Shoreline West - Mountain View, CA

Shoreline West has a rich history that is as old as the California missions. After the missions ceased religious operations in the 1830s, land around them was parceled off, and Shoreline West became sheep pasture. The land was eventually divided into vineyards and orchards, and it was chartered as a city in 1952. In spite of the rapid growth, The Rengstorff House, one of the earliest buildings built in the area, still stands and has been beautifully restored, opening a window to the past.

In 1932, the Moffett Federal Air Field was built in the area, pushing Mountain View and the surrounding communities into adopting an economy built on modern technology. The first silicon semi-conductor was developed in 1956 in Mountain View, placing it at the center of aptly named Silicon Valley.

Shoreline West caters to its diverse population with a bounty of ethnic restaurants to satisfy almost any craving. Just on Shoreline Boulevard alone you can choose from Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Greek and Italian eateries. For a quick lunch, stop by Sunny Bowl, a Korean bibimbap place serving cold and hot bowls. Hot kimchi and miso soup are served on the side. The small dining room is not suited to leisurely lunches on weekdays, but you can take your meal to go or visit during off-peak hours and take your time enjoying a late lunch.

Make a reservation at The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse on El Camino Real when you want a fine-dining experience or to celebrate a special occasion. Order an appetizer and entrée, such as their most popular dish, the Mero, or try the eight-course tasting menu. The tasting menu explores meat, seafood, cheese and dessert courses, rounding out all that The Sea By Alexander’s has to offer.

For a night of bar hopping, head over to Castro Street which has more than a handful of pubs within a few blocks. Enjoy the California evening and the upbeat crowds as you scope out the scene, from high-class clubs to dive bars, Irish pubs to sports bars. Check out Tied House Café and Brewery on Villa Street, a local favorite which also serves as a microbrewery, offering six ales brewed in house. With tasty pub food such as wings and nachos, you can hang out all evening and watch the game. The place is almost always crowded, so expect unplanned meet-ups with friends.

Shoreline West is well connected to the rest of the Bay Area. Access to Caltrain, El Camino Real, and the 101 freeway, major conduits from San Francisco to San Jose, run right through Los Altos and Mountain View. A web of local transit bus routes and free shuttles between the rail systems make public transit a convenient way to get around town. When you need to quickly get from point A to point B, arrange for a ride with Uber or hail a cab waiting at one of the transit stations, which is a real perk since parking, although free, can be hard to come by.

Pedestrians in Shoreline West enjoy wide sidewalks along most of the blocks in town. Bicycle commuters can use the bike lanes on most major roadways and then carry their bike along on Caltrain to San Francisco or San Jose.

You can’t travel 2 miles in any direction in Shoreline West without passing a park. Shoreline Park, the largest park in Mountain View, sits along the Bay coast and has a small lake with calm waters for kayaking, paddle boarding and pedal boating. A designated kite-flying section capitalizes on the strong winds, and an off-leash dog park ensures your four-legged friend has room to play. A jogging trail runs through the park that connects with the other trails in the area, so it's entirely possible to find yourself 10 miles from where you began.

Stevenson Park on San Luis Avenue and San Pierre Way has play structures and sports fields for community activities. Rengstorff Park on Rengstorff Avenue has a community pool and public exercise equipment available.

Living in the Bay Area is notoriously expensive, and rents in desirable Shoreline West are slightly higher than the surrounding area. A one-bedroom apartment goes for an average of $2,441 a month, compared to about $2,200 a month in neighboring Sunnyvale or $2,100 in San Jose.

Gasoline prices are around 13 percent higher than the national average. A one-way commute to San Francisco on Caltrain sets you back $7.25, and a one-way commute to San Jose costs $5.25. When you join your friends for drinks after a long day, expect to pay about $4 to $6 a pint.

Castro Street centralizes nearly a dozen unique shops to browse when it is time to update your closet. Step into Empire Vintage Clothing and step back in time as you browse the racks of frocks from bygone eras. This shop specializes in costumes and vintage girl and boy scout uniforms, so you can find the perfect item for a theme party or Halloween.

When you need some retail therapy, stop into Therapy, a clothing and housewares boutique on Castro Street with an eclectic collection of well-made garments for men and women and on-trend furniture and home accessories. You are just as likely to find the perfect couch as you are to find the perfect coat.

If you're searching for one-of-a-kind accessories, try Crazy Heart, a boutique boasting a fantastic collection of women’s clothing, handbags and classically styled jewelry. The store seems small from the street, but don’t let that discourage you. There are plenty of fashionable treats inside.

Residents of Shoreline West shop at Safeway, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. A farmers market runs on Sundays at the Caltrain Staion from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A number of specialty grocers serve the area as well, such as The Milk Pail Market on California Street that stocks 300 varieties of cheese as well as uncommon varieties of fresh produce and meats. The aisles are narrow, so avoid shopping at peak times unless you enjoy bumping elbows with other shoppers.