East Los Gatos - Los Gatos, CA

Los Gatos was incorporated in 1887, previously the site of a large ranch. The locals here originally got by living off the land, growing orchards, farming wheat, logging and mining. By 1963, the town had a population of roughly 11,000. The city grew when a railroad connected the area to San Francisco in the late 19th century, but the community remained tight-knit and developed mostly on its own.

When the tech boom hit in the mid-late 1980s, the area started to transform into a high-tech suburban shopping area. Today, the town has become a tourist destination as well as the home of many successful tech entrepreneurs. Although much has changed from the town's humble beginnings, the small-town feel of the community has remained the same.

Los Gatos offers some of the finest dining in Silicon Valley. From fresh Mexican options to quiet cafés, the city caters to what the people love – good food.

Try Cin-Cin Restaurant & Wine Bar if you want to be exposed to the green, creative side of Los Gatos and the Bay Area in general. The staff has created a fusion menu with a little bit of everything, from streamed pork buns to fish tacos, and somehow have made it all delicious. The vast selection of wines available complements the food and creates the opportunity for fantastic pairings. The establishment also prides itself in being very dedicated to sustainability, and even takes your used corks to recycle them.

For a cocktail on a Friday night, try the Jack Rose Libation House. Besides being able to make just about any drink you can think of, this place can also accommodate everyone you know with a 300-person outdoor beer garden. The selection here does not water down the style and taste of the drinks. One sip of an oak-barrel-aged Manhattan convinces you that the staff here knows what it's doing. It doesn't stop at the bar either, the kitchen produces some delicious food. Locals specifically love the organic meatballs.

While you will find plenty of places for drinks in Los Gatos until around 11 pm, those up all night might find a trip to one of San Jose's well known night clubs or bars necessary.

Most people in this neighborhood get around by car, especially those who live in the East Los Gatos hills, as biking can be dangerous on these roads. There are bus and rail options into San Jose via Valley Transit Authority services and San Francisco via the CalTrain. Uber also has grown to be very popular among the locals, as cabs are hard to come by. There are ample public parking options for those who drive, and very accessible freeways such as Interstate 280 or Highway 101 nearby for those who need to head into the city or to the coast. The walkability of neighborhoods here depends on the geography. Those who live in the hills of East Los Gatos don't have very walkable roads, but there are ample hiking trails. Down in the valley, there are plenty of sidewalks to get around and lots of safe biking lanes.

Try Belgatos Park on Belgatos Road off Blossom Hill if you want an exercise-centric park that offers beautiful views of the Silicon Valley. This dog-friendly park offers miles of hiking trails at no cost. Bring the whole family for an outdoor excursion.

Vasona Park near downtown offers a beautiful lakeside walking trail, a train for the kids to ride on and many annual events such as the Festival of Lights during Christmas time. They also have paddle boats Be aware, it costs $6 to park in Vasona.

Living in East Los Gatos can be very expensive, with the average one-bedroom apartment renting for about $2,200 a month. A typical beer at a bar in town costs between $5 and $9 dollars. Gas prices are 17 higher than the national average price. It costs about $2 to take a VTA bus downtown.

There are endless shopping opportunities between Los Gatos and San Jose. Residents of East Los Gatos enjoy the luxury of being able to tailor their shopping experience to what they enjoy most, whether that be considerable shopping malls, small town boutiques or high-end retail stores.

For the big-name chains in retail such as Target, Sears, Macy’s and others, head over to the Westfield Oakridge Mall on Blossom Hill Road. Here you can find a quick outfit or day-to-day lifestyle items. You find this mall has a tidy food court as well as a spacious movie theatre. Check out the Apple store because this mall sits right near the headquarters Be aware, the parking can be hard to navigate on the weekends.

If you prefer to stay close to home, try downtown Los Gatos for a more intimate shopping experience. There are many friendly boutiques, established restaurants and fun specialty shops in the area.

Before hitting the beach in the summer, make sure to check out Viva O Sol. This store offers the swimsuits, sundress and workout clothes. The staff here takes the time to make sure you are happy with the way you look before staff members try and sell you anything. Locals consider it the best place in town for swim suits.

For a small town shop with a big city selection, check out Kitsch Couture. The staff here hand-selects from the newest styles, and brings a constant stream of fresh fashion into Los Gatos. Locals consider the store to carry the cutest clothes in town, if not the entire Bay Area. The combination of style and kindness make it a definite must-visit.

For groceries, most locals either shop at Safeway, the local Whole Foods, or the Los Gatos Farmers' Market. Find the farmers' market year-round on Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm off Santa Cruz Ave and Main Street.