Anyone who has ever driven a car to a popular shopping area between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day knows the pain that comes from attempting to park that car anywhere in the same ZIP code as the shops they wish to visit.

For the fifth consecutive year, the town of Los Gatos will attempt to ease that pain with its holiday parking program. Beginning Nov. 26, the town will provide free valet parking Tuesdays through Saturdays until Dec. 24, as well as on Dec. 19 and 20.

The free service will be available at the municipal parking lot off of University Avenue between Grays Lane and Elm Street from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The upper level will be reserved for short-term parking (four hours or less) and the lower level for long-term parking (more than four hours).

"We're working to promote a friendly business climate," said Carol Musser, Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department parking coordinator.

Musser said the town partners with the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce to implement the program, which includes the distribution of brochures notifying people of the valet service, other parking options and holiday events. The program started in 2000, she said, to help businesses that were starting to see the effects of an economic downturn.

In addition to helping shoppers find spots, the valet parking creates room for more cars than usual.

The town has budgeted $25,000 to fund the program, but Musser said it is only expected to cost about $20,000.

"We feel like it's the town's contribution to the business community," she said.

The town has been able to cut that cost down in the more recent years by not providing the service on Sundays and Mondays, which it originally had, and by starting the program after Thanksgiving, rather than before in the initial two years.

The Chamber of Commerce contributes to the program by running advertisements with the parking information, as well as distributing the program brochures.

Musser said police department volunteers will serve as "parking ambassadors" throughout the holiday season, distributing the brochures and directing shoppers to parking spots.

All which will help Los Gatos residents and visitors focus on the real reason for the season—buying better gifts for your friends and family than they bought for you last year.

Unlimited free parking is also available in the following lots:

* Park Avenue—off of W. Main Street near the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co.

* Montebello—on Montebello Avenue next to the Los Gatos Post Office at the south end of the Town Plaza

* Miles—on Miles Avenue, east of Edelen Avenue and within walking distance of the foot bridge to Old Town

* North Side—north of Highway 9 between University and N. Santa Cruz Avenue

* South Side—on S. Santa Cruz Avenue across from the Toll House Hotel

For more information about holiday parking, contact Carol Musser at 408.399.5716.