Welcome to Mountain View
A culturally diverse community with an urban feel in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Mountain View is located in Silicon Valley between Los Altos and Sunnyvale and boasts of being the headquarters of over 2,000 tech companies, including Google, Mozilla, and Intuit. Being a technology hub, opportunities abound for jobs and networking in the technology sector. With access to state highway 85 and U.S. Route 101, Mountain View is a great location for commuters. The architecture in Mountain View is an eclectic mix of the very old and the very new, with tree-lined streets showcasing Spanish-style bungalows, Victorian homes, condominiums, apartments, and townhomes. The mild, Mediterranean-type climate offers year-round comfort, availing residents endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and the beautiful view of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
With a population of just over 82,000, Mountain View strikes a great balance between having an urban feel and the friendly vibe of a smaller community. Castro Street, located in the heart of downtown, is home to a wonderful variety of shops, restaurants, boutiques, and nightlife. Having many parks and green spaces, including the beautiful Shoreline at Mountain View Park, locals have convenient access to hiking, biking, jogging, picnicking, and water activities.
What to Love
- Central location in Silicon Valley
- Headquarters of thousands of high-tech businesses
- Wonderful Mediterranean-type climate
- Fantastic restaurants, shops, boutiques, and entertainment along Castro Street
Local Lifestyle
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, many residents of Mountain View are employed at one of the thousands of high-tech businesses headquartered in the area. Local coffee shops and restaurants, often buzzing with the latest news in technology, are fantastic places for networking, shop talk, or just grabbing a latte on the way to work. This hub of business and technology is home to a diverse population, adding to the welcoming, culturally rich, and urban feel. Just a short drive from San Jose and San Francisco, big-city excitement is easily accessible.
Although business and technology are undoubtedly at the center of life in Mountain View, residents actively pursue a healthy work/life balance. Locals are routinely seen walking and jogging the tree-lined streets, having a playdate and picnic with the kids at Eagle Park, or taking the dog to any of several dog parks for exercise.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Castro Street is lined with dozens of fabulous restaurants from simple all-American, to unique and opulent. The Crepevine is a favorite destination for families, often touted as having “the best breakfast in Mountain View.” They offer sweet crepes and savory crepe platters made with fresh, healthy ingredients. The French offerings of Castro Street don’t stop with crepes, Alexander’s Patisserie is a delightful bake shop brimming with hand-crafted croissants, premium French chocolates, traditional macarons, tarts, cheesecakes, and pastries. For a casual, but elegant dining experience, specializing in Pan-Latin entrees, Cascal is a popular choice. Friends can enjoy exotic cocktails, live music, and some of the finest dining in Mountain View.
With a lively nightlife scene and many options for theaters and museums, Mountain View is a fantastic place for entertainment. Among the more popular museums are the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum, NASA Ames Visitor Center, The Rengstorff House, and the wildly popular Computer History Museum. For those looking for a fun night in town, fabulous nightclub venues like the Monte Carlo Restaurant & Bar, Alberto’s, and Molly Magees, are the perfect choices for drinks and dancing. Downtown Mountain View also boasts of many unique shops and boutiques — clothing, jewelry, consignment shops, gift shops, and small bookstores.
Things to Do
In addition to the wide variety of dining, entertainment, and shopping choices, Mountain View offers residents many other options for having fun and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. A local favorite is the award-winning Farmers Market, held every Sunday at the Caltrain Station, with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, honey, art, crafts, and handmade products.
Mountain View is a great place for cultural experiences, with many museums, a weekly Farmer’s Market, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and the Shoreline Amphitheater. The Shoreline Amphitheater is a premier outdoor concert venue that hosts music festivals and concerts throughout the year. If indoor events are more your style, check out The Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts for theatrical performances.
Golfers enjoy Shoreline Golf Links, an 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Shoreline Park, located on the southern tip of San Francisco Bay, is a peaceful location for outdoor activities. Miles of hiking trails meander through beautiful marshlands, home to many species of birds, mammals, and other fascinating wildlife. The park is also a favorite spot for jogging, biking, roller skating, kayaking, and enjoying the stunning view of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the bay.
Schools
Mountain View offers many exceptional K-12 public and private schools, including:
