Tech giants like Google and Apple. Startups tucked away in single-car garages. Apps, smartphones, social media platforms, and self-driving cars. Eccentric, geeky billionaires. Industry jargon like “disruptive” and “incubator.”
These are just a few of the things that might come to mind when someone says the phrase “Silicon Valley.” And while many of these stereotypes stem from media like the HBO comedy Silicon Valley, they’re not all that far off from reality.
This little slice of Northern California is the tech capital of the world, and is home to many of the world’s most powerful and influential tech companies (oh hey there, Facebook). That said, I do still think there are a lot of misconceptions about Silicon Valley…especially when it comes to visiting and sightseeing.
Silicon Valley Travel Guide Overview
- What (and Where) Exactly is Silicon Valley?
- Silicon Valley Tech Headquarters
- Apple Park Visitor Center
- Googleplex
- Facebook Headquarters
- Silicon Valley Tech Museums
- The Tech Interactive
- Computer History Museum
- The Intel Museum
- Famous Silicon Valley Startup Garages
- Steve Jobs’ Garage
- Google Garage
- Hewlett Packard Garage
- Things to Know Before Visiting Silicon Valley
- Where to Stay in Silicon Valley
What (and Where) Exactly is Silicon Valley?
I think sometimes when people picture Silicon Valley, they envision a compact, shiny, futuristic area with all of the big tech campuses and headquarters lined up neatly one after the other.
But the reality of Silicon Valley couldn’t be further from this image!
Typically, the term “Silicon Valley” corresponds with the geographical area of Santa Clara Valley (hence the “valley” part of the name). Cities like San Jose, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Santa Clara are ALL considered to be part of Silicon Valley.
In other words, this is a very spread-out area spanning multiple cities. And it’s quite suburban!
The name was originally in reference to the large number of computer parts manufacturers in the area, but today Silicon Valley is known for being a hub for all types of technological and scientific innovation.
To name just a few: Apple, Facebook, Google, Adobe, eBay, Hewlett Packard, Netflix, Intel, and Salesforce are among the thousands of technology corporations and start-ups that call Silicon Valley home.
Is it any wonder that the San Jose Metropolitan Area has the third highest GDP per capita of any city in the world, just after Zurich and Oslo?
Tackling Silicon Valley as a visitor can be tricky, which is why I’ve compiled this list of the best things to see and do in Silicon Valley, as well as critical information to know before visiting.
Silicon Valley Tech Headquarters
If there’s one thing visitors to Silicon Valley are usually most interested in visiting, its the headquarters of tech giants like Apple, Google and Facebook.
Apple Park Visitor Center
Address: 10600 North Tantau Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014
Apple’s $5 billion headquarters is a definite point of interest among both locals and visitors to Silicon Valley. Nicknamed “the spaceship,” the Apple campus is unfortunately off-limits to non-employees.
However, just steps away from Apple Park is the Visitor Center, which is open to the public 7 days a week and free to visit.
Here, you can “tour” the campus through an augmented reality experience using an iPad, find exclusive Apple merchandise that isn’t available anywhere else, enjoy snacks and coffee in the cafe, and of course, purchase Apple technology.
Head upstairs to the roof terrace for a slight view of Apple Park; trees shield most of the building, but you can at least catch a glimpse of the iconic rounded glass exterior.
The Apple Park Visitor Center also hosts regular programs and events, such as photo walks (learn tips and techniques for iPhone photography) and activities geared towards children.
See what’s on the docket for the day of your visit under the “Today at Apple” section of the Apple Park Visitor Center website.
Googleplex & Android Statue Garden
Main Building Address: 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043
Statue Garden Address: 1981 Landings Dr, Mountain View, CA 94043
Much like Apple Park, the interior of Google’s headquarters – known as the Googleplex – is not open to casual visitors. However, you can walk around freely on part of the campus grounds, where you’ll see the colorful Google sign and the rows of employee bikes.
The Googleplex has all sorts of quirky art installations scattered across the campus, but one of the must-see features is the Android sculpture garden.
Here, large sculptures based on the code names for various Android operating systems (such as Cupcake, Eclair, Gingerbread, and Lollipop) decorate the lot. Definitely worth snapping a few photos if you’re a fan of any Google products or services (…and let’s be real, who isn’t?)
Facebook Headquarters
Address: 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California 94025
Unfortunately, Facebook is easily the least accessible tech headquarters featured on this list. In fact, the parking lot is the only part of the campus that is open to visitors; the campus itself is completely closed off.
That said, it’s only natural that Facebook would design the exterior of their campus with social sharing in mind!
Visitors are free to snap a photo with the “like” (thumbs up!) sign near the road. If taking a selfie for Facebook in front the Facebook headquarters is on your Silicon Valley bucket list, this is the spot to do it!
