Lotta confusion, and myth, about the Chateau! It started in the 1800's, rumor had it Jack London lived and wrote at a cabin here. It was a 'family' restaurant with pool and hiking. I saw shows at Chateau Regis, late 60s. The 'biker" designation began in '71, and the name change to "Liberte"- It was a most Fellini-esque place full of debauchery and pirate-like behavior!
Shows included Hot Tuna, Tower of Power outside, Charles Bukowski, Soquel, many great shows and unplanned pregnancies. Tess Dunn's dad, Geoffrey, wrote a great book called "Ghost towns of the Santa Cruz mountains" that anyone interested in this odd blessed cursed county should read, full of surprises and characters like Mountain Charlie, who was female. At the bottom of Lexington reseervoir is the ghost town of Lexington! Holy City, oh, my.
heres some info gathered online-
The Chateau-
22700 Old Santa Cruz Highway, Los Gatos, CA, 95033
Established As Redwood Chateau in 1964; Chateau Regis in 1967, then Chateau Liberté 1971 -closed circa 1975.
The Chateau Liberté was a legendary rock & roll bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The following piece of history is added by Pearl Regis Owner/Operator of the lease at the Chateau along with her family. Prior to that name (Chateau Liberte) , it was called the Redwood Chateau 1965 - 1967 and then Chateau Regis (1967 - 1971) This is the period the Doobie Brothers and other legendary rock groups got their start or played there. It was not a "biker" bar until Jim Richardson bought the lease in 1971 and called it Chateau Liberte (which means "House of Freedom"). The bar was a magical, rockin'-sockin' fun place to go and was patronized by the local Mountain Folk, Cowboys and equestrians, Professional people such as Airline Pilots, Doctors, Lawyers, Heavy Construction Equipment Operators, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Poets, Families, "hippies" and other eclectic groups. It has since been restored to replicate the structure circa 1920. The swimming pool was left in place, and could have been viewed as folks sat at the log-hewn bar.
Location:
Although it was in Santa Clara County, it was in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Old Santa Cruz Highway (in Santa Clara County). Many people assume it was in Santa Cruz County. Some people think it was "Just off Highway Nine" (WAY OFF!) Some remember, "Off Summit Road." (Close.)
The actual site is now private property reachable by a fenced private road off Old Santa Cruz Highway. This is the same road that was used for access to the Chateau previously . The property has been privately owned and well taken care of since 1996. Big Creek Lumber Company of Davenport, California did perform a "Select Timber Harvest" prior to current ownership .
Early History:
It started as a stagecoach stop in the mid 19th century, well before Highway 17 or even the Old Santa Cruz Highway was built. In the 20th century it was an inn and restaurant owned by the Samuels family in the 50's. From about 1947 to the mid 60's it was just a restaurant. It was one of the nicer resuarants in the area. It was near the town called Holy City, off of the Old Santa Cruz highway. For just $3.00 per month any local family could use the pool and hike the property. They had small horse rodeos and "movie nights" . It went through at least two owners in the 1960's. It became Chateau Liberté in 1965. Many references have it with "e" instead of "é" (called e acute). For a web search use a standard "e" in the spelling. From the late 60's through the 1970's it was known as a music hangout where anything could happen.
Music:
Many bands from the Bay Area played here including Hot Tuna, NRPS, Kingfish, Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, Deep Purple, Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, and members of Moby Grape. The cover of the first Doobie Brothers album was photographed in the bar. As typical of many legends, rumors put everyone there. Tina Turner — maybe. Janis Joplin — no way. (Excuse me here says Pearl - While Janis never entertained there, she visited the Chateau with an entourage thinking to purchase the property. The old Dr. Moore out of San Francisco, who owned the place at the time wouldn't hear of it....he didn't like her.) Tower of Power played outdoors on a stage in the Redwood trees in 1972 with Blue Mountain. Rumor was that 300 tickets were sold and well over 3,000 people showed up. Cars were parallel parked on Highway 17 . This was also possibly one of the reasons "The Chateau" would soon reach it's "Rock & Roll" end ! Photo's at
http://www.korgnorthwest.com/Blue_mountain.htm Chateau Liberte was associated with bikers. First the Gypsy Jokers and later Hells Angels. The bikers also worked there. This helped feed rumors of a "biker city" or "biker camp" in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The cottages of the early inn were in use by workers and renters. It wouldn't have been too easy to live there with shows that linger on into the wee hours of the night and motorcycles coming and going often.
There were many rumors of Chateau Liberté about drugs, crime, music, fun, and danger. They were mostly true.
