Coming from Menlo Park even, Cupertino feels a bit too dull and suburban, but it is astonishingly well maintained in comparison to anywhere else in the bay area. No doubt that the city is doing a great job.
I've lived here for 12 years and I can tell you that you are totally right -- it's very dull and suburban and also well maintained. It's practically a company town. The Mayor couldn't even name the second biggest employer in town after Apple. I think it's actually Amazon.
Of course, the people who live in Cupertino all hate Apple because they’re retirees and hate the traffic, think male tech employees will molest their children and hire prostitutes[1], cell phones will give them cancer, tech employees are too poor due to not yet being millionaires, etc.
Oh yes I'm aware of our racist, ageist, and elitist city council, but it's mostly a reflection of the population. Only 12% of Apple employees actually live here. Although it's changing as the old people die and the only people who can afford their houses are current tech workers, but sadly, most of those current tech workers either don't vote or can't vote (lots of immigrants).
This city would be a lot different if we granted the right to vote to all of our resident non-citizens, which I think we absolutely should do. They live here and pay taxes. They should have a voice.