Lost something in Mountain View? Here is who holds found property.
File a single report and we automatically notify the Mountain View Police Department, coordinate with local transit agencies and lost and found offices, and scan social networks and marketplaces continuously so you don't have to.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
California : found property must be held by law enforcement for at least 90 days before it can pass to the finder, be auctioned or disposed of. (California Civil Code §2080.2)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How it works
You file your loss report
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We capture all the details needed to route your case to the right channels.
We handle the routing
We notify Mountain View Police, the relevant transit systems, local lost and found offices, and prepare your information for social media posting in community groups where locals actively share found items.
Automated monitoring finds matches
Our system scans Facebook groups, Reddit, Nextdoor, marketplace listings, and public web posts across the Bay Area for 12 months. When a credible match appears, we alert you immediately. No more daily manual checking.
Where to report a lost item in Mountain View
Report it yourself, or let us handle it for you
Mountain View Police Department
The Police Department's Property & Evidence unit receives and catalogs lost items. You can report directly or call them to ask if an item matching yours has been turned in. We generate the right details for your report and tell you exactly which desk to contact.
City of Mountain View
Mountain View's main city contact line can direct you to the right department depending on where you lost your item. Ask Mountain View, the 24/7 online request system, also accepts inquiries about lost property.
Transit: VTA, MVgo & SamTrans
If you lost something on a bus in Mountain View, three agencies cover the area. VTA keeps found items for 90 days, MVgo handles local shuttles, and SamTrans covers regional routes. We identify which bus line you were on and submit your inquiry to the right lost and found office.
VTA Lost & Found: 408-321-2300|MVgo: 650-933-2518|SamTrans Lost & Found
Nearby Airports
If you lost an item at San José Mineta, San Francisco, or Oakland International, each airport maintains a separate lost and found office. Hours and procedures vary. We can help you prepare the details and point you to the right office.
San José Mineta (SJC): 408-392-3559|San Francisco (SFO): 650-821-7014|Oakland (OAK): 510-563-3982
Lost or Found Pet
Mountain View Animal Services and the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) handle lost and found companion animals. If you've lost a pet, the faster you register on 24PetConnect and contact SVACA, the better your chances. For priority help with a missing pet, file a priority lost pet report.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Acting quickly improves your odds
The first few hours after realizing something is lost are crucial. Police and transit agencies sort and catalog items fast, and community members post finds soon after discovering them. Starting your report now means we begin monitoring immediately, and you've already notified all the key places. Once submitted, you can stop worrying. Our team works around the clock.
Report my lost item →Mountain View stretches across multiple neighborhoods and transit zones. Whether you left something at the Safeway, on a VTA or MVgo bus, or somewhere downtown, the system for tracking it down is fragmented across the police department, transit agencies, and social networks. That patchwork means you end up calling multiple places and scrolling through local Facebook groups every day, hoping to spot your item.
ReportLost simplifies the entire process. One report reaches all the relevant channels at once, and our continuous web monitoring means you can relax knowing the search is active 24/7, even while you sleep. We track lost items through the same platforms where Mountain View residents post their finds, so you'll hear about matches faster than if you were doing it alone.
Common places to lose items in Mountain View
Where items are frequently reported and recovered
Downtown & Castro Street
The heart of Mountain View, with shops, restaurants, and high foot traffic. Items lost here are often turned in to nearby businesses or Mountain View Police.
Safeway & Shopping Centers
Grocery stores and malls are frequent drop points. Staff at customer service desks routinely hold lost wallets, phones, and bags. We help you contact the right store manager.
Rengstroff Park & Trails
Popular recreation area and walking trails. Lost outdoor gear and personal items sometimes appear on community boards or in local Facebook groups.
Bus Stops & Transit Hubs
Items left on VTA, MVgo, or SamTrans buses are logged by drivers or passengers. Each agency maintains a lost and found system we connect you to.
Schools & Community Centers
Educational and public facilities often hold lost items at their front desks. We identify which center you visited and point you to the right contact.
Social networks where Mountain View residents post found items
These groups and forums are where community members announce discoveries
Lost Mountain View (dedicated lost and found group)
Mountain View community groups
r/mountainview
Mountain View neighborhood app
For lost and found pets in the area
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Mountain View Police Department keep lost items?
The Mountain View Police Department Property & Evidence unit holds items for a period determined by state law and department policy. Most found property is retained for a reasonable time before disposal. Contact them at 650-903-6375 to ask about your specific item, or let us submit an inquiry on your behalf.
How long do VTA buses keep found items?
VTA typically holds found items for 90 days, with the exception of cash and medications, which have shorter retention periods. Call 408-321-2300 to check if your item has been turned in to a bus depot.
Can I post about my lost item in Mountain View Facebook groups?
Yes. The 'Lost Mountain View' Facebook group and other Mountain View community groups are actively used by residents to report both lost and found items. We can help you craft the right post and ensure it reaches the groups most likely to see it. We also post your details to relevant channels as part of our service.
What if I lost something at a specific store or restaurant?
Contact the store directly and ask to speak with a manager or the lost and found desk. Most businesses in Mountain View keep a lost and found near customer service or at the register. If you're not sure which location, tell us the store name and we'll help you find the right contact.
How does ReportLost.org differ from calling the police myself?
When you call Mountain View Police directly, you file a single report with them. ReportLost does that and more: we route your item description to all relevant local channels at once (police, transit, nearby businesses, airports if applicable), we generate the exact information needed for each place, and we run continuous automated monitoring of community boards, social media, and marketplaces for 12 months. We also alert you the moment a credible match appears, so you don't have to manually check Facebook groups and Nextdoor every day.
Is ReportLost.org official, or does it replace calling the police?
ReportLost.org is an independent service and does not replace the police department. We work alongside Mountain View Police and other local agencies by quickly routing your report and monitoring the web on your behalf. Police always have their own intake process, and we encourage you to file a report with them directly as well. Our role is to amplify your report and reduce the manual work you'd otherwise do to track down your item.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your recovery now
The sooner you report your lost item, the sooner we begin coordinating with Mountain View's police, transit, and community channels, and the sooner our automated monitoring starts scanning for your item across the web. Every hour counts, and the process takes just a few minutes.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with Mountain View Police Department, City of Mountain View, VTA, MVgo, SamTrans, San Francisco International Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Mountain View Animal Services, or Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority. We work alongside these entities to help you report a lost item and monitor public channels for matches, but we do not guarantee recovery. Police and transit agencies maintain their own official lost and found procedures. Always file a report with the police directly if you prefer, or contact the relevant agency listed above.