Hotels in Los Gatos: Culture, Nature and the Creek Trail

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

The exhibitions at the New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) focus on artists from the Bay Area and local history. This gives a trip to Los Gatos a specific cultural focus. Other options include a long trail, limited boating options at Lexington Reservoir, and a range of experiences related to history and nature.

Art, History and Programs

Downtown Los Gatos is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) is a public, nonprofit art and history museum founded in 1965. The register listing identifies the historic status of Downtown; the museum’s exhibitions focus on Bay Area art and local history. These are two distinct points of interest for a culturally focused stay: the historic town center and a museum program with a regional focus on art and history.

ArtNow is presented by NUMU. This annual, juried art exhibition is also an educational program for high school students in Santa Clara County. ArtNow thus combines an exhibition with a clearly defined educational focus. If the program is important to your travel plans, check the dates for that year’s exhibition before setting your travel dates.

Trail and Boating Rules at Lexington Reservoir

The Los Gatos Creek Trail begins at Lexington Reservoir and follows Los Gatos Creek for almost 9.5 miles through the Town of Los Gatos. Its route and length give your stay a distinct outdoor focus, making it a different planning consideration from individual cultural attractions. The type of watercraft permitted is also important if you’re planning an outing on the water. At Lexington Reservoir, only boats with limited motor power and watercraft launched by hand are permitted. These include canoes, kayaks, inner tubes and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Electric motors, such as trolling motors, are also permitted. Plan your visit to the reservoir according to these specific rules and the type of watercraft you intend to use.

More Experiences and a Regional Perspective

At Oak Meadow Park, you can ride the authentic, steam-powered Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. The railway is dedicated to preserving history and entertaining the public. The ride therefore combines an experience with an explicitly stated preservation purpose. It differs from a museum visit: the focus is on a train ride.

The Youth Science Institute (YSI) is located at the north end of Vasona Lake County Park. Its programs and outings teach science and foster an appreciation for the natural environment. Nature-focused education is at the center here—a different thematic focus from art and local history.

For a perspective beyond Los Gatos, the regional area along Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Downtown Los Gatos and Summit Road is home to boutique wineries. This adds a regional wine-growing point of interest to the local cultural and nature-related themes.

Discover more destinations: Palo Alto, Gilroy, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, San José, Los Altos, Cupertino.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Clara.

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