The state of California in the United States is one of the most famous in the country, after all, it has several very interesting cities to visit, and among them, today we will introduce you to Mountain View.
Mountain View is located in Santa Clara County, just outside the city of San Jose. It is a very quiet destination, with a mild climate most of the year, ideal for those who like to enjoy nature and see sights loaded with American history. Want to know if Mountain View is worth visiting? Come with Happy Tours and find out now!
What to do in Mountain View?
We have selected the top tourist attractions in Mountain View for you to make a list if you decide to visit this Californian city soon. Check out what can't be left out of your itinerary!
1. trip to Silicon Valley
Yes, the city is in the Silicon Valley region of the State of California, a true industrial hub that concentrates the headquarters of several important companies worldwide, such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Mozilla Corporation, AOL and Yahoo!
For those who love technology, this tour will be amazing, no doubt about it. Can you imagine visiting the headquarters of Google or Microsoft? If you have this desire, see how to get to know Silicon Valley!
The best way to visit Silicon Valley is to rent a car and take the following route:
- Exit downtown Mountain View and take El Camino Real Avenue to the Southbay Fwy;
- Then go straight on the Southbay Fwy to E Middlefield RD, where you will need to make a U-turn to take the opposite direction of the Southbay Fwy;
- Follow the Southbay Fwy to E Evelyn Ave;
- From there, you will have several ways to visit the different businesses that are located in the broader Silicon Valley-CA region!
Another possible route for your itinerary is to head to Santa Cruz in the late afternoon to start your trip along the California Coast (Highway 1) the next day.
Is it possible to visit Silicon Valley without a car?
Unfortunately not. The companies are very far from each other and it is difficult to venture onto the Cal Train without a car.
To visit the Valley, we recommend that you rent a car very early and spend the whole day with it, so you can see many places!
Tip: You can book the car on Happy Tours and pick it up at the airport at very interesting rental rates. In this option you can pick up the car at Palo Alto Airport.
2. Get to know Old Mountain View
Old Mountain View is a very diverse neighborhood in the center of the city, you can get to know it by taking Castro Street. There you will find many busy pubs and cafes, as well as restaurants with a variety of cuisines, ranging from Indian to Mexican.
There are also many green spaces that make the area even more pleasant. If you decide to visit the area, take the opportunity to visit Pioneer Memorial Park and Eagle Park, which has a huge lawn and an outdoor swimming pool. The residences in the area draw attention because of their classic and differentiated architecture.
Location: is in the central area of Castro Street, CA 94040.
3. Take the opportunity to check out an attraction at the Shoreline Amphitheatre
The Shoreline Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a capacity of 22,500 people, with 6,500 reserved seats and 16,000 general seats on the lawn.
If you have the opportunity, attend a show or an event that is scheduled when you are there. It is also possible to visit excellent restaurants nearby.
Location: 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, CA 94043-1326.
4. Don't miss the Computer History Museum!
How about spending an afternoon admiring the art exhibits at the Computer History Museum during your stay in Mountain View?
This museum is really wonderful. There you can see everything from the first types of calculators to the first portable computers. There are countless curiosities involved in each item.
The place has free parking, a cafeteria, stores, and 3 types of tickets: basic, super geek, and total geek. The last two entitle you to cool gifts that refer to the museum.
It is maintained by the local veterans society and located on NASA land. It is a very nice museum to go to with children, who will be amazed that there are a number of interesting exhibits worth seeing.
Location: 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043-1311.
5. Visit the Mountain View Farmers Market
This is a very interesting open-air market, with many curious and delicious foods. If you love organics, no doubt you will be delighted with the variety of quality fruits and vegetables you will find there.
And right there you can try the organic produce, such as the incredibly tasty California strawberry. The tour is even better on a sunny day. But go in the morning to enjoy the fair that starts at 10am.
Location: 600 W Evelyn Ave, CA 94041-1315.
6. Visit the monumental Moffett Field Historical Society Museum
This is a US Navy museum, with huge hangars that house many historical artifacts dating from the 1930s to the present day.
There you can see an outdoor exhibit with model airplanes and a helicopter from the U.S. Air Force. Plus, the museum houses one of the most extensive model train exhibits on the planet.
The place is really beautiful, so it is well worth visiting and making many beautiful records. It is recommended to go by car to better enjoy the ride.
Location: Building 126, Severyns Ave, CA 94035.
7. Enjoy an afternoon on the Bay Trail
The Bay Trail is a great place to relax in Mountain View, after all, it is the entire lakefront of the city. You can hike or bike there and enjoy the lovely weather.
You can also see rabbits, different kinds of sparrows, and turtles walking freely on the site. It is an amazing feeling to walk in the middle of birdland. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset there!
Be sure to bring a jacket as it is often quite windy in the bay. This is also a good trail for spotting several species of birds - especially when you enter the Adobe Creek Loop Trail.
What do you think of our travel tips for Mountain View, California? When you go there, check the availability of rental cars at Happy Tours to make your trip even more comfortable!
