Los Altos is an amazing city located south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County. Originally part of a Mexican land grant, by the second half of the 19th century, the land that now makes up the city and nearby Los Altos Hills was owned by Sarah Winchester, the eccentric widow of the heir to the Winchester rifle fortune. However, the land was sold to the Peninsula Interurban Railway in 1906 so that its trains running between San Jose and San Francisco could travel through it. When the railway arrived in the area, Paul Shoup formed the Altos Land Company, becoming the “father of Los Altos” and helping create much of the foundation of Los Altos today. It was Shoup’s developments and the railway that attracted businesses and families to settle the area. Los Altos was incorporated in 1952.

Now, this city is highly desirable and one that attracts a highly-educated population. The above-average education level of its residents in turn leads to good jobs and a higher income level in the community, making this area fairly affluent. It is an attractive location for the highly-educated because it is located in Silicon Valley near some of the most influential technology firms in the country. Some of these firms have changed the course of history with their innovations and continue to draw bright minds to the region. Los Altos features excellent schools and plenty of community activities that make it a place well-heeled people want to live. U.S. Census Bureau figures show that Los Altos has a little less than 29,000 residents. It is an all-around excellent place for a business.

There are plenty of Los Altos local businesses, with about 1,150 businesses reporting sales taxes to the city, according to the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. Due to the city’s unique zoning laws, all these businesses are located within a total area of seven square miles. This is significant because your business will be able to catch cross traffic from other local businesses. Plus, you will gain customers through traffic, since the city has zoned the business districts around Los Altos’ main routes. In addition, the city is near other business-friendly communities, including Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and Cupertino. These cities are home to some of the best and brightest Silicon Valley firms.

Los Altos, CA family businesses run the gamut in this upscale community. The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, and the community at large, includes many different kinds of companies, such as business coaching, bookstores, beauty salons, banks, dentists, dog trainers, grocers, galleries, hospitals, hotels, contractors and many more. While Los Altos isn’t particularly large, there market base is affluent and vast, thanks to the city’s ability to draw in outsiders.

While the top five employers in Los Altos are the Los Altos School District, Los Altos High School, Whole Foods, Coldwell Banker and Covenant Care, 12 percent of residents are self employed. Whether you plan to expand your business, move it or start it, Los Altos is a profitable region and a great place to own a business.