Los Gatos Weekly-Times Photograph by George Sakkestad A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And when it comes to local architecture, our readers say the Fretwell Building at the corner of University Avenue and Main Street is their choice as the best architectural beauty. The Best of Los Gatos 1998 Places & Spaces Seldom does one extol the virtues of Los Gatos without using the term "old-fashioned." And they mean it as the highest praise. Residents and visitors alike are attracted to the community for everything Silicon Valley is not. People want to live here because of its old-fashioned charm, the same charm that beckons techies to flee their cubicles for brief respites on weekends. Downtown Los Gatos is everyone's favorite downtown. And the nearby neighborhoods offer a history lesson in architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint bungalows. And if it's a jogging trail, an equestrienne path, a view of the stars or a spot to spread a picnic blanket, what more perfect place than Los Gatos? Best Architectural Beauty Fretwell Building Located at the corner of W. Main Street and University Avenue, the historic Fretwell Building was originally an all-wooden structure that burned to the ground on Oct. 13, 1901, according to local historian Bill Wulf. Several years later, local jeweler and optician J.J. Fretwell had the building rebuilt with poured cement, patterned tin ceilings and redwood beams harvested from trees grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He then used the building as his office. The building's main architectural influence is Richardsonian, named after late 19th-century builder Henry Hobson Richardson. His style included plain forms inspired by Romanesque architecture and heavy, load-bearing walls. Rounded arches, which can be seen in several places on the Fretwell building, are another architectural feature. Over the years, the structure has housed a bank, cleaners, cobbler, ice cream shop, rug store, art gallery and several antique stores. Today it is home to three of the latter: Antiquarium, Old Town Antiques and Patterson's Antiques. Best Shopping Center King's Court It's no surprise the shopping center named for royalty has a faithful following appropriate to a king--few other local centers combine so many goods and services. Located at the busy intersection of Blossom Hill Road and Los Gatos Boulevard, King's Court truly boasts something for everyone. Hungry visitors will find restaurants serving fast-food sandwiches and salads, sushi and Asian cuisine, while those thirsty for a pick-me-up will find a coffeehouse. Parents can shop at a well-stocked toy store--yes, it even has Beanie Babies--and those whose "children" are wild birds can find what they need at a store that caters to avian aficionados. Other special interest stores include a tanning salon, dry cleaners, beauty supply and salon, craft store, Hallmark store, and a camera and film store. Need a haircut? There's a barbershop here. Need to rent a mailbox? That's here too, as is a gas station, two major-name banks and the King's Court anchor stores: Lunardi's supermarket--an old-timer--and Longs Drugs, which just opened this fall. Best Bike Ride, Best Jogging Trail Los Gatos Creek Trail A perennial favorite for locals and non-locals alike, this well-worn path spans nearly 14 miles and three municipalities: Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose. Depending upon the area, it takes the form of footpath, paved path or paved multiple use trail. Along with bicyclists and joggers, the trail is also frequented by walkers and skaters who enjoy its ease of use, its many access points and its ever-changing scenery. Users also appreciate amenities such as call boxes, public restrooms, picnic tables, ranger stations, playgrounds and a par course. The creek trail is beauty, fun and exercise rolled into one. The trail's southern end is at the dam of Lexington Reservoir in the hills above Los Gatos. From there, it makes its way through St. Joseph's Open Space Preserve and Novitiate Park. Following Los Gatos Creek's meanderings, the trail passes Forbes Mill Museum, crosses a colorful footbridge and winds through Vasona Lake County Park. After passing through Los Gatos Creek County Park, the trail continues into neighboring Campbell and then, finally, into San Jose. The trail ends at Blackford High School, although the creek continues, eventually flowing into Guadalupe River. Best Place to Ride a Horse Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Nicknamed by many locals as "the Kennedy Road area," the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve is composed of two areas known officially as Kennedy-Limekiln and Cathedral Oaks. This keeps Los Gatos' share separate from the Mt. Umunhum Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, which is southeast of here. Run by the Midpeninsula Open Space District, Sierra Azul--which means "Blue Mountain Range" in Spanish--is made up of 5,236 acres crossed by 15 miles of trails open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Although the parking along Kennedy Road is limited, many horseback riders solve this problem by moseying in on their equines. The area features ruggedly beautiful terrain, chaparral-covered slopes, densely wooded canyons, mixed woodlands and old orchards. Adventurous riders can also trek to the 2,000-foot ridge top or the 1,762-foot Priest Rock, where the entire Santa Clara