Things to do and eat in Silicon Valley

July 30, 2005 @ 11:50 am · Filed under Food, Travel

Summer is the time for family and friends to come and visit, so I took a little while and tried to think about things to do and places to eat.

Some things to do in Silicon Valley and nearby:

  • Sunday morning farmers’ market in Mountain View
  • Take a tour of Google (okay, you need to know someone who works there, probably)
  • Kitsch value: Intel Museum, Nickel City (arcade games are only a nickel, or even free!), San Jose flea market claims to be the world’s largest. There’s also an electronics flea market on the second Saturday of the summer months (e.g. Aug. 13, 2005) on the De Anza College campus parking lots. Meanwhile, De Anza has its own flea market on the first Saturday of the month (e.g. August 6, 2005).
  • Shopping: Santana Row/Valley Fair, Stanford Shopping Center, maybe University Ave or Castro St
  • San Jose: The Tech Museum, the Winchester Mystery House
  • Computer Geeks: Weird Stuff, Fry’s (I like the Sunnyvale store), Digital Guru (tech bookstore right near the Sunnyvale Fry’s), Microcenter, Best Buy, CompUsa, Surplus Computers
  • Pretty drives: Driving down Highway 1. Skyline Boulevard. Lick Observatory is only 20 miles away, but two hours of winding driving.
  • San Francisco: the painted ladies, then drive the Haight, and end up in Golden Gate Park to see the Japanese Tea Garden and the botanical gardens, continue on to rent a boat on the lake in the park, then drive by Cliff House before finishing at the Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium. Or hit the Museum of Modern Art before walking to Union Square for shopping and walk in Macy’s and Tiffany’s before walking through Chinatown on the way to Pier 39 and Alcatraz (while looking up at the crookedest street) and looping over to Ghirardelli Square, then finish with a trolley car ride back to Union Square. Or get dim sum and then drive across the Golden Gate Bridge (stopping on the other side to look back at the city) before proceeding on to Muir Woods and hiking around.
  • Day trips: Santa Cruz (cold water, but nice boardwalk. Kitsch lovers might want to check out the Mystery Spot), Roaring Camp Railway, Carmel/Monterey (including the aquarium), or spend the day walking around Stanford and go up in the Hoover Tower, then check out the Stanford bookstore or the Rodin sculpture gardens.
  • Overnight trips: Healdsburg is a nice introduction to the edge of wine country. You can also go canoeing on the Russian River in Healdsburg. The Point Reyes lighthouse is really pretty; we haven’t found a favorite place to stay up there yet. Lake Tahoe can be nice.
  • Multiday trips: Yosemite is 5-6 hours away but is spectacular: rent a cabin in Camp Curry or stay in the Wawona hotel (their Sunday brunch is expensive but amazing). If you prefer to go up the coast, Eureka has a quaint downtown. If you make it up to Portland, be sure to spend some time in Powell’s bookstore.
  • Hikes: Borel Hill, Rancho San Antonio, the Stanford Dish, Eagle Rock Loop in Alum Rock City Park in San Jose

Places to eat:

  • Left at Albuquerque
  • Amarin Thai
  • Pho
  • Tomatina
  • Mexicali
  • all along University Avenue in Palo Alto
  • all along Castro St in Mountain View
  • In and Out Burger or Clarke’s
  • Chipotle in the Cherry Orchard (Ozzy Osbourne loves this food)
  • BJ’s Brewhouse in Cupertino
  • Benihana
  • Cheesecake Factory
  • Mongolian BBQ (in Santa Clara, the one that is not Sue’s)
  • Evvia (Greek, Palo Alto)
  • Picasso’s (Tapas, San Jose)
  • Sushi Lovers or anything with a sushi boat, Seto Sushi (recommended by Linus Torvalds!), Miyake
  • Dim Sum (San Francisco or Ming’s in Palo Alto)
  • Original Pancake House in Los Altos, esp. for their coffee
  • Ethiopan place (maybe on Homestead?)
  • Banana Leaf in Milpitas
  • Amber India
  • Maybe Dave and Busters in Milpitas, just for the games ‘n’ stuff
  • Mexican: Bueno Bueno in Mountain View, Burrito Real, La Bamba, La Costena, Fiesta del Mar, that one place on the south side of El Camino between Rengstorff and Shoreline, Taqueria los Charros

72 Comments »

  1. Dave Anderson Said,

    August 10, 2005 @ 2:34 pm

    I haven’t worked down there for over 12 years, and I never realized how much I would miss Weird Stuff and Fry’s till I started moving around the country. There was also another surplus place out near 680 that was a great complement to Weird Stuff.

