What I value the most in California and Bay area, in particular, is every time you think that you know places around you there is something hidden. And that hidden beauty win your heart in a moment! I saw few photos of Villa Montalvo, and I knew about this place as an event venue.
We drove there right on Saturday afternoon. Sun was high, but there were no crowds.
 Villa is an Italian Mediterranean Revival mansion surrounded by grounds with garden, lawn and forested foothills of Santa Cruz Mountains in Saratoga. Its owner, James Duval Phelan, built it in 1914. After his death mansion became a park, and later – art center.
I like Italianate garden faced mansion.

I saw this tree on Pinterest once, and I wanted to see it! It’s an artwork of Cameron Hockenson; this spiral form birdhouse installation is called Control Tower.

Honestly, all artworks and sculptures around lawn are awesome but as an outdoor person, I liked trees the most.

There are few trails on the mansion grounds. One of them leads to the viewpoint. I was in my high boots and cannot manage uphill hike :). It would not be safe. At the trailhead, there is the display of leaves and fruits collected in the woods. I like the idea of charcoal notes.
One more birdhouse.

I wish to check the villa inside, but it’s accessible only during events or with tours.