Hidden in the Saratoga hills and standing silently is a magnificent Mediterranean-style mansion surrounded by 175 acres of beautiful estate gardens – Villa Montalvo. Now a center for literary and performing arts, Montalvo is the legacy of former Senator James Phelan (1861-1930) as a public park and home for art, literature, and music in the Bay Area.
The Villa has the Spanish cotta-tile roof, graceful terraces, and a wide open veranda overseeing expansive crispy-green lawns. On the other end of the lawns, a classical gate opens to a long pathway leading to a pavilion with Greek white columns – Love Temple. Along the pathway are terrains of tall pine trees and prismatic gardens on both sides.
When I first visited it three years ago, I immediately understood why Villa Montalvo is a place sought after by the couples who want to tie their vows. I can’t imagine a better place for a beautiful, romantic and joyful wedding.
My favorite spot is the Oval Garden located right behind the Villa. It has a rose garden setting with charming wisteria-covered pergolas and Roman statues. The surroundings offer an ideal place for ceremony. With enchanting music in the background, guests can mingle in the courtyard or on the patios, enjoying splendid views of the estate’s lawns and gardens while sipping champagne and sampling hors d’oeuvres.
In addition to its natural beauty, Villa Montalvo has become a center for creativity, offering art courses, performing arts events, gallery exhibitions, and artist residencies. Every year, Montalvo and its arts programs serve nearly 200,000 visitors from around the world. “Montalvo,” as it is said,” in its silence and beauty, will become one of the creative forces of the world.”
To many people, Villa Montalvo is a place of art, beauty, tranquility and majesty. To me, it is a place of special memory in my heart.
– A tribute in remembrance of our wedding at Villa Montalvo and in celebration of our togetherness for three blissful years.
Photo source: http://www.villamontalvo.org/
lifestyle, life, good taste, Montalvo, art, wedding, anniversary
What a great place. Do you have nay pictures of the rose gardens? HUGS
SB ANY. OOPS.
Yes, hutchy, I will try to post them sometime. Thank you for stopping by! Life is beautiful if we want to make it!
this is such a beautiful place.
wow ..looking forwarded to the pics of the rose garden
Wow – sounds amazing.
Sounds like a wonderful place.
It certainly looks and sounds like a beautiful place!
very pretty place. I like the oval garden too. the wisterias are beautiful!
Great article and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, veryone, it is indeed an amazingly beautiful place!
Nancy, the Oval Garden was so beautiful and romantic…. but you know what? it was pouring cats and dogs on the wedding day and all my plans for the oval garden had to change to the indoor. Who could ever have guessed it would rain so hard in May in California? Nevertheless, it was a beautiful wedding.
Thanks, Lee and Diana, for stopping by!
Dianna, I don’t know exact criteria of being artist residency. But if you check the website, it probably tells you. Are you interested?
Nice description of Villa Montalvo. It looks absolutely gorgeous. Do you know how one would be so fortunate as to obtain an artist residency there?
Happy Anniversary, Helen! Looks like an amazing place, just beautiful.
Helen, Thank you so much for sharing with us your special memory!
I was so very happy to read that the villa also is being for a center of creativity,
performing art events, and artist residences.
Helen, Happy Third Anniversary to a wonderful couple…and many more.
xox M.
went to Villa Montalvo many years ago for a Bela Fleck concert, and I can attest that it is every bit as beautiful and inspiring as you describe.
Adam,
I am glad you have been to Villa Montalvo. Are you in the Bay Area as well?
Maureen, thanks! You are always so sweet!
It sounds like a very beautiful place. Thank you for sharing with us.
Lovely.