Where is Mountain View, California, U.S.

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

Where is Mountain View, California Located in the United States? - Mountain View is a city located in the Santa Clara County in California, United States. Mountain View lies between 37.3861 Degrees North latitudes and -122.0839 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Mountain View, Santa Clara, California

Where is Mountain View Located in Santa Clara, California

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

Mountain View Map, California, USA

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

About Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California

Mountain View 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 heart of Silicon Valley along the San Francisco Peninsula. The city was incorporated in 1902 and was named for its scenic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and it developed from an agricultural community into a major technology and innovation center.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Mountain View is 82,376 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 6,500 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mountain View covers a total area of approximately 12.2 square miles (about 31.6 square kilometers), including about 12.0 square miles (31.1 square kilometers) of land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Mountain View is situated northwest of Sunnyvale and southeast of Palo Alto, positioned between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the southern end of San Francisco Bay. The city features a mix of urban neighborhoods, business campuses, and shoreline wetlands. U.S. Route 101 and State Route 85 provide major transportation routes connecting Mountain View to San Jose, San Francisco, and surrounding Bay Area communities.

Top Attractions

Mountain View offers parks, cultural venues, and technology landmarks that support recreation and tourism. Popular destinations include Shoreline Park, the Computer History Museum, and the downtown Castro Street district. The city is also home to several major technology company campuses, contributing to its identity as a center of innovation and research.

Transportation

Mountain View is served by U.S. Route 101 and State Route 85, offering convenient highway access throughout Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. Public transportation includes Caltrain commuter rail service and light rail connections linking the city to regional employment centers. The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport, located approximately 10 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 Mountain View City Website.

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Mountain View, California Quick Facts

AttributeInformation
CityMountain View
CountySanta Clara County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionPacific (West Coast)
Latitude37.3861° N
Longitude122.0839° W
Elevation105 ft (32 m)
Land Area12.26 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area12.26 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)82,376
Population DensityApproximately 6,720 per sq mi
ZIP Codes94035, 94040, 94041, 94043
Area Code650
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8)
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-49670
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 16th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Mountain View

CategoryInformation
Airport NameNorman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
IATA CodeSJC
Nearest Major AirportSan Francisco International Airport
PortPort of Redwood City and Port of Oakland (regional access)
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 101, State Route 85, State Route 237, El Camino Real (State Route 82)
Train/Amtrak ServiceCaltrain Mountain View Station; nearest Amtrak connections in San Jose
Local Transit ServiceVTA buses, Caltrain, and Bay Area regional transit connections
  • U.S. Highway 101 – Major north–south freeway connecting Mountain View with San Francisco, San Jose, and Silicon Valley communities.
  • State Route 85 – Regional freeway connecting the South Bay and Peninsula areas.
  • State Route 237 – Important east–west route serving the Silicon Valley technology corridor.
  • El Camino Real (State Route 82) – Historic roadway connecting cities along the San Francisco Peninsula.

Top Places to Visit in Mountain View, California

Landmark NameType
Computer History MuseumMuseum
Shoreline ParkPark and Recreation Area
Shoreline LakeLake Recreation Area
Rengstorff HouseHistoric Landmark
NASA Ames Research CenterResearch Facility
Mountain View Center for the Performing ArtsPerforming Arts Venue
Castro Street Downtown DistrictHistoric Commercial District
Stevens Creek TrailRecreation Trail
Cuesta ParkPark
Eagle ParkPark

Driving Distances from Mountain View, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Palo AltoCalifornia510 minutes
SunnyvaleCalifornia615 minutes
Santa ClaraCalifornia1220 minutes
San JoseCalifornia1525 minutes
Redwood CityCalifornia1220 minutes
San FranciscoCalifornia3850 minutes
OaklandCalifornia4055 minutes
SacramentoCalifornia1202 hours
MontereyCalifornia751 hour 30 minutes
Los AngelesCalifornia3605 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Mountain View, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Foothill CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, technology, business, and liberal arts
De Anza CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnology, design, business, and career education
Stanford UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, engineering, medicine, and innovation
Santa Clara UniversityPrivateUniversityBusiness, law, engineering, and liberal arts
San Jose State UniversityPublicUniversityEngineering, computer science, and professional programs

Waterbodies in Mountain View, California

San Francisco Bay, Stevens Creek, Permanente Creek, Shoreline Lake, Stevens Creek Reservoir, and nearby Bay Area wetlands.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in Mountain View

Mountain View High School Stadium, Los Altos High School Stadium, Shoreline Golf Links, Mountain View Community Center sports facilities, and nearby Stanford University athletic facilities.

Mountain View, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Mountain View began as a stagecoach stop between San Jose and San Francisco in the nineteenth century and later developed around the railroad near Castro Street. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  • The city grew from an agricultural community known as part of the Santa Clara Valley into a major technology center during the rise of Silicon Valley. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
  • Mountain View became home to major technology companies and research organizations, contributing to the growth of the global technology industry. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  • The Computer History Museum in Mountain View preserves important artifacts and stories from the development of computing technology. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  • Shoreline at Mountain View transformed former landfill land into a large regional recreation area with parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and Shoreline Lake. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  • Today, Mountain View is recognized as a major Silicon Valley city with technology companies, cultural attractions, parks, and a vibrant downtown district. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

References

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