Glossary · Nature & Wildlife
The two mountains on either side of Los Gatos Creek’s canyon above town: El Sereno to the southwest and El Sombroso to the southeast. Both are now open space preserves.
The gap between them is the “corner” in the old grant’s name, Rinconada de los Gatos. El Sereno, 2,580 feet, gives Monte Sereno its name; the San Andreas Fault runs in the valley just south of it, and signs at its preserve warn of cougars.
El Sombroso, 2,999 feet, is part of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, whose trails climb from Lexington Reservoir.
Yes. El Sereno Open Space Preserve has trails with views of Los Gatos, Lexington Reservoir and the valley.
From downtown, El Sereno stands to the southwest and El Sombroso to the southeast.