Monte Sereno, California
Monte Sereno is a city of 3,461 people in Santa Clara County, California.
Why visit Monte Sereno
Townapedia lists 22 museums and landmarks, 19 parks and trails, 96 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Los Gatos Theatre, John Steinbeck House, Kotani-en and Vasona Lake County Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 40°F.
Weather in Monte Sereno
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Monte Sereno
Monte Sereno (Spanish for "Serene Mountain") is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 3,479 at the 2020 census. The city is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of San Jose, and is bordered by the town of Los Gatos to the north, east, and south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest, and the city of Saratoga to the northwest. The city is named for the 2,580-foot (790 m) El Sereno Mountain, upon the slopes of which the southern portion of the city is built.
From the Wikipedia article Monte Sereno, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Museums and landmarks22
John Steinbeck House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
House in Monte Sereno, California
16250 Greenwood Lane, Monte Sereno
Kotani-en
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Classical Japanese residence in Santa Clara County, California, United States
15891 Ravine Road
Earl and Virginia Young House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic house in Campbell, California, USA.
Forbes Mill
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Historic place in California, United States
Hakone Gardens
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Traditional Japanese garden in Saratoga, California, USA
Los Gatos Historic Commercial District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Designated U.S. Historic District area of the city of Los Gatos, California, USA.
McCullagh-Jones House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic house in California, United States
Saratoga Foothill Club
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic building in Saratoga, California designed by architect Julia Morgan in 1915.
Saratoga Village Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Formerly known as the Saratoga Library, is a historic building in Saratoga, California, United States.
Warner Hutton House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic house in California, United States
Yung See San Fong House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic house in California, United States
10 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds19
Vasona Lake County Park
Park · 1.1 mi
County park in Los Gatos, California, United States
333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
08:00-sunset
Montalvo Arts Center
Park · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Historic house in Saratoga, California
El Sereno Open Space Preserve
Park · 2.4 mi
Open space preserve in Santa Clara County, California, United States
Los Gatos Creek County Park
Park · 2.9 mi
County park in Campbell, California, United States
Vasona Lake Eucalyptus Grove
Hiking and trails · 1.4 mi
Originally planted by local eucalyptus enthusiast Max Watson in 1964. Examples of more than 40 different eucalyptus species.
7 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes96
Campo Di Bocci
Restaurant · Italian · 0.8 mi
560 University Avenue, Los Gatos
Su-Th 10:00-23:00, Fr-Sa 10:00-24:00
Coup de Thai
Restaurant · Thai · 1.1 mi
137 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Mo-Th 11:30-14:30,16:30-21:00; Fr 11:30-14:30,16:30-21:30; Sa...
Eleven College Ave
Diner · American · 1.4 mi
11 College Avenue, Los Gatos
We-Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 17:00-20:30
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
Restaurant · Steak House · 1.0 mi
206 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
Su-Th 17:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:00
Kamakura
Restaurant · Japanese · 1.1 mi
135 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30,17:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-21:30
Loma Brewing Company
Restaurant · American, Pizza, Brewery, Drinks, Barbecue, Beer, Cocktails · 1.1 mi
130 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Mo 15:00-21:00; Tu,We 11:30-21:00; Th 11:30-22:00; Fr 11:30-23:00;...
NORTH - Seasonal Vietnamese Cuisine and Bar
Restaurant · Vietnamese, Bar · 1.1 mi
133 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Tu-Fr 11:00-14:30,17:00-22:00; Sa 11:30-15:00,17:00-22:00; Su...
84 more on the map.
History
The Monte Sereno area was part of the 1839 Alta California land grant of Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos. The city incorporated on May 14, 1957, to protect its semi-rural atmosphere. Its first Mayor was Retired Vice Admiral and former Director of Naval Intelligence, Thomas B. Inglis.
John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men in a wooded home at 16250 Greenwood Lane in what is now Monte Sereno.
Beat Generation figure Neal Cassady lived in a Monte Sereno ranch house in the 1950s. Painter Thomas Kinkade lived in Monte Sereno in the later years of his life until his death.
