About
Los Altos is a 6.5-square-mile city of tree-lined streets, a walkable village downtown, and one of the most respected K-8 feeder patterns in Northern California — the Los Altos School District (LASD) flowing into the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District (MVLA). Population approximately 31,000.
The town was established in 1906 by Paul Shoup of the Southern Pacific Railroad, who promoted Los Altos as “the loveliest place on the Peninsula.” Incorporated in 1952, Los Altos preserved its small-town character through thoughtful zoning and community investment while Silicon Valley grew around it. In 1976, Steve Jobs started Apple Computers in his family’s garage on Crist Drive in Los Altos — one of many reminders that this community has always been at the center of Silicon Valley innovation.
Today, Los Altos offers a genuine downtown village where residents walk for coffee, dinner, and the weekly farmers market. Independent boutiques, multi-generation restaurants, a public library, and community parks are all within walking distance of many Los Altos homes. The mature oak canopy, preserved throughout the city, gives Los Altos its distinctive character.
Homes in Los Altos are sought after for the public schools, vibrant downtown, and extensive outdoor recreation — including direct access to Rancho San Antonio Preserve (2,000+ acres) and the Los Altos Hills Pathway System (80+ miles). Short commutes to Google, Apple, Meta, Stanford, and other major Silicon Valley employers make Los Altos a consistent favorite.
Public Schools
- Almond Elementary — 550 Almond Avenue, Los Altos
- Covington Elementary — 201 Covington Road, Los Altos
- Gardner Bullis Elementary — 25890 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills
- Loyola Elementary — 770 Berry Avenue, Los Altos
- Oak Avenue Elementary — 1501 Oak Avenue, Los Altos
- Santa Rita Elementary — 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos
- Springer Elementary — 1120 Rose Avenue, Mountain View
- Blach Intermediate — 1120 Covington Road, Los Altos
- Egan Junior High — 100 West Portola Avenue, Los Altos
- Los Altos High School — 201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos
- Mountain View High School — 3535 Truman Avenue, Mountain View
Parks
- Shoup Park — 400 University Avenue — Adobe Creek, playgrounds, mature oaks, Redwood Grove access
- Lincoln Park — 199 University Avenue — downtown green, summer concerts
- Redwood Grove Nature Preserve — 482 University Avenue — old-growth redwoods in the heart of town
- Heritage Oaks Park — 800 Los Altos Avenue — mature oak grove, tennis courts
- Grant Park — 1575 Holt Avenue — pool, pickleball, ballfields
- McKenzie Park — 750 Distel Circle — open fields
- Hillview Park & Community Center — 97 Hillview Avenue
- Rosita Park — 1550 Fremont Avenue — playground, tennis
Trails & Open Space
Libraries
Shopping, Dining & Farmers Market
- Los Altos Farmers’ Market — 200 State Street, Los Altos — Thursdays 4–8 PM, late April through mid-October (2026 season: April 30 – October 15)
- Downtown Los Altos Village — independent boutiques, cafés, bookstores, galleries on State Street, Main Street, and First Street
- Loyola Corners Shopping Center — daily-needs retail
- Rancho Shopping Center — grocery and services
- Notable dining: Bumble, Sumika, State of Mind Public House, Voya, Esther’s German Bakery, Chef Chu’s
Major Employers & Commute
Drive times are approximate and vary by traffic and exact starting address.
Caltrain: Nearest stations are
Mountain View and
San Antonio — about 10 minutes by car. Corporate shuttles to Google, Apple, and Meta accessible from both.
Los Altos Sub-Neighborhoods
- North Los Altos
- South Los Altos
- Country Club
- Highlands / Woodland Acres
- Old Los Altos
About North Los Altos
North Los Altos is a central neighborhood in the city, defined by its proximity to downtown Los Altos and walkability to the revitalized San Antonio Shopping Center. Flat sidewalked streets with a mature oak canopy characterize the area. Homes range from original post-war ranches to larger Craftsman and modern Mediterranean styles.
