Tech tours in Silicon Valley offer an exciting opportunity to learn about the world’s leading tech hub. It is the home of many world-leading technology companies. A tour in Silicon Valley gives you insights into the biggest tech names like Google, Apple, Tesla, and Intel. Visiting iconic tech campuses, manufacturing factories, and learning artificial intelligence, Silicon Valley is the perfect place for connecting you to the technological world.
The first tech company, HP, started its journey from Silicon Valley. Since then, it started its never-ending journey to technology. The microprocessor that runs our computers and the social media that keeps us entertained all rose from this tech capital. By taking a tour, you may be witnessing the history.
History of Silicon Valley
The history of Silicon Valley transformed with Stanford University’s approach, from a farming region to the homes of top tech companies. In 1939, HP was founded in a garage, and that was just the start. By the 1960s, Semiconductor companies like Fairchild did the groundwork of this tech capital. Then Apple and Intel came with the light transforming further. In the 1990s, the internet increased and founded big names like Google and eBay. This Tech capital saw its downfall in the early 2000s in the dot com bust. Even after that, it took a turn quickly and came to its form in a short period. Now, it’s the home of Apple, Google, and Tesla, shaping the future of technology.
Top 12 Places to Visit in Silicon Valley
1. Googleplex
Address: 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
Established: September 4, 1998
Market Value: Approx. $1.8 trillion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 186,000
Founders: Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Googleplex is Google’s Headquarters in Silicon Valley. It is known for its innovative office spaces and is one of the most iconic tech campuses in the world. It is not open to visitors, but keeping them in mind, Google’s famous Android Statues are located outside. Each statue represents a different version of the Android operating system. As its office areas are reserved, you can freely roam the ground areas at no cost.
2. Apple Park
Address: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
Established: April 1, 1976
Market Value: Approx. $2.7 trillion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 164,000
Founders: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne
Located in Cupertino, Apple Park is Apple Inc.’s headquarters. It is a huge 175-acre campus famous worldwide for its artistic architecture. The Spaceship represents Apple’s innovation and attention to detail. Though the office areas are restricted, The Apple’s park visitor center is open for all frim monday to friday 10 am-7 pm.
3. Meta Headquarters
Address: 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
Established: February 4, 2004
Market Value: Approx. $450 billion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 87,000
Founder: Mark Zuckerberg
The largest tech company in the world, Meta, is also in Silicon Valley. From Menlo Park, Meta continues to build the future of social interaction. Its indoor area is also restricted from mass visit; only invited people and staff can enter. By the way, you can still click pictures with the iconic Like statue and enjoy the outdoor areas without buying any tickets!
4. Computer History Museum
Address: 1401 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
Note: This is not a company but an institution. Established in 1996.
No tech journey is complete without visiting the Computer History Museum. From the early stages to today’s AI, this museum preserves the history of computing and technology. Here, visitors can enjoy an exhibition of early computer systems, silicon chip technology, and AI displays. From Tuesday to Sunday, people can visit between 10 AM and 5 PM. The ticket price goes like this. Adults: $17, Students and Seniors: $14, Children: $10.
5. NVIDIA’s HQ
Address: 2788 San Tomas Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
Address: Moffett Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94035, USA
Established: April 5, 1993
Market Value: Approx. $800 billion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 26,000
Founders: Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem
NVIDIA is the global leading GPU(Graphics Processing Units) and AI technology company. AI, machine learning, and graphics are indebted to NVIDIA. Like Meta or Googleplex, NVIDIA is also restricted; visitors can learn only by attending events and conferences hosted by the company.
6. NASA Ames Research Center
Established: 1939 (as part of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics)
Note: As a government agency, it doesn’t have a market value or traditional employee count similar to private companies.
NASA Ames research center is one of NASA’s key research centers focusing on aeronautics and space exploration. Ames performs a significant role in space environments and technologies at the planetary level. Though it’s a research hub, visitors can enjoy its exhibitions during special events or educational programs. You can witness space modelcraft, Lunar Lab, or other space exploration technologies at no cost. Just keep an eye on the official website for announcements.
