One of the distinctive scenic backdrops to the Town of Los Gatos is the 270-acre St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve, which provides a quick escape from the nearby urban areas of the southern peninsula. Steep trails wind through grassland, chaparral, and oak woodland, offering an interesting variety of environments.

At the eastern edge of the preserve, the top of 1,253-foot St. Joseph's Hill features panoramic views of Santa Clara Valley, Lexington Reservoir, El Sereno, and the impressive Sierra Azul mountain range.