50 things to do in Los Altos / Los Altos Hills
To make this a doable challenge, I decided to bundle Los Altos (LA) and Los Altos Hills (LAH). Los Altos Hills main attraction is the Foothill College. Los Altos with its charming downtown is great for gift shopping and hosts lots of festivals.
- Bamboo Garden Foothill College
- Old Orchard at the Los Altos City Hall
- The Physics Show
- Santa Home visits
- Hidden Villa
- Area 151 Arcade
- Path run
- Archery
- Westwind Community Barn
- GreenTown bike rides
- San Jose Spiders
- Hidden Villa
- Redwood Grove Nature Preserve
- Los Trancos Open Space
- Los Altos History Museum
- KCI Gallery, Foothill College
- Little Museum at the Los Altos Town Crier
- Gallery 9 and Viewpoints Art Gallery
- Los Altos Historic Walking Tour
- J. Gilbert Smith House
- The Neutra House
- Spagnoli Tank House
- Los Altos Sculptures
- Artistic Bicycle Racks
- Bus Barn Theater
- Los Altos Youth Theatre
- Friends of Los Altos Library Ongoing Book Sale
- Linden Tree Books
- Foothill College Bookstore
- The Immaculate Heart Monastery of the Poor Clare Colettines
- Farmers Market
- Summer Sidewalk Sale
- Bumble
- Ditmer’s
- Tin Pot creamery
- Lisa’s Tea Treasures
- Steve Jobs Garage
- Foothill College Observatory
- Maker Space at the Foothill College
- KFJC radio station operated from Foothill College
- Los Altos Nursery
- Pop up park downtown Los Altos
- Fine Art in the Park, May
- Summer concert series at Grant and Rosita Park, June – August
- Art and Wine Festival, July 13 and 14, 2019
- Corvette Spectacular, 22nd September, 2019
- Beer Stroll, 29th September, 2019
- Gingerbread House Exhibit, late Nov – early Dec
- Festival of Lights Parade, Dec 1st, 2019
- Holiday barn lighting, early Dec 2nd, 2019
Parks and Gardens
Whenever someone asks me about the most interesting thing I discovered so far I mention the Bamboo Garden at Foothill College. It really is a hidden gem; with over 70 different varieties, it is also the largest bamboo garden in the U.S.! (http://www.bamboogarden.org/, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
[Also see: Be bamboozled]
J. Gilbert Smith planted the apricot orchard surrounding Los Altos City Hall in the1900s. Apricots bloom early March. (1 N San Antonio Rd, LA)
[Also see: Smell the blossoms in the Valley of Heart’s Delight]
Places for Kids
An amazing show geared towards 5th graders, but grown ups will learn a lot too in this hands-on demonstration and show by Foothill College physics professors. (http://www.thephysicsshow.com/, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
[Also see: Learn that physics is fun]
Have Santa come to your house, if you have children under 12 (https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/santa-home-visits)
An educational farm in the middle of Silicon Valley. Opening hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am to dusk. Parking is $10 and can be purchased on the web site or bring cash on your visit. (https://www.hiddenvilla.org/, 26870 Moody Road, LAH) [Also see: Uncover a hidden villa]
A family friendly arcade in the heart of downtown. This arcade is a mixture of old style ticket redemption entertainment and side-by-side competition games. (http://www.area151arcade.com/, 359 State St., LA)
Sport
or just walk a path. Every year in May, the Path Run is a fun event for the whole family. But these paths are open year round for everyone to enjoy. A comprehensive map of the path is available for $4 at the Los Altos Hills Town Hall. (http://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/206/Pathway-System, https://lahpathwaysrun.org/) [Also see: Find the path to run]
You can have an archery party at the Redwood Grove in Los Altos. (https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/archery-party-redwood-grove, 482 University Ave, LA)
You can board your horse here. Westwind also offers 4-H therapeutic riding to improve balance and coordination for special needs children. (https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/208/Westwind-Community-Barn, 27210 Altamont Rd, LAH)
GreenTown Los Altos offers solstice bike rides twice a year and historical bike rides. The solstice bike ride is a night bike ride. All rides are a family friendly events. Check out their calendar. (https://greentownlosaltos.org/events/)
Root for the San Jose Spiders, the local ultimate frisbee team. Their home stadium is at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. The season runs from April to July with six home games a year.(http://sjspiders.com/tickets.php, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
Short Hikes
There are multiple hiking trails for every level of experience. (https://www.hiddenvilla.org/visit/hiking-trails/, 26870 Moody Rd, LAH)
This 6-acre Redwood grove has a boardwalk that intertwines with Adobe Creek. (482 University Ave, LA)
[Also see: Where the secret giants are and Take a forest bath]
The Los Trancos Open Space Preserve is split in half by the San Andreas Fault and therefore makes it ideal to learn about earthquake terminology. The Earthquake trail is a 1.5 mile long hike. A self-guided earthquake tour: San_Andreas_Fault_Trail.pdf
(https://www.openspace.org/preserves/los-trancos, Page Mill Rd, LAH)
[Also see: Earthquake trilogy]
Museums / Galleries
Twice yearly new exhibits and on the upper floor a brief history of the Los Altos area. Current exhibits are: Silicon Valley Eats! And Gadget Galore, until September 2019.
