This Silicon Valley tech hub, home to Google's headquarters, sits against the Santa Cruz Mountains. Local restaurants line Castro Street, while hiking trails wind through nearby foothills.
Mountain View, located in California's Silicon Valley, sits at the heart of the global tech industry. You can walk through the Google campus with its colorful Android statues, examine the first-ever mouse at the Computer History Museum, or cycle along the San Francisco Bay at Shoreline Park. The streets buzz with software engineers heading to cafes and restaurants serving Korean, Indian, and Vietnamese food. With temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F (10°C) and its central location between San Francisco and San Jose, Mountain View works well as a base for exploring the Bay Area.
Getting to Mountain View
You can reach Mountain View through San Jose International Airport (9 miles), San Francisco International (23 miles), or Oakland International (24 miles). Take Caltrain from Downtown Mountain View Station to San Francisco (1 hour) or San Jose (20 minutes). VTA light rail connects to other South Bay cities. The city has bike lanes on most major streets, and you can walk through downtown in about 15 minutes.
Downtown Castro Street
Seven blocks of restaurants and shops line Castro Street. You'll find Korean barbecue, Vietnamese pho, and Indian curry houses, along with craft beer bars and coffee shops. The Sunday farmers' market runs from 9 AM to 1 PM in the Downtown Station parking lot, where local farmers sell organic vegetables, fresh bread, and ready-to-eat meals.
Tech Landmarks and Museums
At the Computer History Museum (open Wed-Sun, 10 AM-5 PM, $17.50), you can see the first Google server, play Pong on original consoles, and learn about Silicon Valley's growth through 2,000+ artifacts. The Google campus welcomes visitors to its outdoor areas, where you can take photos with Android mascot statues and buy merchandise at the Google Store.
Shoreline Park and Recreation
The 750-acre Shoreline Park connects to the 500-mile Bay Trail network. You can rent bikes at the boathouse, sail on the artificial lake, or play 18 holes at the golf course. The 1867 Rengstorff House opens for tours Thursday through Sunday ($5). The Shoreline Amphitheatre hosts concerts from spring through fall, with capacity for 25,000 people.
Annual Events
In September, the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival fills Castro Street with 500+ artists, local wine tastings, and live music (free entry). Monster Bash transforms Rengstorff Park each October with haunted houses and costume contests for children. The farmers' market runs every Sunday year-round, adapting its produce selection to match California's growing seasons.