    Most of my favorite lunch places are gone, but Nicolino’s Garden Cafe in Sunnyvale is still there. Great pasta and pizza, as well as the best garlic bread I’ve ever had. We went there at least once a week.

  2. Matt Said,

    August 10, 2005 @ 11:13 pm

    Ever since I moved from TX I’d been looking for BBQ, and my standards are pretty high. Next time you drive down Haight check out Memphis Minnie’s, which has the best brisket I’ve had yet.

  3. Joe Hunkins Said,

    August 10, 2005 @ 11:30 pm

    Great travel tips, Matt! Just returned from SES and did not get to say hi to you at the Google party but thanks to for a great event..

    Consider adding these travel items for those heading North to Portland: Crater Lake NP, Rogue River Jetboats, rafting, and hiking, Birdwatching in Klamath Basin, Surf and Dunes along Oregon Coast, Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Jacksonville (a Historic Register Town), and much more. Also FYI WIFI - we (Oregon Tourism people) are putting info kiosks and WIFI hotspots in some of the welcome centers and some tourist areas.

  4. sukhchander Said,

    August 11, 2005 @ 9:38 am

    great ideas for a n00b to the area. i moved from new york city. too laid back here but has a similar feel to troy, ny.

    i would add Aroy Dee to the list of restaurants. it’s an excellent Thai place on the intersection of Saratoga and Steven’s Creek.

    btw, i came to your site through the Search Engine Blog.

    thanks.

  5. Jacopo Said,

    August 12, 2005 @ 1:11 am

    Matt, I’m an italian reader of your blog and I had the chance to visit SF several times. I would suggest you to add a couple of spots to your Places to eat list. Both are located in SF and are worth a visit for sure:
    1) Swan Oyster Depot (1517 Polk St) think it’s one of the best places in town for fresh seafood
    2) Ristorante Ideale (1309 Grant Avenue) is (no kidding) the best italian restaurant in the whole city. It’s just like eating in Rome. Same great taste :)
    I’m sure your readers, after trying them, will agree with me.

  6. nico Said,

    August 12, 2005 @ 12:28 pm

    Reading your blog and seeking answers to why my (5) ringtone related sites have been loosing their Google traffic. Came up with something and must look into that - thanks!

    P.S. Last week I was visiting San Fransisco (for two weeks). Unfortunately I saw your post just now. Maybe next time?

  7. Laurent Van Winckel Said,

    August 12, 2005 @ 2:22 pm

    Thanks for that! I’ve been thinking about visiting San Francisco before. Well, I might do a visit to Google as well, what would be a great honour, though I wouldn’t have any idea how to get in contact with some guys who work there.

  8. Burton Floyd Said,

    August 13, 2005 @ 3:52 am

    Matt,
    The where to eat places sound great, however one needs a map to find them.A search by zip may get close. A search by city-state can be frustrating for a bad speller like me.My vision is wherever one happens to be -on the ground -he can find local info on the web-WITHOUT-entering a bookmark for a business, WITHOUT entering city and state, WITHOUT entering a zip code, WITHOUT clicking on a menu or map, WITHOUT GPS. A short instantly recognizable geographical code that is instantly recalled for the on the ground location and used as the “search” term on site makes it happen. Unlike looking up 40,000 zips to find the right one, you instantly know a 100,000 locations after seeing just one.

  9. stephen Said,

    August 14, 2005 @ 7:38 am

    I tried to tour Google, but the nice woman with the Google umbrella turned us away.

  10. Bill Kelm Said,

    August 15, 2005 @ 2:44 pm

    Hi Matt,

    We met briefly at the Berkley, Consumer Reports WebWatch Conference. I just got back late Saturday from SES San Jose where I stayed with a relative in San Mateo.

    I combined business with pleasure by driving to Santa Cruz twice; once on Route 1, and then on Route 17. Both are great drives, especially if you stay on Hwy 280 versus 101 for the start/finish of the latter drive.

