The public is welcome to wander around the campus of the company, which is located in Mountain View, California.Most of the buildings are only open to employees, but visitors are welcome to walk around the grounds.There are many popular sights, such as the company's unofficial T-Rex mascot statue, self-driving cars and Android-themed art.You can arrange a tour of the company's offices if you know a person who works at it.If you're visiting the Bay Area, it's a must to visit the headquarters of the search engine.
Step 1: You can drive to Mountainview, California.
In the city of Mountain View, California, the headquarters of the search engine is located at 1600 Amphitheater Parkway.The Rengstorff Avenue exit is on the US 101 South.Continue until you reach Amphitheatre Parkway.If you are coming from a different direction, take the other road and exit to Amphitheatre parkway.You can use maps to plot out your journey.
Step 2: If you don't drive, you can access the headquarters by train and bus.
You can take either the number 32 or 40 Mountainview city buses.You can get to Google's headquarters from San Francisco, San Jose, or South Bay with the stops close to the San Antonio Caltrain station.Purchase day passes for either transportation system to save money and time.The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority operates Mountainview city buses.Caltrain operates within the San Francisco Bay Area region.A one way ticket for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority costs $2.25 while a day pass costs $7.00.A one way ticket for the Caltrain costs $3.75 while a day pass costs $7.50.
Step 3: You can park in one of the lots on the north end.
The top of the campus has 5 large parking lots.You can get to these lots by driving north down North Shoreline Boulevard.You can park for free in one of the lots.A, B, C, D, and E are the parking lots.
Step 4: The Amphitheatre Parkway is followed by Bill Graham Parkway.
You will have to walk for a while to get to the campus.Just west of the parking lots, you can walk down Bill Graham Parkway.Cross this street to get to the main hub.
Step 5: You can explore the outside campus by foot.
You can easily explore the outside of the building if you're not an employee.There is more than a dozen acres of land on the entire campus.Track where you've been with recognizable landmarks.You can observe the addresses of different buildings.You can walk across the campus without hurting your feet if you wear comfortable shoes.
Step 6: The main cluster of buildings is on the campus.
You can visit the central point of the headquarters if you are an employee and your guests.There are buildings west of Charleston Park.The other buildings on the campus have more going on in them than these ones.There is a park in the city.This is the first stop on your tour and it is easy to get to from the parking lots.There is a cluster of buildings near a volleyball court.The buildings include the head office of the search engine.
Step 7: There is a T-Rex skeleton replica.
A life-size T-Rex sculpture was placed on the campus by Sergey Brin and Larry Page as a reminder not to let the company go the way of the dinosaurs.You can take a tour of this iron sculpture.There is a T-Rex in front of the main buildings.There are fun items like pink Flamingos that are added to "Stan".
Step 8: The garden has statues.
Every time a new operating system is released, a colorful sculpture is added to the statue garden.The sculptures are fun and candy themed.There is a garden on the South East point of Landings Drive.You can take a selfies with a Jelly bean-filled Android robot, which commemorates the version 4.1 operating system.There is a garden in front of the building with a large sculpture above it.
Step 9: Look out for the self-driving car.
One of the company's self-driving cars can be seen on the campus.There is usually at least one person riding around the campus.One of these cars will usually share a road with other cars and bike riders.The project is called Waymo.
Step 10: One of the outdoor courts can be used to play volleyball.
When the outdoor volleyball courts are not being used by employees, they are open to the public.There are courts in different places on the campus.The easiest place to find is in the center of the campus, across from the main building.
Step 11: Go to the store to purchase souvenirs.
The gift store is open to the public from Monday to Friday.There are mugs, sweatshirts, mouse pads, and lunch boxes for sale at the store.You can visit the store during business hours.There is an online store that can be found at https://www.googlemerchandisestore.com/.
Step 12: Ask for a tour from someone who works for the company.
Employees are the only ones who can access most of the buildings.Sometimes exceptions are made for employees' guests.If you know a person who works at the headquarters, ask if they can give you a tour.To make the visit happen, offer to work around their schedule.
Step 13: The highlights of the offices.
If you get the chance to visit the Googleplex, be on the lookout for the most notable parts of the work environment.Before taking pictures, ask for permission.It's a good idea to be discreet and low-key to avoid distraction at work.
Step 14: You can visit the Visitor Center at the internet giant.
The Visitor Center displays the history of the company.Employees and their guests only have access to this exposition.Ask your tour guide to show you around the building, which will give you an idea of how the company has grown over the years.The visitor center may be closed in 2019.There is a statue garden near the Landings building area.
Step 15: You can have a meal in the cafeteria.
A variety of high-quality restaurants can be found in the cafeteria.Ask your tour guide if you can share a meal in the cafeteria, which is open to employees and their guests.There are restaurants that are green, yellow, or red.The green is a sign of healthiness.Food that is yellow has both healthy and bad ingredients.The food in red is not ideal for a healthy diet.
Step 16: Checkout the sleep stations at the internet giant.
If you want to see one of the "nap Pods", ask your tour guide.Employees can work quietly or sleep with these enclosed reclining chairs.They have a Bose music system and a timer to wake up employees.MetroNaps used NASA science to create these Naps Pods.
Step 17: Ask if you can look at the garden.
Many of the plant-based foods served in the cafeteria are grown on-site.This large organic garden uses a technology called Earthbox that waters plants from the bottom instead of the top.Ask if you can see this space on your tour.There are meditation spots for employees at the garden.The garden is used by students of a local society.