Posted by Scrub, a resident of the Stierlin Estates neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 1:57 pm

I remember having bowling classes in high school at the old Mtn. View bowling alley.

We would even smoke inside while bowling. Ahhhh. The good old days.

Posted by Alexandra, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 2:51 pm

While it's sad to see a long-time institution close, I am not completely surprised. Back in October 2009 I booked my pre-wedding/ after-rehearsal dinner party here at the lanes for about 30 people on a Thursday night. When we showed up at the designated time the clerk behind the counter said they were booked and had a league or some other group there and he could now not accomodate our party!! With customer service and poor planning like that, it was probably only a matter of time before the bowling alley closed with or without new development coming in. Luckily we found an alley in Santa Clara (I think) that could accomodate us on such short notice that evening.

Posted by Really?, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 3:59 pm

How classy, a pre-wedding/after-rehearsal party at a bowling alley.

By the way, customer service has nothing to do with the closing of the bowling alley.

Posted by MVFlyer, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 4:07 pm

I'm sure the PA city council members don't consider a bowling alley or a low cost motel vital to the area--they probably think they're a blight, and can get much more $$$ from pricy townhomes and a high cost hotel.

Posted by Thom, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Another sad thing that has come about. Camino Bowl was shut down yrs ago leaving Palo Alto the only game close to Mtn View and Palo Alto. I think it's a shame to see and I will miss it. I'm in my mid 50's and bowled at Camino and PA Bowl since the mid 70's. I won't go to Homestead Bowl so for me the day the bowl closes I guess I'll call it a done deal.

Posted by tommygee54, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 5:33 pm

When I first bowled in this alley, it was called Fiesta Lanes, and you could walk into it from the restaurant facing El Camino. My best order of Onion Rings came from this restaurant---at least a 30 count dish for only 75 cents. Now you know how long ago this was, in the late 1960's. And George the owner (I think) was a very nice guy, even when I last saw him in the late 80's or early 90's. As for the alley, I bowled in there ALOT, even at Camino Bowl. Then Camino Bowl closed so I bowled at Fiesta exclusivly. Then when I joined bowling leagues as an adult, I moved over to Homestead Lanes as it was THE new place. But I have not bowled there since 2003 as I live in Mtn. View. When Palo Alto Bowl closes, Homestead Lanes will be closer. I have never bowled at Moonlight Lanes.

Again sorry to see Fiesta Lanes closing for good...

Posted by Wendy, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 8:50 pm

When I grew up in this area in the late 1960s and 1970s, there was a bowling alley on the Stanford campus that I could bike to! I do think it is sad that the nearest bowling alleys will be so far away now. Perhaps someone will decide to open a mixed-use facility as the article suggested is the wave of the future.

Posted by MoveIt, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Why not salvage all the alleys and equipment and re-open the place at the new San Antonio Center? Mountain View needs more recreational places and this new complex needs a fun spot for kids, families, seniors, singles.. to hang out.

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Adding a bowling alley to the new development on San Antonio is a great idea. Barring that, why not include bowling in the re-development plan. It seems like an attraction for a hotel. What corporate offsite wouldn't be better followed with a team building event?

Posted by Amber , a resident of the Gemello neighborhood, on Aug 23, 2011 at 12:21 pm

I moved away from the Bay Area 15 years ago and away from PA MV 20 years ago. I will miss Fiesta Lanes just as I mourned Camino Bowl closing from afar. I miss bowling at Tressider Union as well. I am trying to get my husband to join a mixed league here in Texas with me but don't see it happening. Good bye

Posted by tommygee54, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Yes that is what the new San Antonio development needs---a bowling alley. The leagues will really keep it busy. Now all we have to do is get the City of Mtn. View to accept that idea...

Posted by The Eye, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2011 at 5:35 pm
The Eye is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online

I have fond memories of bowling with my family at Fiesta Lanes, back in the 1970's, and then, years later, the private investigation agency I worked for was hired by them in the 1990's to send me to play customer, to ensure that the bartenders were not serving free drinks to their friends, and dipping into the till. Good times, all of'em!

Posted by tommygee54, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2011 at 6:14 pm

I do not know why the lanes are empty. Don't people go out to bowl anymore? I guess at nearly $5 a game, open bowling is too much. In the 60's I could bowl many games for 25 cents each. Now those were the days.