Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay Area, is known worldwide for being the cradle of the technology industry. It is also home to tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook and the world’s highest density of startup technology companies – including Dwellsy! Towns like Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Gatos, and more all offer amazing things to love. Here are our favorites.
1. Nature!
Probably not what you expected as the first thing on this list, but the natural beauty of the Silicon Valley area is one of its highlights. For example, more than half of the real estate in the Silicon Valley is held as permanent open space available to the public for hiking, horseback riding and more.
Some of our favorites to check out are:
- Windy Hill Preserve in Portola Valley has gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and amazing winds.
- Rancho San Antonio Preserve in Los Altos Hills has 24 miles of trails. Try the Rhus Ridge Trailhead for amazing views and Black Mountain Trail for almost 3,000 feet of climbing from bottom to top.
- Castle Rock State Park in Los Gatos has some of the most remarkable rock formations in California. Great for hikers and climbers big and small.
2. Farmers’ Markets
Silicon Valley has amazing access to farm fresh foods and some great farmers’ markets. Los Altos completely closes down one of its main streets for farmers’ markets on Thursday night with a great mix of farmers, baked goods, and more. For example, Palo Alto’s California avenue has a farmer’s market and craft fair every Sunday morning. Mountain View also has one of the largest farmer’s markets in the region.
3. Great Cheap Eats
We love the cheap eats around Silicon Valley! We have some of the best Pho around, amazing middle eastern treats, wonderful noodles and more.
Check out University Avenue in Palo Alto for a ton of great options that are focused on meeting the needs of Stanford’s student population. Mountain View’s Castro street has a terrific range of quick-serve restaurants including Mongolian BBQ and many others. Plus, look up and down El Camino Avenue, which runs North-South through all of Silicon Valley, for hidden gems galore.
4. Weekend Trips Galore
Moreover, if you’re looking for a place to live with interesting options for weekend getaways, look no further.
Within an hour, you could be basking in the sun on a stunning beach on the Pacific Ocean or shopping in downtown San Francisco. You could be picking your own berries in Watsonville, enjoying the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk or biking along the ocean on the amazing trails in Half Moon Bay.
In just two hours you could be in wine country in Napa or Sonoma, enjoying some of the finest wines produced worldwide. In that brief amount of time, you could even travel to Monterey Bay Aquarium or wonderful food in Carmel-By-The-Sea.
During the winter, you can go skiing in Lake Tahoe. Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of the snow you could go gambling indoors in Reno, NV. In the amazing Yosemite National Park, you could see Dome, Bridal Veil Falls and much, much more.
5. The Weather
One obvious reason to love Silicon Valley is the weather. Occasionally, long warm summers give way to a slightly rainy season, but each day you experience sunny days and cool evenings. If you really want to fit in, you can put on a puffy coat and complain in 50-degree weather!
6. Athlete’s Paradise
Many of Silicon Valley’s outdoor charms also make it an amazing place for athletics of all kinds. On any given day, you’ll see locals running, biking, hiking, trail riding, horseback riding, windsurfing, kite surfing, and more.
Between San Francisco Bay, amazing beaches, great nature preserves, and cycling-friendly roads, there are a ton of athletic venues. Most importantly, the weather is pleasant all year round, so you can visit them any day of the year. When you head out during the winter, don’t forget to bring layers!
7. Jobs, Jobs and more Jobs
You may be thinking about Steve Jobs, and of course, Apple’s founder left his mark around here. But we’re talking about the broader job market. Silicon Valley has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, making it a great place to find a good quality job.
If you want to work for a big company, you can choose from Facebook, Visa, Wells Fargo, or many others. Or take your shot at entrepreneurship by joining one of the many startups in the area. If you’re really feeling brave, go to Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park – the Venture Capital center of the universe.
We hope you enjoyed those favorites as much as we enjoyed writing about them. Now, time to go find your next place to live and get moving!
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