Navigating Foothill College: A Comprehensive Guide to the Campus

Foothill College, a public community college located in Los Altos Hills, California, is part of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. Known for its beautiful campus designed by architect Ernest Kump and landscape architects Hideo Sasaki and Peter Walker to resemble a neo-Japanese garden, Foothill College offers a unique and engaging learning environment. This guide provides essential information for navigating the campus, including directions, transportation options, parking regulations, and key campus features.

Directions to Foothill College

Foothill College is easily accessible by car from various locations. Here are directions from two major cities:

From San Francisco: Take HWY 101 south to N. Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale. Turn left onto Innovation Drive.
From San Jose: Take HWY 101 north to N. Mathilda Ave.

Transportation Options

Bus Transportation

The local bus company, Valley Transit Authority, provides bus lines that serve both the Foothill and De Anza campuses. For information on routes and fares, visit the Valley Transit Authority website.

Commercial Shuttle Service

Commercial shuttle services are available from the San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) airports, offering a convenient transportation option for students and visitors arriving by air.

Parking Regulations

Parking regulations at Foothill College are strictly enforced and are issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicle. It is essential to adhere to these rules to avoid citations.

Read also: Affording Foothill College

The regulations apply 365 days a year unless otherwise noted.
Overnight parking is not allowed.
Always read all signs and road markings carefully.

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District property is under the jurisdiction of the District Police Department. Information regarding parking regulations is posted in the FHDA District Police Department in Room 2103.

Foothill College: A Historical Overview

Foothill College was initially intended as a junior college for 3,500 full-time students within its 122-acre campus. It was the first of many junior colleges built in California after World War II. Traditionally, Foothill serves the communities of Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto, all located in the northwest corner of Silicon Valley.

In 2002, a second campus opened at the former Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, in facilities leased from the Palo Alto School District. This campus was replaced in September 2016 by the Sunnyvale Center, built on part of the site of the now-closed Onizuka Air Force Station. The Sunnyvale Center preserves artifacts from the "Blue Cube," embedding shards of its skin in walkways, thus honoring the location's history.

To accommodate nearly 14,000 students on a campus originally designed for 3,500, Foothill College began renovating almost the entire campus in 2003, including the demolition and replacement of unsafe buildings.

Key Features and Landmarks

Electronics Museum (1973-1991)

From 1973 to 1991, an electronics museum was located on the Foothill College campus. Established with the help of the Douglas Perham Electronic Foundation, the museum housed an extensive electronics collection, including papers of Lee de Forest, the inventor of the vacuum tube amplifier. The foundation constructed a museum building on campus and donated its collection to the college.

Read also: Foothill College Requirements

However, in 1988, the college board of trustees decided to close the museum, sell or donate its assets, and repurpose the space for classrooms. This decision led to a lawsuit by a Perham board member, Bart Lee, who claimed the college violated its agreement with the Perham Foundation.

Campus Renovation and Expansion

In 2003, Foothill College initiated a comprehensive renovation project to modernize the campus and accommodate its growing student population. This included the construction of new facilities and the demolition of outdated buildings, ensuring a safe and modern learning environment. As part of the 50th-anniversary festivities, tours were conducted of the new Campus Center and Lower Campus Complex, showcasing the new Lohman Theatre, Life Sciences, and Student Services Buildings.

Academics and Recognition

Foothill College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The community college district's headquarters are located in one corner of the Foothill campus.

Foothill is a member of the Coast Conference of the California Community College Commission on Athletics and the NorCal Football Conference. The school mascot is an owl. The student government is known as the Associated Students of Foothill College (ASFC).

Five Foothill professors have received the Hayward Award of the Academic Senate of the California Community Colleges, which recognizes faculty members with a "track record of excellence in both teaching and professional activities." These winners include Jay Manley, Mike McHargue, Elizabeth Barkley, Andrew Fraknoi, and Scott Lankford.

The Foothill College Physics Show

The Foothill College Physics Show, started in 2007 by physics professors Frank Cascarano and David Marasco, is one of the largest popular physics presentations in the US. Modeled after The Wonders of Physics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the show attracts an annual audience of more than 25,000, with a total attendance exceeding 200,000.

Foothill College's Motto

Foothill College's motto is "Upgrade," reflecting its commitment to providing students with the tools and resources they need to enhance their lives and careers.

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