Mountain View
Located on the southern edge of San Francisco Bay, Mountain View enjoys the Bay Area's signature mild climate and a mix of housing options that range from historic downtown apartments and mid-century single-family homes to modern condos along Castro Street and the rapidly growing North Bayshore area near the Googleplex.
A vibrant Silicon Valley city where tech culture meets a walkable, neighborhood feel.
Mountain View has come a long way from its origins as a stagecoach stop along El Camino Real in 1850 and a fruit-farming community in the early 1900s. Today it's home to Google, LinkedIn, Intuit, and some of the most influential companies in tech, but the heart of the city is still its lively downtown — a walkable Castro Street strip lined with restaurants, bars, theaters, and shops.
Located on the southern edge of San Francisco Bay, Mountain View enjoys the Bay Area's signature mild climate and a mix of housing options that range from historic downtown apartments and mid-century single-family homes to modern condos along Castro Street and the rapidly growing North Bayshore area near the Googleplex. Excellent schools, deep tech employment, and easy access to Caltrain and Highway 101 make it one of the most balanced Silicon Valley cities to live in.
Mountain View has a city-like energy that's rare among Silicon Valley suburbs. Downtown is genuinely walkable, with Castro Street acting as a pedestrian-friendly main drag of restaurants, bars, and small shops. Residents are a mix of tech professionals, young families, and longtime locals — and the city's 80+ parks, the Stevens Creek Trail, and Shoreline at Mountain View provide an outdoor counterpoint to all the tech.
Mountain View has one of the strongest dining scenes on the Peninsula, anchored by downtown Castro Street.
For grocery and specialty foods, Rose International Market on California Street is a longtime local favorite for Persian and Middle Eastern groceries, halal meats, and prepared foods. The Village at San Antonio along El Camino Real anchors the city's larger retail district, with Whole Foods, Safeway, dining, and shops.
The Mountain View Farmers' Market runs Sundays year-round at the downtown Caltrain station, with 80+ vendors offering certified organic produce, flowers, and prepared foods.
Mountain View is built for the outdoors. Stevens Creek Trail is a five-mile paved pedestrian and bike path running through the city — past the Googleplex and ending at the bay. Shoreline at Mountain View is a 750-acre park with sailing, kite-flying, golf at Shoreline Golf Links, and the Shoreline Amphitheatre, which hosts major concerts and festivals throughout the summer.
Cuesta Park offers playgrounds, BBQ areas, and tennis courts in a quiet residential setting. The Computer History Museum, one of Silicon Valley's signature institutions, traces the history of computing from punch cards to AI through hands-on exhibits and guided tours.
Downtown Castro Street is the city's social hub — pedestrian-friendly, with year-round events, summer concerts, and a strong mix of independent restaurants, theaters, and shops.
Students may attend:
Compass
270 3rd St Los Altos, CA 94022 CA DRE# 01227992
