SILICON VALLEY’S LOS GATOS, A GEM OF A TOWN
The Town of Los Gatos is an incorporated town located approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco, at the southwest corner of San Jose. Los Gatos is nestled at the base of the Sierra Azules in the center of a dramatic natural amphitheater formed by the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Los Gatos serves as a gateway from the Santa Clara Valley to the Pacific Ocean. 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 unincorporated County of Santa Clara and the county of Santa Cruz to the south, border the Town. The population is estimated to be 30,497 in a 14 square mile area.
Los Gatos is a sophisticated town with a small town feel. According to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Los Gatos ranks 33rd in affluence in the United States and is home to some of Silicon Valley’s best and brightest. Homes in Los Gatos vary from century-old one million-dollar cottages in the downtown area to 15-30+ million-dollar large custom homes in the surrounding hills. It prides itself as a self contained community with over 3000 businesses that serve the residents and act as a destination point for visitors who are attracted to its many Michelin Star restaurants, hotels, and pedestrian oriented downtown area.
The steep history that commemorates this historic town includes witness to a multitude of explorers ranging from Franciscan padres, American pioneers who were anxious to grow and can fruit and harvest virgin redwood forests, and wine makers. The town grew up around a flourmill established in the 1850s and then flourished with the arrival of a railroad in 1878, which served the area for greater than 80 years. Today, the orchards, logging and cannery businesses have been replaced with a focus on high tech and innovation with companies such as Zynga, Netflix, and Wagic finding Los Gatos an ideal location to host headquarters sites as their preferred Silicon Valley community. The charm of the past however, is not lost on this Town, as Los Gatos residents are steadfast on preserving the old while having the foresight to bring in the new. Today, Los Gatos streets continue to be adorned with Victorian homes, mission like places of worship – some converted to wineries, and historic relic visitor destinations such as the Forbes Mill, interspersed with the contemporary look of current times.
But the best part of Los Gatos for many is… shhhh, don’t tell anyone…. the fact that this Town stands alone in hosting some beautiful terrain along with what many consider to be some of the best climates in America. Los Gatos encompasses a wide variety of terrain, ranging from flat topography at the edge of the valley to densely wooded hillsides. Creeks, streams, a major reservoir, parks and natural wooded habitats serve as home to the egrets, wood ducks, owls, coons, mountain lions, deer, geese and many other wildlife creatures that share this area as home with local residents.
An ideal Sunday starts with a bike ride, run or stroll along the Los Gatos trail, where one can enjoy the parks and natural scenery that adorn the area, followed by a cup of coffee at a favorite local friendly coffee shop, and truly friendly they are, a stop by the local farmers market, followed by lunch at an outdoor café. A day’s highlight might include an art & wine show, an outdoor summer concert on the Civic Center Lawn, or, should it be a holiday, a local downtown parade (Los Gatos hosts one of the largest children’s’ parades during the holiday season west of the Mississippi) to top it off. Simply put, perfect. Can life get much better?
and transform lives for America’s heroes. Every single penny contributes to delivering the honor, respect gratitude and healing to those who’ve defended America’s freedom.
TOGETHER, WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE
A Memorial creates an actual place where veterans, all who serve their country and families of all races, creeds, social status and opinion can find a place that creates a healing environment to reflect and value one of our greatest gifts--to live in a free society.
"Going clear back to the Civil War, all of our Veterans have raised their right hand and swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. And along with that we wrote a check to the U.S. Government and the American People for an amount up to and including our lives. Unfortunately, far too many have given their all in that regard."
"It is important to have a war memorial because it must not be forgotten that many people gave their lives so that we Americans might have what we have today."©2021 Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation of Los Gatos. All rights reserved.