    I wanted to recommend Applewood Pizza ( http://www.applewoodpizza.com/ ) in Menlo Park for its great ingredients. I grew up in NY, so I still like some places back there the best, but I was impressed by their sauce and cheese quality. I now live in Texas, and if your ever in Houston, check out the Goode Company BBQ on Kirby Drive ( http://www.goodecompany.com/restresults.asp?restID=4 )

    I just started my blog on 7/18/05 with TypePad, and I am experimenting, building content, and learning before I promote it. But, it has my photo on it if you want to put a face with a “voice”. Good Luck with your blogging experience.

  11. Chips Ahoy Said,

    August 16, 2005 @ 2:23 am

    For Ethiopian, you have a choice between Shebelle in Campbell, Zeni’s on Saratoga/Payne, Hawa’s on San Tomas/Hamilton. There’s others in the city too... (berkley also i beleive).

  12. Erik Said,

    August 16, 2005 @ 4:56 pm

    Great San Fran list. I just have to mention driving up to Point Reyes is essential.

  13. sukhchander Said,

    August 27, 2005 @ 12:19 pm

    stephen,

    you could try getting an on-site interview there.

  14. grant ingram Said,

    September 16, 2005 @ 9:37 pm

    Bula Matt,

    Have you thought about expanding your “travel” section.

    To cover say ” great holiday places”

    Everyone can then benefit.

    Vinaka, Grant.

  15. betanzos Said,

    October 21, 2005 @ 3:21 am

    Matt ,

    Any galician restaurant round there? it must to be one o two. high recommend

  16. Jose Said,

    October 22, 2005 @ 5:58 am

    one,two,three? any galician restaurant over there?

  17. Carmiel Said,

    November 3, 2005 @ 6:52 am

    Thanks for that! I’ve been thinking about visiting Mountain View before. Well, I might do a visit to Googleplex as well :-)

  18. Jorg Brown Said,

    November 27, 2005 @ 9:52 am

    If you’re going to visit the Cliff House, be sure to lock all your doors, roll your windows all the way up, and stuff every valuable thing into your trunk where no one can see it. That’s because the parking lots near the Cliff House are high-crime. I once had someone come in through an open window and steal every CD (the rear window was open due to a forgetful visiting cousin). A year later, someone saw my girlfriend’s handbag in the back seat, and broke the door lock to take it. I don’t even visit the Cliff House that often - only when taking visitors around on a tour of SF.

  19. Chung Said,

    December 4, 2005 @ 6:32 am

    I really wish to visit googlplex! but anyway if your coming to italy gimme a call :D

  20. Jean Pierre Said,

    December 5, 2005 @ 8:24 pm

    Thanks for the Cliff House tip Jorg, that’s not a very good track record!

    Chipotle in the Cherry Orchard? I’m assuming this isn’t the Chipotle fast food they have all over the place?

  21. alchymi Said,

    December 29, 2005 @ 6:37 pm

    Are you sure that arcade game are free ?? If true i have to leave france to work in sillicon valley (just for the games).

    I allways want to be a pacman (Maker) ;-). Youre contry is great.

    Sorry for my bad french

  22. Drum Sets Said,

    January 8, 2006 @ 3:47 am

    Hi Matt

    I like the idea of you expanding your travel section to all places, infact you cover so much already you may as well cover everything in even greater detail.

    Thanks..

  23. Cormac Said,

    January 24, 2006 @ 8:36 pm

    HI Matt,

    Love the Blog and the travel tips - any sign of adding more and how about going international? I could help you with Ireland if needed ;-)

    All the best,

    Cormac.

  24. Andre Said,

    February 3, 2006 @ 6:00 pm

    I never thought I would see this. lol

  25. Matt Johnson Said,

    February 19, 2006 @ 2:07 am

    I highly recommend any place in Portland. Sure beats the crowds of Los Angeles. Also if you like hiking, give Washington Park a shot. It is absolutely beautiful.

  26. Paul Reilly Said,

    February 21, 2006 @ 9:09 am

    Takes me back to when I was up there.