Valley is visible below on a clear day. Sierra Azul is definitely a place for horseback riders to find some happy trails. Best Place for Stargazing Lexington Reservoir Although joking votes from some readers that certain spots lent themselves to other things as well as contemplating the heavens, Lexington Reservoir and the hills and roads that surround it are truly a beautiful planetarium. Following a five-minute drive along southbound Highway 17--traffic permitting--astronomers must spot the Alma Bridge Road exit off the highway before they can do any star-spotting. This road leads through the woods and eventually over the reservoir. Sometimes people park on the bridge, although it's best to cross completely and then find a good vantage point on the road above the far shore. From here, one can actually watch fingers of fog creeping over the hills from Santa Cruz. The expanse of sky is even more impressive--a sweeping dark arc with nowhere to look but up. There's not much sky glare from city lights either, so planets, stars and the occasional meteorite are much easier to find. Be sure to bring along a jacket--or another stargazer-- as it gets pretty chilly up there! Photograph by Scott Lechner Los Gatos may be named for cats, but judging by the number of dogs who walk on its trails, through its parks and along its downtown streets, some might guess it's a dog's world. Here, Jasmine leads her owner, Jeannette Lane of Los Gatos, through Vasona Lake County Park, the spot voted the best place to walk a dog. Best Place to Walk, Best Place for a Picnic, Best Place to Walk Your Dog, Vasona Lake County Park Even its long moniker doesn't do justice to this large recreational area and its wide variety of attributes, which include picnic areas, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, a boat rental station, a fishing area and the nonprofit Youth Science Institute. Maintained by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, Vasona offers eight reservable picnic areas and a handful of first-come-first-served picnic tables, most with barbecue areas, for gatherings ranging from a romantic outdoor lunch date to a 150-person company party. Vasona also comprises 45 acres of lawn areas--plenty enough room for picnickers to spread their blankets without getting in the way of people playing Frisbee, soccer or volleyball. For those who enjoy strolling, or for dogs who like to walk their humans in attractive surroundings, Vasona is a great choice. A large portion of the Los Gatos Creek Trail winds through the park and is always in use by travelers of some sort. Boats on the lake, quacking ducks, impressive groves of tall trees and the Viola Anderson Native Plant Trail all add rural ambiance for anyone walking through this popular 151-acre park. Vasona Lake County Park, entrance off Blossom Hill Road between Roberts Road and University Avenue. 358-3741 or 358-3751 (for reservations). Best Neighborhood Glenridge It expands just a few city blocks in each direction, but that's enough room for the Glenridge neighborhood to be named the best in Los Gatos. Just as N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street are downtown's best-known arteries, Glenridge Avenue is the "main street" of this quaint and lovely neighborhood, known as Glenridge Park in the town's early days. A curving road that runs between Bachman and Pennsylvania avenues, Glenridge--the road, that is--offers its residents a vantage point from atop a wooded, hilly area. It and the other streets of the neighborhood are walking distance from downtown but at the same time are quiet and removed from all the bustle. Meticulous and colorful landscaping is the norm in this part of town, as are streets lined with huge old trees. The area also offers an architectural style tour that includes Victorians, Craftsman homes, humble bungalows and impressive colonial-style abodes. Even the neighbors seem especially friendly. Best Place to Impress a Visitor Downtown A sure thing is hard to find, but when it comes to impressing visitors, readers know downtown Los Gatos is the place to be. The main thoroughfare, N. Santa Cruz Avenue, is to shoppers what the Silk Road through Asia was to traders in days gone by. Combined with S. Santa Cruz Avenue, W. and E. Main Street, University Avenue and all their many tributaries--many lined with impressive old homes and mansions--downtown has it all. Loaded with restaurants, downtown offers cuisine from dozens of countries, plus a klatch of coffeehouses and a bevy of bars. Don't forget several ice cream, frozen yogurt and candy shops! Downtown is also a dream for people shopping for clothing, antiques or special-interest gifts. Beauty and nail salons are everywhere, along with floral shops that make the best green thumbs green with envy. Day or night, shoppers--or simply sightseers--are always strolling the streets of Los Gatos. Downtown is also home to a public library that recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and is loaded not only with books but also lots of special programs for children. Joining the library in the town's attractive Civic Center is the police station, Town Hall and Town Council Chambers. Across the street, surrounded by oak trees older than most town buildings, is Los Gatos High School, which has been educating young people for nearly a century. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, October 21, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.