From the History section of Monte Sereno, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay6
Churches and places of worship14
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Church · Christ Scientist · 1.5 mi
238 East Main Street, Los Gatos
Los Gatos United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 1.4 mi
111 Church Street, Los Gatos
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Latter Day Saints
15985 Rose Avenue, Los Gatos
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging9
Schools, colleges and libraries47
Healthcare10
Eternal Beauty Medical Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.8 mi
248 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos
Basham Eye Associates
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.9 mi
212 Oak Meadow Drive, Los Gatos
Horizons Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.4 mi
15951 Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.2 mi
54 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
Satellite Health Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.3 mi
53 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos
Map of Monte Sereno
249 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 40°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 62°F | 41°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 66°F | 43°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 70°F | 45°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 76°F | 49°F | 0.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 52°F | 0.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 56°F | 0.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 83°F | 54°F | 0.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 76°F | 49°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 65°F | 43°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 58°F | 40°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Los Gatos (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Santa Clara County has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2023-04-03: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2023-03-10: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2023-01-14: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2023-01-09: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2020-08-22: Wildfires (Fire)
- 2020-08-21: Scu Ligtning Complex Fire (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Los Gatos 2 mi southeast, about 3 min by car
- Saratoga 3 mi northwest, about 5 min by car
- Campbell 3 mi northeast, about 5 min by car
- Cambrian Park 3 mi east, about 6 min by car
- Cupertino 6 mi northwest, about 10 min by car
- Lexington Hills 6 mi south, about 9 min by car
- Burbank 6 mi northeast, about 10 min by car
- Santa Clara 9 mi north, about 14 min by car
- San Jose 10 mi east, about 17 min by car
- Sunnyvale 10 mi north, about 17 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Post Office and City Hall Monte Sereno, LPS.1, CC0
- Vasona park, Mike24 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kotani-en Japanese residence, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Forbes Mill, David Sawyer, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Hakone Gardens Bridge, The original uploader was Doopokko at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.0
- USA-Saratoga-Foothill Club, EugeneZelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Yung See San Fong House, Jane Lidz, Public domain
- VillaMontalvoMansion, Frecklefoot, CC BY-SA 3.0
- CA-Saratoga-Warner Hutton House, Elan5, CC BY-SA 3.0
- USA-Los Gatos-La Cañada Building-3, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-McCullagh-Jones House, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Earl and Virginia Young House as of 2012, Gerosch, CC BY-SA 3.0
- USA-Saratoga-Village Library, EugeneZelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- NUMU, Victoriaahalll, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Camden Ponds in Los Gatos Creek County Park - panoramio, Alexey Komarov, CC BY 3.0
- Campbell and San Jose from El Sereno, Brholden, Public domain
- Sacred Heart Church Saratoga CA, Bombaymark, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bachman Park - 2497931394, roarofthefour, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bachman Park - 2497930034, roarofthefour, CC BY-SA 2.0
- USA-Los Gatos-338 Bachman Avenue-2, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-338 Bachman Avenue-1, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Billy Jones Railroad station in Oak Meadow Park Adjacent to Vasona Lake County Park, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Painting at the W.E. "Bill" Mason carousel, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- BJWRR in Oak Meadow Park Adjacent to Vasona Lake County Park, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad (4722890721), notnef from Canberra, Australia, CC BY 2.0
- Vasona Lake County Park meadow with geese, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel Wagon, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- BJWRR crossing in Oak Meadow Park Adjacent to Vasona Lake County Park, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-Fenilen Massol House-2, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-Fenilen Massol House-1, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bachman Park, roarofthefour, CC BY-SA 2.0
- USA-Los Gatos-308 Bachman Avenue-2, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-308 Bachman Avenue-1, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad - panoramio, Michal Cierniak, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Vasona Lake County Park Meadow, Gregory Ford Henderson, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-254-256 Bachman Avenue-2, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-254-256 Bachman Avenue-1, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-252 Bachman Avenue-2, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USA-Los Gatos-252 Bachman Avenue-1, Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
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