One-of-A-Kind: Downtown Los Altos

With its tree-lined streets and picturesque, village atmosphere, strolling along the six blocks of downtown Los Altos evokes an idyllic, small town America feel. Attracting residents as well as others throughout the Silicon Valley, the Los Altos ‘city center’ offers a pleasurable shopping and dining experience.

One of the things that preserves the unique ambiance of Los Altos is its distinct commercial areas, which are limited to its appealing downtown and a few other small office and shopping areas on Foothill Boulevard and El Camino Real. Downtown offers upwards of 150 shops, eateries and businesses that include banks and other professional services, grocers, dentists and optometrists, veterinarians, salons and spas, and a multitude of unique shops such as Arabian Horse World, Apricot Lane Boutique, Cover Story and Village Stationers. Whatever the time of day, there are a variety of places to dine, including the well-known Los Altos Grill, or, should you just want to grab a cup of coffee, options include Pete’s Coffee, La Boulanger, or Red Berry Coffee Bar.

In addition to shopping and dining, downtown also plays host to a number of entertainment opportunities, including the the Los Altos History Museum on South San Antonio Road, the Peninsula Symphony  on Main Street and the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra on Raffton Drive.

When the weather warms, each Thursday evening from 4 to 8pm May through September, downtown Los Altos holds its enormously popular Farmer’s Market. Local vendors and farmers offer luscious produce and fruit, freshly caught fish, ranch eggs, gorgeous bouquets of flowers, and prepared foods from stalls offering gourmet take-away and from food trucks that serve up delicious, unique dishes. The streets are filled with shoppers enjoying the live music, purchasing high quality foodstuffs and grabbing a bite to eat.

Each year in early July, downtown transforms its streets into a two-day, vibrant art and wine festival, bursting with savory foods, fine wines, live music and entertainment and amazing works of art by crafters and artists across the country.

With its distinct, small village charm, numerous shopping, dining and entertainment options, flourishing farmers market and annuals events, downtown Los Altos offers a wonderful place to visit for an afternoon of shopping, an evening at the symphony or to enjoy a weekend at the Art & Wine festival.