Occasionally Facebook will also host events and festivals on their campus as well, although access to the campus is usually still very limited. Naturally, all of these events will be announced on Facebook! 😉
Silicon Valley Tech Museums
The Tech Interactive
Address: 201 South Market Street, San Jose, California 95113
Previously known as The Tech Museum of Innovation, this Silicon Valley landmark is one of the top science and technology museums in the nation. The Tech Interactive spans 132,000 square feet and offers numerous exhibits and hands-on experiences for visitors.
Design and built your own robot, ride in a chair resembling a NASA manned maneuvering unit, experience VR simulations, or visit the BioDesign lab.
Computer History Museum
Address: 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, California 94043
The Computer History Museum is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in or inspired by technology and innovation…which I imagine is a majority of the human population!
While the museum does in fact chronicle the history of computers, it also does so much more than that.
Sit inside a self-driving vehicle, get inspired by Silicon Valley leaders, try your hand at coding, learn Photoshop, and view over 1,100 historic technological artifacts, including some of the very first computers.
The Intel Museum
Address: 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California 95054
Located at Intel’s headquarters, the Intel Museum originally began as an internal project focused on recording the company’s history. Over the years, they have added new exhibits that highlight computer and silicon chip technology.
It’s not a huge museum, but it’s free to visit and provides an inside look at the history of computer technology.
Famous Silicon Valley Startup Garages
Steve Jobs’ Garage
Address: 2066 Crist Drive, Los Altos, California 94024
Yep, this is where it all went down. This modest, single-story 1950s ranch-style home in the middle of the Los Altos suburbs is the site where a young Steve Jobs built the first Apple computers. The house is occupied by new residents, so please stay on the sidewalk while taking photographs!
Google Garage
Address: 232 Santa Margarita Avenue, Menlo Park, California 94025
In 1998, students Larry Page and Sergey Brin rented out a space in Menlo Park and began working on a little project called “Google.” In celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary in 2018, Google recreated the original setup and added it to Google Street View, so people around the world can virtually tour the garage. You can still drive to the space, but be warned, there’s not much to see in-person.
Hewlett-Packard Garage
Address: 367 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301
In 1938, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard rented this tiny cottage for $45/month, and used the space to establish the legendary Hewlett-Packard company. Visitors can photograph the HP Garage—now a California Historical Landmark— from the sidewalk, but it is not open for tours.
Thing to Know Before Visiting Silicon Valley
If you’re flying to Silicon Valley, you’ll need to arrive into San Jose International Airport (SJC) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
You absolutely MUST RENT A CAR in order to properly explore this area. If you were to visit every location listed on this travel guide, you would end up driving around 40 miles total…and that’s not factoring in transportation to and from your hotel, restaurants, etc.
Additionally, I only recommend trying to visit every location mentioned in this guide if you’ll be in the Silicon Valley area for more than one day. With just one day, it will end up feeling very rushed.
If you were absolutely determined to see all of Silicon Valley in one day, this is the optimized route I would recommend; it minimizes the amount of time you’ll spend driving between each site (the amount of time per location is in parentheses).
One Day Silicon Valley Itinerary
- 9:00am: Facebook Headquarters (0.5 hours)
- 9:30am: Google Garage (0.5 hours)
- 10:00am: Hewlett-Packard Garage (0.5 hours)
- 10:30am: Google Headquarters (0.5 hours)
- 11:00am: Computer History Museum (2 hours)
- 1:00pm: Lunch (1 hour)
- 2:00pm: Intel Museum (1 hour)
- 3:00pm: The Tech Interactive (2 hours)
- 5:00pm: Apple Park Visitor’s Center (1 hour)
- 6:00pm: Steve Job’s Garage (0.5 hours)
As you can see, it’s a very rushed day!
You won’t really need a full 30 minutes for any of the garages or the Facebook headquarters (all you can really do is snap a photo), but keep in mind you do need to drive between ALL of these locations and find parking, so the extra time serves as a very necessary buffer.
If you only have one day in Silicon Valley and want to stick to the highlights, I recommend prioritizing The Tech Interactive and the three big tech campuses (Apple, Google, & Facebook).
If you have more time, I would add in the Computer History Museum first, and then the Intel Museum and/or any of the three startup garages, depending on your personal interests.
Where to Stay in Silicon Valley
Because the Silicon Valley is such a large area, it can be tricky determining where to stay. My personal recommendation would be to stay in either San Jose or Palo Alto. You could also stay in San Francisco, and take a day trip to Silicon Valley.
Where to Stay in San Jose:
Where to Stay in Palo Alto:
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Are you familiar with the Silicon Valley? Is it an area you would be interested in visiting? If you’re a local resident or have already visited, what sights and activities would you add to this Silicon Valley Travel Guide?
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