Hiking at Villa Montalvo
Villa Montalvo in Saratoga lies amidst a posh estate estate of huge mansions. It is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains and its grounds are popular of outdoor weddings and performances. The estate garden is charming - there are fountains and streams, gazebos and flower beds.
The grounds of Villa Montalvo also offers miles of hiking trails. These lead through lush redwood forests and climb up about 200m through the hills above the estate. The highlight of the trail is the lookout which offers one of the best views of Santa Clara valley, from Moffett Field to San Jose city.
Note: picnics are not allowed on the grounds. Trails are narrow, but clearly marked. Villa Montalvo is run by the County of Santa Clara - you can search their website here.