Los Altos Hills, Residential city in Santa Clara County, United States
Los Altos Hills is a residential town in Santa Clara County, California, spread across wooded hills and open land. The settlement consists of widely spaced properties connected by winding roads without sidewalks, preserving several nature reserves within its boundaries.
The town was incorporated in 1956 to prevent sprawl from neighboring cities and preserve the rural character of the hills. Incorporation rules banned any commercial use from the start and set minimum lot sizes to avoid dense development.
The name refers to the gentle hills that shape the area, where large properties blend into the landscape with old trees and open views. Many homes sit far back from the road, creating a countryside feel despite being near densely populated neighbors.
The town has no public facilities or shops of its own, since commercial buildings are banned and all services are provided by Santa Clara County. Visitors should note that roads are narrow and winding with no sidewalks, making a car necessary to move around.
All mail for the town is handled through the post office in neighboring Los Altos, as the settlement itself has no commercial infrastructure. The town is among the few in California that exclude any shops or public buildings within its borders.
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