Guidebook for Mountain View
Getting Around
Most efficient way to get to San Francisco or San Jose. Check http://bit.ly/MVcaltrain for departure times and costs. Arrive 10 min. early to buy ticket. Tickets not sold on train.
102 locals recommend
Mountain View Station
600 W Evelyn AveMost efficient way to get to San Francisco or San Jose. Check http://bit.ly/MVcaltrain for departure times and costs. Arrive 10 min. early to buy ticket. Tickets not sold on train.
Light rail to San Jose and all parts in between. It's a slow local stop only train, so if you're going to San Jose, we suggestion taking Caltrain and the free shuttle at Diridon Station.
60 locals recommend
Downtown Mountain View station
Light rail to San Jose and all parts in between. It's a slow local stop only train, so if you're going to San Jose, we suggestion taking Caltrain and the free shuttle at Diridon Station.
Food Scene
$$$ Great place for a nice dinner. Reservations recommended, but it's pretty can also get a place at the bar.
28 locals recommend
Scratch
401 Castro St$$$ Great place for a nice dinner. Reservations recommended, but it's pretty can also get a place at the bar.
Oren's Hummus
261 University Ave$$ Serving up healthy snacks or dinners
Blue Line Pizza
1201 San Carlos Ave$$ Best pizza on the peninsula
$$ Locally owned beer garden with wide selection of beers. Grass-fed burgers and sausage to boot.
28 locals recommend
Bierhaus
360 40th St$$ Locally owned beer garden with wide selection of beers. Grass-fed burgers and sausage to boot.
$$ A long time Mountain View institution. Cash only coffee house (ATM on the premises) for espresso drinks and pastries. Wifi.
35 locals recommend
Dana Street Roasting Company
744 W Dana St$$ A long time Mountain View institution. Cash only coffee house (ATM on the premises) for espresso drinks and pastries. Wifi.
$$ Non-profit coffee house with wifi and an upstairs area for laptop work.
84 locals recommend
Red Rock Coffee
201 Castro St$$ Non-profit coffee house with wifi and an upstairs area for laptop work.
Shalala
698 W Dana St$$ Best Ramen house in the area. Not many tables.
Cascal
400 Castro St$$$ Fun place with great outdoor seating and tapas menu.
$$ Best sushi in the area and there is often a line, so get there early.
13 locals recommend
Tomisushi Restaurant
4336 Moorpark Ave$$ Best sushi in the area and there is often a line, so get there early.
Shana Thai
311A Moffett Blvd$$ Good thai food across the tracks
$$ Another good cafe with great pastries, macaroons and other treats. Good coffee here as well.
35 locals recommend
Alexander's Patisserie
209 Castro St$$ Another good cafe with great pastries, macaroons and other treats. Good coffee here as well.
$$$ It's a drive, but we love this place for the reliable California fare, the open bottle policy (no corkage fee), the service, and the atmosphere. Call for reservations as it fills up quickly. If you can get reservations, you can try grabbing a seat or two at the bar, where they serve food as well.
60 locals recommend
Los Altos Grill
233 3rd St$$$ It's a drive, but we love this place for the reliable California fare, the open bottle policy (no corkage fee), the service, and the atmosphere. Call for reservations as it fills up quickly. If you can get reservations, you can try grabbing a seat or two at the bar, where they serve food as well.
Steins
895 Villa St$$1/2 A nice beirgarten atmosphere with good food.
$$ A drive, but a worthwhile one for the sushi enthusiast. This is on the great food in an unexpected place category. Many say better than Tomi just up the street.
15 locals recommend
Sen Dai Sushi
224 N Abel St$$ A drive, but a worthwhile one for the sushi enthusiast. This is on the great food in an unexpected place category. Many say better than Tomi just up the street.
Good brisket and meats. Locally owned and friendly place. Best BBQ in the area. Expensive, but good bourbons.
7 locals recommend
QBB - Quality Bourbons & Barbecue
216 Castro StGood brisket and meats. Locally owned and friendly place. Best BBQ in the area. Expensive, but good bourbons.
Essentials
Ava's Downtown Market & Deli
340 Castro StSmall locally owned neighborhood market.
CVS
850 California StShopping
Books Inc.
317 Castro StIndependent bookstore with the latest published works.
Stanford Shopping Center
660 Stanford Shopping CenterTown & Country Village
855 El Camino RealOnly a short train ride away.
Castro Street
Castro StreetDowntown Castro Street is vibrant with restaurants and shops.
Parks & Nature
Great place for a run. You can get to he trail by walking down Dana St. to Landles Elementary. The trail runs right behind the school and goes all the way to Shoreline Park.
32 locals recommend
Stevens Creek Trail
Stevens Creek TrailGreat place for a run. You can get to he trail by walking down Dana St. to Landles Elementary. The trail runs right behind the school and goes all the way to Shoreline Park.
It's a drive, but a close place to get away and into nature. Includes a petting zoo and some paved trails.
168 locals recommend
Rancho San Antonio County Park
It's a drive, but a close place to get away and into nature. Includes a petting zoo and some paved trails.
Arts & Culture
Great collection of modern art and only a short train ride away.
143 locals recommend
Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts
328 Lomita DrGreat collection of modern art and only a short train ride away.
Get a sense of Silicon Valley innovations over the last few decades.
255 locals recommend
Computer History Museum
1401 N Shoreline BlvdGet a sense of Silicon Valley innovations over the last few decades.
The Tech Interactive
201 S Market StGreat for kids.
Entertainment & Activities
Century Cinema 16
1500 N Shoreline Blvd