Food Scene
Great, great, coffee. One of the hubs of Mountain View's burgeoning startup scene -- check out all the future Zuckerbergs upstairs!
84 locals recommend
Red Rock Coffee
201 Castro StGreat, great, coffee. One of the hubs of Mountain View's burgeoning startup scene -- check out all the future Zuckerbergs upstairs!
Xanh
110 Castro StUpscale Vietnamese
Pho Hoa
220 Castro StI dare you -- DARE YOU -- to order the large pho bowl and actually finish it!
Yakko
975 West Dana StreetSmall place with affordable, tasty sushi!
Never been there, but I keep hearing great things about it, and the constant lines are a good sign.
75 locals recommend
Sushi Tomi
607 W Dana StNever been there, but I keep hearing great things about it, and the constant lines are a good sign.
Hole-in-the wall cheap-but-good Indian take-out joint with a few tables for a sit-down meal. Often a line. Stock up on Indian snacks and treats! A bit far, but definitely worth the drive if you're looking for good cheap Indian food.
Rajjot Sweets & Snacks
1234 S Wolfe RdHole-in-the wall cheap-but-good Indian take-out joint with a few tables for a sit-down meal. Often a line. Stock up on Indian snacks and treats! A bit far, but definitely worth the drive if you're looking for good cheap Indian food.
Sakoon
357 Castro StSmall place; great, affordable Indian food.
Cascal
400 Castro StTo-die-for tapas! Reservations recommended
Often have amazing, well-priced buffet lunches and dinners. Delicately spiced food, attentive waiters. Can't go wrong!
7 locals recommend
Turmeric Restaurant
141 S Murphy AveOften have amazing, well-priced buffet lunches and dinners. Delicately spiced food, attentive waiters. Can't go wrong!
Shiva’s
800 California StreetGood high-end Indian food.
Great, simple breakfasts. Highly recommend the Mexican omelette. Or the weekend menudo, if you're feeling adventurous.
21 locals recommend
Taqueria La Espuela
854 W Dana StGreat, simple breakfasts. Highly recommend the Mexican omelette. Or the weekend menudo, if you're feeling adventurous.
Great lamb or vegetarian tagine. Order the spicy cucumber salad for a starter -- but have some water ready! Great decor. There's often a belly dance or a magician.
Morocco's
873 Castro StGreat lamb or vegetarian tagine. Order the spicy cucumber salad for a starter -- but have some water ready! Great decor. There's often a belly dance or a magician.
Yam Leaf Bistro
699 Calderon AvenueVegan restaurant, great prices.
Alexander's Patisserie
209 Castro StDelightful, if somewhat pricey, coffee shop and bakery.
Crepevine
300 Castro StBest friggin' breakfasts in town. Long lines on weekend mornings
Drinks & Nightlife
Nope, not misspelled : It's "Tied House", not "Tide House". Great for happy hour or dinner fare. While you're there, learn about why it's called Tied House.
27 locals recommend
Tied House
954 Villa StNope, not misspelled : It's "Tied House", not "Tide House". Great for happy hour or dinner fare. While you're there, learn about why it's called Tied House.
Fibbar MaGees
156 S Murphy AveClassic bar experience!
German beer garden, opened in the last half year. I've never been, but it seems like quite a happening place!
65 locals recommend
Steins
895 Villa StGerman beer garden, opened in the last half year. I've never been, but it seems like quite a happening place!
At the bottom end of Castro Street, right next to the Caltrain Station. Great selection of wines.
24 locals recommend
Savvy Cellar Wine Bar & Wine Shop
750 W Evelyn AveAt the bottom end of Castro Street, right next to the Caltrain Station. Great selection of wines.
Classic Irish pub, right next to another Irish pub, St. Stephen's Green.
44 locals recommend
Molly Magees
241 Castro StClassic Irish pub, right next to another Irish pub, St. Stephen's Green.
Classic Irish pub, right next to another Irish pub, St. Molly Magees.
31 locals recommend
St. Stephens Green
223 Castro StClassic Irish pub, right next to another Irish pub, St. Molly Magees.
Parks & Nature
Great walks and easy to moderate hikes. Small working farm within the park. Remote control airplane flying site.
168 locals recommend
Rancho San Antonio County Park
Great walks and easy to moderate hikes. Small working farm within the park. Remote control airplane flying site.
A popular gem right at the end of Shoreline Blvd. Great views of marshlands, inlets, estuaries, and other neat features of the Bay. Lots of birds -- geese in particular (watch out underfoot!) You can rent boats. Two nice restaurants: Michael's at Shoreline, and Shoreline Lake American Bistro. To get there, you have to drive through Google's campus, so avoid rush hour.
