Villa Montalvo was built in 1912 as the country retreat of US Senator James Phelan, who modelled it on a Mediterranean villa and surrounded it with formal gardens, an arboretum, and miles of hiking trails in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills. Phelan used the estate to host California's literary and artistic elite, and when he died in 1930 he left it in trust as an arts centre — a role it still fulfils today. The Montalvo Arts Center runs a year-round programme of concerts, theatre, and exhibitions, and the Lucas Artists Residency brings writers, composers, and visual artists to work on the grounds.
The arboretum is free to visit during daylight hours and is worth the trip alone: redwoods, oaks, madrones, and ornamental plantings spread across the hillside, with several loop trails offering good views back across the valley. The formal garden in front of the villa is one of the most photogenic spots in the South Bay.
Address: 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA 95070. Tel: (408) 961-5800.