Ten Reasons to Love Mountain View

1. Schools, Schools, Schools! Like Palo Alto, Mountain View has excellent schools. The Whisman School District is renowned for challenging academics that encourage students to reach their highest potential. Several magnet programs are offered throughout the district, including opportunities for dual language immersion. All schools are equipped with cutting-edge technology. Students consistently achieve some of the highest average test scores in the nation. Making the choice to raise your child in Mountain View guarantees a they'll get a good education, and it also reinforces the property value of your home--houses in good school districts are always better investments.
2. Castro Street. This downtown Mountain View centerpiece was designed with leisure in mind--the street is clean and well-lit, with thriving trees everywhere and wide stone benches perfect for quick shopping breaks or enjoying an outdoor lunch. There are a number of bookstores and high-end clothing stores, but the essence of Castro Street is really in the food. Indian-Chinese Fusion, healthy (really!) pizza, Greek, Japanese, Mexican--nearly every cuisine imaginable is represented within six blocks.  I had the best mulligtawny of my life at Godavri, a small Indian gem with intensely flavorful food and great service. Lovely small town feel that's especially romantic at night, when the restaurants prop open their doors and the white lights strung through the trees turn on. 
3. The Best Tennis Courts in Santa Clara County-- Cuesta Park is a giant neighborhood park in Mountain View, with 16 tennis courts and great family bike trails. The courts stay open until 11PM and feature spectator areas and high judge's seats. Everything in the park is well-maintained, and there are bocce ball courts and play areas for kids. Patrolling security guards ensure a family atmosphere, and catching a free concert here in the summertime is a must. 
4. Center for the Performing Arts.  The place to go for dance performances, TheatreWorks productions, children's theatre, and other cultural events. The center is cleverly designed and features state of the art technology. Local artists display their works in the Center's lobby.  
5. Caltrain Station and Light Rail-- Great for commuters and anyone looking to get to nearby San Jose, Palo Alto, or Sunnyvale in a flash. The station has tons of amenities--bicycle lockers and shelters, pay phones, station building with meeting room, and newspaper racks. It's also right in the heart of downtown Mountain View. 
6. San Antonio Shopping Center. Functional plaza with a variety of stores. Target, Craft, Sears, The Milk Pail, Albertson's, Payless, WalMart, a 24 hour gym, and best of all--Trader Joe's. It's the only Trader Joe's around and it's a good-sized store, chocked full of reasonably priced food and wine and Trader Joe's unique products. I love their cookie dough and blueberry museli. The pre-made wraps and sandwiches in the cooler are also a yummy lunchtime option.
7. Diverse Housing Styles and Options. Walking through the residential streets in Mountain View is a visual pleasure--the houses are stylistically interesting, and there are many new homes, cottages, and contemporary style homes. It's also a nice area for buyers looking for alternative housing options. There are a lot of rentals, condos, and town homes in the area. 
8. Bridge School Benefit and Other Concerts at Shoreline Ampitheatre-- The annual Bridge School Benefit is organized by Neil Young and his wife Pegi. Every year I look forward to this one. All the proceeds from the concert go toward the Bridge School, which aids children with physical impairments. The line-ups of musician are always good and varied--last October I saw Tom Waits give a riveting performance with the Kronos Quartet, and there are always some fresh faces from the music scene kicking off the night. The Shoreline Ampitheatre is perfect for this event and other concerts--if you arrive early enough you can get close the stage, and if you come late the deal is almost better. Just spread out a blanket on the grass, uncork a bottle of wine, and enjoy the show. 
9. Doggie Heaven at Shoreline Dog Park-- Two areas--one for big dogs and one for small dogs, and shaded picnic tables for people too! Outside of each area you'll find purel hand sanitizer, paper towels, and poop bags. Water fountains for dogs and people, and close walking distance to downtown. This place is always crowded, so you and your dog will leave with a few new friends.  The owners who take their dogs here are respectful, and if you go in the morning you'll see rake marks in the sandy dog areas--they're cleaned nightly.  
10. Popcorn! Movies! Popcorn! Century Cinemas 16 is a big commercial movie theater that usually plays 13 or so movies at a time. They always run the latest blockbusters and keep some well-reviewed movies around for a while--handy if you miss the opening weekend rush. There's a Starbucks stand inside and every theater has those comfy wide chairs that lean back. But my favorite thing about Century 16 is the popcorn. It comes from the same standard glass case with the popping thing inside, but it's exceptionally good. Even if I'm full from dinner I always cave in to the popcorn when I catch a movie here. 
    

Why do you love Mountain View? It doesn't matter if you live here or just can't stop visiting, I want your comments! Fill me on the neighborhood's best and brightest. Post a comment!