Winding Quito Road tacks back and forth in zig-zag fashion, an ideal "speed trap" as it tucks around oak trees and occassionally crosses over the San Tomas Aquino Creek (named after St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican Priest). The creek and the road separate Los Gatos from Saratoga, and I believe it also marks the edge of the original Mexican Land Grant that comprised La Rinconada de Los Gatos, or "The Corner of the Cats".

It's a beautiful drive, it really is. But the temptation is to drive just a little too fast on this scenic route from the hills to the suburbs or vice versa. There have been too many accidents and so the good folks in charge of the shared road decided to use surprise to help in slowing down the traffic. The yellow diamond-shaped speed advisory signs admonish the driver coming into a turn that the recommended speed is 19 mph, or 23, or 22.  Visitors from out of state give a mixed reaction of delight and disgust, as if a sense of humor on government property could only take place on The Left Coast.

But it seems to work.

There are lots of hidden treasures along Quito Road.  I will protect the current homeowners by not giving the address, but there's an original log cabin from I believe the early 1800's sitting close to one of the many bends in the road. I saw it myself when that property was for sale a few years ago.  One room in all, the redwood logs stretched about 10 feet in one direction, and perhaps 8 in another, with just a door and a window or two for ingress and egress. Situated near the water, it was probably an idylic spot - if you like camping.  The last time I drove past, it looked like the log exterior had been covered by clapboard. I hope my eyes were just fooling me.  Isn't it a landmark?

And you'll find some orchards, the remanents of The Valley of Heart's Delight days, too. The prune was first introduced here exactly 150 years ago (in the winter of 1856-1857 by a Frenchman who grafted some French prune branches onto some native wild plums).  It's living history.  Deer and horses can be seen from time to time too. Even in Silicon Valley, the High Tech Mecca, we love to see the animals, the trees, and the open spaces. 

Yes, there are lots of expensive houses that most of us cannot afford there too (an average value of perhaps $2,000,000), but even so, they are a joy to visit on a warm spring or summer weekend when the Open House signs appear like the mustard flowers in March.  One home is an original adobe...another a contemporary of some sort, and another a ranch.

No matter what your pleasure, a trip down Quito Road is a perfect weekend outing.

Just watch your speed.

Blog entry by Mary Pope-Handy,
Los Gatos & Silicon Valley (San Jose area) Residential Real Estate Specialist and
Realtor, CRS, ABR, SRES, ASP, CNHS, RECS, E-Pro,
Intero Real Estate Services, 518 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030
www.PopeHandy.com
Do not use without permission, please.