Los Gatos Farms

At Los Gatos Farms, our Farm and Adventure Camp is where big laughs, muddy shoes, brave moments, and fun are abundant. We invite children ages five to 12 to unplug and explore in our farm and forest setting. From pony rides and barnyard animals to zip lines, boom sticks, and toboggan slides, every day is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and encourage joyful exploration.

We believe summer is an opportunity for children to get outside, where imaginations run wild and learning happens naturally. Campers are guided by caring and energetic staff who prioritize safety and kindness in everything they do. Our staff is passionate about empowering campers to discover what they’re capable of, all under the shade of the redwoods.

Your child can sign up for equine-enrichment activities such as Horse 101, private riding lessons, and equine expressive art. Whether your child is cuddling a chicken, climbing rocks, dancing in the barn, or laughing with their friends, Los Gatos Farms is a place where children feel connected, capable, and truly themselves.

Los Gatos Farms is proud to have been part of the Redwood Estates community for over 25 years. Summer camps are a part of our legacy. I am excited to introduce our new camp director, Darleen Patton, onto the team. With nearly a decade of experience at camps and schools throughout California, Darleen brings even more action, joy, and whimsy to our farm adventures.

Darleen and I will create a safe, joyful, and explorative summer where every child feels excited to grow and glow in nature. Camp is a place to create lifelong bonds with other and animals. We’d love to welcome your camper to our farm this summer.

Registration is open now. More information is at lgfsummercamps.com. Photos by Faizi Samadani Midpen Regional Open Space District Building Resilience: Strategic Pile Burns in Sierra Azul Ryan McCauley As part of a sustained commitment to ecological health and regional safety, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) recently concluded a series of strategic pile burns within the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. From November 2025 through mid-March 2026, the project successfully eliminated approximately 475 cubic yards of combustible vegetation. By burning roughly 200 constructed piles near Los Gatos, Midpen reduced fuel loads to more natural levels, a critical step in our Wildland Fire Resiliency Program.

Returning fire to the landscape is vital for mimicking natural processes that local ecosystems rely on to thrive. This method honors historical land-management practices used by indigenous peoples, while providing modern ecological benefits. The resulting ash and char recycle essential nutrients into the soil, while the heat and smoke trigger the germination of native species like mariposa lilies and manzanitas.

Safety and environmental stewardship remained top priorities throughout the operation. Trained biological monitors inspected every pile for wildlife before ignition, and burns only proceeded under strict weather and air-quality conditions.

These burn piles serve as a necessary precursor to a larger-scale prescribed burn planned for this fall in partnership with CalFire. By collaborating with agencies like the Santa Clara County Fire Department, we continue to build the long-term health of our local ecosystems. This work complements broader initiatives, such as the Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative and the maintenance of hundreds of miles of fuel breaks, ensuring a more resilient future for our open spaces.