Los Altos Hills is a town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. With an estimated population of 8,489 as of the 2020 census, the town is known for its affluence and expensive residential real estate. The city has plenty to offer visitors, including the Joshua Tree National Park and downtown Los Altos.
Downtown Los Altos
Downtown Los Altos is an attractive neighborhood with an array of retail and dining options. The area is home to a vibrant farmer’s market and several local events. Moreover, there are plenty of free parking spaces in the downtown area.
Visitors to the Los Altos Hills are spoiled for choice. The city offers plenty of recreational opportunities for locals. For example, the Shoup Park is 3.7 acres of green space with barbecues and picnic tables. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, which is located two miles south of Highway 84. This preserve is home to a number of hiking trails with varying lengths.
The Village Association plans many events in downtown Los Altos. For example, the Festival of Lights Parade attracts over 17,000 spectators from surrounding areas. In addition, the public schools in the area rank among the top in the state and the Bay Area.
Los Altos is a small community located in Santa Clara County. It borders Mountain View and Palo Alto. This upscale residential community has many parks, coffee shops, and restaurants. It is also a desirable place for families with children. Moreover, the locals tend to have moderate political views.
The Los Altos History Museum offers educational programs and hands-on activities. There are interactive exhibits for the whole family. One exhibit features the changing landscape of the region. Early settlers, apricot farmers, and Silicon Valley residents can all learn more about the city’s rich history. The museum is open on Thursdays and Sundays from noon to 4 pm and is free to enter.
The history museum is a worthwhile destination for visitors to Los Altos. A visit to the museum will provide some perspective on the city’s early history. The town was first developed in 1906 by Paul Shoup, a Californian who worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He promoted the community as “The Jewel of the Peninsula.” A small portion of the community was developed in the late 19th century and is still considered the city’s historic district.
Sturtevant Falls
If you’re looking for a great hiking trail in the Los Altos Hills, look no further than Sturtevant Falls. The trail, which is 3.6 miles round trip, starts with a steep descent and ends with a steep incline. From the 210 freeway, you can easily reach the trailhead for this waterfall by hiking the Santa Anita Canyon loop. Near the trailhead, you can also stop at Roberts Camp and Hoegees Camp. Hermit Falls is located nearby as well.
The waterfall at Sturtevant is beautiful year-round and flows in the spring and fall. The trail to Sturtevant Falls is a wide and well-maintained path, with clear signs to guide you. The trail will also take you past a beautiful bridge and small debris check dams. If you want to avoid a crowded trail, hike in the evening before the falls start to run.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is home to the La Jolla Seawall and a great place to take photos. Although you aren’t likely to do scuba diving or snorkeling here, you can still enjoy the tide pools, which are more accessible during low tide. Be sure to wear slip-resistant shoes, though.
La Jolla Cove is a beautiful place to swim and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. It is a part of the 6,000-acre La Jolla Underwater Park, which includes an Ecological Reserve. The waters of La Jolla Cove are home to an abundance of marine life, so make sure to bring your swimsuit if you plan on snorkeling. If you’re not sure whether you should wear a wetsuit, however, you can always rent one for $10 to $20 per day.
La Jolla Cove is home to many sea lions, mostly sea lions, but there are also occasional harbor seals. The area is safe for swimming, and there is lifeguard coverage from 9am until dusk. The only downside is that you may notice an odor from sea lion waste. But most people quickly become accustomed to the smell and can swim safely.
If you’re looking for a quieter beach than La Jolla Cove, you can visit the Children’s Pool. The Children’s Pool is the main viewing area for the seals. During pupping season, you should avoid walking on the sand. You can, however, watch the harbor seals from benches. The seals are adorable and fun to watch.
La Jolla Cove is a popular destination for families with young children. The beach is right in front of the La Valencia Hotel. The beach isn’t huge and can be crowded in the summer. It can also have very strong waves.
Joshua Tree National Park
If you want to experience the beauty of the Mojave Desert, one of the best places to visit in Los Altos Hills is Joshua Tree National Park. This 1235 square mile park was named by Mormons in the 1850s and is a great destination for hiking, wildlife viewing, and rock climbing. This park is also a popular stop on classic California road trips.
If you’re looking for a more scenic hike in the area, try the Barker Dam Nature Trail. This trail features huge Joshua trees, large rocks, and water that attracts birds. Near the end of the trail, you’ll see remnants of a water tank used by cattle ranchers. While many people turn around here, you can continue on to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery and largest trees.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the park’s incredible natural landscape, you’ll also want to take a stroll through the Hidden Valley picnic area. This area is surrounded by giant boulders and rock piles, making it the perfect location for a picnic. It’s also home to a short, easy-to-follow trail that leads around the back side of the boulders, perfect for taking beautiful photographs.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to view the night sky, Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see. Spend a day or two exploring the park’s highlights. The park is home to numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and rock-climbing opportunities. With two days, you’ll have ample time to experience all that Joshua Tree has to offer.
Those who like hiking may also enjoy taking in the spectacular views of Joshua Tree National Park. There are many short, easy-to-complete hikes available, including the Ryan Mountain Trail, which is only three miles long but gains nearly a thousand feet of elevation. Hikers should bring a flashlight for the descent.
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located at the southern end of the San Diego Bay and is a great place to see wildlife. It protects a large number of endangered species and their habitats. It is a small sanctuary that takes up about 2600 acres of land. The refuge is also home to the Living Coast Discovery Center, which offers educational programs and live animal viewing.
If you are looking for more activities near San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a good place to start. This 1,750-acre park features trails that overlook the Pacific Ocean. The trails are well-maintained and offer varying levels of difficulty. There is also a visitor center where you can join a free guided nature walk. Parking is available nearby.
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is also a great place for hiking. The refuge features three hiking trails, the longest of which is the San Diego Coastline Trail. This 12.5-mile trail is suitable for hikers of all skill levels, and has activities along the way. Another one-mile trail is the Living Coast Discovery Center Trail, which features wildflowers and wildlife habitat.
The visitors’ center offers an orientation movie and maps for the park. You can also take a ranger-guided tour of the 3.4 million-acre refuge. The reserve is accessible on foot, bicycle, car, and Jeep. A few of the best viewpoints include Dante’s View and Twenty Mule Team Canyon.
