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Hiking at Villa Montalvo is unique because you start next to a hidden, yet bustling Villa with gardens & a mansion, so you’re probably wondering if this is the right place for hiking. It is! A popular route will take you ~0.7 miles from the parking lot uphill on the Lookout Trail to a gorgeous view of the valley (1.4 miles roundtrip). Quickly into the hike you enter a dense, shady, unexpected second-growth redwood forest. Suddenly, you will think you are in the wilderness. At the top of the Lookout Point Trail, there is a great view of the valley and surrounding mountains, along with a couple of benches to enjoy the views. The trail is a bit steep, but short enough that toddler hikers can make it to the viewpoint. I love this hike and my four-year-old loves to run down the entire "roller coaster" trail back to the parking lot. We keep returning again and again.
Note: Parking can be a little confusing if you've never been to Villa Montalvo. Just keep following the signs to the hiker lot: Parking Lot 4.
Bathrooms
Yes, at hiker's Parking Lot 4 (Rating: Nice)
Playground
No
Kid transportation
Walking or child carrier. Too steep for strollers. Bikes not allowed.
Suggested Route
As you drive through the Villa Montalvo grounds, make your way to Parking Lot 4. From Parking Lot 4, start your hike up the Lookout Trail. Keep left at every fork (the signage is not great) to stay on the Lookout Trail. When you arrive at a fork with the Lookout Point Trail, go left and take this to Lookout Point, a gorgeous vista with valley views. You can return back the same way (~1.4 miles roundtrip) or wander down an alternate route. Be sure to take a trail map, or take a photo of the trail map at the trailhead prior to starting your hike.
Difficulty
Difficult. Steep, but short.
Parking Situation
Abundant
Entrance Fee
None
Bonus
Head down to downtown Saratoga for a coffee after the hike.
Official Park Website
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/villa-montalvo.aspx Trail map: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/VillaMontalvoMap.pdf
Date Updated
January 2019
