Best Happy Hour
Cascal

Cascal is a lively Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Mountain View that offers Spanish and Latin American cuisine, including tapas, paellas and ceviche, as well as a wide selection of wines and spirits for dine in and takeout. Staying power: "Focusing on the full experience we are trying to deliver our guests and being consistent with our flavors and service."
400 Castro St.; cascalrestaurant.com; 650-940-9500

Best Place for a Date
Shoreline Lake

From sailing and stand-up paddleboard yoga to homemade French and American pastries and savory treats from its American Bistro restaurant, Shoreline Lake offers a variety of recreational and dining options.
3160 N. Shoreline Blvd.; shorelinelake.com; 650-965-7474

Best Place for Live Music
Shoreline Amphitheatre

With its capacity to accommodate more than 20,000 audience members, Shoreline Amphitheatre is the go-to place for music festivals and concerts in Mountain View. Upcoming concerts scheduled at the open-air venue include Alice in Chains, Sammy Hagar and other national acts.
1 Amphitheater Parkway; livenation.com; 650-967-4040

Best Place to Take a Visitor
Shoreline Park

With its bayside trails, golf course, historic Victorian history house museum and water activities, Shoreline Park doesn't disappoint. Located within a short distance from downtown, the park is a popular getaway to enjoy an array of outdoor activities, including kite flying, boating, hiking and bird-watching.
3160 N. Shoreline Blvd.; shorelinelake.com; 650-965-7474