Where is Los Gatos, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Los Gatos, California Located in the United States? - Los Gatos is a city located in the Santa Clara County in California, United States. Los Gatos lies between 37.2358 Degrees North latitudes and -121.9624 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Los Gatos, Santa Clara, California

Where is Los Gatos Located in Santa Clara, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California.

Los Gatos Map, California, USA

About Los Gatos Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California

Los Gatos is located in Santa Clara County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States within the southwestern portion of the Santa Clara Valley at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The town was incorporated in 1887 and its name means “the cats” in Spanish, referring to the mountain lions once found in the surrounding hills, and it developed from a lumber and agricultural community into a residential town in Silicon Valley.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Los Gatos is 33,529 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 3,000 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Los Gatos covers a total area of approximately 11.2 square miles (about 29.0 square kilometers), including about 11.2 square miles (29.0 square kilometers) of land and a minimal amount of water area.

Location and Surroundings

Los Gatos is situated south of Saratoga and west of San Jose, positioned at the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the southern San Francisco Bay Area. The town features historic neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, and nearby hills and open space preserves. State Route 17 runs through the area, providing a major transportation route connecting Los Gatos to surrounding communities across Silicon Valley and the California coast.

Top Attractions

Los Gatos offers parks, historic sites, and scenic outdoor recreation areas that support tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include Vasona Lake County Park, the Los Gatos Creek Trail, and the historic downtown district with shops and restaurants. The town hosts cultural events, art festivals, and community celebrations throughout the year.

Transportation

Los Gatos is served by State Route 17 and nearby State Route 85, offering convenient highway access throughout Santa Clara County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the town to surrounding communities and transit hubs. The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport, located approximately 12 miles to the northeast.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Los Gatos Town Website.

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Los Gatos, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
TownLos Gatos
CountySanta Clara County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States (Pacific Region)
Latitude37.2358° N
Longitude121.9624° W
Elevation371 ft (113 m)
Land Area11.17 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area11.17 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)33,529
Population Density3,001 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)95030, 95032, 95033
Area Code(s)408, 669
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-44112
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 16th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Los Gatos

CategoryDetails
Airport NameNorman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
IATA CodeSJC
Secondary AirportSan Francisco International Airport
Major HighwaysState Route 17, State Route 85, Interstate 280, U.S. Route 101
Train ServiceCaltrain service available in nearby San Jose, Santa Clara, and Campbell
Local Transit ServiceSanta Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
  • Los Gatos is located at the southwestern edge of Silicon Valley within Santa Clara County.
  • The town is situated near the Santa Cruz Mountains and serves as a gateway between Silicon Valley and the Central Coast.
  • State Route 17 provides a major connection between Los Gatos, San Jose, and Santa Cruz.
  • Nearby VTA services and regional rail connections provide access to surrounding Bay Area communities.

Top Places to Visit in Los Gatos, California

Landmark NameType
Vasona Lake County ParkCounty Park
Castle Rock State Park (nearby)State Park
Forbes Mill MuseumHistory Museum
Los Gatos Creek TrailRecreation Trail
Testarossa WineryWinery
Oak Meadow ParkCommunity Park
Lexington Reservoir County ParkReservoir Recreation Area
Santa Cruz MountainsMountain Recreation Area
Burrell School Vineyards (nearby)Winery
Municipal Rose Garden (nearby)Garden Attraction

Driving Distances from Los Gatos, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
CampbellCalifornia510 minutes
San JoseCalifornia1020 minutes
Santa ClaraCalifornia1425 minutes
SunnyvaleCalifornia1830 minutes
Mountain ViewCalifornia2235 minutes
Santa CruzCalifornia3045 minutes
Palo AltoCalifornia2840 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia551 hour
OaklandCalifornia501 hour
MontereyCalifornia701 hour 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Los Gatos, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
West Valley CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, technology, business, arts, and sciences
San Jose State UniversityPublicUniversityEngineering, business, technology, education, and applied sciences
Santa Clara UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, law, engineering, sciences, and liberal arts
Stanford UniversityPrivateResearch UniversityTechnology, engineering, medicine, business, and research
University of California, Santa CruzPublicResearch UniversityEnvironmental studies, sciences, engineering, arts, and research

Waterbodies in Los Gatos, California

Los Gatos is located in the Santa Clara Valley near the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains within Santa Clara County. Important nearby water resources include Los Gatos Creek, Lexington Reservoir, Vasona Lake, and Guadalupe River watershed areas. These waterways support recreation, wildlife habitats, flood control, and open-space conservation.

Stadiums in Los Gatos

Los Gatos features athletic facilities including Los Gatos High School Stadium, Fisher Middle School sports facilities, and community recreation fields. These venues host football, soccer, baseball, basketball, track and field, and local sporting events.

Los Gatos, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Los Gatos was originally part of a Mexican land grant area known as Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos during the nineteenth century.
  • The town developed around agriculture, vineyards, orchards, and the arrival of railroad service in the late nineteenth century.
  • Los Gatos was incorporated as a town in 1887 and became an important community in the Santa Clara Valley.
  • The area experienced major growth during the twentieth century as Silicon Valley expanded and technology industries developed nearby.
  • Today, Los Gatos is known for its historic downtown, technology connections, parks, wineries, and access to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

References

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