    Oh! the fun we had. :)

    Paul

  27. Digant Said,

    March 14, 2006 @ 4:08 pm

    HP Garage, if you are a techie historian :-), and certainly Googleplex, if you are a techie futurist :-) :-)

  28. laura Said,

    March 18, 2006 @ 11:21 am

    Interesting to find that this post is number one for [muir woods places to eat] ...

  29. Matt Cutts: Gadgets, Google, and SEO » Parents visiting == Light Posting Said,

    April 5, 2006 @ 11:04 am

    [...] My parents are visiting, so expect light posting this week as we tackle a few things from this list. I’m trying to convince them that I’m normal and not at all a workaholic. I don’t know if they’re buying it. Plus my mom keeps commandeering my laptop to catch up on her email. [...]

  30. Bobby Caw Said,

    April 6, 2006 @ 12:09 pm

    Alternatively, why not go down The Pub?

  31. Ron Said,

    April 7, 2006 @ 10:14 pm

    I used to live in San Jose...

    Hey, What’s wrong with Su’s Mongoilan BBQ - It’s good too.

    The Ethiopian place is called “RED SEA” and it’s near the San Jose City Hall.
    (Big Glass and Rust cube)

    Armadillo Willies is good for Texas style BBQ. There is also a place on Bascom for BBQ, they have a O gauge train that runs around the dining room at near ceiling level.

    Fung Lum is my Fav for Chineese.

  32. shakira Said,

    April 20, 2006 @ 12:11 pm

    is Mongoilan BBQ open on friday?

  33. TMoblie Man Said,

    May 19, 2006 @ 5:28 pm

    What’s wrong with Texas style BBQ? I love that shiznett!

  34. eddy Said,

    May 26, 2006 @ 4:34 pm

    I haven’t eaten in Silicon Valley since the halycon days of the 1970’s at DEC.

    Thanks for the culinary tips, when I visit San francisco, maybe I
    can afford a meal.

  35. wow powerleveling Said,

    August 10, 2006 @ 12:32 am

    That’s because the parking lots near the Cliff House are high-crime. I once had someone come in through an open window and steal every CD (the rear window was open due to a forgetful visiting cousin). A year later, someone saw my girlfriend’s handbag in the back seat, and broke the door lock to take it.wow powerleveling

  36. Fry's Electronics Said,

    August 24, 2006 @ 1:57 am

    Dave

    Interesting topic... I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future

  37. hoodia man Said,

    August 25, 2006 @ 11:31 pm

    wow you Silicon Valey people , the life style of movie’s prototype , on how we will be living in the next digital economy cicles....

  38. Restaurants in Oxford Said,

    September 5, 2006 @ 4:49 pm

    Honestly, you guys over there have got strange ideas about food. Here in the UK we have a mixture of ancient cultures that come togther to probuce some of the most opulent gastronomic delights the world has ro offer. If you want a real taste of good fod just try a weekend in Oxford. Wealthy students have a multitude of excelent place to eat at here and they are all good. Well if they are not they soon shut down because of the amount of competision!

  39. Badminton Training Tips & Tricks Said,

    October 3, 2006 @ 7:12 am

    Silicon Valley people have the “celebrity” lifestyle ?

  40. rmtspace Said,

    November 12, 2006 @ 11:15 pm

    Matt ,

    Any galician restaurant round there? it must to be one o two. high recommend

  41. Airwolf Said,

    November 22, 2006 @ 11:27 am

    Take a tour of Google that would be the best things to do. cant imagine how could be and after it. hahaha!!!

  42. ToddW Said,

    December 4, 2006 @ 10:49 pm

    “Take a tour of Google that would be the best things to do. cant imagine how could be and after it. hahaha!!!”

    Would be nice to tour google and learn a lot of “secrets” ;) ;)

  43. lazer epilasyon Said,

    December 18, 2006 @ 11:00 am

    Take a tour of Google that would be the best things to do :)

  44. insurance quotes Said,

    December 29, 2006 @ 3:46 am

    I love Chipotle, nice to see Chipotle in your list Matt.

  45. kral oyun kraloyun Said,

    December 31, 2006 @ 12:48 pm

    I’m really hungry now :)

  46. Protrox Said,

    February 14, 2007 @ 5:25 pm

    This gives me the taste to eat :) lol

  47. Home Decor Accents Said,

    February 15, 2007 @ 8:45 am

    It sounds good, can they deliver to Texas ?

