RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Maryland >> Montgomery County >> Alta Vista >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).

When in Alta Vista, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Alta Vista and the surrounding area.

  • Weather ...
  • Astronomy & Satellites ...
    • Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
    • To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Alta Vista:
    • 39.008999, -77.108589
    • Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
    • Open the Heavens-Above website centered on Alta Vista
  • Bird Watching ...
    • We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
    • The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Montgomery County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Montgomery County
    • Since Alta Vista is near Fairfax County and also Arlington County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Fairfax County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Arlington County
  • Waymarking ...
    • Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
    • Open the Waymark.com report for Alta Vista

Communities Also Named Alta Vista ...

We found 27 communities that are also named Alta Vista.

Within Maryland, the name Alta Vista is unique.

Beyond Maryland, we know of 27 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 27 communities, 25 are located in the United States and two are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Alabama
      • Lee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Lee County and lies 637 miles [1,025.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lee County community of Alta Vista.
      • Tuscaloosa County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Tuscaloosa County and lies 705 miles [1,134.6 km] to the west southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Tuscaloosa County community of Alta Vista.
    • California
      • Alameda County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Alta Vista [Alameda County].
      • Inyo County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Inyo County and lies 2,231 miles [3,590.4 km]<1> to the west of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Inyo County community of Alta Vista.
      • Tulare County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Alta Vista [Tulare County].
    • Colorado
      • El Paso County
      • This Alta Vista is located in El Paso County and lies 1,443 miles [2,322.3 km]<1> to the west of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the El Paso County community of Alta Vista.
      • Jefferson County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Jefferson County and lies 1,487 miles [2,393.1 km] to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Alta Vista.
    • Florida
      • Charlotte County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Florida community of Alta Vista [Charlotte County].
      • Hillsborough County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Hillsborough County and lies 819 miles [1,318.1 km]<1> to the south southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hillsborough County community of Alta Vista.
    • Georgia
      • Douglas County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Douglas County and lies 558 miles [898 km]<1> to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Douglas County community of Alta Vista.
      • Muscogee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Muscogee County and lies 628 miles [1,010.7 km] to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Muscogee County community of Alta Vista.
    • Iowa
      • Chickasaw County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Chickasaw County and lies 845 miles [1,359.9 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Chickasaw County community of Alta Vista.
    • Kansas
      • Wabaunsee County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Wabaunsee County and lies 1,039 miles [1,672.1 km]<1> to the west of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabaunsee County community of Alta Vista.
    • Missouri
      • Daviess County
      • This community is historic<3> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Missouri community of Alta Vista [Daviess County].
    • New Mexico
      • San Miguel County
      • This Alta Vista is located in San Miguel County and lies 1,531 miles [2,463.9 km]<1> to the west of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the San Miguel County community of Alta Vista.
    • Ontario
      • This Alta Vista lies 446 miles [717.8 km]<1> to the north of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
    • Saskatchewan
      • This Alta Vista lies 1,573 miles [2,531.5 km]<1> to the northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
    • South Carolina
      • Greenville County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Greenville County and lies 409 miles [658.2 km]<1> to the southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Greenville County community of Alta Vista.
      • Richland County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Carolina community of Alta Vista [Richland County].
    • Tennessee
      • Hamilton County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Tennessee community of Alta Vista [Hamilton County].
      • McMinn County
      • This Alta Vista is located in McMinn County and lies 479 miles [770.9 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the McMinn County community of Alta Vista.
    • Texas
      • Frio County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Frio County and lies 1,434 miles [2,307.8 km]<1> to the west southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Frio County community of Alta Vista.
      • Hidalgo County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Hidalgo County and lies 1,508 miles [2,426.9 km] to the west southwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hidalgo County community of Alta Vista.
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Salt Lake County and lies 1,834 miles [2,951.5 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Salt Lake County community of Alta Vista.
      • Weber County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Weber County and lies 1,833 miles [2,949.9 km] to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Weber County community of Alta Vista.
    • Washington
      • Lewis County
      • This Alta Vista is located in Lewis County and lies 2,319 miles [3,732.1 km]<1> to the west northwest of the Alta Vista that is located in Montgomery County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lewis County community of Alta Vista.
      • Spokane County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<2> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Alta Vista [Spokane County].

