The 9 Best Things To See And Do In Mountain View California

Part nerd nirvana, party paradise and gastronomical haven, Mountain View in California is home to an eclectic mix of museums and tech houses, with an upbeat and lively downtown housing a diverse range of restaurants and cafes. Read on for the top 10 things to do in Mountain View.

See the Largest Collection of Computer Artefacts at Computer History Museum

Museum, Shop

Computer History Museum, North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA, USA

You don’t have to be a computer geek to visit the Computer History Museum. Multi-media exhibits take you on an educational and fun tour of the computer’s evolution over time. Everything from room-size computers to palmtops, phones, consoles, self-driven cars — it’s all here. Starting with the ancient mechanical calculator, working up to early machines, going into Apple, Microsoft, and Google, exhibits are well presented with text, short videos and interactive demos. Grab a bite at the cloud café and pick up a souvenir from the gift shop on the way out.

Catch the Wind at Shoreline Kite Flying Park

Park

Located adjacent to the shoreline amphitheater and the golf link, with a large expanse of open space and strong bay winds, the kite park is a scenic and ideal setting for kite flying, and the official kite flying area of the city. If you are not into kite flying, you can still visit the park to see a full range of kite performers and soak up some nature while you’re at it.

Swing a Club At Shoreline Golf Links

A scenic escape combined with the joy of golf. Located at the shoreline, with the beautiful view of the mountains and the bay, golfers here can play the link-style 18 hole golf course. The well-manicured course provides a good challenge to all level of golfers. The course has some fun par 3s and hazards to work around. And there is nothing like kicking back at the lakeside café, after a good game of golf.

Check Out Incredible Restaurants and Cafes at Castro Street

Restaurant

Castro Street In The City Of San Francisco, California

If you’re looking for a lavish meal with friends, a romantic dinner, or a quick bite, Castro Street is the place to be. The street teems with global taste and you can find just about any cuisine at every price. Eat sushi at Bushido, spicy Indian treats at Sukoon, or pan-Latin tapas at Cascal. Plus Chinese, Italian, French, Greek, Thai, Mongolian, Korean, fusion, crêpes, ice creams, it’s all here.

Go Windsurfing at Shoreline Aquatic Center

Park

The Shoreline Aquatic Center offers windsurfing, sailboat, kayak, pedalo and canoe for rent. For amateurs, there are windsurfing, sailing and kayaking classes and you can sign up to play kayak polo. Set by the bay with gorgeous views of the mountains and miles of trail, it is a great place for hikers and bikers. Catch the most stunning view of the sunset from the park or grab a bite at the café. The lake gets covered with a variety of shorebirds during migration making it an ideal spot for bird watching.

Enjoy a Coffee Tasting Class at Red Rock Coffee

Get your coffee fix at an independent local favourite. The atmosphere here is chilled, relaxed, and the place is filled with plenty of smart people either studying, hanging out or coding. With free wifi and plenty of power points to plug the laptop in, this two level café is where it’s happening. Sign up for their monthly coffee tasting sessions, which includes four fresh roasted coffees, a 12-ounce bag of coffee from the tasting and a bit of coffee knowledge. The open mic evenings every Monday at Red Rock have a cult following.

Check Out Aliens at the SETI Institute

Huge Scientific Radio Telescope, SETI Institute, Mountain View, California

Scientists associated with the SETI Institute have been searching for extraterrestrial civilizations since the 1960s. The institute is situated on an impressive campus and consists of research labs and centers to provide information to the curious minds of the public who stop by. There is nothing gets cooler than a bunch of scientists who believe in, and are trying to make contact with others, lightyears away. Visit the SETI campus, or be a part of the SETI at home project to feel immersed in the project at hand.

Shop at an Award-Winning Farmer's Market

A pleasant way to spend a slow and leisurely Sunday morning is visiting the best and biggest farmers’ markets in the Bay area. This Farmers’ Market showcases over 80 farmers and vendors every Sunday, from 9am to 1pm, hosted by the City of Mountain View at the Caltrain Station year-round. Have a walk around, explore local goods, sample and stock up on an incredible selection of freshly grown produce and flowers.

Go Clubbing At Upbeat Pubs and Bars

Castro street turns upbeat and lively at night with its many pubs and lounges. Stephen’s pumps it up with DJs, theme nights, a two-level dance floor, brews and cocktails to keep nightlife lovers satisfied. Irish beer flows freely and music is thumping as the party scene turns wild on weekends at Molly Magees. Huge dance floor, über-cool ambiance, a hip crowd and cheap drinks makes Opal a crowd puller.