Open Thursday – Sunday noon – 4 pm, admission is free. (https://www.losaltoshistory.org/, 51 S. San Antonio Rd, LA)
[Also see: Get some old recipes, Foodies reunite in this exhibit]
A small exhibit space is part of the Krause Center of Innovation. (https://krauseinnovationcenter.org/about/gallery/, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH) [Also see: Get a glimpse of the Cuban School of Ballet]
You can see the bell collection from the street. If you go in, there are some old school artefacts used by previous writing professionals. (https://www.losaltosonline.com/ , 138 Main Street, LA) [Also see: Visit a tiny museum]
Downtown Los Altos art galleries. Gallery 9, 143 Main St., Viewpoints Art Gallery, 315 State St. [Also see: Shop for some gifts]
Historic Places
Print out the PDF and enjoy a self-guided walking tour of downtown Los Altos. (Historicwalkingtourbrochure.pdf)
Probably the most famous historic house in Los Altos right next to the Los Altos History Museum. Designated as a California State Point of Historical Interest in 1987. (https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibits/j-gilbert-smith-house/, 51 S San Antonio Rd, LA) [Also see: Get some old recipes]
Architecture
The Neutra House was designed by Richard Neutra in 1935, and completed in 1959. It is a great example of mid-century modernism.
(https://neutrahouse.org/, 181 Hillview Avenue, LA)
Build in 1915, this tank house was threatened by demolition to make room for a senior housing. It was saved by the community and moved adjacent to the J. Gilbert Smith House. (Historical commission meeting.pdf, 51 S. Antonio Rd, LA)
Public Art
With a self guided walking tour Los Altos invites you to see the public art around town. (Sculpture_map.pdf)
In 2013, Los Altos adopted the artistic bicycle rack policy. Property and business owners are now allowed to install interesting bike racks downtown. In 2015 and 2016 the city had a bike rack design competition. Try to find them all! (https://greentownlosaltos.org/2016/06/parking-your-bike-in-town-never-looked-so-good/, https://www.losaltosca.gov/publicartscommission/page/artistic-bicycle-racks) [Also see: Park your bike]
Theater
A neighborhood playhouse brings the community together with musicals, dramas and comedies. Book one of the 99 seats to view the show! (http://losaltosstage.org, 97 Hillview Ave, LA)
Bring the kids for a show at the Los Altos Youth Theatre. They produce three shows per year at the Bus Barn Theater. (https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/los-altos-youth-theatre, 97 Hillview Ave, LA)
Bookstores
Get a bargain at the Friends of Los Altos Library ongoing book sale inside the library. They also hold book sales at the Los Altos Youth Center. Next sales are: November 1-3, 2019, February 7-9, 2020, May 1-3, 2020
(https://losaltoslibraryfriends.org/, 13 S San Antonio Rd, LA)
An award winning independent bookstore that served the community for 40 years. It might only survive one more year.
(https://www.lindentreebooks.com/, 265 State St, LA)
Are you in need of textbooks? You can find books written by faculty, or get your own merchandise.
(http://books.foothill.edu/home.aspx, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
Shopping
One of two businesses in LAH (the other is Foothill College Bookstore) – the gift shop at the monastery might be your starting point to tranquility.
