Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Bill Giannini enjoys a quiet moment in the picnic area in front of Saratoga Springs' landmark arched bridge.

Saratoga Springs adjusts to less meat and alcohol

By Suzanne Cristallo

Because people are eating less meat and drinking less beer, a new menu has been created for catered events at Saratoga Springs.

Owner Bill Giannini, 54, says the alternatives he offers come as a result of observing what up to 2,800 guests at a time have been choosing to eat over the past several years at picnic events in the park on Big Basin Way in Saratoga.

Five salads now can be chosen as a substitute for or in addition to the still-popular barbecue fare of chicken, tri-tip beef, ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh fish, and smoked pork shoulder.

Coleslaw, pasta, potato, fruit and green salads along with skewered and grilled veggie kebabs appeal to the corporate and other lighter eating groups which gather for a day at the resort.

Alternatives to alcoholic beverages and the traditional pop drinks are iced tea and bottled water. The entire picnic package, which includes day-use activities, runs $18.95-$26.95 for adults and $11.95-$18.95 for children.

Since 1972, Giannini and his wife, Linda, have run the resort, which occupies 120 acres of land held by his family since 1876. Two creeks converge in the park, which is shaded by large oaks.

Numerous groups can occupy various groves yet feel secluded from one another while taking advantage of scheduled activities with park recreation leaders, the "bounce house," swimming in the pool and numerous midway games. Overnight camping is also available.

A new summer program is being offered called "Hot Summer Nights"--usually Fridays and Saturdays--which allows groups to take advantage of all the catering and recreational activities during warm evenings until 12:30 a.m.

Giannini is a San Jose native who attended Bellarmine College Preparatory and San Jose State University, where he majored in accounting. He involves himself in all of the weddings, reunions and company picnics, which require up to 50 staff in the summer. While the park is closed from October until May, a permanent team of 15 remains during the winter months to handle catering, on or off site.

Saratoga Springs, 22801 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. Office hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 867-3016 for catering; 867-9999 for camping.