Forty miles south of San Francisco, Los Altos is one of the most desirable addresses in the Bay Area. It ranks significantly above the state average in median household income, median house value and percentage of population with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Before chips and computers helped transform it into a deluxe haven, Los Altos was a busy little farm town. That semi-rural mindset still prevails: There aren’t many sidewalks – or streetlights, for that matter – except for around the compact downtown and other commercial zones.
Residents and visitors alike appreciate the dozens of stores, boutiques and restaurants of the charming downtown. Many treasured seasonal events take place there, including: one of the Bay Area’s largest art and wine festivals; the Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade; and the Festival of Lights, which kicks off the year-end holiday season. For collectors of vintage Americana, the biannual Antique Country & Folk Art Show is a must-go.
Although the city has no movie theaters, hotels or large shopping centers, all those needs can be met in next-door Mountain View and Palo Alto. Los Altos does boast high-ranking public schools and several respected private schools. Also inviting for families are the ample recreational outlets, including a popular trail running next to Adobe Creek. If you enjoy peeking into the past, the Los Altos History Museum, located in an apricot orchard, extols the city’s rich heritage. In the present, within the quiet and lush residential neighborhoods lives a tightly woven but very welcoming community.
Population: 28,104
Average household income: $140,129
Average household size: 2.77
Median age: 46.1
College graduates: 71.3 percent
Parks: 9