So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
have the following ideas:
Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
Apple HQ
Google HQ
The Computer Museum
Museum of Jurassic Technology
MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
Mojave Spaceport
What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
A few other things which are worth visiting if you have some spare
time, but maybe not worth making a special trip for:
The wave organ on San Francisco's north shore -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_organ The cable car museum in SF, quite small but free and interesting
WeirdStuff warehouse in SunnyVale if you like rummaging through tons
of odd electronics
Have fun, I'm quite envious!
Jim
On 10 October 2012 17:24, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> Apple HQ
> Google HQ
> The Computer Museum
> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> Apple HQ
> Google HQ
> The Computer Museum
> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
As well as all those suggestions, more traditionally, Alcatraz is
pretty awesome, but get the first boat otherwise it gets too crowded.
Also for food 'The Stinking Rose' [1] is amazing.
Ha, shame I am coming back at the end of the month or I could show you around Google. You can drive around the outside of the buildings but it's definitely more interesting inside. :p
Visit noisebridge, they are a friendly bunch. What is "the key"? Just ring the bell and explain you're from LHS. A lot of them have GPG keys so bring yours along to get it signed, if you're into that stuff. They have introductory meetings on Tuesday evenings IIRC (but check the website to make sure).
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> Apple HQ
> Google HQ
> The Computer Museum
> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
I don't want to be the party pooper, but Google, at least, doesn't offer
tours of the Googleplex, or really welcome uninvited visitors. I'm not sure
about Apple.
-Nick
On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com>wrote:
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> Apple HQ
> Google HQ
> The Computer Museum
> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
Kind of fringe but here it goes... LA's answer to Rusholme's curry mile - the Mexican restaurant strip on Hollywood Boulevard. Try some horchata. Polish up on the Kinks' Celluloid Heroes and sing it as you walk along. Have fun!
On Wednesday, October 10, 2012 1:24:57 PM UTC-3, Oni wrote:
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November > for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im > wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are > starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we > have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?) > Apple HQ > Google HQ > The Computer Museum > Museum of Jurassic Technology > MOMASF (cos I love pretty things) > Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon > Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
Apple have a shop, and there are exclusive items in there (like the
"I've been to the Mothership" T-Shirt) That's it unless you know
someone on the inside.
Don't know about google, I didn't go there.
K
On 10 October 2012 22:19, Nick Johnson <arach...@notdot.net> wrote:
> I don't want to be the party pooper, but Google, at least, doesn't offer
> tours of the Googleplex, or really welcome uninvited visitors. I'm not sure
> about Apple.
> -Nick
> On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
>> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
>> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
>> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
>> have the following ideas:
>> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
>> Apple HQ
>> Google HQ
>> The Computer Museum
>> Museum of Jurassic Technology
>> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
>> Mojave Spaceport
>> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
>> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
I visited Google in Mountain View when they had 10 staff - there was a tiny office and one computer on the desk at reception which just had ALL the searches scrolling up the screen. It was, as they say over there "Wasom!"
The receptionist was awsome as well - her name was Kendra and I always wondered what happened to her - probably a billionaire by now
On Wednesday, 10 October 2012 17:24:57 UTC+1, Oni wrote:
> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November > for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im > wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are > starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we > have the following ideas:
> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?) > Apple HQ > Google HQ > The Computer Museum > Museum of Jurassic Technology > MOMASF (cos I love pretty things) > Mojave Spaceport
> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon > Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
a photo next to it :P But cool!
Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
B
On 11 October 2012 21:46, Ben Blundell <o...@section9.co.uk> wrote:
> With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
> a photo next to it :P But cool!
> Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
> suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
> borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
> B
> On 11 October 2012 13:25, Nick Rosen <nickro...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I visited Google in Mountain View when they had 10 staff - there was a tiny
>> office and one computer on the desk at reception which just had ALL the
>> searches scrolling up the screen. It was, as they say over there "Wasom!"
>> The receptionist was awsome as well - her name was Kendra and I always
>> wondered what happened to her - probably a billionaire by now
>> On Wednesday, 10 October 2012 17:24:57 UTC+1, Oni wrote:
>>> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
>>> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
>>> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
>>> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
>>> have the following ideas:
>>> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
>>> Apple HQ
>>> Google HQ
>>> The Computer Museum
>>> Museum of Jurassic Technology
>>> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
>>> Mojave Spaceport
>>> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
>>> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
Not necessarily inherently a geek thing but San Francisco is an interesting
city in its own right, especially some of the famous suburbs - the Mission,
Haight-Ashbury and Castro districts are pleasant and charming and very
welcoming of (quiet) tourists.
On 11 October 2012 21:46, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com> wrote:
> With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
> a photo next to it :P But cool!
> Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
> suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
> borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
> B
> On 11 October 2012 21:46, Ben Blundell <o...@section9.co.uk> wrote:
> > With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
> > a photo next to it :P But cool!
> > Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
> > suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
> > borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
> > B
> > On 11 October 2012 13:25, Nick Rosen <nickro...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> I visited Google in Mountain View when they had 10 staff - there was a
> tiny
> >> office and one computer on the desk at reception which just had ALL the
> >> searches scrolling up the screen. It was, as they say over there
> "Wasom!"
