Los Altos History Museum

The Los Altos History Museum occupies a unique corner of Los Altos, California — one of the few remaining apricot orchards in the Santa Clara Valley. Opened in 2001 on a publicly accessible campus at 51 S. San Antonio Road, the museum's three-level, 8,200-square-foot main building was constructed entirely with private donations before ownership transferred to the City of Los Altos in 2002. The museum campus encompasses the main building, which houses rotating and permanent exhibitions, and the J. Gilbert Smith House — a restored 1905 farmhouse set across a landscaped courtyard. Gardens and grounds connect the historic structures and remain open to the public even when the buildings are closed. For private events, the museum offers both indoor and outdoor rental spaces: the garden setting among heritage oak trees and the remaining apricot orchard, and the main gallery inside the period building. The venue accommodates weddings, special occasions, corporate gatherings, and nonprofit functions, with event packages that include access to kitchen facilities and a preferred list of caterers. Rental inquiries are handled through the dedicated events team.