Known for its excellent community, with top-tier schools, a highly educated workforce, numerous shopping opportunities and a vast selection of activities, Los Altos is a city that many Bay Area residents choose for their home. Near Palo Alto, in the heart of Silicon Valley and less than 40 miles south of San Francisco, the seven-square-mile city attracts residents from all over for many reasons.
One prime reason Los Altos is such a popular spot to live is that it offers a relatively good value to its homebuyers. According to local real estate experts in Los Altos, buyers here get about 15 to 20 percent more home for their money than in more expensive Bay Area communities, which is one reason why the vast majority of city residents own their own homes.
Another reason residents find the city such a great place to live is the community atmosphere. The community is close-knit and works to hard to better the city. This devotion to the community can be seen throughout the year, as more than 200 volunteers provide their services to the city government and community.
Residents also enjoy the shopping opportunities in town. Although Los Altos is small, there are seven small retail areas that serve residents and visitors. The downtown area offers them a charming atmosphere for dining, with a plethora of cafes and restaurants, while its numerous hair salons, spas and nail salons provide areas for relaxation and pampering yourself. The city also hosts numerous events, including the Farmers’ Market, Los Altos First Fridays, Friday Movie Night and the Corvette Spectacular, as well as holiday-themed events, such as Holiday Carriage Rides, Breakfast with Santa, the Easter Egg Hunt and the Halloween Spooktacular.
Los Altos, California Information
Los Altos rests on the southern part of the San Francisco Peninsula in Santa Clara County. The city was incorporated in 1952 and was the 11th city in the county upon its founding. The current population is nearly 29,000 people, according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report.
The city was originally known for its farms and agriculture, but today it is home to many people who work in Silicon Valley, which is known for its high-tech firms, and San Francisco, which offers a tremendous number of professional careers.
While many Bay Area cities have some of the same benefits as Los Altos, this city has some characteristics that set it apart. For one, the city only mandates commercial zones in the downtown area and in special shopping and office areas off the Foothills Expressway and El Camino Real. Los Altos also has numerous parks that contribute to the family-focused community that this affluent Bay Area city offers. Popular parks include the Palo Alto Foothills Park, Marymeade Park and the Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. In addition, the city is also known as a leader in recycling. It earned this reputation in 1982 when the city began its curbside residential collection of cans, bottles and newspapers. Since that time, the city has also added motor oil, yard waste and mixed paper to the collection program.