Residents enjoy short walks to downtown restaurants, the library, and Shoup Park — Adobe Creek and the Redwood Grove are signature features. Streets generally feature lots just over a quarter acre, with Old Los Altos (on the east side of Foothill Expressway) featuring some of the city’s older homes.
Boundaries
- Adobe Creek on the north
- El Camino Real on the east
- El Monte Avenue on the south
- Foothill Expressway on the west
Schools
- Almond Elementary — 550 Almond Avenue
- Santa Rita Elementary — 700 Los Altos Avenue
- Egan Junior High — 100 West Portola Avenue
- Los Altos High School — 201 Almond Avenue
Parks Nearby
- Shoup Park — 400 University Avenue
- Lincoln Park — 199 University Avenue
- Hillview Park — 97 Hillview Avenue
Library
About South Los Altos
South Los Altos lies east of Foothill Expressway and south of El Camino Real, offering larger lots on average than many other parts of the city and generally strong value per square foot. The neighborhood is quieter and more suburban than central Los Altos, with easy access to I-280 for Peninsula commutes.
Homes here were largely built in the 1950s and 1960s, with a mix of original ranches and updated properties. The neighborhood features wider streets, larger yards, and proximity to Grant Park and Loyola Corners for daily amenities.
Boundaries
- El Camino Real on the north
- Mountain View border on the east
- Cuesta Drive / Foothill College area on the south
- Foothill Expressway on the west
Schools
- Loyola Elementary — 770 Berry Avenue
- Springer Elementary — 1120 Rose Avenue
- Gardner Bullis Elementary — 25890 Fremont Road
- Blach Intermediate — 1120 Covington Road
- Mountain View High School — 3535 Truman Avenue
Parks Nearby
- Grant Park — 1575 Holt Avenue — pool, pickleball, ballfields
- McKenzie Park — 750 Distel Circle
- Rosita Park — 1550 Fremont Avenue
Shopping Nearby
About the Country Club Area
The Country Club neighborhood surrounds the private
Los Altos Golf & Country Club and features well-established streets throughout Los Altos. Estate-feel streets, large lots (many 12,000+ sf), mature oaks, and quiet cul-de-sacs define the area. Home architecture ranges from mid-century ranches to modern custom estates.
Boundaries
- Loosely bounded by University Avenue, Fremont Avenue, Los Altos Avenue, and the Los Altos Golf & Country Club grounds
Schools
- Santa Rita Elementary — 700 Los Altos Avenue
- Egan Junior High — 100 West Portola Avenue
- Los Altos High School — 201 Almond Avenue
Parks Nearby
- Heritage Oaks Park — 800 Los Altos Avenue
- Shoup Park — 400 University Avenue
About the Highlands/Woodland Acres
The Highlands and Woodland Acres sit against the western foothills along Foothill Expressway, offering slightly elevated terrain, wooded character, and view potential. Streets wind through mature oak and bay forests, and many properties feature larger lots than the flatter parts of Los Altos. The neighborhood borders Los Altos Hills and provides direct access to Rancho San Antonio Preserve trailheads.
Boundaries
- Foothill Expressway on the east
- Los Altos Hills town border on the west
- Generally between El Monte Avenue and Edith Avenue
Schools
- Santa Rita Elementary or Almond Elementary
- Egan Junior High
- Los Altos High School
Trails Nearby
About Old Los Altos
Old Los Altos is the historic core of the city, east of Foothill Expressway, featuring the most walkable streets in Los Altos and some homes over 100 years old. The beautiful tree canopy, sidewalks, and proximity to downtown give this neighborhood a character reminiscent of Old Palo Alto. Stately homes on University Avenue anchor the area, while smaller lots on side streets offer more accessible entry points.
Residents walk to downtown State Street and First Street for restaurants, boutiques, the library, and the Thursday farmers market.
Boundaries
Schools
- Almond Elementary — 550 Almond Avenue
- Egan Junior High
- Los Altos High School
Parks Nearby
- Shoup Park
- Lincoln Park
- Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
Library
