Top 14 Things to do in Mountain View, California this Summer

Welcome to Mountain View, the number one “geek Place” in the world. Here in the heart of the Silicon Valley, there are more people working on algorithms and applications than you can count. Google is headquartered here and there are more leading-edge technology companies than any other place in California, the United States, or the world. Businesses, hi-tech and otherwise, are well-connected to social media and the Internet. The people who live in this area benefit with a higher standard of living than many other areas around California.

You can’t always be busy working. Everyone deserves a break from the office. There are plenty of fun things to do for residents, and visitors alike in this beautiful part of California. Whether you have the weekend off, or are here on vacation to visit Mountain View and the San Francisco Bay Area, there are things to do that will appeal to people of all ages.

Many of the things to do in this beautiful part of California are free or cost only a few dollars to see. You can also spend $100 for a gourmet dinner for two. Whatever things to do that you choose, smile, and make sure you have a good time.

1) Flying Kites in Shoreline Park

On a breezy day, what is more fun than getting out in the fresh air and launching a kite high up into the sky. As you run with your kite trailing behind you, a gust of wind lifts your high-tech flying wing skyward, as you compete for supremacy among all the other kite-flyers. Technically, you are not allowed to fly kites within Shoreline Park because of the sensitive nature of the protected land. However, don’t despair, because just outside the park’s protected area, you won’t be breaking any rules when you join the others in the designated kite flying area.

2) Kayaking in Shoreline Park

Shoreline Lake is a wonderful place for all types of non-motorized watercraft activities. Calm waters in the morning with occasional breezes picking up through the day, make for the ideal environment for canoeing, sailing and kayaking. Head on over to the Aquatic Center boathouse and choose your favorite watercraft. You can rent a kayak, pedalboat, canoe or rowboat, and go out for a peaceful day on the water. Individuals who want more of an active experience can rent a windsurfer or sailboat. Equipment is rented by the hour and all participants are required to wear a life vest, which is provided at no additional charge, when you rent a watercraft.

3) Golfing at Shoreline Links

Take in the breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay while you make your way around the Shoreline Links championship golf course. Part of 750 acre Shoreline Park is reserved for that transcendental sport more commonly referred to as golf. Get out your driver and let the golf ball know who is boss as you tee off on the par 5 first hole. Shoreline links, with its perfectly manicured fairways and greens, provides a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The 10th hole is adjacent to the big 50 acre saltwater lake. Stay out of trouble in the sand traps and watch out for the water hazards if you want to score low. Greens fees are surprising low, especially when you get a tee-time for twilight golf.

4) Ride a bike along Stevens Creek Trail

Running for miles through tidal marshlands and wildlife habitat, the Stevens Creek Trail is a popular, but not crowded site for bikers, runners and walkers. Completely paved from end-to-end, this is a beautiful spot for getting in some exercise or just enjoying the great outdoors.

5) Concerts in Shoreline Park

Shoreline Park Amphitheatre is a major venue for some of the top musical and entertainment acts in the country. With a seating capacity of 22,500, that includes 6,500 reserved seats and 16,000 general admission seats, spectators can see such performers like Brad Paisley, Black Sabbath, the Dave Mathews Band, Keith Urban and Maroon 5. Rain or shine, all shows go on as scheduled.

6) Drinking bubble tea in downtown Mountain View

For a relaxing mid-afternoon break, stop by the Tea Era at 271 Castro Street. There are hundreds of varieties and flavors of tea that you will have to come back again and again to sample them all. Have you ever tried almond jelly, coconut jelly or red bean bubble tea? Any day is a good day to enjoy a delicious cup of bubble tea. Seating is limited, but, you can always get your order to go.

7) Having a BBQ at a public park

One of the reasons that this city is so livable is the more than 40 public parks within its boundaries. Most of the public parks have children’s playgrounds, open fields to throw a frisbee and picnic or barbecue areas. Others also have basketball and tennis courts or baseball and soccer fields. A few of the fun parks to have a picnic or BBQ include Monta Loma Park at Thompson Avenue and Laura Lane, Landels Park at Dana Street and Calderon Avenue and, Sylvan Park at Sylvan Avenue and DeVoto Street.

8) Watching movies at the Cinemark Theatre

Watch the latest Hollywood films in an auditorium that features stadium seating. With every row of seats slightly lower than the row behind it, you get unobstructed row of the big screen. The ultra-modern Century Cinema 16 makes use of RealD 3D, all-digital technology to create a miraculous viewing experience. This theatre is one of a select few theatres to incorporates the new High Frame Rate (HFR) motion picture format that gives viewers an even more realistic movie experience. HFR format presents movies at a speed of 48 frames per second (FPS), which is twice the current industry standard of 24 FPS.

9) Visiting the Computer History Museum

It is almost mandatory that you visit the Computer History Museum and learn about the electronic device that gave birth to the Silicon Valley. You don’t have to be a computer geek to have a fun day playing Pong, the original video game, or seeing more than 1,100 historical artifacts on display.

10) Hang out with friends at a downtown pub

Have a beer, watch the sports action or enjoy some great food with your friends at Stephens Green at 223 Castro Street. Try the award-winning original South Bay microbrewery at Tied House Brewery & Cafe at 954 Villa Street. After dark, head over to the Zen Lounge at 251 Castro Street, have a drink, and dance the night away as the DJs spin a variety of music from Hip Hop to Rock and Roll.

11) Visiting the Mountain View Library

All you need to check out books, DVDs and music CDs, is a library card. Library cards are free and also entitle you to high-speed internet access. If you are visiting the area for a few months, you can get a free temporary library card that will be valid for the length of your stay. The 70,000 square foot, two-story building welcomes more than 3,500 people through its doors every day.

12) Visiting the Center for the Performing Arts

Right by the public library is the Center for the Performing Arts. The lobby of the building serves as an art gallery for local artists. Art exhibits are changed regularly and much of the art is for sale. Three stages, including the 589 seat Mainstage Theater and outdoor Parkstage Amphitheatre, put on musicals and Broadway-style shows like Beauty and the Beast and Stuart Little.

13) Check out the Android Sculptures outside Google’s Building 44

Outside of Building 44 at the Googleplex stand a unique collection of bigger than life Android Sculptures. Each sculpture is based on code names for the different versions of Google’s Android mobile operating system. While you can’t eat them, they all have desert names like Cupcake, Donut and Eclair.

14) Have a nice meal on Castro Street

There are so many restaurants on Castro Street that you can get any kind of food you like. For fresh seafood and other American regional cuisine, try Scott’s Seafood at 420 Castro Street. Try something new when you visit Morocco’s Restaurant at 873 Castro Street. The tagines, or braised stews, are delicious. Le Boulanger, at 650 Castro Street is the best place for buying fresh baked bread and French pastries. They also make gourmet sandwiches, hearty soups and scrumptious salads.

Mountain View, California is only a few minutes from San Francisco and the Napa Valley where there are so manythings to do and see. If you are visiting the area for the first time, you should certainly plan some time to take a ride on the cable cars, visit Alcatraz Island and take an excursion to the wineries. Right here in Mountain View, you can enjoy the outdoors at Shoreline Park and Lake, the Stevens Creek Trail and the many local parks. At night, or if you just want to escape to a cool, air-conditioned place, you can visit a museum, go to the library, see a musical, hang out at a pub, or relax and have a delicious dinner. Mountain View, California sounds like a pretty good place to live, work and visit!

Lodging recommendations around Mountain View

• Camino Inn, Mountain View, CA
• Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Burlingame Airport South
  

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