The Silicon Valley:  A Technology Fan’s Paradise

The Silicon Valley is the Mecca of technology for computer fans the world over.  Made up of the southern section of the San Francisco Valley area, Silicon Valley is a worldwide leader in technology development, and houses approximately 34% of all the venture capital investments within the United States.  Electric development began in the region in the 1890s and the seeds of communications development, including the development of the transistor and the semiconductor, began to grow in the 1940s and 50s.  By the 1980s, the Valley had become the hub of software and Internet development and innovation.  Home to many of the world’s most successful technology companies, the Silicon Valley has become a favorite destination for anyone with a fascination with digital technology, computers, gaming, code development, and technology trends.

 Within the Silicon Valley, there are a few places that every technology enthusiast should take the time to check out.  Below is a list of those sights or events that make a trip to Silicon Valley memorable.  Rather than planning flights Tripbase style to far-flung locales, stay closer to home.  No matter what your particular technological fascination happens to be, the list below has something for you.

The Tech Museum of Innovation

201 South Market Street in San Jose

The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose has multiple exhibits, many of which are completely interactive, and all of which examine some form of technology.  They also sponsor a wide range of technology related lectures, a film series, technology labs, and special technology learning tours for school groups.  It is almost impossible to discover everything the museum has to offer with a short visit, so plan to spend a full day or more exploring every inch of the museum. 

Lick Observatory

The Summit of Mount Hamilton

 For space buffs, you can’t beat a trip to the Lick Observatory.  The Observatory is part of a network of space research facilities shared among the schools of the University of California system.  Free tours run multiple times throughout the day and tour discussions include the work of the observatory, the technology behind their various studies, and the history of the space research program.   

The Computer History Museum

1401 N. Shoreline Blvd in Mountain View 

The Computer History Museum is exactly what its name implies.  A museum dedicated to the development of the computer in the Silicon Valley region, it houses or hosts multiple exhibits, education programs, and lectures, as well as the annual Vintage Computer Festival.  It is a repository for processors and computing systems that have become obsolete, and the fascinating array of hardware on display, is a testament to how quickly technological innovation occurs. 

The HP Garage

367 Addison Ave in Palo Alto 

The men of Hewlett-Packard, Bill Hewlett and David Packard, rented the house at 367 Addison Ave, so that they could develop the Model 200A audio oscillator in the garage.  Their invention, launched in 1938, became the technological foundation of Silicon Valley.  Bring your camera.  You are not allowed to enter the garage, so you will have to be content to stand outside on the sidewalk and photograph it. 

The Winchester Mystery House

525 S Winchester Blvd in San Jose 

Granted, though the Winchester Mystery House isn’t exactly a technological stronghold, it is an Escher-like study in mind-boggling design.  Left with $20,000,000 after her gun-manufacturing husband, William Wirth Winchester, passed away, Sarah Winchester began renovating her house, and continued to do so for the next 38 years.  Windows open onto nothing, doors are built into floors, and stairwells go to nowhere.  It is a fascinating place to visit if you need a break from the technology that is all around.