Ultimate Dog Lover’s Guide to Montalvo Arts Center

Montalvo Arts Center (Villa Montalvo)

• Distance: Up to 3.5 miles
• Effort: Moderate
• Dog Regulations: On Leash. Allowed on forested, single track hiking trails. Not allowed in botanical gardens and managed grounds.
• Parking: Villa Montalvo – Lot 4
  • Lot 4 has direct access to the Lookout Trail, but Lot 2 and Lot 3 also have other trailhead access. All of the “Recommended Trails” listed below start from Lot 4.
• Hours: 8am – Sunset
• Cost: Free!
• Shade Level: High
• Pro Tip: Check the Montalvo Arts Center website before visiting for upcoming park closure dates due to private or ticketed events. The trails are narrow and can get crowded on the weekends, so we recommend starting in the early morning or late afternoon. The trails are generally empty on the weekdays. 
• Notable: The hiking trails are not stroller-friendly or wheelchair accessible. The 2-acre Great Lawn is a great place to picnic, people-watch, admire outdoor art installations, and roll around in the lush grass (Kona’s favorite activity here). There’s also a Sunset Cinema series during the summertime where you can pay to watch a featured movie on the Great Lawn under the stars. Restrooms are located at Parking Lot 4.
• Map: Santa Clara County Parks – Villa Montalvo Trail Map

Montalvo Arts Center, also known by locals as Villa Montalvo, is a unique experience located in the hills of Saratoga that you and your dog won’t want to miss. This former estate of Senator James Phelan is now a 175-acre public park with dog-friendly activities like hiking through redwood forests, picnicking on the Great Lawn, and engaging with outdoor art installations. The 3.5 miles of hiking trails are managed by Santa Clara County Parks, while the rest of the park is managed by the not-for-profit Montalvo Association.

The most prominent landmark in the park is the historic villa, which is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and open by appointment only. It is also a popular wedding venue. Surrounding the villa are stunning gardens, two theaters for musical performances and art exhibitions, art education spaces, works of Art on the Grounds, and dirt hiking trails that lead up to a panoramic view of Silicon Valley. While dogs are welcome to explore the trails and the main area around the Great Lawn, they unfortunately cannot join you on a tour of the villa, summer concert in the amphitheater, or a visit to the gardens filled with exotic plants and cacti. But when your dog would prefer to laze around at home, don’t miss the opportunity to take yourself back to Villa Montalvo to experience their year-round programming of world-class performances (music, comedy, theater, dance), art classes, public festivals, and literary events.

The highly shaded trails make Villa Montalvo our go-to hiking spot on hot summer days. The trails can easily be mixed and matched to create routes ranging from an easy stroll around the Great Lawn to a moderate uphill hike to the Lookout Point – the park’s highest accessible point at 1,200 feet elevation. We enjoy being greeted on these trails by unique signs (part of Montalvo’s permanent art collection) with messages that remind visitors to practice mindfulness and appreciate nature. If you choose to explore these trails on the weekend, we encourage you to start early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

On the way to Villa Montalvo, stop by Saratoga Bagels for the best bagels in town – you won’t regret it. Then after your hike, relax on the Great Lawn or check out the current collection of Art on the Grounds located throughout the grounds surrounding the Villa – some are part of the permanent collection, while others are up temporarily. And if you’re still up for more adventure after all of that, go explore Downtown Saratoga, which is only a 5-min drive away and has several wineries, local shops, and restaurants. Here are a few of our dog-friendly favorites:

• Sue’s Gallery Cafe – lattes on the outdoor patio
• Pasta Armellino – casual restaurant opened by the Michelin-starred chef of Plumed Horse
• Cinnabar Winery Tasting Room – $15 wine tasting on the outdoor deck
• ManyFriends Brewing Company – craft beers and board games inside a quirky interior

Recommended Trails

1. Lookout Trail >> Lookout Point >> Lookout Trail >> Villa – LOOP
   • Distance: 1.6 miles
   • Effort: Moderate
   • This is the most popular hike at Villa Montalvo and is the least strenuous route to the Lookout Point. You’ll leave Parking Lot 4 and immediately head uphill towards the round, temple-like pavilion called the Belvedere – a great spot for a quick photoshoot. At the next junction, bear left onto the Lookout Trail and continue an easy ascent through redwoods, oak trees and California bay until you reach the Lookout Point. At the top, we like to sit on the benches and enjoy the panoramic views of the valley while Kona gulps down water. Retrace your steps downhill and turn left onto Lookout Trail – make sure to cross over two bridges during your descent so that you remain on Lookout Trail and eventually pass by the amphitheater and villa on your right before heading back to the car in Lot 4.
     
     
2. Lookout Trail >>Nature Trail >> Redwood Trail >> Lookout Point >> Lookout Trail >> Villa – LOOP
   • Distance: 1.6 miles
   • Effort: Moderate
   • This is our go-to hike at Villa Montalvo that also reaches the Lookout Point, but passes by even more redwoods than the popular hike above. The only difference between this route and the one above is that this one takes you through an additional shady redwood forest while climbing up the Redwood Trail, which connects to the same Lookout Point Trail. Head back to the car the same way.
     
     
3. Lookout Trail >> Lookout Point >> Lookout Trail >> N. Orchard Trail >> S. Orchard Trail >> Creek Trail >> Redwood Trail >> Nature Trail >> Lookout Trail – LOOP
   • Distance: 3.2 miles
   • Effort: Moderate
   • This hike is for those who want to experience every trail that Villa Montalvo has to offer and who also don’t mind the extra mileage. During the descent down from Lookout Point, cross over the first bridge on Lookout Trail, but ignore the second bridge and instead turn left at the junction onto North Orchard Trail. The trails on this side of the park are less crowded, less shaded, and more narrow in certain parts – be careful not to trip over any wooden steps. On the Orchard Trails and Creek Trail, you’ll pass through an open area, young oak forests, bridges, switchbacks, and small creeks (depending on the season). The Creek Trail will connect to the Redwood Trail, where you’ll be immersed in shady redwood forests once again before retracing your steps back down Lookout Trail to Parking Lot 4.