Los Altos Hills

Wealthy San Franciscans attracted to the area during this period built summer estates in Los Altos Hills. A few of those still standing have become historic landmarks.

Ohlone Indians were the first known residents of Los Altos Hills. They were part of a group of Native Americans who once inhabited small villages throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Both Los Altos and Los Altos Hills have been substantiated as sites of early Ohlone villages.

The overall personality of the region was distinctly rural. In 1956, the many advocates for incorporating the City, to be known as “The Town of Los Altos Hills”, were singularly dedicated to “preservation of the rural atmosphere of the foothills.”

The primarily residential community of Los Altos Hills is 8.4 square miles in area. An additional 5.8 square miles of unincorporated land adjacent to the Town’s boundaries have been designated by the County of Santa Clara as being within Los Altos Hills’ “sphere of influence.”

The Town is distinctive because of its rolling hills and picturesque valleys. Numerous creeks and densely wooded areas provide pleasant visual diversity.

Part of the philosophy of the Town’s large-lot zoning concept is to preserve open space with one-acre minimum density.

The Town’s location along the edge of the Santa Clara Valley contributes to a mild climate,

The Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Department is offers numerous activities including horse back riding lessons for children and adults.

Rancho San Antonio County Park: this 167-acre park offers facilities for bicycling, hiking, model glider flying, photography and other recreational uses. Within the park is Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm for the enjoyment of visitors, especially children.

Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space Preserve: Comprising an overall 567 acres adjacent to Los Altos Hills, the preserve offers nearly 10 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. The vast acreage helps to maintain the beautiful, scenic vista for Los Altos Hills town residents.

Hidden Villa on Moody Road: This 1,600-acre land preserve contains an educational farm, wilderness area, visitor center, nature shop, trails, and a youth hostel. The property was a gift from Frank and Josephine Duveneck and is owned and operated by the Trust for Hidden Villa, a non-profit corporation. Annually, 40,000 people visit Hidden Villa

A very special feature of Los Altos Hills is the Pathway System. Sixty-three miles of roadside and off-road paths meander through the hills and valleys of the Town, connecting various areas of the community. This network provides a valuable recreational asset for residents; the system has been designed over many years to provide non-vehicular access to the Town for walkers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians.

Los Altos Hills is supported by two of the state’s top school districts. Palo Alto Unified and Los Altos School Districts. Additionally, Los Altos Hills is home to prestigious, private schools whose students frequently end up attending prestigious institutions throughout the world.

The Town of Los Altos Hills boasts a resident list that would be the envy of every high-tech executive recruiter in the valley.  Los Altos Hills is considered one of the premiere places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area.