Where is Los Altos, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Los Altos, California Located in the United States? - Los Altos is a city located in the Santa Clara County in California, United States. Los Altos lies between 37.3852 Degrees North latitudes and -122.1141 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Los Altos, Santa Clara, California

Where is Los Altos Located in Santa Clara, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Los Altos in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California.

Los Altos Map, California, USA

About Los Altos Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Los Altos, Santa Clara County, California

Los Altos is located in Santa Clara County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States within the Santa Clara Valley of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city was incorporated in 1952 and its name means “the heights” in Spanish, referring to its location at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and it developed from an agricultural area of orchards into a residential community in Silicon Valley.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Los Altos is 31,625 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 4,700 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Los Altos covers a total area of approximately 6.5 square miles (about 16.8 square kilometers), including about 6.5 square miles (16.8 square kilometers) of land and a minimal amount of water area.

Location and Surroundings

Los Altos is situated south of Palo Alto and north of Cupertino, positioned at the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the western portion of the Santa Clara Valley. The city features tree-lined residential neighborhoods, nearby open space preserves, and scenic views of the surrounding hills. Interstate 280 and State Route 85 provide major transportation routes connecting Los Altos to surrounding communities across Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Top Attractions

Los Altos offers parks, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation areas that support tourism and community activities. Popular destinations include Shoup Park, the Los Altos History Museum, and nearby Rancho San Antonio Preserve with extensive hiking trails. The city hosts art festivals, farmers markets, and community events throughout the year.

Transportation

Los Altos is served by nearby Interstate 280 and State Route 85, offering convenient highway access throughout Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay Area. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities and nearby rail stations. The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport, located approximately 12 miles to the southeast.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Los Altos City Website.

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Los Altos, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityLos Altos
CountySanta Clara County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States (Pacific Region)
Latitude37.3852° N
Longitude122.1141° W
Elevation85 ft (26 m)
Land Area6.48 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area6.48 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)31,625
Population Density4,877 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)94022, 94024
Area Code(s)650
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-43280
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 16th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Los Altos

CategoryDetails
Airport NameNorman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
IATA CodeSJC
Secondary AirportSan Francisco International Airport
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, State Route 85, Foothill Expressway
Train ServiceCaltrain stations available in nearby Mountain View and Palo Alto
Local Transit ServiceSanta Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
  • Los Altos is located in the heart of Silicon Valley within Santa Clara County.
  • The city is situated between Mountain View and Palo Alto, approximately 40 miles south of San Francisco.
  • Interstate 280, U.S. Route 101, and State Route 85 provide major regional transportation connections.
  • Nearby Caltrain and VTA services connect Los Altos with surrounding Bay Area communities.

Top Places to Visit in Los Altos, California

Landmark NameType
Los Altos History MuseumHistory Museum
Shoup ParkCommunity Park
Hidden VillaNature Preserve & Educational Center
Heritage Oaks ParkCommunity Park
Lincoln ParkRecreation Park
Los Altos Community CenterCommunity Facility
Adobe Creek TrailWalking & Cycling Trail
Foothills Nature Preserve (nearby)Nature Area
Rancho San Antonio Preserve (nearby)Open Space Preserve
Computer History Museum (nearby)Technology Museum

Driving Distances from Los Altos, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Mountain ViewCalifornia410 minutes
Palo AltoCalifornia615 minutes
SunnyvaleCalifornia715 minutes
San JoseCalifornia1830 minutes
Santa ClaraCalifornia1220 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia4050 minutes
OaklandCalifornia451 hour
SacramentoCalifornia1252 hours
MontereyCalifornia751 hour 30 minutes
FresnoCalifornia1502 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Los Altos, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Foothill CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, technology, business, arts, and sciences
Stanford UniversityPrivateResearch UniversityTechnology, engineering, business, medicine, and global research
De Anza CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnology, business, design, and university transfer programs
Santa Clara UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, law, engineering, sciences, and liberal arts
San Jose State UniversityPublicUniversityEngineering, business, education, technology, and applied sciences

Waterbodies in Los Altos, California

Los Altos is located in the Santa Clara Valley within Santa Clara County. The city does not contain major lakes or rivers but is located near regional waterways including Stevens Creek, Permanente Creek, and San Francisco Bay. These water resources support local ecosystems, flood management, and nearby open-space areas.

Stadiums in Los Altos

Los Altos features athletic facilities including Eagle Park recreation facilities, Los Altos High School athletic fields, and nearby community sports complexes. These venues host football, soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, and local sporting events.

Los Altos, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Los Altos was originally developed as an agricultural community known for orchards, especially apricot and cherry farming.
  • The city was incorporated in 1952 after separating from surrounding unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.
  • The arrival of the railroad in the early twentieth century helped connect the community with the growing San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Los Altos became part of Silicon Valley's growth as technology companies expanded throughout the region.
  • Today, Los Altos is known for its residential neighborhoods, technology connections, parks, historic downtown, and proximity to major Silicon Valley institutions.

References

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