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Let's Hit the Road - Silicon Valley Tour
Traveling is a great way to open your eyes and minds to new ideas. Traveling also gives you new perspectives and inspirations. A trip to Silicon Valley is a great way to help kids visualize where technology is being developed and innovated.
A while back, my family and I went on a tour of the Silicon Valley. We visited some main technology hubs that continue to influence technology in our lives.
Google Headquarter
1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043
Accessibility: Some parts opened to public. Overall campus is private and accessible only as guest of an employee.
Time to spend: 2 hours
Googleplex is the headquarter of Google, and has many office buildings, green spaces, and recreational areas. While most of the office buildings are closed to public, the campus itself has lots of areas that can be enjoyed by the public.
Google West Campus 1 (GWC1)
2025 Garcia Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043
Remember those pin drops on your google map? Find a life size one here along with a Google Street View Car!
Google Android Lawn Statues:
1981 Landings Dr, Mountain View, CA 94043
Stop and take a picture with all the Android Statues. Can you name all of them? Here is a hint… C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M*
Google Mrechandise Store
1981 Landings Dr, Mountain View, CA 94043
If you can’t get enough of Google, take something with you! If you can’t get enough of the store, you can always order online: https://www.googlemerchandisestore.com/.
Some other interesting things we bumped into while at Google. Maybe you will find them too!
Facebook Headquarter
1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Accessibility: Closed to Public
Time to Spend: 20 min
Just like Google, to access the main campus, a.k.a. Hacker Square, you must be accompanied by an employee as a guest. Without being a guest, the only thing visitors will be able to see is the "Like" sign located right outside the campus.
If you are able to get access into the Facebook Campus, you will find that it is similar to the main Googleplex. Lots of office buildings and lots of green space. There is also lots of eateries and recreational areas.
The main merchandise store is also located within the campus.
While Mr. Zuckerberg’s office is located in a glass building at the center of Hacker Square, there is a sign that specifically says “PLEASE DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH THE ANIMALS.” Out of respect for Mr. Zuckerberg, we did not take any photos of him even though he was in the office that day.
Apple Headquarter
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014
Accessibility: Closed to Public
Time to Spend: 30 min
Out of the three headquarter, Apple is by far the most exclusive, which makes it less interesting as a tour. Similar to Google, Apple offices are scattered everywhere in Cupertino with lots of green spaces in between. But because of the constant attention surrounding new Apple products, confidentiality follows a very strict guideline here.
If you do not have an employee as your guide, the only thing to visit the Apple Store locate right next to One Infinite Loop. If you happen to be a guest of an employee, you are asked to put away any cameras and phones prior to entering the headquarter. Then, you are allowed to visit the cafeteria. Further access into the building probably will require higher clearance?
With that being said, this is all we captured of Apple Headquarter. No pictures of the cafeteria either since beyond that point, cameras are not allowed.
There are many other place to visit in the area that we also recommend visiting. These include:
Stanford University
NASA Ames Research Center
Computer History Museum
Tesla Factory Tour (available for Tesla Owners)
Learn more about these locations in our future blogs!
* Names of the Android Operating Systems:
Cupcake (Android 1.5)
Donut (Android 1.6)
Éclair (Android 2.0/2.1)
FroYo (Android 2.2)
Gingerbread (Android 2.3)
Honeycomb (Android 3.0)
Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
Jelly Bean (Android 4.1)
KitKat (Android 4.4)
Lollipop (Android 5.0)
Marshmallow (Android 6.0)
Nougat (Android 7)
Rumor has it… O is for Octopus?