Saratoga (California)

Saratoga has been promoted as a spa town and the Bay area's gateway to the redwood groves in the Santa Cruz Mountains since the early 1900s. There are wineries in the hills and parks and open green spaces within driving distance. The downtown area is quaint and expensive. If it's in your budget, it's easy to spend an afternoon shopping and then wind up the evening with dinner at one of the many restaurants.

The nearest airport with scheduled passenger service is in San Jose. By car, it's about a 20-minute drive from the airport to downtown Saratoga. There is no train service, and getting from the airport to Saratoga often requires three different bus routes.

If you're in the downtown area, plan to park your car and then walk.

• 🌍 Hakone Estate and Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, ☏ +1 408-741-4994. (updated Jan 2022)

• 🌍 Wildwood Park, 20764 4th St (downtown, behind the shops). 6AM–9PM. City park with a surprising variety of options for its small size. There's a playground and a manicured grassy area where you can spread out blankets, with an amphitheater stage. Saratoga Creek runs through one corner, under the wooden bridge. If you go down the steep dirt path, you can wade through the creek on the smooth river rocks. On the west side of the park, there is a short hiking path that leads up the hill and along the fenced and gated upper edge of the park – perfect for younger kids to go exploring in the "wild" brush while staying within earshot. The sand area, which has its own water supply, is between the picnic tables and the restrooms. There is a drinking water fountain and a place to hose sand off the kids next to the restrooms. Limited parking by the entrance. (Most of the parking lot is reserved for the adjacent businesses and hotel.). free. (updated May 2021)

Saratoga is one of the places that Silicon Valley goes to celebrate, so there are plenty of fancy restaurants if you want to splurge. In addition to steakhouses, expect to find plenty of upscale Italian and Asian fusion restaurants.

• 🌍 Plumed Horse, 14555 Big Basin Way, ☏ +1 (408) 867-4711. W–Sun, 5–10PM. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers some California-style twists on classic dishes, such as latkes made from celeriac to go with duck confit, and pairing fermented black garlic with lamb chops. Reservations required. $250 for tasting menu; $150 a la carte; wine is $30–40 per glass. (updated May 2021)
• 🌍 La Fondue, 14550 Big Basin Way (downtown). Fondue is what's on the menu. A four-course meal starts with salad, has a cheese fondue followed by a meat or vegetable fondue, and ends with a chocolate fondue. $100. (updated May 2021)

• Saratoga Oaks Lodge. Small independent hotel in downtown Saratoga. $200+. (updated May 2021)
• The Inn at Saratoga, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 20645 4th St, ☏ +1 408-867-5020. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes WiFi, and has a fitness center. Non-smoking. (updated Jan 2022)

This is a low-crime area, especially during daylight hours.

• 🌍 Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave, ☏ +1 408-867-6126, saratoga_manager@sccl.org. M Tu 10AM-9PM, W-Sa 10AM-6PM. Free internet connection and computer use. Printers available. Restrooms and water. Charging station for electric vehicles. (updated Jan 2022)