When I stroll down Big Basin Way on a sunny afternoon, I’m reminded why people fall in love with Saratoga at first sight. Flower beds burst with color thanks to the volunteer Village Gardeners, heritage buildings peek out from redwoods, and the hum of conversation drifts from coffee cups at Sue’s cafe.
Our Village is a scene from an idyllic postcard, but even idyllic downtowns need attention. Over the past year, the City Council has made economic vitality a formal initiative. Saratoga’s geography makes the topic tricky: Fewer than 1% of our parcels are zoned for commercial use, and sales tax dollars account for only a sliver of city revenue. Add the rise of e-commerce and the rerouting effect of Highway 85, and you see why keeping the Village lively takes extra creativity.
Vacant storefronts are the most visible sign of the challenge. Our last unofficial survey counted nine empty windows—enough to spark debate about whether downtown is thriving or fading. We have lost Flower Flour, Cinnabar Winery and Rose Market in the past year. Yet Anchors Fish & Chips, YogaSix, Tai Zhan Bakery, TeaZen and stalwarts such as Plumed Horse, Bella Saratoga, Hero Ranch, Big Basin Burger Bar and La Fondue continue to draw crowds.
When you’re in downtown Saratoga and you walk into a store, there’s a good chance you’ll run into the owner. That doesn’t happen everywhere and makes our community a special place. As such, in a city as small as ours, every closing hurts and every opening is a community victory.
A lively downtown is about far more than commerce. As our population ages, a walkable social hub counters loneliness and strengthens neighborhood ties. I often spot retirees swapping jokes at Big Basin Cafe, parents and grandparents corralling strollers near Wildwood Park, and teenagers refueling after school—proof that human connection still beats any app notification.
Last year, the council created an Economic Vitality Committee and began listening to business owners, brokers, residents and consultants. Out of those conversations came three lines of action.
First, we are activating the street with new programs. A privately funded outdoor dining pilot at Bella Saratoga begins later this year; other eateries can follow if it succeeds. On the first Thursday evening of every month through October, Saratoga Nights brings live music, art and after-hours shopping to the Village. Thursday morning yoga at 10 a.m. in Wildwood Park invites neighbors to stretch, breathe and then grab lunch in town. Even a simple evening walk adds energy to the sidewalks.
Secondly, we are exploring policies that nudge vacant spaces toward beauty and eventual reuse. Staff is drafting an ordinance that would require empty shops to maintain attractive displays, and we are re-evaluating the active use guidelines already in our city code to discourage streetfront offices that generate little foot traffic.
Thirdly, more residents downtown means more vitality, plain and simple. Some buildings need a facelift, and adding a handful of homes above the shops could bring more customers to the sidewalks without sacrificing charm. We could use small-scale development that respects our Village aesthetics. The Village is not a place for high-rises.
Parking is the question that draws the broadest range of opinions. Saratoga has more than 600 public spaces, but fewer than 150 sit directly on Big Basin Way (also a state highway), so many visitors are unaware of the larger lots hidden behind the buildings. State-mandated infrastructure upgrades will remove about 35 spaces this summer, but new signage and way-finding will make the back lots easier to find. If busier weekends someday mean parking an extra block away, that will be a pleasant problem to solve. We also have a public bathroom opening later this year!
Our downtown will never compete with regional mega centers, and that is by design. What we can be is a welcoming, walkable gathering spot that reflects Saratoga’s beauty, history and diversity. You, the residents, are the key ingredient: Choose the Village for coffee or date night, stop by Saratoga Nights, wave to a neighbor on an evening stroll, and share your ideas with me or the council.
A thriving downtown does not happen accidentally; it happens because friends and neighbors decide it matters. If we keep showing up for the businesses that invest here, for the visitors who discover us and for one another, our postcard scene will remain vibrant for years to come.
Belal Aftab is the mayor of Saratoga.