(https://www.poorclareslosaltos.org/our-monastery/, 28210 Notoma Rd, LAH)
Shop local produce at the farmers market, May – September, 4 pm – 8 pm. They also have kids entertainment and food trucks. (https://downtownlosaltos.org/event/farmers-market-opens/, State St between 2nd and 4th, LA) [Also see: Buy local produce]
Ten days in August Los Altos downtown bring their stores outside. The sidewalk sales (August 2-11, 2019) throughout Downtown Los Altos. (https://downtownlosaltos.org/event/summer-sidewalk-sale-2/)
Lunch
Organic and locally sourced meals with an outdoor sandbox and a playroom for the little ones. (http://www.bumblelosaltos.com/, 145 First St. LA)
A German butcher, everything from sausage to sauerbraten, and all the German treats that go with it, like Sauerkraut and Rotkohl. They also serve meaty sandwiches.
(https://www.dittmers.com/, 4540 El Camino Real, LA)
Technically not lunch, but why not eat dessert first? (https://tinpotcreamery.com/, 201 First St. LA)
A more festive affair surrounded by antiques (http://lisastealosaltos.com/, 167 Main St. LA)
Nerdy Fun
Maybe it was the bedroom where the first Apple 1 got built, but the garage is the most famous part of the house. Please be respectful of the people living there. (https://allaboutstevejobs.com/pics/pics_places/garage, 2066 Crist Drive, LA)
Every clear Friday you can view the stars from 9 pm -11 pm.
(https://foothill.edu/astronomy/observatory.html, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
Discover your inner maker at a community makerspace located at the Krause Center of Innovation, Foothill College. After completing the introductory course, use all the tools, machines and electronics. Fees apply. (https://krauseinnovationcenter.org/makerspace/, 12345 El Monte Rd, LAH)
Turn your radio to the local college station 89.7 celebrating 60 years of on-the-air. (https://thesixfifty.com/flesh-peeling-noise-foothill-colleges-kfjc-radio-station-celebrates-60-years-of-outsider-audio-bd24d9edc55a)
Must-show-to-visitors places
There is quite some history in this neighborhood based nursery. The Furuichi family returned to their land from internment and opened the nursery in 1947.(http://losaltosnursery.com/, 245 Hawthorne Ave, LA) [Also see: Go plant shopping]
Every summer since 2013 a pop up park is a welcome addition to downtown Los Altos. (https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/downtown-green, 3rd St, LA) [Also see: Pop into a park]
Festivals / Events
Over 160 artists exhibit in mid May in Lincoln Park. All profits from the Rotary Fine Arts show are donated to local and other chosen causes. The annual Kiwian Pet Parade (http://www.losaltoskiwanis.org/Page/21428, Lincoln Park, LA) proceeds the art show.
[Also see: Art in the park] (http://rotaryartshow.com/)
A fun filled concert awaits every summer Thursday in either Grant or Rosita Park.
(https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/summer-concert-series-14)
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Arts and Wine Festival. On the second weekend of July, downtown Los Altos holds the largest two-day, mid-summer event in the Bay Area.
(https://downtownlosaltos.org/event/40th-los-altos-arts-wine-festival/, downtown LA)
More than 165 Corvettes will take over Main Street in downtown Los Altos for one of the biggest Corvette cars shows in Northern California. (https://downtownlosaltos.org/event/2019-corvette-spectacular/, downtown LA)
On Friday, September 29th, 2019, between 6 pm and 9 pm, you can stroll downtown Los Altos and taste some brews. (https://downtownlosaltos.org/event/2019-downtown-los-altos-beer-stroll/, downtown LA)
Get in the Christmas spirit with the annual Gingerbread House Exhibit at the Hillview Community Center. Created by Los Altos residents young and old, this long standing tradition produces creative and festive examples of edible architecture. (https://www.losaltosca.gov/recreation/page/gingerbread-house-exhibit, 1575 Holt Ave, LA)
A holiday tradition, a parade with floats and marching bands lights up downtown, weather permitted, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. (https://www.losaltosparade.org/, downtown LA)
The Westwind community barn’s holiday event with hot cider, petting zoo and Santa. (https://victoriadyeequestrian.com/programs/#otherevents, 27210 Altamont Ave, LAH)
I welcome your comments and suggestions, either in the comment section below, or you can contact me. Everything can change from URLs to opening hours, please verify before you go.
As always no affiliations with the mentioned businesses unless otherwise noted. Dates are for 2019. Please let me know of any changes or mistakes. All images are mine, unless otherwise credited. Please don’t use without permission. Copyright 2019.
Thanks for including the Los Altos History Museum! Great list.