> >> The receptionist was awsome as well - her name was Kendra and I always
> >> wondered what happened to her - probably a billionaire by now
> >> On Wednesday, 10 October 2012 17:24:57 UTC+1, Oni wrote:
> >>> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> >>> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
> >>> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
> >>> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> >>> have the following ideas:
> >>> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> >>> Apple HQ
> >>> Google HQ
> >>> The Computer Museum
> >>> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> >>> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> >>> Mojave Spaceport
> >>> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> >>> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
Oh yeah, and make sure you go on the cable cars, and sit on the
outside with a camera!
It might be worth looking at http://www.citypass.com/ if you are going
to do some of the museums, it includes a pass for the trams and cables
cards and part of the tube system, so is quite good value.
Kimball
On 11 October 2012 21:59, Matt Platts <matthew.pla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Not necessarily inherently a geek thing but San Francisco is an interesting
> city in its own right, especially some of the famous suburbs - the Mission,
> Haight-Ashbury and Castro districts are pleasant and charming and very
> welcoming of (quiet) tourists.
> On 11 October 2012 21:46, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
>> a photo next to it :P But cool!
>> Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
>> suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
>> borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
>> B
>> On 11 October 2012 21:46, Ben Blundell <o...@section9.co.uk> wrote:
>> > With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
>> > a photo next to it :P But cool!
>> > Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
>> > suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
>> > borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
>> > B
>> > On 11 October 2012 13:25, Nick Rosen <nickro...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> I visited Google in Mountain View when they had 10 staff - there was a
>> >> tiny
>> >> office and one computer on the desk at reception which just had ALL the
>> >> searches scrolling up the screen. It was, as they say over there
>> >> "Wasom!"
>> >> The receptionist was awsome as well - her name was Kendra and I always
>> >> wondered what happened to her - probably a billionaire by now
>> >> On Wednesday, 10 October 2012 17:24:57 UTC+1, Oni wrote:
>> >>> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
>> >>> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3. Im
>> >>> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We are
>> >>> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
>> >>> have the following ideas:
>> >>> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
>> >>> Apple HQ
>> >>> Google HQ
>> >>> The Computer Museum
>> >>> Museum of Jurassic Technology
>> >>> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
>> >>> Mojave Spaceport
>> >>> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
>> >>> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
> Oh yeah, and make sure you go on the cable cars, and sit on the
> outside with a camera!
> It might be worth looking at http://www.citypass.com/ if you are going
> to do some of the museums, it includes a pass for the trams and cables
> cards and part of the tube system, so is quite good value.
> Kimball
> On 11 October 2012 21:59, Matt Platts <matthew.pla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Not necessarily inherently a geek thing but San Francisco is an
> interesting
> > city in its own right, especially some of the famous suburbs - the
> Mission,
> > Haight-Ashbury and Castro districts are pleasant and charming and very
> > welcoming of (quiet) tourists.
> > On 11 October 2012 21:46, Benjamin Blundell <onida...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
> >> a photo next to it :P But cool!
> >> Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
> >> suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
> >> borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
> >> B
> >> On 11 October 2012 21:46, Ben Blundell <o...@section9.co.uk> wrote:
> >> > With the HQ's I was just going to do the cheesy tourist thing of take
> >> > a photo next to it :P But cool!
> >> > Endeavour tickets are booked and in the bag! :D thanks for all the
> >> > suggestions. I'll be checking a few more out, and yes, Jonty if I can
> >> > borrow the noisebridge key, that'd be ace! :D
> >> > B
> >> > On 11 October 2012 13:25, Nick Rosen <nickro...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> I visited Google in Mountain View when they had 10 staff - there was
> a
> >> >> tiny
> >> >> office and one computer on the desk at reception which just had ALL
> the
> >> >> searches scrolling up the screen. It was, as they say over there
> >> >> "Wasom!"
> >> >> The receptionist was awsome as well - her name was Kendra and I
> always
> >> >> wondered what happened to her - probably a billionaire by now
> >> >> On Wednesday, 10 October 2012 17:24:57 UTC+1, Oni wrote:
> >> >>> So, Im quite fortunate to be heading over to California in November
> >> >>> for a couple of weeks while the girlfriend is at a conference or 3.
> Im
> >> >>> wondering, what is there to do geeky wise? I'd love some ideas. We
> are
> >> >>> starting in LA, and driving up to SF and then back down. So far we
> >> >>> have the following ideas:
> >> >>> Noisebridge (anyone seen the key btw?)
> >> >>> Apple HQ
> >> >>> Google HQ
> >> >>> The Computer Museum
> >> >>> Museum of Jurassic Technology
> >> >>> MOMASF (cos I love pretty things)
> >> >>> Mojave Spaceport
> >> >>> What other geeky things are there to do in the heartland of Silicon
> >> >>> Valley? Anyone want anything bringing back?
- Sam's Diner at 8th and Market does incredible breakfasts, $2
bottomless coffee and free wifi when you spend over 10 bucks.
- Zeitgeist (which might be on Russ' list of drinkeries) do great food and beer
- Humphrey Slocombe at 24th and Harrison is probably the best ice
cream bar Chin Chin in London that I've ever tasted. Secret Breakfast
is bourbon and cornflake flavour and in-cred-ible.
And the tip Russ gave to me of getting a 3 or 7 day Muni pass is an
excellent one if you don't have the car your whole time in SF, or
don't want to spend megabucks on gas - it was only $27 for a week when
I was there.