96 locals recommend
Shoreline Lake Boathouse
3160 N Shoreline BlvdA popular gem right at the end of Shoreline Blvd. Great views of marshlands, inlets, estuaries, and other neat features of the Bay. Lots of birds -- geese in particular (watch out underfoot!) You can rent boats. Two nice restaurants: Michael's at Shoreline, and Shoreline Lake American Bistro. To get there, you have to drive through Google's campus, so avoid rush hour.
Sylvan Park
600 Sylvan AveLarge park with playground.
Up in the Santa Cruz mountains, next to its big brother, Big Basin State Park. Iconic walks through magnificent California Redwoods.
Little Basin Concession Group Campground
21700 Little Basin RdUp in the Santa Cruz mountains, next to its big brother, Big Basin State Park. Iconic walks through magnificent California Redwoods.
Up in the Santa Cruz mountains, next to its little brother, Little Basin State Park. Iconic walks through magnificent California Redwoods.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayUp in the Santa Cruz mountains, next to its little brother, Little Basin State Park. Iconic walks through magnificent California Redwoods.
Small neighborhood park. A great place to meet the families who live nearby.
10 locals recommend
Mercy-Bush Park
Small neighborhood park. A great place to meet the families who live nearby.
Huge park with large fields, a sizable playground, picnic areas, and a Veterans' Memorial. Only a few blocks from downtown Mountain View.
25 locals recommend
Eagle Park
650 Franklin StHuge park with large fields, a sizable playground, picnic areas, and a Veterans' Memorial. Only a few blocks from downtown Mountain View.
Entertainment & Activities
Cheapest (but quite good!) massage in town. You stay fully clothed, in a quiet room with other guests and good ambiance. Your feet get massaged first, then your back, etc.
Happy Feet Foot Spa
3731 El Camino RealCheapest (but quite good!) massage in town. You stay fully clothed, in a quiet room with other guests and good ambiance. Your feet get massaged first, then your back, etc.
Classic amusement park with lots of rides and a water park.
299 locals recommend
California's Great America
4701 Great America PkwyClassic amusement park with lots of rides and a water park.
Raging Waters San Jose
2333 S White RdGreat place for the family. Wonderful water park.
A bit of a drive, but worth it for a full day of fun family activities.
63 locals recommend
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
3050 Hecker Pass HwyA bit of a drive, but worth it for a full day of fun family activities.
24 Hour Fitness
550 Showers DrConveniently located workout venue
Essentials
Hard-working, amicable, local proprietor. Good selection of foods, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Support local businesses!
53 locals recommend
Ava's Downtown Market & Deli
340 Castro StHard-working, amicable, local proprietor. Good selection of foods, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Support local businesses!
Great prices, great selection, great meats, fish, and vegetables. Mostly Chinese selection, with some Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and other Asian
44 locals recommend
99 Ranch Market
1350 Grant RdGreat prices, great selection, great meats, fish, and vegetables. Mostly Chinese selection, with some Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and other Asian
Safeway
570 N Shoreline BlvdNearby Safeway.
Shopping
Farmer's market on Sundays right by the Mountain View Caltrain station. Fresh produce from around the Bay Area so you can stock up on arugula, kale, and fennel. Also bread, desserts, and music!
47 locals recommend
Mountain View Farmers Market
600 W Evelyn AveFarmer's market on Sundays right by the Mountain View Caltrain station. Fresh produce from around the Bay Area so you can stock up on arugula, kale, and fennel. Also bread, desserts, and music!
Arts & Culture
Unknown, off-the-beaten-tourist-track little museum about San Francisco's iconic cable cars. It's free and a truly fascinating look at the history and the more-than-a-century-old technology that's still in use: miles of thick cable running under San Francisco's streets.
207 locals recommend
San Francisco Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason StUnknown, off-the-beaten-tourist-track little museum about San Francisco's iconic cable cars. It's free and a truly fascinating look at the history and the more-than-a-century-old technology that's still in use: miles of thick cable running under San Francisco's streets.
Mountain View's own performing arts center, with productions by numerous local troupes and acting companies. In downtwon, right next to City Hall and a delightful public square.
47 locals recommend
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
500 Castro StMountain View's own performing arts center, with productions by numerous local troupes and acting companies. In downtwon, right next to City Hall and a delightful public square.
Wonderful overview of the historical events and inventions that have made Silicon Valley what it is today.
255 locals recommend
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline BlvdWonderful overview of the historical events and inventions that have made Silicon Valley what it is today.
Wonderful museum highlighting the innovations that have made Silicon Valley what it is today.
267 locals recommend
The Tech Interactive
201 S Market StWonderful museum highlighting the innovations that have made Silicon Valley what it is today.
Great place for kids to learn about basic science, "hunt" for dinosaur bones, and play in an ambulance and fire truck!
141 locals recommend
Children's Discovery Museum
180 Woz WayGreat place for kids to learn about basic science, "hunt" for dinosaur bones, and play in an ambulance and fire truck!