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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

Approximate location · Santa Clara County
Median home
$2.6M
Per sq ft
$1370
Walk Score
80
Days on market
15
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The story

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 Saturday in Almond Grove

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.

Vibe & character

The feel of the place

  • Historic District
  • Walkable Downtown
  • Victorian Homes
  • Top Schools
  • Old Town
Schools

Who you're zoned for

  • Daves Avenue Elementary

    K-5 · public

    GreatSchools10/10NicheA
  • Raymond J. Fisher Middle School

    6-8 · public

    GreatSchools8/10NicheA
  • Los 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.

Housing market

What the numbers say

Median home
$2.6M
Per sq ft
$1370
Days on market
15

typical time before sale

Housing stock

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.

Getting around

On foot, on transit, on a bike

Walk Score
80/ 100

Most errands can be accomplished on foot from most addresses.

Transit Score
30/ 100

Some transit options exist but coverage is thin.

Bike Score
70/ 100

Biking is a real option — good infrastructure and mostly flat terrain.

Commute

How far from the places you'll go

  • North County tech hubs

    Google, Apple, NVIDIA, Meta

    ~50 min
  • Downtown San Jose

    SAP Center, SJSU, downtown jobs

    ~35 min
  • San Francisco

    via 101 or Caltrain

    90+ min

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.

Key amenities

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)
What to know

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

See similar

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.

Your next step

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.

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