Silicon Valley is undeniably associated with the tech industry, but the town of Mountain View on the south-west shore of San Francisco Bay offers visitors so much more than the headquarters of tech giants. With a charming and pedestrian-friendly historic downtown, quaint neighborhoods, expansive green spaces and a Shoreline Park for outdoor escapes, Mountain View is a Bay Area gem. It's also home to fun local festivities as well as lively large festivals like the upcoming Mountain View Art and Wine
Festival on September 6 and 7, 2025, a hugely popular Bay Area gathering now in its 53rd year.
As a town just a couple hours away from Napa, California's iconic wine city, the event highlights some of the best of California wine. A wine tasting ticket costs $55 if purchased before August 30, but the event is free to attend otherwise. The festival features live music throughout downtown, a diverse array of food and drink vendors lining the streets cooking up everything from BBQ ribs to wood-fired pizza, and a showcase of over 400 local artists selling their work. Add in a collaborative paint project and family-friendly activities, and this festival highlights everything that makes Mountain View special.
Read more: 15 Underrated Vineyards To Visit In California
Mountain View's Vibrant Festivities And Quaint Downtown
Regardless of when you visit, Mountain View's historic downtown is charming and easily explored by foot. The famed Castro Street in the neighborhood of Old Mountain View is lined with exciting dining options, locally owned shops, and Civic Center Plaza, which every Friday during the summertime hosts a concert. This neighborhood is also the perfect place to explore the town's diverse architecture, from the grandeur of historic Victorian homes to quaint and quirky cottages. History-lovers can tour Regnstorff House, built around 1867, it's the oldest structure in Mountain View, and one of California's most pristine examples of Victorian Italianate architecture.
Old Mountain View is also home to some lively parks: Eagle Park and Pioneer Memorial Park, both of which host charming local events like outdoor movie nights and ice cream socials. With ample park benches and tables, these quaint downtown parks are the perfect place to bring your Castro Street takeout to enjoy under a shady tree. Just like nearby Palo Alto, the birthplace of Silicon Valley, it's clear that Mountain View has more to offer visitors than you may have thought.
Exploring The Outdoors In Mountain View
With over 1,000 acres of park and wildlife areas — not to mention a moderate, California climate — spending some time outdoors is a must while in Mountain View. Shoreline At Mountain View, a 750-acre wildlife refuge and recreation area, is one of the city's premiere outdoor spaces for walking and biking, and it boasts an 18-hole golf course as well. For outdoor activities ranging from sailing to kayaking, pay a visit to Shoreline Lake, one of the city's most tranquil escapes. Here you can rent everything from bicycles and scooters to kayaks and sailboats to explore this serene spot on land or water.
If you're looking for an easy trail in the area, Stevens Creek Trail is a popular choice, leading along a creek for about 4 miles. Just keep in mind that portions of the trail run alongside a highway, so there's some noise at points. Shoreline Park Loop is another popular and easy option here, where you can spot water birds and other wildlife. But it can get crowded and has little shade, so it's best to hit the 1.4-mile trail early and bring plenty of water.
Just minutes away from California's wealthiest suburb, Los Altos, and with three major airports in the vicinity, reaching Mountain View is a cinch. San Jose International Airport is the closest to Mountain View, just a 20-minute drive or 35 minutes on public transportation. Alternatively, San Francisco International Airport is only 30 minutes away by car, or an hour by public transportation, and Oakland International Airport is an hour drive or two hours by public transport.
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