Curious and Interesting Names Near Alta Vista ...

As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.

  • Cabin John
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
  • Cabin John Park
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Cabin John Park is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cabin John Park
  • Chevy Chase
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Chevy Chase Lake
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Chevy Chase Lake is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Lake
  • Chevy Chase Terrace
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
    • Chevy Chase Terrace is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Terrace
  • Chevy Chase View
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Chevy Chase View is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase View
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 979 people
  • Chevy Chase Village
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Chevy Chase Village is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chevy Chase Village
    • Population from the 2020 Census: 2,050 people
  • English Village
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
    • English Village is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for English Village
  • Forest Glen
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
    • Forest Glen is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Glen
  • Forest Grove ‑ Historic
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
    • Forest Grove is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Forest Grove
  • Fox Hills
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Fox Hills is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fox Hills
  • Friendship Heights
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
    • Friendship Heights is located in Montgomery County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Friendship Heights
  • Continue List   (31 more) ...
    • Glen Cove
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Glen Cove is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glen Cove
    • Glen Echo
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
    • Glen Haven
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Glen Haven is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glen Haven
    • Glenview
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Glenview is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glenview
    • Green Acres
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Green Acres is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Green Acres
    • Heritage Walk
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Heritage Walk is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Heritage Walk
    • High Point
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • High Point is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for High Point
    • Holiday Park
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Holiday Park is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holiday Park
    • Holly Hill
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Holly Hill is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holly Hill
    • Homewood
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Homewood is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Homewood
    • Lone Oak
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Lone Oak is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lone Oak
    • Longwood
      (Less than 2 miles to the west)
      • Longwood is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Longwood
    • Maplewood
      (Less than 2 miles to the east)
      • Maplewood is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Maplewood
    • Marymount
      (Less than 2 miles to the northwest)
      • Marymount is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marymount
    • Mohican Hills
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the south)
      • Mohican Hills is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mohican Hills
    • Randolph Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the north)
      • Randolph Hills is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Randolph Hills
    • Rock Creek Forest
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southeast)
      • Rock Creek Forest is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek Forest
    • Rock Creek Gardens
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Rock Creek Gardens is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek Gardens
    • Rock Creek Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Rock Creek Hills is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek Hills
    • Rock Creek Knolls
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the east)
      • Rock Creek Knolls is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek Knolls
    • Rock Creek Palisades
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Rock Creek Palisades is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rock Creek Palisades
    • Rollingwood
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Rollingwood is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rollingwood
    • Rosedale Park
      (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
      • Rosedale Park is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosedale Park
    • Rosemary Hills
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Rosemary Hills is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rosemary Hills
    • Scotland
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Scotland is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Scotland
    • Stoney Brook
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
      • Stoney Brook is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stoney Brook
    • Tulip Hill
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Tulip Hill is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tulip Hill
    • Walnut Woods
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Walnut Woods is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Walnut Woods
    • Wildwood Hills
      (2 miles [3.2 km] to the west)
      • Wildwood Hills is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wildwood Hills
    • Woodside
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Woodside is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodside
    • Woodside Forest
      (3 miles [4.8 km] to the east)
      • Woodside Forest is located in Montgomery County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodside Forest

How Far From Alta Vista to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers & Almanacs that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Alta Vista to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Alta Vista and extending to:

  • Rockville, which is the Seat of Montgomery County, lies just to the North Northwest.
  • Annapolis, which is the State Capital of Maryland, lies 33 miles [53.1 km]<1> to the east (E). If you could walk a straight line from Alta Vista to Annapolis, with an average speed<5> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of two days to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take just over a day.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is just to the south southeast (SSE).
  • The shortest distance<6> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 5,896 miles [9,488.7 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 6,601 miles [10,623.3 km] and it lies to the east northeast (ENE).<8>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 4,478 miles [7,206.6 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<9>'

Footnotes ...

<1>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Alta Vista) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<2>If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer.

Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Mile's to see Pete ... Mile's is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name.

Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time.

Also keep in mind that Alta Vista could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out.
<3>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Alta Vista, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<4>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<5>While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
<6>The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Alta Vista to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Alta Vista. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 39.0090, Longitude: -77.1086       In this case, the coordinates for Alta Vista have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 307.925 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 303.496 degrees.
<9>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 304.701 degrees.