Seven days in Los Gatos, Saratoga and Santa Cruz, for two
Mediterranean courtyards in Los Gatos, Japanese gardens and village dinners in Saratoga, then redwoods, surf and sunsets on the Santa Cruz coast: a Bay Area honeymoon at an easy pace.
Full 7-day trip for two, including flights from within the USA
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 7 days and 6 nights, in US dollars. Hotels are the biggest part of the trip, especially on weekends.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Flights to San José (SJC)Round trip for two from most U.S. cities; San Francisco (SFO) is the alternative. | $500 – $1,200 |
| Hotels (6 nights)Two nights each at Hotel Los Gatos, Saratoga Oaks Lodge or The Inn at Saratoga, and the Toll House, with taxes. | $1,700 – $3,400 |
| Meals and diningAbout $120–$250 a day for two: café breakfasts, Thai and village dinners, coastal lunches. | $840 – $1,750 |
| Activities and experiencesHakone Gardens, wine tastings, Boardwalk rides, the Roaring Camp steam train and state park parking. | $250 – $500 |
| Rental car and fuelA compact or mid-size car for 7 days, gas and parking. | $450 – $800 |
| Ground totalEverything in the Bay Area, excluding flights | $3,240 – $6,450 |
| Grand totalFull 7-day trip for two, including flights from within the USA | $3,740 – $7,650 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, day of the week and availability; check current rates before booking.
Getting there and getting around
A car is the easiest way to link the three bases, but there are options for every budget.
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Rental carRecommended for this itinerary. Pick up at San José airport; every stop is a 15 to 45 minute drive. | $450 – $800 a week with fuel |
| Rideshare and taxiHandy for the airport run or dinners in Los Gatos and Saratoga, but costly for the coast days. | $35 – $70 each way, SJC to Los Gatos |
| Highway 17 Express busSanta Cruz Metro buses link San José Diridon Station and downtown Santa Cruz, with stops near Scotts Valley. | Budget option, a few dollars a ride |
| Train to San JoséAmtrak and Caltrain arrive at San José Diridon Station; continue by rideshare or the Highway 17 Express. | Good if you are touring California by rail |
| FlightsSan José (SJC) is about 20 minutes from Los Gatos. San Francisco (SFO) is about an hour; Oakland (OAK) is another option. | See the cost table above |
Typical costs are estimates; fares and rental rates change with season and demand.
Where you will stay
Two nights in Los Gatos, two in Saratoga, then two more in Los Gatos, the quickest base for Highway 17 to the coast.
Hotel Los Gatos
Mediterranean-style courtyard hotel with a pool, an easy walk to downtown.
Saratoga Oaks Lodge
A small garden lodge with a waterfall, on the edge of Saratoga Village.
The Inn at Saratoga, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Creekside rooms with balconies in the trees, steps from the village.
Toll House Hotel Los Gatos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Downtown Los Gatos, about 30 minutes from Santa Cruz on Highway 17.
Suggested 7-day itinerary
Four days in the hillside towns, three on the coast. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay.
Arrive in Los Gatos
Downtown and Vasona Lake
- Fly into San José (SJC), pick up your car and drive about 20 minutes to Hotel Los Gatos.
- Stroll North Santa Cruz Avenue for boutiques, galleries and cafés.
- Walk or bike the paved Los Gatos Creek Trail to Vasona Lake County Park.
- Dinner at Thai Spice, our must-visit in downtown Los Gatos.
Mountain trails & wine country
The Santa Cruz Mountains
- Brunch at Purple Onion Café.
- Hike Castle Rock State Park to Castle Rock Falls and the sandstone outcrops.
- Afternoon tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region, a short drive above town.
- A swim and a quiet evening in the lantern-lit hotel courtyard.
Saratoga
Japanese gardens and a Mediterranean villa
- Drive 15 minutes to Saratoga and check in at Saratoga Oaks Lodge or The Inn at Saratoga.
- Hakone Estate & Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere; check their calendar for tea experiences.
- Gardens and hillside trails at Montalvo Arts Center, a 1912 Mediterranean-style villa.
- Dinner in Saratoga Village at Mint Leaf Cuisine.
Redwoods & the Mountain Winery
A slow day above the village
- Hike among the redwoods of Sanborn County Park.
- Tasting with a view at The Mountain Winery, a historic hilltop winery founded in 1901 that hosts summer concerts.
- Wander the galleries and shops of Saratoga Village, or drive 15 minutes to Thai Orchid in Campbell.
Santa Cruz
Boardwalk, surf and sunsets
- Check in at the Toll House in Los Gatos, then take Highway 17 to Santa Cruz (about 30 minutes; leave early on weekends).
- Ride the 1924 Giant Dipper and the 1911 Looff Carousel at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, both National Historic Landmarks.
- Pizza at Upper Crust, then tide pools and, from about November to February, monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Beach.
- Sunset on West Cliff Drive, watching surfers at Steamer Lane by the lighthouse and its Surfing Museum.
Redwoods & Capitola
Giant trees and a colorful beach village
- Walk the Redwood Grove Loop among old-growth giants at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
- Ride a steam train through the forest at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton.
- Afternoon in Capitola Village: the beach, the wharf and the Esplanade.
- Dinner at Dharma's in Capitola.
Land of Medicine Buddha & farewell
Soquel
- Painted pavilions, prayer wheels, the Namgyalma peace bell and quiet forest trails in the Soquel hills.
- Farewell lunch at Sawasdee Thai Cuisine in Soquel.
- Drive back over Highway 17 for your flight from San José (SJC), or continue to San Francisco (SFO).
Where to eat
Our picks from the Ski & Beach Haus restaurant guide. Check opening days before you go.
Special notes for an intimate escape
Moments for two between the vineyards and the sea.
Tea in a Japanese garden
Hakone Gardens hosts tea experiences in its traditional tea house. Book ahead for a quiet morning for two among the koi ponds and maples.
Sunset on West Cliff Drive
Walk the clifftop path from the lighthouse toward Natural Bridges as the sun drops into Monterey Bay and the surfers catch the last waves.
Steam train through the redwoods
Roaring Camp Railroads runs vintage steam trains up Bear Mountain through old-growth forest, a slow and romantic ride.
A courtyard evening
Mention your honeymoon when booking Hotel Los Gatos and ask for a pool or courtyard view for your two nights.
Logistics and travel tips
Best time to go
September to November for warm, clear days. Spring is green and quiet; summer brings coastal fog and busier weekends.
Highway 17
About 30 minutes between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz, but slow on weekend afternoons. Head to the coast early.
Weather
The coast is cooler and foggier than the inland valleys. Pack layers and a light jacket all year.
Book ahead
Weekend hotel nights, Hakone Gardens events, Roaring Camp trains and popular restaurants.
Plan the Bay Area trip at $267 – $546 per person a day
Tell us your dates and we will book the hotels, tables and the little extras, or compare it with our other honeymoons.
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