Saratoga _ your picture perfect Bay Area getaway
Nestled in the foothills of California's Santa Cruz mountains, Saratoga can feel more like a vacation town than a bustling city. It has transformed many times, from a sawmill town, to a land of vineyards and orchards, to the residential community of today. Visitors book their Saratoga vacations rentals so they can shop, sip a local vintage, and relax, but they also benefit from the beautiful outdoors and gentle climate. It's the perfect place for a trip with your best friends or a romantic weekend with your life partner.
Art, culture, history? We'll take all three
Saratoga likes to mix art, culture, and history in each of its most popular attractions, and if your Saratoga vacation rental is on the west side of town, you'll be close to both. The Montalvo Arts Center is on a 175-acre estate built by James Duval Phelan, California's first popularly elected U.S. Senator. These days, visitors peruse the fine art galleries while their kids take performing arts classes. Just 2 miles from Montalvo is the stunning Hakone Estate and Gardens, established in 1918 and featuring the oldest Asian garden in the Western Hemisphere.
Saddle up or cycle through the Saratoga scenery
Whether you prefer to ride something with four legs or two wheels, the great outdoors in Saratoga is a must. The city boasts several horse stables, from which visitors can schedule riding lessons or guided tours, some with amazing views from the rim of Silicon Valley. Some tours even add stops for wine tasting along the way. If you prefer to pedal your transportation, it's not a problem. Hit the mountain biking trails in nearby Castle Rock State Park, or beneath the stately redwood trees in Big Basin State Park.
The pure, unprocessed perks of a semi-rural city
The orchards and vineyards that still dot the landscape help Saratoga maintain a semi-rural environment. Its trail systems, creeks, and open spaces are a haven for wild birds, like wrens, woodpeckers, and meadowlarks. Visitors often spot lizards, coyotes, and the occasional mountain lion. Nature lovers and birdwatchers will be surrounded by wildlife preserves to the west and south of the city, and can hike through the grapevines and chaparral-covered hills in all seasons. Spring might be the best time to traverse the slopes, since that's when vibrant wildflowers are in bloom.
Traveling to and around Saratoga
The nearest airport is in Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), located 8.9 mi (14.4 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you might consider flying into San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO), which is 31.5 mi (50.7 km) away.