Looking for innovation, sunshine, and Silicon Valley vibes? Head to Mountain View, California! Home to Google and nestled between San Francisco and San Jose, Mountain View blends high-tech cool with outdoor spaces, great dining, and cultural gems. It's the perfect base to explore the Bay Area.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Mountain View is spring through fall (March–October), when the weather is warm and dry. Summer is especially popular for outdoor concerts, tech events, and hiking in the foothills.

How to Get There

  • By Plane: The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), just 15 minutes away. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 30–40 minutes north.
  • By Train: Caltrain connects Mountain View to San Francisco, San Jose, and other Peninsula cities.
  • By Car: Mountain View is easily accessed via U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 85.

Where to Stay

  • Hotel Avante – Trendy boutique hotel with retro-modern flair, perfect for business and leisure travelers.
  • The Ameswell Hotel – Sleek and sustainable hotel with wellness amenities, an outdoor pool, and high-tech touches.
  • Hotel Strata – Comfortable, centrally located hotel offering great service and free breakfast.

Top Attractions

1. Hike along Stevens Creek Trail

Hike along Stevens Creek Trail

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Go for a jog on Stevens Creek Trail, a multi-use trail that runs along the creek corridor of Stevens Creek beginning in Shoreline Park and ending at the corner of Heatherstone Way and Dale Avenue. The scenic trail winds its way through natural riparian habitats and tidal marshlands and across Stevens Creek, which is home to a host of native California wildlife, including raccoons, possums, and several species of birds.

The trail is popular with locals for walking and jogging, cycling and scootering, roller and inline skating, dog walking, and bird-watching.

Stevens Creek also offers a variety of educational opportunities, ranging from guided tours, creek clean-up days and vegetation planting for school groups.

2. Step back in time at the Computer History Museum

Step back in time at the Computer History Museum

© Computer History Museum

The is dedicated to collecting, presenting and preserving the artifacts and stories of the information age, and delving into the computer revolution and the impact it has had on society as a whole.

Established in Mountain View in 1996, the Computer History Museum is renowned for housing the largest and most significant collection of computing artifacts in the world, including the an Apple I, a Cray-1 supercomputer, the famous 1969 Neiman Marcus Kitchen Computer, and a section of Google's racks of custom-designed web servers.

Spend a morning at the Computer History Museum which features a 25,000-square-foot exhibit which covers the history of computing in 20 galleries, from the abacus to the Internet, as well as several additional displays, and a collection of source code of valuable software.

Address: 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, Phone: 650-810-1010

3. Sample the flavors at the Mountain View Farmers Market

Sample the flavors at the Mountain View Farmers Market

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Don't miss the Mountain View Farmers Market held every Sunday at the Caltrain Station throughout the year. The market features over 80 farmers and food purveyors that sell a variety of fresh organic produce, freshly baked treats and goods, honey, and fresh flowers. There is free parking for visitors to the market along Hope Street and two parking garages with secure parking on Bryant Street and W Evelyn Avenue.

Address: 600 W Evelyn Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041, Phone: 800-806-3276

4. Go biking at Shoreline Lake Boathouse

Go biking at Shoreline Lake Boathouse

© Shoreline Lake

The Shoreline Lake Boathouse is a scenic spot for biking, hiking, jogging, strolling, bird-watching, and other recreational activities. The Shoreline-Lake Boathouse is situated within the beautiful Shoreline Regional Park, which was established in 1983 by the City of Mountain View and features the human-made 50-acre saltwater Shoreline Lake.

The lake is only 25 feet deep at its deepest point with warm waters and offers a variety of recreational activities, including sailing, swimming, fishing, and other watersports such as paddle-boarding, kayaking, and canoeing.

Silicon Valley’s leading concert venue, the Shoreline Amphitheatre is set on the shores of the lake and offers a range of entertainment throughout the year.

Address: 3160 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, Phone: 650-965-7474

5. Get festival tickets at Shoreline Amphitheatre

Get festival tickets at Shoreline Amphitheatre

© Shoreline Amphitheatre

Catch a concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, an outdoor amphitheater set on the shores of the Shoreline-Lake that offers a range of entertainment throughout the year.

Designed and built in the mid-1980s as part of the Shoreline Park project., the venue has a capacity of 22,500, with a large grass lawn that can seat up to 16,000 people, and 6,500 reserved seats and has hosted many famous bands and singers, including Julio Iglesias, Steve Winwood, and the Bee Gees.

The amphitheater has also played host to many music festivals, including Download Festival, Country Throwdown Tour, Lollapalooza, Harmony By the Bay Festival, BeachFest, I Love This City Festival, and more.

Address: 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043

6. Learn about histiry at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum

Learn about histiry at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum

© Moffett Field Historical Society Museum

The Moffett Field Historical Society Museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage and telling the story of the Moffett Field, one of Northern California’s most significant historic sites.

