SARATOGA MLS

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  Saratoga History
  

  This gateway to the Santa Cruz mountains once was home to the Ohlone Indians, but California's agricultural and timber explosion came swiftly. After World War II, Saratoga blocked military industrial development and incorporated as the City of Saratoga. Today it retains that close-knit and quiet feel, and has settled comfortably into a well-placed, well-heeled residential community.

  Saratoga began life as Toll Gate, named for the toll gate erected by Martin McCarty.

  Before it was known for its classy restaurants, the city was first famous for its lumber mill. It later was noted for its flour mill and, finally, for its healthful spring waters, which recalled for some the hot springs at Congress Springs in Saratoga, N.Y.

  The springs in the hills above the town became popular with visitors, many from San Francisco who came to restore themselves in the waters.

  On March 13, 1865, Saratoga became the official name of the city. (Source: Saratoga News)
  

  Saratoga In the News
  Residents Petition to Save Historic Orchard : Residents plead with council to preserve the orchard as is.
  Local Art Historian Brings Far Eastern Treasures West : Marion Card has helped shape the city for 50 years.
  An Elegant Look at Saratoga's Libraries : Book to share the history of the Saratoga libraries.
  

  Saratoga History Tours
  Saratoga Historical Museum sponsors a tour on the first Sunday of each month, beginning in the spring. The tours, organized by Willis Peck, begin at 2 p.m. at the Historical Museum, 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. The tour covers almost a mile and takes a little over an hour. Volunteers from the museum share tour guide duties. Call 408.867.4311 for information.
  

  Saratoga History Museum
  20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA Tel. 408.867.4311
  Saratoga History Museum's small 1860s building has all the exhibit cases and framed prints that one would expect of a one-room museum depicting Saratoga's yesteryear, plus a new computer archive of databased information and photographs. Open Friday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
  
  
  

  Saratoga People

  Eric Ferguson
  Owner of Andy's Auto Sport.

  Papken der Torossian
  Silicon Valley Industrial Pioneer.

  Marion Card
  Art Historian and collector.

  Willys Peck
  Author and Northern Californian historian is enamored with Saratoga.

  Suzy Varadi
  Socialite and heiress to the OPI cosmetics fortune retains a home in the Saratoga hills.
  
  Free Things in Saratoga, California
  A guide to free things to do in the city of Saratoga.

  Reviews by Sarah Quelland (July 24, 2003)

  STATELY MANSIONS, beautiful foothills, world-class concert venues and a quaint little village are hallmarks of this artistic and historic South Bay community. If Los Gatos has the nouveaux riche, Saratoga would be the "old money," with all the traditional and understated elegance that goes with it. Just a short drive from the stress and noise of Silicon Valley sits this quiet, European-styled town with ample room to breathe and drink in the picturesque surroundings. Numerous recreational, cultural and family activities are offered free of charge, with plenty of backup from restaurants, cafes and pampering establishments. And there's free parking on the street, even if you don't have a Porsche to park there.
  
  

  1. Play Tennis, Track and Golf
  

  West Valley College
  14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga; 408.741.2000;
  www.westvalley.edu/wvc/wvcsports/sports.htm
  Members of the community are free to use the Saratoga Community College's lighted tennis courts, nine-lane all-weather track and golf-driving range whenever classes are not in session and no other groups have rented them for other purposes. WVC also hosts the annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show, a free family-friendly art event that takes place in May.
  

  2. Take a Walk in the Park
  

  Sanborn-Skyline County Park
  16055 Sanborn Rd., Saratoga; 408.867.9959

  The Youth Science Institute
  Sanborn Park, 16055 Sanborn Rd., Saratoga; 408.867.6940; Wed-Fri
  9am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun noon-4:30pm; www.ysi-ca.org/Sanborn/SBHome.html This lush mountain park offers 3,600 acres of redwoods and tan bark to explore. Free day-use activities include grassy picnicking spots and more than 15 miles of hiking trails and easy nature walks. Located at the park is the Youth Science Institute, a natural science and history museum committed to fostering an understanding in youth about the relationships between human beings and the natural world. This Sanborn branch of YSI features a host of exhibits, including live arthropods, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that live in the Santa Cruz Range, an insect zoo, earthquake and geology displays and a garden of plants native to the region. There's a $4 per vehicle parking fee to enter the park.
  

