From Cupertino to Mountain View: A Tour of Silicon Valley's Cities

Jody Vandergriff

The region commonly known as "Silicon Valley" is actually a cluster of cities in the South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area and is a hub for technology and innovation, with many of the world's largest tech companies, such as Apple, Google, Facebook, and Intel, located in the area. In this guide, I break down the unique culture, history, and personality of the towns and cities that make up the real Silicon Valley.

Tags: Family Friendly, History, Technology, Sightseeing

  • Saratoga, United States

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  • Sunnyvale, United States

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  • Milpitas, United States

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  • Los Gatos, United States

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  • Campbell, United States

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  • Santa Clara, United States

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  • San Jose, United States

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      The largest city in Silicon Valley, San Jose is the little sister to San Francisco. It is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and thriving cultural scene. Some of the top attractions in San Jose include The San Jose Museum of Art, The Tech Museum of Innovation, The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and The SAP Center - home to the San Jose Sharks NHL team. San Jose has a rich history dating back to the 1770s, when it was founded as a Spanish colony. Over the years, it transformed into a thriving city, fueled by the growth of the tech industry in the mid-20th century. Today, San Jose is known for its strong economy and thriving cultural scene, with a bustling downtown area and beautiful parks. With its diverse community and endless entertainment options, San Jose is a city that truly has something for everyone.

  • Los Altos, United States

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      A hidden gem of Silicon Valley, Los Altos offers small town charm in the heart of Silicon Valley. Its thriving downtown boasts many local favorites for dining and drinks and nearby Los Altos Hills has the most extensive pathway system in all of California, offering some of the best hikes around.

  • Cupertino, United States

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      Cupertino has a rich history dating back to the 1800s, when it was founded as a rural farming community. Over the years, it transformed into a thriving city, fueled by the growth of the tech industry in the mid-20th century. Today, Cupertino is home to Apple Inc., one of the world's largest and most innovative tech companies, and is known for its strong economy and thriving cultural scene.

  • Mountain View, United States

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      The chill cousin of Palo Alto, Mountain View offers beautiful parks, a vibrant downtown, and a diverse community. It is also home to many nerdy attractions such as NASA Ames Research Center - A leading center for aerospace research and innovation, offering tours and interactive exhibits - Moffett Field Historical Society Museum - A museum showcasing the history of Moffett Field, a former naval air station - and the Googleplex - The headquarters of Google, offering tours of the company's cutting-edge campus.

  • Palo Alto, United States

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      Palo Alto is one of the most well-known cities in Silicon Valley and for good reason. This unassuming California town, is home to a thriving Venture Capital scene, countless startups, Stanford University- one of the world's most prestigious - and many of the world's largest tech companies, including HP, Tesla, and Facebook. Not surprisingly, Palo Alto is known as one of the most affluent and educated cities in the country. With its charming downtown, beautiful parks, and thriving cultural scene, Palo Alto has become known as the epicenter of Silicon Valley and one of the most desirable places to live and play.