Because of the unusually sizzling California weather (90+ Fahrenheit in
October!), we decided to hike at the nearby
Villa Montalvo, with significant tree
cover on most trails.
Villa Montalvo is located in Saratoga and usually hosts many arts & theater productions. We used Google Maps to provide driving directions.
When we arrived, a production of Romeo & Juliet was in progress. Unlike most productions of this Shakespeare drama, this production moved around the area (with the audience following it). This seemed unusual, as the audience usually stayed seated for most other productions.
Since we did not purchase tickets beforehand, we parked at Parking Lot 1 and walked up the steep incline to Parking Lot 3, where the Lookout Trail begins.
The hike takes one through a dense redwood forest with plenty of shade, which was welcome in the heat.
The Lookout Trail is steep, and it is easy to slip on the loose gravel.
At the top of the trail is a place called "Lookout Point," which provides unobstructed views of the surrounding Los Gatos and San Jose (and a bench to rest your weary legs).
Inna got winded from all the walking uphill and enjoyed a short rest on the bench.
The views of nearby Saratoga, Los Gatos, and San Jose are excellent, though one mostly sees trees and shrubs.
We had a short, enjoyable walk to Lookout Point. It was not much more than a mile from Parking Lot 3.
The hike back downhill was relatively easy, and we made it back to Villa Montalvo in no time.
The Lookout Trail is a short, shaded hike for warm days, though the climb is steep and loose gravel can make footing tricky.
Villa Montalvo is located in Saratoga and usually hosts many arts & theater productions. We used Google Maps to provide driving directions.
When we arrived, a production of Romeo & Juliet was in progress. Unlike most productions of this Shakespeare drama, this production moved around the area (with the audience following it). This seemed unusual, as the audience usually stayed seated for most other productions.
Since we did not purchase tickets beforehand, we parked at Parking Lot 1 and walked up the steep incline to Parking Lot 3, where the Lookout Trail begins.
The hike takes one through a dense redwood forest with plenty of shade, which was welcome in the heat.
The Lookout Trail is steep, and it is easy to slip on the loose gravel.
At the top of the trail is a place called "Lookout Point," which provides unobstructed views of the surrounding Los Gatos and San Jose (and a bench to rest your weary legs).
Inna got winded from all the walking uphill and enjoyed a short rest on the bench.
The views of nearby Saratoga, Los Gatos, and San Jose are excellent, though one mostly sees trees and shrubs.
We had a short, enjoyable walk to Lookout Point. It was not much more than a mile from Parking Lot 3.
The hike back downhill was relatively easy, and we made it back to Villa Montalvo in no time.
The Lookout Trail is a short, shaded hike for warm days, though the climb is steep and loose gravel can make footing tricky.
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