Map with Recommendations
Local Map: Near Saratoga
SF Map: San Francisco
Daytrip Map: 1.5 Hour From Saratoga
Long Daytrip Map: 3 Hours from Saratoga
Overnight Trip Map: 5 Hours from Saratoga
West Coast Map: 8 Hours from Saratoga
Full Map: All Maps Above
If you have any questions and want more recommendations, we are happy to help! Please feel free to ask us on the Contact Us page.
There are a ton of options in and around Saratoga to explore during your time in California. Here are some of our local favorites:
Local Wine
Cinnabar Tasting Room
Map
Located in downtown Saratoga…like 1 minute walk from the hotel. Our favorite (or at least Tim’s). Good Reds.
Ridge Vineyards/ Monte-Bello
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A short drive from Saratoga, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Good everythings.
House Family Vineyards
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Offers 360 degree views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Silicon Valley. Good views.
Testarossa Winery
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Housed in the caves and cellars of the historic Novitiate Winery/Monastery. Good Whites.
Local Nature
Sanborn County Park
While our wedding venue is in a redwood grove, this park offers the nearest hiking in a redwood forest. A short 3 to 4 mile drive from downtown Saratoga, offers various (dog friendly) hikes ranging in degree of difficulty.
Año Nuevo State Park
10,000 elephant seals return to breed, give birth, and molt amongst the beaches and dunes at this well known state park. Guided tours are required December 15 through March 15, an important consideration if you decide to arrive 2 weeks early to our wedding. Plus deep sand.
See Sea Otters and Whales!
Elkhorn Slough. Kayak, hike or stop on the roadside to look for abundant wildlife in this tidal slough and estuary on Monterey Bay. Sightings of the endangered California Sea Otter are almost always guaranteed from this parking lot. There is also excellent whale viewing opportunities from Moss Landing. Grey Whales and their calves are migrating north in large numbers at this time of year. You might even get to see orcas predating on the aforementioned whales…
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Hoping to wander in an old-growth redwood forest, but don’t have enough time to make it up north to Muir Woods? No worries! This quintessential California ecological experience is a short drive from downtown Saratoga. All of Big Basin’s old-growth redwood trails start in the basin-like valley near park headquarters. An alluvial flat that extends about a quarter mile north and a quarter mile south of park headquarters has the biggest trees and most attractive woods in the park. Trail maps can be found here.
Big Sur
With its unparalleled views of the coastline, wildlife, hikes, and great restaurants, Big Sur is a great place for a day trip.