The Moffett Field has a significant history that includes major contributions to the advancement of science and technology and the national security of the country, playing a vital role in the world’s most significant eras, including the Macon era, the Army era, the WWII era, and the Post War era. Today, the Moffett Field is the core focus of the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum, which features a variety of exhibits that document the history of aviation and aircraft.

The museum is also home to a gift shop that sells aviation-related gifts and souvenir and offers docent-led tours around the facility.

Address: 500 Severyns Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043, Phone: 650-964-4024

7. View fascinating exhibits at the NASA Ames Visitor Center

View fascinating exhibits at the NASA Ames Visitor Center

© NASA Ames Visitor Center

Stop by the NASA Ames Visitor Center which forms part of the NASA's Ames Research Center, a key facility for many of NASA’s missions and projects. The Ames’ Visitor Center highlights the projects at the Research Center and the work NASA is doing with a variety of fascinating exhibits. Other features of the museum include a high-resolution Immersive Theater with a 14-foot tall and 36-foot wide screen which presents high-definition videos of Mars missions, and simulated flights through the Milky Way Galaxy and beyond.

Address: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, Phone: 650-604-6497

8. Watch a musical at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Watch a musical at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

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TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is a professional theater company that produces and presents a year-round season of eight productions ranging from comedies and musicals to dramas and more. Founded in 1970 and based in Menlo Park, the theater employs 300 artists annually and is the third largest repertory theater in the San Francisco Bay Area. Productions are presented at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and in the Lucie Stern Theatre complex in Palo Alto and host the annual TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival every summer, which draws people from around the country.

Address: 500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041, Phone: 650-463-1960

9. Take a tour of The Rengstorff House

Take a tour of The Rengstorff House

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The Rengstorff House is the oldest home in Mountain View one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture in the area. Built in 1897 by prominent local businessman, Henry Rengstorff, who operated a ferry between San Francisco and Mountain View, the house was fully restored to its former glory in 1991 and boasts several significant architectural elements such as a hip roof and a central gable crowned by a widow's walk, an elegant front portico, and symmetrical room layouts. Interiors are decorated with classic period décor, and outdoor brick patios are surrounded by pristinely manicured lawns and flowering plants. The Rengstorff House is open for public tours three days a week and admission is free, although donations are welcomed.

Address: 3070 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043

Attractions for First Time Visitors

  • Googleplex – Explore the exterior of Google's headquarters and snap photos with Android sculptures (public access limited).
  • Downtown Castro Street – Lined with global eateries, coffee shops, and indie boutiques in a walkable, lively setting.

Where to Eat

  • Oren's Hummus – Fresh, flavorful Israeli dishes with warm pita and a cult-favorite hummus.
  • Castro Street BBQ – Casual joint with Korean barbecue flavors and generous portions in the heart of downtown.
  • Steins Beer Garden – Modern American eats and a rotating tap of craft brews in an open, airy beer hall space.

Local Events

  • Mountain View Art & Wine Festival (September) – One of the Bay Area’s top street fairs with local art, food, and live music.
  • Thursday Night Live (Summer) – Free downtown concerts, kids’ activities, and food trucks on select summer evenings.
  • Concerts at Shoreline Amphitheatre (Spring–Fall) – Catch major music acts at this large outdoor venue near the Bay.

Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Mountain View, California

  • San Jose (15–20 min) – Visit the Tech Interactive Museum, SAP Center, or historic San Pedro Square Market.
  • Stanford University (15–20 min) – Tour the iconic campus, visit the Cantor Arts Center, or hike the Dish Trail.
  • Los Altos (10 min) – Quaint downtown with boutiques, bakeries, and art galleries in a peaceful setting.
  • Cuesta Park (10 min) – Shady trails, tennis courts, and green space ideal for a relaxing afternoon outdoors.
  • Palo Alto (15–20 min) – Explore tech history, upscale shops, and the bustling University Avenue corridor.

FAQ

  • Where is Mountain View located?
    • Mountain View is located in Santa Clara County.
    • It borders the San Francisco Bay in the north and Los Altos.
  • Why is Mountain View named as such?
    • The city is named for its beautiful views.
  • What can visitors do in downtown Mountain View?
    • The pedestrian-friendly downtown is packed with things to see and do.
  • What major technology companies are headquartered in Mountain View?
    • Many of the world’s largest technology companies are based in Mountain View, including:
    • Google
    • Intuit
    • Symantec
    • Mozilla Foundation

At a Glance


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Pleasant weather, ideal for outdoor exploration. Hotel Strata – A boutique hotel with modern amenities. Visit Shoreline Park – Perfect for biking, kayaking, and picnicking.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and sunny, great for festivals and tech tours. Aloft Mountain View – A stylish and comfortable stay near major attractions. Explore the Computer History Museum – A must-see for tech enthusiasts.
Fall (September-November) – Mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Hyatt Centric Mountain View – A convenient and upscale option. Attend a concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre – A top outdoor music venue.

Plan Your Trip