  3. Go See the Horses
  

  Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards and Garrod Farms Riding Stables
  22600 Mount Eden Rd., Saratoga; 408.867.7116; www.cgv.com
  Most activities are free at this historic 28-acre estate and vineyard. Free wine tastings are held every Monday-Friday, noon-5pm and every Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. For art lovers, the art exhibits are free. History buffs might want to check out the historic photos of George Cooper's career as a NASA test pilot, the historic ranch buildings and the 1932 Ford parked by the tasting room. Horse enthusiasts will get a kick out of watching the Mount Eden vaulting team training (Tuesday-Friday, 3-6pm, and Saturday, 8am-5pm) or attending the free horse shows where students and other horse lovers ride. The estate extends an open invitations to photographers and artists to bring their cameras or easels and spend time capturing the beauty of the panoramic views of Santa Clara Valley and other picturesque scenery. Free picnic areas and free access to the Fremont-Older and Midpeninsula Open Space areas are added bonuses.
  

  4. Walk through the Past
  

  Saratoga Historical Museum and Saratoga Village
  20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd., Saratoga; 408.867.4311; Wed-Sun 1-4pm
  Housed in a turn-of-the-century former drugstore building, the Saratoga Historical Museum contains displays of artifacts and photographs from early Saratoga. Located in the quaint and historic section of downtown Saratoga, next to the city's first library (now a Friends of the Library book store) and the McWilliams House (presently the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce), the museum offers guided walking tours of historic sites of the area, which include homes and the Oak Street School that are more than 100 years old, a boarding house where actresses Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine used to live, Sam McCloud's store, the old livery stable and the Bank, a bar that used to be a Bank of America. Admission is free.
  

  5. Be An Art Lover
  

  Aegis Gallery of Fine Art
  14531 Big Basin Way #2, Saratoga; 408.867.0171
  http://www.aegisgallery.com/; Sun, Tue and Wed 11am-7pm, Thu-Sat 11am-9m
  Dedicated to the pursuit of fine art, this eclectic cooperative gallery's membership is made up of a variety of local sculptors, ceramic artists, photographers, painters, jewelry makers, printmakers, papermakers, wood-turners and more. On the third Thursday of every month, 7:30-9:30pm, the gallery sponsors poetry readings, dramatic interpretation and chamber music performances in the main gallery. Upcoming exhibits include a retrospective group show in August; Mahoko Dahte's ceramics in September; Kay Duffy's watercolors in October; Li Chen's oils and acrylics in November; and the members' holiday show in December. Admission is free. Likewise, the nearby Gallery Saratoga fine art cooperative (located at 14435A Big Basin Way) offers similar browsing fun and hosts its annual Garden Party Art Show with art exhibits, live music and complementary refreshments on Aug. 3, 1-5pm. Gallery Saratoga is open Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm.
  

  6. Splendor in the Grass
  

  Villa Montalvo
  15400 Montalvo Rd., Saratoga; 408.961.5800, www.villamontalvo.org
  Built by former San Francisco mayor and U.S. Senator James Duval Phelan, this stately historic Mediterranean-style mansion is situated on 175 acres in the foothills of Saratoga. Though primarily a retreat for artists and a performing arts space, the public is invited to take in the splendor of the beautifully manicured lawn, the exotic formal gardens, the commissioned Sculpture on the Grounds exhibits, the woodland nature trails and scenic vistas daily, 8am-5pm, except on event dates. The Montalvo Gallery is also free and open to the public Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4pm. Specialty free events coming up at Montalvo include an open house on Oct. 18 .
  

  7. A Free Festival
  

  Celebrate Saratoga!
  Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.867.0753; Sep. 13, 5:30-10:30pm
  Last year, this annual street fair and community jubilee had close to 30,000 revelers in attendance celebrating Saratoga's historic culture. With six stages, this year's free event will be bursting with music. There's plenty of entertainment to amuse the kids and adults, and local restaurants provide samples of gourmet foods and award-winning wines. Shuttles run from Saratoga High School, Argonaut Shopping Center and West Valley College.
  

  8. Picnic in the Park
  

  Wildwood Park
  20764 Fourth St., Saratoga; 408.867.3438
  Small but popular, this four-acre park is an oasis just strides away from downtown Saratoga. With established trees that attract scores of birds, it's a charming setting for a quick lunch break, a leisurely picnic or a family barbecue. There's a children's play area and recreational facilities, including volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit and bike paths.
  

