Surrey Farms, Los Gatos — The White-Gate Classic of the Foothills
Tucked off Kennedy Road in east Los Gatos, Surrey Farms (historically recorded as “Surrey Farm”) is one of the town’s most beloved enclaves: quiet lanes, leafy lots, and those signature white entry gates that instantly telegraph “you’ve arrived.” Born from a former horse ranch and built primarily in the mid-century era, Surrey Farms blends gracious ranch architecture with today’s luxury upgrades—while keeping its semi-rural, storybook vibe intact.
Why Surrey Farms stands out
Pedigree & setting. The neighborhood grew out of an old ranch and was largely developed circa 1955–1965 with classic California ranch homes, many subsequently expanded or rebuilt. The setting—rolling foothills, mature trees, and calm cul-de-sacs—delivers that “countryside meets town” feeling minutes from downtown Los Gatos.
Lot scale & privacy. Original homes were commonly ~2,000–3,000 sq ft on ¼–⅓-acre parcels, with a handful on ½ acre to 1+ acre today. The result: deeper setbacks, wider side yards, and room for ADUs, courts, or pools (subject to Town approvals).
Architectural continuity. Even as remodels introduced contemporary great-rooms, glass walls, and chef kitchens, most streets maintain low, horizontal rooflines, wood and stone materials, and understated curb appeal—hallmarks of mid-century ranch design that buyers specifically hunt for in Los Gatos.
Micro-location & lifestyle
You’re minutes to Downtown Los Gatos, Vasona & Oak Meadow Parks, and trailheads across the foothills. Daily conveniences along Los Gatos Blvd, top dining downtown, and quick access to Hwy-17/85 put the wider Valley within reach without sacrificing the neighborhood’s tranquil character. (Town notices also show hillside planning activity near Twin Oaks—Surrey Farms Estates—illustrating ongoing interest and careful stewardship in this prized area.)
Market snapshot (what buyers ask us)
Inventory is scarce; Surrey Farms is small and tightly held. When listings hit, they skew toward renovated or expanded ranches and command premium pricing vs. broader Los Gatos due to lot size, setting, and cachet. (A recent neighborhood overview shows active offerings in the multi-million range; availability is typically just a handful of homes at a time.)
Value drivers: walkable tranquility, estate-scale parcels, architectural cohesion, and Los Gatos prestige. Add schools, commute optionality (for hybrid workers), and enduring buyer demand for single-story living, and you’ve got a resilient micro-market.
Homes & architecture (the Property Nerd view)
Original fabric: low-slung ranches, tongue-and-groove or open-beam ceilings, big picture windows to gardens, brick or stone accents, and generous garages.
Modernizations we see: re-imagined footprints, indoor-outdoor kitchens, folding walls to patios, primary-suite wings, detached studios/ADUs, and landscape programs emphasizing oaks, maples, and drought-smart meadow planting—while keeping those iconic white gates at entries. (Local blogs even highlight the gates as a neighborhood visual signature.)
Schools & community
Surrey Farms is within the orbit of Los Gatos’ highly regarded public and private schools and a community that favors block-party energy over through-traffic. Proximity to Hillbrook School and local parks reinforces the “village” feeling that pulls move-up buyers from across Silicon Valley. (Town documents cite Hillbrook immediately north of the Twin Oaks hillside planning area.)
Sidebar: Willow Glen’s “The Gates” (aka Willow Ranch / “Between the Gates”)
Across the valley in Willow Glen (San Jose), locals refer to a prestigious pocket as “The Gates”—often overlapping with Willow Ranch and colloquially dubbed “Between the Gates.” It’s a custom-home district known for large ranch estates, manicured lots, and (yes) prominent gate features at key entries, echoing Surrey Farms’ aesthetic at a city address. Multiple listings and resident anecdotes use the “Between the Gates / Willow Ranch” label, reflecting the area’s identity even if it isn’t a formal HOA name.
What to know:
Architecture: custom ranch & estate-scale homes with significant renovations—big kitchens, pool courtyards, and indoor-outdoor living.
Lifestyle: classic Willow Glen—tree-lined streets, downtown Lincoln Ave dining and boutiques, and beloved holiday traditions.
Nerd note: The “Gates” moniker in Willow Glen is organic and place-based—think notable gate landmarks and street identity—rather than a single developer subdivision recorded under that exact name. We use the term the way residents and agents commonly do in marketing and showings.
Buying or selling in Surrey Farms (or “The Gates”)?
These neighborhoods reward quiet design excellence and disciplined prep. To maximize results:
Architectural storytelling: lead with lot, light, and landscape; showcase single-level flow, indoor-outdoor continuity, and privacy.
Prep & presentation: strategic updates (floors, fixtures, paint), landscape refresh, and editorial-grade media.
Data-driven pricing: anchor to micro-comps by era, lot size, and level of renovation; scarcity premiums apply.
Work with the Property Nerds of the Boyenga Team (Compass)
The Boyenga Team at Compass—led by Eric & Janelle Boyenga—are Silicon Valley Luxury Home Experts with deep track records in Los Gatos, Willow Glen, and the surrounding luxury corridors. As Property Nerds, we blend obsessive market analysis with design-forward prep to engineer standout outcomes:
Representation that protects you: proactive disclosures, strategic offer orchestration, and skilled, low-drama negotiation that defends your net.
Next-Gen marketing: cinematic video, high-impact editorial photography, targeted digital + social, and Compass Concierge to front key improvements.
Local expertise, global reach: nuanced pricing and positioning in micro-markets like Surrey Farms and Willow Glen’s “Gates / Willow Ranch”—plus syndication that reaches qualified luxury buyers.
Thinking of selling or hunting for a white-gate classic? Call the Property Nerds. We’ll bring data, design, and discretion to every step—so you can move with confidence.