People travel to Silicon Valley to visit the headquarters of Facebook, Google and Apple to physically interact with the tech brands they use daily. While many are surprised to see a collection of office parks mostly closed to the public, that doesn't stop some tourists from taking pictures in front of company signs, like this Facebook sign in Menlo Park, California.
People travel to Silicon Valley to visit the headquarters of Facebook, Google and Apple to physically interact with the tech brands they use daily. While many are surprised to see a collection of office parks mostly closed to the public, that doesn't stop some tourists from taking pictures in front of company signs, like this Facebook sign in Menlo Park, California.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
<strong>Googleplex, Mountain View, California: </strong>It takes a connection to a Google employee to get inside the company HQ, but visitors can stop by the Android sculpture garden and the Google store nearby to buy company t-shirts, stuffed Android toys and other swag.
Googleplex, Mountain View, California: It takes a connection to a Google employee to get inside the company HQ, but visitors can stop by the Android sculpture garden and the Google store nearby to buy company t-shirts, stuffed Android toys and other swag.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
<strong>Apple Visitor Center, Cupertino, California: </strong>Opening in late 2017, Apple's visitor center will have an Apple store with exclusive merchandise, a cafe, outdoor seating area and rooftop deck
Apple Visitor Center, Cupertino, California: Opening in late 2017, Apple's visitor center will have an Apple store with exclusive merchandise, a cafe, outdoor seating area and rooftop deck
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
<strong>Zume, Mountain View, California: </strong>Bruno, one of Zume's robot-making pizzas, takes pizzas off the assembly line and gently places them in the 800-degree oven.
Zume, Mountain View, California: Bruno, one of Zume's robot-making pizzas, takes pizzas off the assembly line and gently places them in the 800-degree oven.
Courtesy Jason Tsay/Zume Pizza
<strong>Aloft Hotels:</strong> Guests at the Aloft Cupertino and Aloft Silicon Valley may enjoy the services of "Botlr," a robot butler that resembles R2D2. The robot splits its time between the two properties, delivering guest amenities and moving linens between the laundry to guest rooms. (The Aloft in Long Island City, Queens, also has a Botlr.)
Aloft Hotels: Guests at the Aloft Cupertino and Aloft Silicon Valley may enjoy the services of "Botlr," a robot butler that resembles R2D2. The robot splits its time between the two properties, delivering guest amenities and moving linens between the laundry to guest rooms. (The Aloft in Long Island City, Queens, also has a Botlr.)
Nick Tortajada/VRX Studios
<strong>IngDan Experience Center, Santa Clara, California:</strong> Based in China, IngDan helps startups get their products to market. Visitors can play with a rotating collection of toys and gadgets at the company's Silicon Valley center. (There are also three experience centers in China.)
IngDan Experience Center, Santa Clara, California: Based in China, IngDan helps startups get their products to market. Visitors can play with a rotating collection of toys and gadgets at the company's Silicon Valley center. (There are also three experience centers in China.)
Courtesy IngDan
<strong>Intel Museum, Santa Clara, California:</strong> The world's largest silicon chip maker doesn't charge for entry to its public mini-museum, which teaches visitors how chips are made. The gift shop carries branded clothing and other souvenirs.
Intel Museum, Santa Clara, California: The world's largest silicon chip maker doesn't charge for entry to its public mini-museum, which teaches visitors how chips are made. The gift shop carries branded clothing and other souvenirs.
Courtesy Intel Museum
<strong>HP Garage, Palo Alto, California: </strong>The former home and garage of Hewlett-Packard founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, who began developing products there in 1938, the house is a California landmark. It was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fohp.parks.ca.gov%2FListedResources%2FDetail%2F976" target="_blank" target="_blank">designated by the state </a>as the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley." Only people who know HP executives can get inside.
HP Garage, Palo Alto, California: The former home and garage of Hewlett-Packard founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, who began developing products there in 1938, the house is a California landmark. It was designated by the state as the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley." Only people who know HP executives can get inside.
Ramin Talaie/Corbis Historical/Getty Images
<strong>Rosewood Sandhill Hotel, Menlo Park, California:</strong> The bar and terrace at this swanky hotel is a popular hangout among the venture capitalists who fund tech startups.
Rosewood Sandhill Hotel, Menlo Park, California: The bar and terrace at this swanky hotel is a popular hangout among the venture capitalists who fund tech startups.
Courtesy Rosewood Sandhill