🏡 Historic Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Los Altos! 👀

👀 See Downtown Los Altos Like Never Before!
Most of us know Downtown Los Altos as a charming place to meet friends, grab coffee, and browse cute shops — but beneath its village charm is a fascinating origin story you’ve probably never heard.

Join architect and preservation enthusiast Martin Bernstein for a guided 90-minute walking tour that brings Los Altos’ early days vividly to life. This tour traces the transformation of a once-rural railroad outpost into the quaint downtown village we know today — and reveals the stories hidden in its earliest commercial buildings.

🏛 What You’ll Discover

• The Southern Pacific Railroad shaped the birth of modern Los Altos
• “Banks and Braes” became Los Altos — “The Heights” (in Spanish)
• An outdoor promotional BBQ and land sale in 1907 launched the downtown core
• Early commercial buildings helped define the character of the downtown triangle
• Fruit orchards gave way to a walkable village center

Along the way, Martin will point out architectural details, original building functions, and surprising stories that even longtime locals tend to miss.

If you enjoy local history, architecture, and seeing familiar places with fresh eyes, this tour will leave you saying: “I never noticed that before!”

📍 Tour Details
Historic Architectural Walking Tour – Downtown Los Altos
🗓️ When: Saturday, January 10th at 1:30 PM sharp (arrive a bit early to settle in)
📍 Where: Meet in front of 288 First Street, Los Altos

Distance is easy and flat, with frequent stops for stories and discussion.

👟 Good to Know
· Comfortable walking shoes recommended
· Please bring water and sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen)
· Wear warm layers
· Suitable for all ages and fitness levels

🎟️ Cost: The Walking Tour is FREE, but we are supported almost entirely by walker donations. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to make a suggested $20* donation (cash or via Zelle martinbernstein617@gmail.com) so we can keep walking and touring together.

* 10% of each donation supports New Beginnings Social Events, our volunteer-run community that brings people together for friendship, fun, and fresh experiences.

🅿️ Parking Options:

• Free, time-limited spots (90 min. to 2 hours) on First, Second, Third, and State Streets
• Parking is enforced 8 AM-6 PM Mon-Sat.
• Plaza South (open lot) is the closest to the tour starting location.
• Downtown Parking Map

🚊 Public Transportation:

• Caltrain gets you near Los Altos. Local transit (bus) connects you the rest of the way.
• Take Caltrain to Palo Alto (north of Los Altos) or Mountain View (south) Stations. Check Caltrain weekend schedules.
• Connect to Downtown Los Altos by bus, VTA (VTA Trip Planner) or SamTrans (SamTrans Trip Planner).

👨‍💼 Your Tour Guide
MARTIN BERNSTEIN, ARCHITECT
📍 Palo Alto • San Francisco
[MartinBernsteinArchitect.com](https://martinbernsteinarchitect.com)
📞 650-387-1000

🔴 By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guest(s) RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.