At one time, the city of Mountain View in California was merely a resting point on the stagecoach’s journeys between San Francisco and San Jose. Today, the city is home to the world’s largest technology companies and a spectacular place to live.

Mountain View Quick Facts

• Mountain View was incorporated in 1902.
• The city’s population is nearly 75,000.
• Mountain View has two sister cities: Iwata, Japan and Hasselt, Belgium.
• Mountain View is located 10 miles north of San Jose, 35 miles south of San Francisco and about 353 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Mountain View’s Schools

Two school districts serve the public-school students. Mountain View-Whisman School District, ranked 127th of California’s 865 public school districts, administers the area’s elementary and middle schools while the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District serves Mountain View’s high school students. The latter is ranked the 203rd best district in the state.

The highest ranked elementary school in the area is Frank L. Huff, at 83^rd of 5,621 public elementary schools in California. The school serves nearly 600 students in grades Kindergarten through 5.

Of the two middle schools that serve students, Isaac Newton Graham ranks the highest: 252 of 2,472 California public middle schools.

Mountain View and Los Altos High Schools are the highest ranking of the three on offer to Mountain View students. The former is ranked 142 of California’s 2,044 public high schools and the latter comes in at 178.

Rankings based on standardized test scores fluctuate, so if you have questions about a school’s current ranking, consult online ranking sites, such as schooldigger.com and greatschools.org.

The city also boasts a number of fine private schools as well. These include:

• German International School of Silicon Valley
• Khan Lab School
• Mountain View Academy
• Palo Alto Preparatory School
• Saint Francis High School
• Saint Joseph Catholic School
• Stephen Lutheran School
• Yew Chung International School of Silicon Valley

Getting Around in Mountain View

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)and Caltrain provide the residents with light and commuter rail and bus service to Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale.

As a commuter, you’ll be happy to learn that the city provides four stations for your convenience. If you work locally, such as for Microsoft, Google and others, your employer may provide an employee shuttle.

Business and Industry in Mountain View

The economy here is based on the technology industry. In fact, the area’s three largest employers are tech giants:

• Google
• Linkedin
• Microsoft

The city’s local industries aren’t limited, however, to technology, but includes life sciences and retail industries as well.

Mountain View Arts, Entertainment and Events

One of the brightest jewels in the city, is the arts crown center for the Performing Arts. Owned by the City of Mountain View, the venue offers three theaters hosting a variety of performances. Past productions include “The Lion King,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Pinocchio” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

The city is also home to the popular 22,500-seat Shoreline Amphitheater, which draws crowds from across the Bay Area for concerts, festivals and other events.

Speaking of events, the residents are treated to a number of fun, annual events, including:

• Ala Carte & Art
• Beyond Wonderland Festival
• German Holiday Market – Weihnachtsmarkt
• Art & Wine Festival
• NASA Ames Annual Open House
• Oktoberfest
• Silicon Valley Irish Fleadh
• Spring Parade
• Trick-or-Treat Downtown
• Wine Walk

Shopping and Dining in Mountain View

Like most cities its size, is home to a number of strip malls, making errand-running and quick stops after work a snap. Some of the more popular include Bailey Park Plaza Shopping Center (anchored by Safeway), Charleston Plaza (Petsmart, Best Buy, and Bed, Bath & Beyond) and Blossom Valley Shopping Center (Safeway, post office, cafes and more).

The San Antonio Shopping Center is the area’s largest, offering Wal-Mart, Trader Joe’s, BevMo!, 24-Hour Fitness, Kohls, and others.

Downtown shopping is always fruitful and shouldn’t be reserved for out-of-town company visits. With seven blocks of shops, galleries, brewpubs, and eateries, everything is within walking distance. You’ll even find a Michelin Guide-rated restaurant, Chez TJ, downtown. The Caltrain parking lot is transformed into the local farmers market every Sunday.

Getting Outdoors

Shoreline Park, the largest in the city, offers plenty of opportunities for city residents to get outdoors and active. It features an 18-hole, links-style golf course, and driving range, a lake on which to sail, windsurf, canoe and kayak and a café.

The San Francisco Bay Trail runs along Mountain View’s shoreline, offering area runners and bicyclists a convenient way to enjoy the outdoors.

The City of Parks Division oversees the area’s 37 urban parks and 5 miles of trails. Some of the more popular urban parks include:

• Charleston
• Cuesta
• Del Medio
• Eagle
• Mariposa
• Mercy-Bush
• Rengstorff Park & Pool
• Sylvan

Homes in Mountain View

There are nearly 34,000 housing units in Mountain View, 41 percent of which are owner-occupied. Some of the more popular neighborhoods include Shoreline West, Cuesta Park, Martens Carmelita and Blossom Valley.

Nearly 40 percent of the city homes are valued at more than $1 million and 23 percent are valued between $750,000 and $1 million. The least expensive homes for sale in Mountain View are mobile homes, which typically start in the mid-to-high $100,000s.

Step up in price to the $500,000s if you are considering buying a condo in Mountain View. Lower priced condos are occasionally offered but plan on spending at least $500,000 for a 1-bedroom condo with about 840 square feet of living space.

Townhouse prices start at more than $1 million and entry-level, single-family detached homes for sale in Mountain View are typically priced starting at $1.4 million. These homes are older and quite small (around 850 to 1,100 square feet) and sit on small lots.

Larger family homes for sale in Mountain View are commonly priced starting at more than $2 million.

Prices in any real estate market tend to fluctuate. Contact us  to be kept up-to-date on Mountain View’s home prices.