Almond Grove
Los Gatos · California
Los Gatos's official historic district — Victorian and Craftsman homes on tree-lined streets immediately adjacent to downtown, blending walkability with historic character and the town's top schools.
- Historic District
- Walkable Downtown
- Victorian Homes
- Top Schools
- Old Town
HousingMostly early-1900s historic homes
- Median home
- $2.6M
- Per sq ft
- $1370
- Walk Score
- 80
- Days on market
- 15
We’ll match you to the Santa Clara County neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle, budget, and commute. Takes about 4 minutes.
Living in Almond Grove
Almond Grove is one of only five officially designated historic districts in Los Gatos and arguably the most beloved. The neighborhood was first auctioned in 1887 from a former 40-acre almond orchard subdivided into 170 lots — and 121 sold on the first day. Today the area is defined by Victorian, Queen Anne, and Craftsman homes on tree-lined streets immediately west and south of Santa Cruz Avenue, the heart of downtown Los Gatos. Many homes are protected by historic preservation guidelines, ensuring the character endures.
The location is the differentiator. Almond Grove is within walking distance of every defining Los Gatos amenity: Santa Cruz Avenue's restaurants, wine tasting rooms, boutiques, and farmers market; Bachman Park; the Old Town shopping center; and Vasona Lake County Park (a short walk south). The schools — Daves Avenue Elementary, Fisher Middle, and Los Gatos High School — are all top-rated, with Los Gatos High consistently among the best public high schools in California.
Pricing is firmly in luxury territory. Median home prices are around $2.6M-$3.8M, with larger Victorian estates and updated Craftsman homes pushing well above $4M. The neighborhood appeals to buyers who want walkable downtown access, historic character, and top schools — a combination that's increasingly rare and increasingly valuable. Inventory is tight; homes often need significant maintenance or restoration; and parking and lot sizes are constrained compared to suburban Los Gatos. For buyers who prioritize character and walkability over space, Almond Grove is one of the South Bay's most distinctive neighborhoods.
A day here
You wake up in a Queen Anne you spent two years restoring and your teenager is already gone — she's at a crew practice on Vasona, it's where every 14-year-old girl in Los Gatos seems to be on Saturday morning. Coffee on the back deck. The wisteria is mid-bloom, the bees doing their job. Your partner walks to Santa Cruz Avenue for bagels and the paper; you meet him at Bachman Park with the dog, and the paper splits between you. Midmorning your daughter's back and showered and wants Old Town for iced coffee with a friend. You drop her and walk down to Los Gatos Creek Trail for a slow 3-miler, sycamores laying shadow bars across the path. Midday, lunch on Santa Cruz — same table as always, the waiter brings your sparkling water without being asked. Afternoon is the house: the laundry chute your partner is fixing, a coat of stain on the back stairs, a moment on the porch swing. You see your daughter and her friend walking back up Tait. She waves. She's not supposed to be a senior yet but she is, soon. Evening, you drive five minutes to the El Sereno trailhead and walk the hillside fire road as the valley goes to dusk — mustard grass, eucalyptus, a hawk. Dinner on the deck. The house creaks, and you love the creak.
The feel of the place
- Historic District
- Walkable Downtown
- Victorian Homes
- Top Schools
- Old Town
Who you're zoned for
Daves Avenue Elementary
K-5 · public
GreatSchools10/10NicheARaymond J. Fisher Middle School
6-8 · public
GreatSchools8/10NicheALos Gatos High School
9-12 · public
GreatSchools9/10NicheA+
Ratings are from GreatSchools (1-10). School boundaries can vary by specific address, especially in neighborhoods that span multiple districts — always verify assignment with the district before making an offer.
What the numbers say
- Median home
- $2.6M
- Per sq ft
- $1370
- Days on market
- 15
typical time before sale
The housing stock here is predominantly from the early 1900s — Victorians, Craftsman bungalows, Queen Anne homes. Expect original systems (knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing) on homes that haven't been renovated, and historic-preservation considerations on many blocks.
On foot, on transit, on a bike
Most errands can be accomplished on foot from most addresses.
Some transit options exist but coverage is thin.
Biking is a real option — good infrastructure and mostly flat terrain.
How far from the places you'll go
- ~50 min
North County tech hubs
Google, Apple, NVIDIA, Meta
- ~35 min
Downtown San Jose
SAP Center, SJSU, downtown jobs
- 90+ min
San Francisco
via 101 or Caltrain
Rough estimates for typical rush-hour conditions. Real-world times vary by exact address, day of week, and traffic. Transit-specific routing (Caltrain + BART) can differ meaningfully from driving.
What's within reach
- Walking distance to Santa Cruz Avenue downtown
- Bachman Park
- Vasona Lake County Park
- Los Gatos Creek Trail
- Old Town Los Gatos shopping
- Multiple historic landmarks
- Hiking trails (El Sereno, St. Joseph's Hill)
Before you commit to this neighborhood
Here’s what locals will tell you
Premium pricing — median $2.6M-$3.8M, with significant variance by home condition. Historic preservation guidelines limit what owners can change. Older homes often need significant restoration. Smaller lots and limited parking compared to suburban Los Gatos. Tourist traffic can affect downtown-adjacent blocks on weekends. Highway 17 corridor noise on some streets.
Honesty is part of the match
If you like Almond Grove
These neighborhoods score close to Almond Grove on character — walkability, schools, quiet, density, housing vintage — setting aside commute since that depends on where you work.
Downtown Los Gatos
Los Gatos
$2.5MWalk 72Upscale, charming, and nestled against the mountains — a walkable downtown, excellent schools, and the highest price tag in the South Bay.
Read profileRose Garden
San Jose
$2.1MWalk 72Historic, walkable, tree-lined San Jose neighborhood — elegant homes, the iconic Municipal Rose Garden, and downtown-adjacent charm.
Read profileWillow Glen
San Jose
$1.9MWalk 58A walkable, tree-lined neighborhood with a charming downtown strip, strong community identity, and a mix of historic and updated homes.
Read profile
Ready to dig into Almond Grove?
Reach out to a local agent for honest context and recent comps — or browse what’s on the market right now on Redfin.
Answer a few quick questions about how you want to live. We’ll match you to the five Santa Clara County neighborhoods that fit best.