Where to See Silicon Valley
2 days ago
- Stanford University's perfect weather, proximity to San Francisco, and its expansive suburban campus were key to Silicon Valley's growth.
- University Avenue in Palo Alto is a hub for startup activity, with founders pitching investors in cafes.
- The 165 University Ave office, first for Google and later PayPal, shows the value of locating startups in walkable areas with restaurants.
- Old Palo Alto reflects historic college-town character with high housing costs, typical of post-exit Silicon Valley.
- Sand Hill Road's uniform VC offices mirror the monotonous and structured nature of venture capital business.
- Castro Street in Mountain View is emerging as the Valley's heart, with Red Rock cafe as a central gathering spot.
- Google's campus in Mountain View has a non-sterile, utopian atmosphere with Priuses and diverse surroundings.
- Skyline Drive offers views of the Valley and the coast, with redwood forests and walking trails managed by MROSD.
- Highway 280 is a scenic route along the San Andreas Fault, contrasting with the uglier 101 highway.