Welcome to Mountain View
Home to Google headquarters, this busy suburb is a bustling haven for millennials and tech insiders.
Named for its bird's eye view of the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains, Mountain View is best known for being home to Google headquarters. Nestled within Silicon Valley, Mountain View is one of the most innovative and tech-savvy cities in the area. Apart from Googleplex, several other big tech companies have office complexes nearby, including Microsoft and LinkedIn. One of the best perks about living in Mountain View is the free city-wide Wi-Fi courtesy of Google.
Beyond the industrial side of Mountain View, you might be surprised to find that many of the city's inhabitants are health nuts and outdoor enthusiasts. From the 750-acre Shoreline Park to the extensive trail system, there’s plenty to do outside if you're hoping to embrace the beautiful sunshine.
What to Love
- Free citywide Wi-Fi
- Shoreline Park
- Extensive trail system
- Bike share program
- Fantastic schools
- Diverse community
People & Lifestyle
Because of its numerous career opportunities and local activities, Mountain View attracts a young crowd, including millennials, couples without children, professionals, students, creatives, and some families. Mountain View's vibe isn't all that different from its neighboring cities of Sunnyvale and Santa Clare. It’s a tech-centered city with a diverse population.
Most of Mountain View is quite suburban in terms of housing, with properties varying in age and quality. Downtown, you'll find a walkable district with some fantastic boutique shopping and restaurants. Mountain View is also home to Shoreline Park and the renowned Shoreline Amphitheatre, which frequently hosts live music and performances.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Cascal is a vibrant, colorful restaurant specializing in Pan-Latin cuisine, including tapas and entrees. Combining Old World flavors with a mixture of craft cocktails and music, Cascal is a fun place to spend a night out.
Sushi Tomi is one of the best spots for sushi in Silicon Valley. Dine on fresh sashimi and chef's choice meals in this cozy eatery.
Le Boulanger is the Bay Area's premier bread bakery and one of the last family-owned and operated businesses around. Here, you’ll find a range of acclaimed pastries, gourmet coffees, and bread in an Old World-style interior. Le Boulanger has earned several awards for its incredible San Francisco sourdough and other assorted baked goods.
Things to Do
Featuring more than 80 vendors, the Mountain View Farmers Market hosts various conventional wholesale options for those who would rather try something different from their local grocery store. Talk to local farmers about their harvest techniques, invest in a family recipe, or pick through a wide assortment of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables — many of which are picked right before the market opens!
Mountain View is home to the iconic Shoreline Amphitheatre, a massive outdoor theater with a capacity for 22,500 people. As part of the Shoreline Park project, the theater and its surrounding parking lot are often used as an event venue for festivals, concerts, and more.
Located near the Google Merchandise store are the Google Android Lawn Statues. The garden area is open to the public, and you'll discover a variety of fun, colorful statues representing various treats like a cupcake, donut, and eclair. The public is encouraged to take photos beside the statues.
Considering Mountain View’s significant emphasis on tech, it's not surprising that the area is home to the Computer History Museum. Established in 1996, the CHM showcases artifacts on the information age and invites guests to learn about how computers have impacted our society.
Schools
Mountain View students are served by the Mountain View-Whisman School District and Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District.
