History
For thousands of years before European settlement, the Ohlone people lived in the area that is now Los Altos. They built villages near creeks, gathered acorns from oak trees, and hunted deer and rabbits in the hills. In the 1800s, the area became part of large Mexican land grants called ranchos.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, farmers transformed the landscape into orchards, growing apricots, plums, cherries, and prunes. The region was part of what people called the Valley of Heart’s Delight because of its miles and miles of blooming fruit trees. Los Altos remained an unincorporated farming community for decades. It was not until 1952 that residents voted to officially incorporate as a city, making it one of the last communities in the Santa Clara Valley to do so.
Downtown and Main Street
The heart of Los Altos is its downtown area, centered on Main Street. Unlike many Silicon Valley cities that have modern office parks and shopping centers, Los Altos has preserved its small-town character with a walkable Main Street lined with independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. The city deliberately chose not to allow large chain stores in the downtown core, which helps keep its unique feel.
Every Thursday evening from May through September, the Los Altos farmers market takes over State Street, drawing families from across the region to buy fresh produce, flowers, and local food. The downtown also hosts the annual Los Altos Art and Wine Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each fall.
Parks and Nature
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve is one of the city’s most special places. This 5.9-acre park sits right in the middle of Los Altos and contains a grove of coast redwood trees, one of the few remaining redwood groves in the Santa Clara Valley. Visitors can walk along shaded trails and spot woodpeckers, squirrels, and other wildlife.
Shoup Park, located along Adobe Creek, offers playgrounds, picnic areas, and access to walking trails. The park connects to the Los Altos History Museum, which occupies a restored farmstead and teaches visitors about the area’s agricultural past. Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve, located just west of Los Altos, provides over 3,900 acres of hiking trails through grasslands, oak woodlands, and creeks.
The Birthplace of Apple
Perhaps the most famous address in Los Altos is 2066 Crist Drive, the childhood home of Steve Jobs. In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computers by hand in the garage of this house. They sold their first product, the Apple I, for $666.66 each. From this modest garage, Apple grew into one of the most valuable companies in the world. In 2013, the Los Altos Historical Commission designated the house as a historic property.
Schools and Education
Los Altos is known for its highly rated public schools. The Los Altos School District serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and the city is part of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District for high school. The community places a strong emphasis on education, and parent involvement in schools is very high. Several private schools also operate in the area.
Fun Facts
- Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computers in a garage in Los Altos in 1976.
- Los Altos was one of the last communities in the Santa Clara Valley to incorporate as a city, in 1952.
- The name “Los Altos” means “the tall ones” in Spanish, referring to the tall redwood trees in the area.
- Redwood Grove Nature Preserve protects one of the few remaining coast redwood groves in the Santa Clara Valley.
- The city’s downtown Main Street deliberately excludes large chain stores to preserve its small-town character.
- Rancho San Antonio, just outside Los Altos, has over 3,900 acres of open space for hiking and wildlife viewing.
OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia