Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#1

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 11:58 AM UTC

I'm from the UK and will be visiting SF for a week in April. Is it worthwhile to heading down to Silicon Valley to check it out?

I'm aware a lot of the area is simply large business parks, and companies won't let you just wander into their offices uninvited. These are places of work after all, not tourist attractions.

Having said that...

Is it worth trying to get a tour of the Googleplex? Or trying to get a tour of other headquarters (Facebook/Apple)? Or a tour of Stanford? Is there anything else worth seeing?

I will not have a car either, but suppose I could hire one for the day if it was necessary.

Other suggestions welcomed!

EDIT: If any Google/Apple/Facebook employees can snag me a tour I'd be greatly appreciative, email in profile.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#2

Post by lfender6445 » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 12:52 PM UTC

A meetup group might have more value for you - but the googleplex does sound interesting.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#3

Post by eugeneross » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 12:56 PM UTC

I could only vaguely remember my time in San Francisco due to the fact that I was only three years of age, but that didn't stop my parents from taking me everywhere within the city. Although I may have not recalled any of the visits, after we had moved out of Cali, I always hear how we should've toured Stanford and what a great opportunity we had. Don't miss that opportunity! Schedule a tour of the campus, I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#4

Post by ulfw » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:09 PM UTC

Rent a car (you'll need one) and head down to walk around Stanford's beautiful campus, then have a coffee in Palo Alto before heading over to see Google's campus and shoot some pics. Then off to nearby Cupertino to buy some goodies at the company store in Building One. Not much else to see in the Valley I'm afraid.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#5

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:18 PM UTC

ulfw wrote: post #4

Rent a car (you'll need one) and head down to walk around Stanford's beautiful campus, then have a coffee in Palo Alto before heading over to see Google's campus and shoot some pics. Then off to nearby Cupertino to buy some goodies at the company store in Building One. Not much else to see in the Valley I'm afraid.

That does sound like a decent day out though doesn't it? Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#6

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:19 PM UTC

eugeneross wrote: post #3

I could only vaguely remember my time in San Francisco due to the fact that I was only three years of age, but that didn't stop my parents from taking me everywhere within the city. Although I may have not recalled any of the visits, after we had moved out of Cali, I always hear how we should've toured Stanford and what a great opportunity we had. Don't miss that opportunity! Schedule a tour of the campus, I'm sure y…

A Stanford tour looks interesting, looks like they have a general walking tour and more specific science/engineering tours that you can book.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#7

Post by robzyb » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:20 PM UTC

ulfw wrote: post #4

Rent a car (you'll need one) and head down to walk around Stanford's beautiful campus, then have a coffee in Palo Alto before heading over to see Google's campus and shoot some pics. Then off to nearby Cupertino to buy some goodies at the company store in Building One. Not much else to see in the Valley I'm afraid.

When I was travelling through SF to Burning Man I visited Apple and Intel.

Intel had a not-hugely-amazing but still kinda-interesting museum. I particularly enjoyed it because I'm a bit of a 4004 nerd and I liked seeing the big silicon ingots.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#8

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:21 PM UTC

lfender6445 wrote: post #2

A meetup group might have more value for you - but the googleplex does sound interesting.

Are there any cool, generous Googlers here that would be able to arrange a tour? My email is in my profile, I would be very appreciative.

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#9

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:24 PM UTC

robzyb wrote: post #7

ulfw wrote: post #4

Rent a car (you'll need one) and head down to walk around Stanford's beautiful campus, then have a coffee in Palo Alto before heading over to see Google's campus and shoot some pics. Then off to nearby Cupertino to buy some goodies at the company store in Building One. Not much else to see in the Valley I'm afraid.

When I was travelling through SF to Burning Man I visited Apple and Intel. Intel had a not-hugely-amazing but still kinda-interesting museum. I particularly enjoyed it because I'm a bit of a 4004 nerd and I liked seeing the big silicon ingots.

I assume for Apple it is just the company store at their HQ they let people into? Or can you tour the rest of it?

Re: Ask HN: Visiting SF, should I check out Silicon Valley?

#10

Post by martinwnet » Thu, Mar 20, 2014, 1:29 PM UTC

ulfw wrote: post #4

Rent a car (you'll need one) and head down to walk around Stanford's beautiful campus, then have a coffee in Palo Alto before heading over to see Google's campus and shoot some pics. Then off to nearby Cupertino to buy some goodies at the company store in Building One. Not much else to see in the Valley I'm afraid.

Any recommended coffee shops?