  9. Get Some Zen
  

  Hakone Gardens
  21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.741.4994, www.hakone.com; Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
  These immaculately kept Japanese gardens established in 1918 by Oliver and Isabel Stine are among the most authentic in all of America. Inside this tranquil setting sculptured trees and plants, a bamboo park, a koi pond, lanterns, symbolic stones, a tea museum and a traditional tea service area coexist in harmony, all accessible by the twisting gravel paths that accent the beautiful and meditative grounds. Docent tours run every weekend and a tea ceremony demonstration takes place on the first Thursday of each month, 1-4pm. There is a small fee for parking.
  

  10.Hear a Good Story
  

  Children's Programs
  Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga; 408.867.6126, 408.867.6127
  www.santaclaracountylib.org/saratoga/
  Recently renovated and reopened, the Saratoga Library offers numerous free activities for children throughout the summer. The Summer Reading Club is a great way to get kids interested in books at a young age. For kids too young to read yet, the library offers the alternative Good Listening Club, where younger children can enjoy summer storytime. Every Wednesday at 2:30pm through Aug. 13, the library hosts special events for children like puppet and magic shows for grades one and up. More free programs, including those for teens and adults, will be announced later. Check the website for updates.
  
  

  Saratoga Area Wineries

  The Santa Cruz Mountains above Saratoga are home to a handful of world-class wineries with scenic views, relaxing resorts, tasting rooms and picnic areas that are just a short hop from the Santa Clara Valley. The region's diverse microclimates support excellent vintages of classic varieties, including chardonnay, cabernet, zinfandel and pinot noir.

  Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
  23600 Congress Springs Rd, Saratoga; 408.741.2932
  Nestled in the Saratoga foothills, Savannah-Chanelle Vinyards has produced phenominal boutique wines for a number of decades. Just five minutes from the Saratoga Village up Highway-9 this beautiful mountain winery is a romantic destination for those looking to escape for an afternoon. Relax amongst redwood tree laced mountains while tasting some of the most extraordinary Pinot Noir Saratoga has to offer. Picnic tables, specialty mustards and wine tasting. Tasting room open daily from 11am - 5pm.

  Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery
  23000 Congress Springs Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.741.5858
  Founded in 1983, the family-owned Cinnabar overlooks the San Francisco Bay Area from its perch 2.5 miles above Saratoga Village. Its premium wines include estate and single vineyard chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir; a Central Coast merlot and the Mercury Rising Bordeaux blend. The winery is open the public for several open houses and annual events sponsored by the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association, including the Santa Cruz Mountains Vintner's Festival the first weekend in June and the Annual GrapeStomp the last weekend in September.

  George Troquato, winemaker at Cinnabar Vineyards, in the cave
  where wine-filled oak barrels are stored.

  Cooper-Garrod Vineyards
  22600 Mount Eden Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.867.7116
  Monday-Friday, 12-5, Weekends, 11-5
  The family-owned Cooper-Garrod specializes in chardonnay, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon varietals. The 21-acre estate vineyard is in the Saratoga hills, and the Cooper-Garrod tasting room is open Monday-Friday, 12-5, Weekends, 11-5, and by appointment.

  Bill Cooper of Cooper-Garrod Vineyards.

  Kathryn Kennedy Winery
  13180 Pierce Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.867.4170
  Kathryn Kennedy planted eight acres of cabernet grapes in 1973 and is today a small-lot producer of celebrated Cabernet, Syrah and Meritage wines aged in French oak and sold under the Santa Cruz Mountains appelation.

  The Mountain Winery
  PO Box 3166, Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.741.2822
  Frenchman Paul Masson, born in Burgundy in 1859, was known in his day as the "Champagne King of California." He bought a hilltop above Saratoga in 1901, cleared the brush to plant vineyards and built his house, known as "The Chateau." Though winemaking operations ended in the 1950s, the site, now known as The Mountain Winery, hosts an annual summer music festival of some renown, and the frequently photographed vine-covered facade of the sandstone winery is a historic landmark.

  Mount Eden Vineyards
  22020 Mt Eden Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.867.5832
  Producer of estate bottled pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay from old vineyards. Intimate tours by appointment only; no tasting room.

  Troquato Vineyards
  1791 Pollard Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95032; Tel. 408.866.6700
  Troquato Vineyards is a small, family-owned vineyard that has operated in the Santa Clara Valley for more than two decades. It produces small lots of award-winning cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot and zinfandel.
  Profile of vintner Angelo Troquato

  Uncorked!
  145000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070; Tel. 408.741.9000
  This small, tidy wine shop specializes in California wines.