Los Altos Hills

 

Los Altos Hills offers a rare lifestyle in the heart of Silicon Valley: secluded, spacious, and entirely residential. This prestigious town is known for its rolling hills, luxury estates, and panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. Incorporated in 1956, Los Altos Hills has remained steadfast in preserving its rural charm—there are no commercial businesses, gas stations, or sidewalks. Instead, you’ll find winding lanes, expansive properties, and an enduring commitment to nature and privacy.

Although the town itself is serene and low-key, its location places residents mere minutes from world-class institutions like Stanford University and top tech campuses, including Google, Apple, and Meta. Whether you're heading to a boardroom or a trailhead, everything is conveniently close—but never in your backyard. With one-acre minimum lot sizes and over 80 miles of trails, Los Altos Hills blends sophistication with space, creating a truly elevated way of life.

 

What to Love

• Room to Breathe: Most homes sit on one-acre (or larger) lots, offering ample space for vineyards, guesthouses, tennis courts, or custom architecture tailored to your lifestyle.
• Unmatched Views: From sunrise over the Bay to golden-hour light on the Santa Cruz Mountains, many properties capture unobstructed vistas that feel like private masterpieces.
• Intentionally Quiet Living: With no retail, gas stations, sidewalks, or streetlights, the town is designed to be serene, dark-sky friendly, and distraction-free—ideal for those who value privacy and calm.
• A Lifestyle on the Trails: More than 80 miles of bridle paths and open-space trails invite residents to hike, bike, or ride horses with ease.
• Minutes to Everything That Matters: Despite the seclusion, you're just a short drive from Stanford University, downtown Los Altos, and the corporate campuses of Apple, Google, and Meta, making it possible to enjoy rural luxury without sacrificing access.

Local Lifestyle

Life in Los Altos Hills is defined by space, serenity, and understated luxury. With no retail or commercial centers, the town remains a peaceful haven where nature takes center stage. Residents enjoy expansive private estates—many with vineyards, pools, or equestrian facilities—and begin their mornings on horseback or scenic hikes through oak-dotted trails. Despite the town’s quiet character, it’s far from isolated. Local events such as summer concerts at Town Hall and wine tastings offer opportunities to connect, while the energy of Silicon Valley remains just down the hill.

 

Dining and Shopping

By design, Los Altos Hills has no commercial zoning—no shops, restaurants, or retail of any kind. This intentional choice reinforces the town’s peaceful and residential-only character. But just minutes away, downtown Los Altos provides all the charm and convenience residents could want, with artisan boutiques, cafés, and upscale restaurants.

Need more variety? Residents also enjoy quick access to surrounding cities like Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Gatos, along with destinations like the Stanford Shopping Center. While Los Altos Hills itself remains blissfully retail-free, the best of the Bay Area’s shopping and dining is right around the corner.

 

Things to Do and Entertainment

Los Altos Hills is a haven for those who thrive in the outdoors. With over 80 miles of maintained trails, the town invites residents to explore its natural beauty on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Popular routes like the Packard Pathways, the Westwind Barn Trail Network, and the nearby Fremont Older Open Space Preserve offer a peaceful and scenic way to experience the rolling hills and open spaces that define the area. These trails promote an active lifestyle and preserve the town’s longstanding connection to its rural roots.

The Westwind Community Barn is a historic and fully operational equestrian facility that serves as a focal point for the community. It's a central gathering place for riding lessons, youth summer camps, and town-sponsored events, all set amid sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills. Whether you're a dedicated equestrian or simply enjoy the atmosphere, Westwind is a uniquely local gem that celebrates the town's heritage.

Also located within town is Hidden Villa, a cherished nonprofit organic farm and wilderness preserve. Open to the public, it offers hiking trails, immersive agricultural experiences, and educational programs focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Families, students, and visitors come year-round to explore the gardens, visit the farm animals, and enjoy seasonal programming that reflects the town’s strong values around nature and learning.

In addition to its natural appeal, Los Altos Hills hosts a calendar of community-focused events. Throughout the year, Los Altos Hills hosts summer concerts at Town Hall, art shows and plein air exhibitions, community volunteer days, and casual wine tastings that bring neighbors together and reinforce the town’s unique blend of privacy, nature, and understated luxury.

 

Schools

Los Altos Hills is served by a selection of top-tier public and private schools, offering strong academic programs and a range of educational philosophies.

 

Public Schools

• Gardner Bullis Elementary School (Los Altos School District): Located within Los Altos Hills, this highly regarded K–6 school is known for small class sizes, academic excellence, and strong community support.
• Egan Junior High School (Los Altos School District): A top-performing middle school for grades 7–8, offering a well-rounded curriculum in academics, arts, and athletics.
• Terman (Ellen Fletcher) Middle School (Palo Alto Unified School District): Depending on zoning, it serves some parts of Los Altos Hills. It is known for rigorous academics and exceptional faculty.
• Los Altos High School (Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District): A California Distinguished School offering AP programs, sports, and robust extracurriculars.
• Henry M Gunn High School and Palo Alto High School (Palo Alto Unified): Depending on your location, some homes are zoned to these nationally ranked high schools.

Private Schools

• Pinewood School (Los Altos Hills Campus – Middle School): An elite private school with a strong academic and arts focus, offering small class sizes and a college-prep curriculum.
• Bullis Charter School: Highly competitive, known for project-based learning and Mandarin immersion; serves students district-wide.
• Saint Nicholas School (K–6): A private Catholic school in Los Altos Hills, known for its tight-knit community and academic foundation.
• Waldorf School of the Peninsula: Located nearby in Los Altos, offering a holistic, arts-integrated education based on the Waldorf philosophy.