Hello HNers. I am visiting in San Jose for the weekend to visit my brother, and I would love to tour Google during my visit. I've searched a bit and found that they're not too fond of unannounced visitors, so I was hoping you could help. Does anyone either: work at Google and willing to give us a quick tour, or know of a way to visit their headquarters without being too much of a headache for them? I appreciate any help.
Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
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Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#2This might be a long shot, timing-wise, but the Silicon Valley Google Technology Users Group (like a Google fan club for developers) meets at the Googleplex once-a-month; their information is on meetup.com.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#3This might be a long shot, timing-wise, but the Silicon Valley Google Technology Users Group (like a Google fan club for developers) meets at the Googleplex once-a-month; their information is on meetup.com.
"The Silicon Valley Google Technology User Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the GooglePlex in Mountain View."
Thanks anyways. Good to know I could do that some other time.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#4Become friends with a Googler, get invited by Googler friend. (At least, they allowed this back in 2005.)
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#5On a related note, don't forget to visit the Computer History Museum if you're in the area (might be a good alternative if your Google plans fall through) Hope they still have the difference engine on display.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#6Become friends with a Googler, get invited by Googler friend. (At least, they allowed this back in 2005.)
I believe finding a googler to show him around is the precise purpose of this post.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#7Isn't it just like any other office?
I work in a small FM radio station and we quite frequently get visits from listeners, both on request and unannounced.
I'm not sure what sort of showbiz glitz and glamour they're expecting; apart from one room with a few microphones and a mixing desk in it, it's just a few fairly dull offices in an old house, with computers and desks and papers lying around. People often leave feeling a little disenchanted after we've made them a terrible cup of tea. They come thinking they're going to get a "tour", said tour lasts about 10 minutes if you stretch it out, awkwardness all round. We're happy to meet our listeners, they're why we exist, but there's just not all that much to see.
I can imagine Google being similar; people wanting to visit because it's Google but then being greeted by an office block not dissimilar to where they themselves work. I'm sure there are more interesting places in the area! I wouldn't, for instance, put my bank's head office on the list of places to visit in Edinburgh...
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#8Isn't it just like any other office? I work in a small FM radio station and we quite frequently get visits from listeners, both on request and unannounced. I'm not sure what sort of showbiz glitz and glamour they're expecting; apart from one room with a few microphones and a mixing desk in it, it's just a few fairly dull offices in an old house, with computers and desks and papers lying around. People often leave fee…
If you're a CS buff, visiting google is a trip to the holy land.
It is borderline obscene the legendary names they have working there who you'll see just wandering the halls.
Seriously, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. Think of the most prestigious CS department imaginable, now multiply the size a hundredfold.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#9Become friends with a Googler, get invited by Googler friend. (At least, they allowed this back in 2005.)
They still allow it.
Re: Ask HN: How to visit Google HQ?
#10Isn't it just like any other office? I work in a small FM radio station and we quite frequently get visits from listeners, both on request and unannounced. I'm not sure what sort of showbiz glitz and glamour they're expecting; apart from one room with a few microphones and a mixing desk in it, it's just a few fairly dull offices in an old house, with computers and desks and papers lying around. People often leave fee…
http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/inside_google/
If this is your definition of "like any other office" i am seriously working for the wrong company :P