying a bottle of their Victories Rosé. The Fleming name belongs to winery owner Peggy, the famous Olympic ice skater who is also a breast cancer survivor. 45 W. Main St., , flemingjenkins.com
