Mountain View

50 things to do in Mountain View, CA

Mountain View in the heart of Silicon Valley is probably best known as Google’s headquarters. Framed by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south and the bay on the north. It’s a picturesque city of almost 80,000.  Come for Google and the Computer History Museum, stay for a lovely downtown, the Shoreline Lake or enjoy one of the great street festivals.

The list is in no particular order. I appreciate all comments and suggestions.

1. Google – visit the Google headquarters (1600 Amphitheatre Parkway) and have some fun with some great photo ops, e.g.  in huge primary colored chairs,
   
2. Or hug one of the android figures. (1981 Landings Dr.)
   
3. Visit the Computer History Museum – this is for the real nerds. (http://www.computerhistory.org, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd)
   
4. Eat at OFF THE GRID, the food-truck extravaganza at the Computer History Museum, Fridays 5 pm-9 pm (https://offthegrid.com/events/, 1415 North Shoreline Boulevard)
5. Visit the NASA AMES Research Center – before there was Silicon Valley there was NASA, Tue – Fri 10 am – 4 pm (https://www.nasa.gov/ames/visitorcenter.html, Moffett Field)
   
6. Stroll along Castro Street – Mountain Views great downtown.
7. Enjoy some gelato at Gelato Classico – find out why this is the best spot to get Italian’s greatest dessert. (241 Castro St)
8. Play a round of golf at Moffett Field (https://www.moffettgolf.com, 934 Macon Road) or Shoreline Golf Links (http://www.shorelinelinks.com, 2940 N Shoreline Blvd)
   
9. Kayak the Shoreline lake. (https://shorelinelake.com/boathouse.html, 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd.)
   
10. Or just walk around the Shoreline park and get a nice view of the Bay.
11. Bike the Stevens Creek Trail.
12. Eat some pupusa – these Salvadoran favorites are being served at Chalateco (825 E El Camino Real) or at Kabobs & Pupuseria (http://www.kabobsandpupuseria.com, 1910 W El Camino Real)
13. Stroll the Art and Wine Festival; September 9-10, 2017, 11 am – 7 pm Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm Sunday (http://mountainview.miramarevents.com, Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue)
14. Join the Mountain View library for some great events, e.g. for Christmas they had the Ukulele holiday songs sing along. (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/library/events/default.asp, 585 Franklin Street)
15. Enjoy some beer garden feel at Bierhaus (http://bierha.us/, 383 Castro), Steins (http://steinsbeergarden.com/, 895 Villa St.)  or Tied House (http://tiedhouse.com/, 954 Villa).
    
16. Score some bargains at the annual Citywide Garage Sale at homes throughout Mountain View, May 5th, 2018, 8 am – 2 pm (www.mountainview.gov/garagesale) 

    

17. Or at the Community Yard Sale at Rengstorff Park, May 20th, 2018,  8 am – 2 pm. (www.mountainview.gov/yardsale)
18. Play bocce at Cuesta Park – you have to bring your own set of balls, but the rules are posted. (615 Cuesta Drive)
    
19. Afterwards enjoy a great BBQ or picnic
    
    [also see: Have a picnic weekend]
20. See the egrets nesting area at Google, April – July (Shorebird Way)
    
    [also see: Big white birds]
21. Catch a movie – with some great pull out chairs. (https://www.cinemark.com/california-bay-area/century-cinema-16, 1500 N Shoreline Blvd)
    
    [also see: Dinner & a movie]
22. Dance with the Irish at the Irish Festival, May 13th – 14th  (http://svirishfleadh.com)
23. Eat Indian/Pakistani food at Zareens. (http://www.zareensrestaurant.com, 1477 Ply​mouth St., #C)
    
24. Shoot some hoops at a local school, after school hours.
    
25. On Christmas time see the tree lightning ceremony and enjoy some man made snow on December 4th, 2017 (Civic Center Plaza)
    
26. Enjoy Gluehwein or hot punch at the German Holiday Market in December.  (Civic Center Plaza)
27. Work out using the grown up fitness area at Rengstorff Park.
    
    [also see: Get in shape for free]
28. Swim some laps at Eagle Park pool. (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/rec/aquatics/lochour.asp, 650 Franklin St.)
29. See a show at the Amphitheater – notable the bridge school benefit concert organized by Neil Young in October (https://www.bridgeschool.org/concert/). (http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com, One Amphitheatre Parkway)
    
30. Watch a play at Pear Theater. (https://thepear.org,1110 La Avenida Street)
    
31. Dine at Chez TJ – one of the few restaurants in the Bay Area granted a Michelin Star. (http://cheztj.com, 938 Villa St.)
32. Pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables and other goodies at the farmers market; Sunday from 9 am – 1 pm. (http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/mountain-view-farmers-market/, 600 W. Evelyn)
    
    [also see: Eat local produce]
33. Fly a kite at the Shoreline Park’s kite fly area.
    
34. At Red Rock – watch the coder on caffeine (http://www.redrockcoffee.org, 201 Castro St.)
    
    [also see: Support your independent coffee shop]
35. Rake some rocks at the Rock Garden at Pioneer Park.
    
36. Catch a open air movie in the summer at Rengstorff Park. (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/summermovie.asp)
37. Get some history at the Rengstorff House, Mountain View’s oldest house – especially spooky on Halloween. (http://r-house.org, 3070 N. Shoreline Blvd.)
    
38. See a great performance at the Center for Performance Arts. (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/mvcpa/subsite/default.asp, 500 Castro St.)
39. Explore the Moffett Field – Moffett Field Historical Society Museum (http://www.moffettfieldmuseum.org, Severyns Ave., Building 126)
40. See some oldtimer cars at Thursday Night live in June and July. (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/thursdaynightlive.asp, Castro between Mercy and Villa)
41. Admire a piece of the Berlin Wall (585 Franklin St.)
    
    [also see: Celebrate one less wall]
42. Get closer to hanger one – one of the largest freestanding structures in the world, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangar_One_(Mountain_View,_California), Moffett Field)
    
43. Enjoy a great book club at Books Inc. (http://www.booksinc.net/MountainView, 301 Castro St.)
44. Ride the free bus (http://mvcommunityshuttle.com)
45. The Lock Museum might be closed but the house is still the oldest on Castro St and beautifully remodeled. (http://www.jehninglockmuseum.com/, 175 Castro)
    
46. Ramp up with your skateboard at Rengstorff Park.
47. Do a historic walking tour of Mountain View (http://rick-heli.info/mvtour/)
48. Stroll around the community gardens at Willowgate or the Senior Center (http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/rec/facilities/garden.asp)
    
49. Listen to a concert at the Community School of Arts and Music (http://arts4all.org/, 230 San Antonio Circle)
50. Sit on a crocodile – great photo opt for kids (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1NBF_Tick_Tock_the_Crocodile_Mountain_View_Ca, 556 Middlefield Rd.)
    

Did I miss something? What are your suggestions?

As always no affiliations with the mentioned businesses unless otherwise noted. Dates are for 2017/2018. Please let me know of any changes or mistakes. All images are mine, unless otherwise noted, please don’t use without permission. © 2017