Check out the Museum Shop in the historic Octagon Building adjacent to the McPherson Museum of Art and History. Just off Pacific, it has some wonderful original artwork and unique cards and postcards. Integrand Design, which carries a wide range of cool housewares, and Mr. Goodie's, an antique store with attitude. The downtown was hit hard by the Loma Prieta earthquake but has managed to not only survive but flourish. The Old Town Center has been renovated with a new Borders, a redone California Cafe and the first Oakville Grocery south of Palo Alto.
New stores continue to move in, and the area bustles day and night.
On weekends, you could get severe Spandex rash from the bikers, runners and other fitness types who flock to the area. A downtown where folks actually come out to see and be seen. The stretch of Main Street that includes the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. is the best. Most on-street parking spots are by permit only even on weekends. Off-street parking that runs parallel to Santa Cruz Avenue to the east fills up quickly.