In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
Los Altos
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Los Altos, then move on – no need to stay overnight.
Los Altos is a low‑density Silicon Valley suburb with a small historic museum, a walkable downtown, and easy access to nearby parks and cities. One day covers the main sights and a bite to eat; overnight stays are rarely needed unless you prefer a slower pace.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov (check)
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, limited indoor cooling)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $80–$100 excl. bed · Mid $130–$150 excl. bed · High $200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | $3–5 |
| Pizza slice | $12–15 |
| Movie night (free outdoor) | Free |
| Parking (metered downtown) | $2–3 per hour |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SJC · San Jose International Airport
- VTA Light Rail to Mountain View, then 22‑min drive via I‑280
Typical fares
- VTA bus day pass
- about $5 per person (check)
- Car‑rental compact (1 day)
- about $45, includes insurance (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Most visitors drive (I‑280, 87, 280 S). VTA buses 40, 52 serve downtown; line 22 runs along El Camino Real frequently. No train or light‑rail service.
See and do
Known for
- Los Altos History Museum
- Downtown Friday Movie Nights
- Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto | Drive south on El Camino Real, about 5 min | ≈10 min |
| Mountain View | Drive north on I‑280, about 8 min | ≈15 min |
| Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve | Drive west on Page Mill Rd, then park at trailhead | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Courtyard Palo Alto Los Altos
- Close to downtown Palo Alto, free parking, on‑site bar
- Enchanté Boutique Hotel
- Boutique style in downtown Los Altos, breakfast available
- Residence Inn Palo Alto Los Altos
- Extended‑stay rooms, kitchenettes, near El Camino Real
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑toh kwes‑ta |
| Where is the restroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Sidewalks are limited on residential streets – walking long distances can be difficult.
- Parking can be scarce near downtown during events.
Los Altos has low violent‑crime rates; standard U.S. safety practices apply. Keep valuables in the car and lock doors.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Los Altos yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Los Altos History Museum
- Downtown Friday Movie Nights
- Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Los Altos: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Los Altos, revision 5190228 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5190228
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Los Altos
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consulate in San Jose (check address); other embassies in Washington, D.C.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/los-altos). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.