The morning call., 1890-05-19
A PRETTY VILLAGE
4 Sketch of Alma, Near the Santa
Cruz Mountains.

The village of Alma lies two miles south
of Los Gatos, on the line of the Santa Cruz
division of South Pacific Railroad, and
is the entrance to the mountains 1t is the
most prettily situated of any place on the
road, nesting as it does among the hills,
with the gigantic peak of the Santa Cruz
Mountains towering far above on the south,
and on the north lies the Santa Clara Valley.
The advantages of this charming noun
tain village can be quickly seen when one
stops for moment to note the improve
ments that have taken place within the past
year. One large store and meat-Shop, two
new cottages of SIX rooms each. one large
eight-roOm dweling-house just completed,
a new livery barn, etc., are among the most
noticeable since last summer, while thou
sands of dollars have been spent by ranch
ers in building and improving their places
in the immediate vicinity.
The natural advantages OF this charming
hamlet are legion. The finest hunting and
fishing can be had in abundance within
half mile of the depot. Rabbits, squirrel,
quail, wild pigeon and an occasional deer
are the result of the sportsman who will
take the trouble of carrying a gun and
spending half day on the mountains of
the immediate vicinity; while the angler
can find plenty of sport and hundreds of
trout with which the brooks abound.
The young natives can start in any direc-
ton and fish in the main creek or any OF its
tributaries and in a short time secure
enough OF the tinny tribe To fairly astoniSh
the city tourist.
Within a mile of the hotel and situated
on one Of the prettiest drives in the coun-
try, lies mineral spring of surprising
merit. Although but little known TO the
travelling public, yet hundreds of people in
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Ala
media can testify TO the unQuestionable
benefit received from its medicinal waters.
Two and half miles west, on the
county road, is the San Jose Water Com
pany's reservoir, covering fourteen acres,
where numerous parties drive to spend the
day Tor private picnic, and where, by OBJ
tanning permission, the visitor is allowed
free boating and fishing
The natural resources, the beautiful
. scenery and the delightful climate here
have already advertised themselves to
such an extent that all through the summer
III onthS hundreds Of tents dot the banks of
the streams, while the lazy campers, with
h ammOcks swinging in the breeze, can be
seen at every turn.
The advantage of this place as a camp
ground Tor city pleasure seekers is under
stood, when it is learned that it is only
two and half hours from San Francisco.
The main camp. just below the station,
IS completely equipped with bathing
house, danclng-platfOrm, etc, and camping
privileges can be had free by applying at
the Alma Hotel.
Beside campers from all of the prominent
cities in this part of the State, the summer
bOarder" is as well known here as at other
resorts much more noted.
The accommodations here for those wish
Ing to spend the summer at the hotel or
rural homes are ample. The Alma Hotel,
which is across the way from the railroad,
has just been remodeled and can accommo-
date fifty guests. The Oakland House, a
quarter of a mile, and the Forest House,
one mile south, have capacity of twenty
guests each, while numerous farm-houses
near are equipped for summer tourists, and
can accommodate from eight to fifteen
guests. H.
dina Nov L. 1890