montalvo arts center

HeWhoWalksTheEarth

I like to hike here and play in the statue garden. It's a neat place to pretend that you're a kid again.

901pedrop

Montalvo Arts Center has a lot to offer to both visitors and the local community of the Santa Clara County. The place is a non-profit organization dedicated to all kind of Arts, so expect to find always a good variety of art exhibitions, performances and concerts going on. Besides the cultural life, the Montalvo villa displays a very charming architecture and visit tours are offered on regular basis to visitors ($10) and members (free). My favorite thing about Montalvo, though, is that the place has a couple of amazing hiking trails (which are well signaled and are quite easy to take), and after 10 to 20 minutes walking among the woods, you will be able to have get a great view of the Silicon Valley. The trails are dog-friendly and parking is free which makes Montalvo a great destination not only for tourists but also for locals.

SJTraveler123

Lovely gardens, with several short, easy trails accessible from the four parking lots. There is one scene out scenic Lookout point on the top of the hill but you can access by hiking a mile or two from parking lot three. Admission is free, and the location is pretty convenient for folks who live or are visiting the South San Francisco bay area. Give it a try.

pbtraverler

this beautiful majestic estate was built as a summer/country house by Sen. J. Phelan in 1913. its open to the public but also as several concert venues, art gallery, arboretum, and is temp.home to 12 artists at all times. One of the best places to visit in saratoga.

jonih845

The smallest venue at Montalvo is the Carriage House. I have gone three times this past year and loved the intimacy of the theater. The stage is so close it feels connected to the audience. There is not a bad seat in this place.Recommending this place to all.Looked accessible for mobility and the setting, ie. the trees and other gorgeous buildings made this a wonderful place to gather for entertainment.

Squeekie

Fun experience...Beautiful location and all seats are good.Like that they shuttled up all of us to the event from the West Valley college parking lot for free!Jimmy cliff was fun, albeit...alittle old now...but it was still a fun experience.

carolh719

Montalvo is beautiful, intimate...a wonderous venue to enjoy top notch performers. The convenience of shuttles from the community college is an added plus.

BeMorningstar

After being introduced to Lila Downs' music in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was thrilled to discover she was touring in the Bay Area. Saratoga and the Montalvo Arts Center are green and gorgeous--a pocket of calm in Silicon Valley. We liked the free parking and shuttle bus to the outdoor Garden Theater. Our seats were close to the stage and comfortable! And you can purchase wine and beer to take to your seat! Very friendly and helpful ushers and staff, too. The weather was perfect for a concert starting at twilight; best of all, the sound was perfect, too. Brava!

MerryTravels11

I went for a hike with a group of people over the weekend and stayed to visti the gardens and have a picnic.It was a wonderful Sunday mid day activity. If you don't know the area, pick up a free map before you begin. The trails are well marked, but the loop around and it is easy to get confused. However, there were lots of people on the trail, so there was no fear of getting lost.There were magnificant views of Saratoga and the surrounding hills. There are some up hills and down hills so that it is a nice opportunity to walk and get a little exercise as well. You can hike as long as you want from about a mile and a half roundtrip to the look out to 4-5 miles looping through the old "orchard".Watch out for poison oak and even though it is in hte shade, bring water. The gardens and grounds are also nice ot walk around. The grass is still green, people are out with a picnic on the benches and astists were set up painting. There are nice sculptures as well.

mini

Montalvo Arts is a good place for hiking with its beautiful botanical gardens; the villa is also quite nice. For a perfect summer evening we enjoy a picnic lunch on the grass followed by a concert in the outdoor theater. Every seat has a great view. At intermission there is refreshments you can buy.Although we have not been in the non summer months, they do offer indoor shows during other times of the year.

893jg

This is place hidden and embedded into Santa Cruz mountains and great historical buildings and great for music concerts goers to enjoy the beauty of the nature and the beauty of music.

PrasenjitB

Very nice setting, beautiful botanical garden and walking trails. We have attended very good Open Air concerts in the Amphitheater. The villa is also quite nice to walk around. There are indoor programs as well (for about 100 people).

Runesyzygy

The wedding parties were everywhere getting pictures so it was a little noisy and at times difficult to really enjoy the formal garden. Little early for the roses but they are probably wonderful when full in bloom

jonih845

The carriage house is a wonderful place to hear music. Smaller than most movie theaters, not a bad seat in the house. Great acoustics. Nice seats. Parking is sketchy. If there is a shuttle use it.

Fiddler1068

We had never heard of this place, but were taken there by our hostess. It is a magnificent site, a beautiful house and wonderful gardens and all free to the public. We are not able to go inside the house, but feel sure it would be a superb setting for concerts and receptions/parties. There are far more hiking trails than we were up to. A wonderful place to visit or have nearby if you live in he area. Well worth a visit.