| Business success stories are not limited to the electronics industry.
Mountain View enjoys a lively mix of retail stores, executive offices,
research and development firms, and professional services.
Mountain View's City Charter established a council/manager form of government.
The seven Councilmembers are elected at large for four-year terms that
are staggered so the three or four seats are filled at the general municipal
election in April of every even-numbered year. Service on the Council is
limited to two consecutive terms. Each year in April, the Council elects
one of its members as Mayor and another as Vice-Mayor. The Council is the
legislative body of the City. It sets policy and directs the City's course.
The City Manager is appointed by the Council and is responsible for the
administration of City business. The City Attorney, City Clerk, City Auditor
and Chief of Police are also Council appointees. These officials serve
at the pleasure of the Council; all other City employees are responsible
to the City Manager.
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The City Council meets regularly on the second and last Tuesday of each
month at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 500 Castro Street.
Mountain View is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, 10 miles north
of San Jose and 34 miles south of San Francisco. The city is bordered by
Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Sunnyvale. The central location provides easy
access to the entire San Francisco Bay Area and northern California cities. |
Mountain View's transportation network includes highways, rail systems,
and air service. Interstate 280, US 101, and state highways 82, 85, and
237 cross Mountain View and offer a quick connection to all parts of the
Bay Area. Commute alternatives include County Transit bus and CalTrain
rail services. Mountain View has been selected for the next extension of
Light Rail from San Jose and Santa Clara. This will provide new opportunities
for commuters in the South Bay Area.
Mountain View is served by two major international airports. San Francisco
International Airport is less than 30 miles away. San Jose International,
10 miles from Mountain View, is a national hub for several airlines. The
airport serves a steadily growing 6 million passengers annually.
Mountain View's resident population is 71,026 according to the 1994 State
Department of Finance Report. During business hours, the daytime population
grows to over 100,000.
Mountain View is the home of many professionals employed in Silicon Valley.
The median household income was $42,431 in 1990, with the average size
of 2.2.
Mountain View maintains a consistently moderate Mediterranean climate year
round. Rand McNally ranks Mountain View's climate the eighth most desirable
of 329 metropolitan areas. In 1989, the average high in July was 79 degrees
Fahrenheit and the average low was 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The month of
December in 1989 ranged from an average high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit to
an average low of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recreation: Shoreline Park in Mountain View, a 644-acre regional recreational
area, features a network of trails through the baylands, an 18 hole championship
golf course, and a saltwater lake for sailing and windsurfing.
Entertainment: Shoreline Amphitheater is the region's premiere outdoor
entertainment center. The 20,000 seat venue draws hundreds of thousands
each year for performances by the San Francisco Symphony. Performers have
included: Julio Iglesias, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Bette Middler
and the San Francisco Symphony.
Cultural Arts: Mountain View's new Center for the Performing Arts offers
cultural activities of a wide variety: theatre, music, performance art,
dance, and film. Three hundred performances are planned annually for the
theatre's three stages. Local and professional, as well as national and
international touring companies are booked for each of the Center's seasons.
Special Events: Mountain View is a city of celebrations with numerous cultural
and recreational events happening each year. These events include: The
Annual Art & Wine Festival, Summer Concert Series, Spring Parade, Small
Brewers' Festival, Mountain View Street A Faire, and Christmas Tree Lighting
Ceremony.
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Mountain View's educational programs are designed to meet the challenges
facing young people today. The Chamber's Shadowing Program is working with
businesses to give students the opportunity to observe the daily routine
in business. In 1990, Mountain View High School received the National Distinguished
School Award. For further information about the schools, contact the appropriate
district or school below. |
Mountain View's educational programs are designed to meet the challenges
facing young people today. The Chamber's Shadowing Program is working with
businesses to give students the opportunity to observe the daily routine
in business. In 1990, Mountain View High School received the National Distinguished
School Award. For further information about the schools, contact the appropriate
district or school below.
Local universities and community colleges offer excellent advanced educational
opportunities. Stanford University, San Jose State University, and Santa
Clara University are located within 20 miles from Mountain View. Foothill
Community College, less than ten miles from downtown Mountain View, offers
vocational training and general education, as well as preparatory work
for transfer to major universities.
Mountain View offers a wide range of homes in style, size, and affordability.
In addition to a number of established single family residential neighborhoods,
Mountain View offers a large supply of multi-family homes, including modern
apartments, condominiums, and townhomes. Housing in Mountain View is reasonably
priced compared to nearby cities, adding to its appeal to young families.
Neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, quality education, and convenient
shopping make Mountain View a most attractive residential community.
Private projects in Mountain View represent nearly two million square feet
of commercial development capturing the economic expansion of Silicon Valley.
Equally important is the magnitude of public projects, including an investment
of almost $50 million dollars in the downtown area alone. |
M O U N T A I N
| Just Visiting... |
ountain View maintains a strong and diversified local economy. Numerous high technology electronics companies, including several in the Fortune 500, as well as bio-technology firms are located in Mountain View. With only 4% of Santa Clara County's population, Mountain View is home to 11% of the county's top firms. Five of California's fastest growing companies are headquartered in Mountain View.
