[My Top 5] Places in the South & East Bay Area, California

Hello fellow Wanderers! Today I would like to share with you my top 5 spots in the East and South Bay Area. I have lived two-thirds of my life around these parts, and a few spots have definitely caught and held my attention in those years.

All these places I am about to share with are all free activities. I understand what it is like to be on a budget, and like most, I like free stuff.

[Photo Gallery] Rosicrucian Park

Rosicrucian Park

1660 Park Avenue

San Jose, California

[Photo Gallery] San Jose's Municipal Rose Garden

 Municipal Rose Garden

San Jose, California

Naglee Ave & Dana Ave, San Jose, CA

[Photo Gallery] Alum Rock Park

Alum Rock Park

15350 Penitencia Creek Rd

San Jose, California

[Photo Gallery] Montalvo Arts Center

The beautiful Historic Vill at Montalvo Arts Center. 

15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA 95070

[Saratoga, CA] Montalvo's Italiante Garden and Fountain of Love

Beautiful. Romantic. Whimsical. Magical. Sensual. 

This garden at the foot of Montalvo Arts Center can not be described in words, even though I tried my best. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, I will use pictures to try to depict this amazing place, even though I feel none of my photos did this incredible garden justice.

Art students drawing surrounded by white rose bushes with the Historic Villa up ahead.

[Saratoga, CA] The Hiking Trails of Montalvo "Villa of the Arts"

The Historic Montalvo Arts Center is famous for its "Art on the Grounds", and beautiful lawns and gardens, as well as, their support for the artists, musicians and writers. Although the grounds are beautiful and great for an afternoon stroll, what most visitors do not notice right away (especially on their first visit) are the hidden hiking trails behind the historic villa and auditorium.

Montalvo has around 175 acres of hiking trails tucked away in the Foothills of the City of Saratoga. There are a few entrances to get onto the many trails. On the West side, you can enter on Norton Road to get on Orchard Trail, or you can start on the East near Parking Lot 3 or 4 to go straight onto Lookout Trail. Here is a link to the map for reference.

[Saratoga, CA] Montalvo "Villa of the Arts" Center

Sitting on top of the massive "Great Lawn" is an exquisite mansion, formally owned and built by Congressman James Duval Phelan in 1912. If the historic villa did not impress you already on your drive up, take a look around the grounds of this place, you will find a surprise in every corner. Some of the surprises are beautiful and some are down right strange, but they are all fascinating and the real characters that makes this place.

Welcome to Montalvo Arts Center.