7. Intel Museum
Address: 2200 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA
Established: July 18, 1968
Market Value: Approx. $220 billion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 121,000
Founders: Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore
Intel, a computer hardware leader company, showcases its history of semiconductor technology in the Intel Museum. This is a great space for anyone interested in semiconductor technology or computer processors. In the Intel Museum, one can learn from its founding how it became the industrial semiconductor giant. For visitors, guided and self-guided tours are available. You can explore at your choice from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, with no fee.
8. Tesla Factory
Address: 45500 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Established: July 1, 2003
Market Value: Approx. $1 trillion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 127,000
Founders: Elon Musk, JB Straubel, Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, and Ian Wright
Tesla brought revolutionary transformation in Electric Vehicles. It is the main manufacturing factory where electric cars are made. Today’s car industry is greatly thankful to Tesla. In the factory, the facility allows visitors to see the assembly line and real-time electric car production. You have to book an appointment first for the tour, and prices vary by the type of tour.
9. LinkedIn Headquarters
Address: 450 W. California Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA
Established: December 28, 2002
Market Value: Acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion
Employee Size: About 20,000 (as part of Microsoft)
Founders: Reid Hoffman, Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant
LinkedIn is an employment-oriented online platform. Since its birth, it has changed the professional networking system. Inside its headquarters, you can take a peek at the modern office environment of LinkedIn’s innovative office culture. Like NVIDIA, LinkedIn accepts invited visitors only at special events. So unless attending an event, no entry fee.
10. HP Garage
Address: 367 Addison Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
Established: January 1, 1939
Market Value: Approx. $41 billion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 51,000
Founders: Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard
The HP garage is referred to as the ‘birthplace of Silicon Valley. In 1939, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard started HP from this garage. It’s a historically noteworthy place for Silicon Valley.. As it is private now, no tour is available, but people often stop by to keep the memory from outside. This small, modest place is the symbol of the birth of the tech era.
11. Netflix Headquarters
Address: 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
Established: August 29, 1997
Market Value: Approx. $190 billion (as of early 2025)
Employee Size: About 11,300
Founders: Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph
The #1 online streaming platform, Netflix, is also in Silicon Valley. Using the rise of the internet, Netflix shifted media intake from cable TV to on-demand streaming. Like LinkedIn, Netflix also offers only invitation tours of its production facilities in Hollywood.
12. Stanford University
Address: 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Established: 1885
Note: As an educational institution, Stanford doesn’t have a market value. It has a significant endowment and numerous faculty, staff, and students.
Silicon Valley could become today’s tech capital all thanks to Stanford University. Founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford, the university led the road to technology with its faculty, alumni, and research shaping the tech industry. Its mass visit area offers beautiful gardens, museums and landmarks. This daily open campus is a center of attraction with only required guided fee.
Final Words
From an agricultural region to tech capital, Silicon Valley took quite a turn. All the credit goes to places like Stanford, who approached, and all the companies like HP, Apple, and Fairchild who believed in it. Even though it came across bumps on the way, Silicon Valley never stopped. In a technological tour you are watching the history in construction.
The story of Silicon Valley is not finished. Who knows what more exciting waits in future and how it is going to change our life?
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why is Silicon Valley called the tech capital of the world?
Answer: Many of the world’s biggest and influential tech companies, like Google, Meta, Apple, Tesla, are located in Silicon Valley. The world entered the technological era from idea to reality, taking the hands of these masterminds. That’s why Silicon Valley is referred to as the ‘home’ or ‘tech capital’ of the world.
Question: How long does it take to tour Silicon Valley?
Answer: Well, it depends on the tour you choose. A typical tour in Silicon Valley visiting key sites like Googleplex, Apple Park, and the Computer History Museum can take one day.
Question: What is the first tech company in Silicon Valley?
Answer: Hewlett-Packard (HP), founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in 1939, is the first tech company in the world.
Question: How can I visit NASA for free?
Answer: NASA Ames Research Center offers free visits to exhibitions and some events. Just check their website and wait for the announcements. Be sure to check twice for any additional costs!
