Orchards and vineyards once covered Monta Vista; the electric railway led to its development as the first housing tract in the Cupertino area. When Cupertino incorporated in 1955, Monta Vista decided at the last moment to stay out, and the city annexed it piece by piece until 2004.
It is home to Monta Vista High School, opened in 1969, Kennedy Middle School, McClellan Ranch Preserve, Blackberry Farm, Deep Cliff Golf Course and Linda Vista, Varian and Monta Vista parks.