Cuernavaca - Mountain View, CA Area Guide

The Cuernavaca neighborhood sits on the border of Mountain View and Sunnyvale. These two cities were created when the Mexican land grant of Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas was partially sold to Martin Murphy, Jr. Officially incorporated on November 7, 1902, Mountain View was put on the map in the late 1800s as a stagecoach stop on the route between San Francisco and San Jose.

In those early years, the town's growth was primarily due to agriculture. Everything changed during World War II, however, when the demand for aerospace and technology companies led a shift in the area's economics. Between 1950 and 1960, Mountain View's population grew nearly 400 percent, from 6,563 to 30,889.

The success of the city has led to vibrant arts and culture like the live music-filled Thursday Night Live events every summer. The Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts continually receives high accolades as well, though the neighborhood lacks museums.

Most of the neighborhood's best restaurants sit along El Camino. This is where the popular Satsuma Sushi restaurant resides. This Japanese eatery serves up the best sushi in the area, creaging a number of specialty rolls like the crunch caliente roll which is a fan favorite. Make sure to also try the volcano roll with jalapenos, avocado, tuna and grilled unagi. Sitting at the bar to watch the sushi chefs work adds to the enjoyment.

Walk 5 minutes east along El Camino and you'll arrive at A Slice of New York, the best local pizzeria. You pick and choose slices of whichever pies you want, but two of the best are the specialty margarita and chicken pesto. The pesto here takes everything to the next level with rich flavors and exquisite texture. You also can't leave without trying the homemade garlic knots and cannolis.

Just a couple more minutes to the east along El Camino sits the local dive bar, Beefy's Cabin. The bartenders here are all extremely friendly as are the regulars. This neighborhood bar comes complete with dart boards and two pool tables. The pool tables are free for use on Sundays, and darts are always free. Locals suggest that free food is also available on some Sundays. It's a great place to hang out and have a few drinks with friends and a good reflection of the local laid-back nightlife.

While a number of transportation options present themselves to neighborhood residents, the majority drive. The easy access to El Camino and Highway 85 cannot be beat. Both ends of the 85 link up with the 101, either a few blocks to the north or south of San Jose. El Camino runs throughout South Bay, from San Jose up to San Francisco. Drivers never have to deal with parking issues either since the only people coming into the neighborhood are residents.

Public transportation exists from VTA buses stopping along El Camino and South Bernardo. VTA lightrails also stop at Evelyn Station 2 miles north of the neighborhood. For even longer commutes, Caltrains stop at the Mountain View Caltrain Station just west of Evelyn Station. Uber cabs are yet another transportation option. With just a few taps on your phone, a cab can pick you up at your exact location and take you anywhere in the Bay Area, and hailing a cab in the neighborhood remains simple.

The small area of the neighborhood makes walking very easy. The beautifully manicured landscape and Mediterranean climate make both walking and biking very enjoyable any time of the year. A few bike lanes exist within the neighborhood and even more just outside of it, and walkers and cyclists alike feel very safe getting around town.

The closest green space to the neighborhood sits just on the other side of Highway 85 where Stevens Creek and accompanying Stevens Creek Trail provide a perfect place to jog or walk the dog.

Locals also head five miles north of the neighborhood to the city's largest park, Shoreline Park, which sits on the banks of the Bay. Within the park, Shoreline Amphitheatre is a large music venue with open-air seating that hosts many festivals and concerts throughout the year.

Sports enthusiasts can also head to Sylvan Park, just a couple blocks north of Cuernavaca for the tennis courts or the multi-use fields, which are great for pickup games of soccer and touch football. Families also love the picnic tables and playground for children. The park is free for regular recreational use.

The high quality of life in Cuernavaca does not come cheap. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment comes in at $2,338. This represents a whopping 52 percent increase from the Mountain View average of $1,542 a month. The overall cost of living is substantially higher than Mountain View proper.

Gas prices are high as well, but not by nearly as much. Locals pay about 23 percent more at the pump compared to prices around the country. VTA charges $2 per ride on the bus and lightrails, although frequent riders on the public transportation system can get cheaper rates by using a Clipper Card.

Entrées at a local restaurant start at about $12 and regular-priced beers go for $5. Many locals wait for happy hour specials to cut down on costs.

Cuernavaca is not a shopping hot spot, but locals can get all the grocery shopping done at the Safeway on South Bernardo Avenue.

For a local version of Urban Outfitters, head to Therapy in downtown Mountain View. Here you find trendy furniture, clothing for both men and women, gifts, toys and other accessories. Located on the popular Castro Street, every Mountain View resident knows this place well.

Just off Castro Street in the Caltrain station parking lot, the Mountain View Farmer's Market sets up shop every Sunday morning. Many Cuernavaca residents head that way on the weekends to peruse the shops and vendors.

For more commercial shopping options, the nearby San Antonio Shopping Center features a Target, Walmart, Kohl's, Carter's and Ross among other retailers.