  48. Irene Tu Said,

    February 26, 2007 @ 7:44 am

    Nice to have Chipotle!

  49. Scented Candles Said,

    March 6, 2007 @ 6:42 am

    Feel hungry now and cannot ficus on my work. Hahaha...

  50. Sterling Silver Jewelry Said,

    March 6, 2007 @ 6:43 am

    What else is good there ?

  51. Throw Pillows Said,

    March 6, 2007 @ 6:44 am

    is there a lot of good chinese restaurants there ?

  52. Bally Said,

    April 3, 2007 @ 12:16 pm

    I went there last year and I gotta say that it was very enjoyable. Theres a big bowling club and a wide range of computer shopping outlets.
    I found the prices abit steep in some places. But the people were very friendly!

  53. Mark Said,

    April 20, 2007 @ 1:36 pm

    Matt, I respect you so much. Though we don’t know each other, you always represent the intelligence and wisdom in the bottom of my heart. I really don’t know why I have this feeling all the time.

    I just put the following page on my website where you can find many real videos about how animals suffer so much before they become meat :
    http://www.apexpromotion.com/veg/index.htm

    In my humble opinion, the animals are just like our sisters and brothers. We should take good care of them rather than killing and eating them.

    I hope the shocking vedeos can really awaken people to change their diet to be vegetarian. If everyone can treat animals with love, how beautiful our world will be.

    Matt, thanks so much for your time!

  54. Ventrilo Servers Said,

    May 2, 2007 @ 9:15 am

    Chinese restaurants would be good!!

  55. Michael Malega Said,

    May 2, 2007 @ 12:14 pm

    Organic Eating. Organic eating habits aren’t as wide spread as they could be. Even those of us who prefer not to literally riddle our bodies with pesticides and chemical toxins find that sometimes a fast food meal from our favorite drive-in or takeaway is easier than going to the trouble of preparing our own organically cooked meals… please continue here: http://www.organic-food.cooking-food-recipe.com/Organic-Eating.php

  56. şarkı sözü Said,

    May 31, 2007 @ 7:17 am

    you could try getting an on-site interview there.

  57. Ars Said,

    July 25, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

    You strike me directly. Silicon Valley is place that I always want to visit. I hope that I will one day.

  58. youtube Said,

    August 15, 2007 @ 2:31 am

    Nice to have Chipotle!

  59. Dalaman property Said,

    August 31, 2007 @ 8:46 am

    I would like to eat at the Amarin Thai. I have heard of it a lot from my friends.

  60. canlı tv Said,

    September 28, 2007 @ 5:35 pm

    Ever since I moved from TX I’d been looking for BBQ, and my standards are pretty high. Next time you drive down Haight check out Memphis Minnie’s, which has the best brisket I’ve had yet.

  61. vitamin supplements Said,

    October 1, 2007 @ 9:10 am

    vitamin supplements...

    You may also dig up what you are trying to find in the county library....

  62. jen Said,

    October 2, 2007 @ 4:42 pm

    I’m planning a trip to the area. Any updated suggestions for good eateries or tourist attractions?

  63. The Dog Clothing & Dog Collar Company Said,

    October 17, 2007 @ 8:53 pm

    I am going there soon to visit a friend...thanks for the tips here! really helpful for my trip planning.

  64. Halloween Costume Said,

    October 17, 2007 @ 9:01 pm

    WOW didn’t know there are so many fine restaurants there...impressive!

  65. Air Purifiers Said,

    October 28, 2007 @ 5:33 pm

    When I lived in the Bay Area. Reading all of your “things to do” reminded me of how great it was to live there. Whatever you do in the Bay Area you also have great weather and good air quality as the Delta winds keep the air clean. The only thing I didn’t see was to water ski on the Delta or live in a place like Disco Bay that has deep water docs (that’s how I lived) and fish and water ski off you back porch. Why then did I leave? I could buy a mansion in Las Vegas (and did) with my profits from RE appreciation in Byron. Still miss it though.

  66. Work at home guide Said,

    November 26, 2007 @ 9:56 pm

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks for that! I haven’t eaten in Silicon Valley but I’ve been thinking about visiting San Francisco. :D

  67. Anne Scoffield Said,

    December 6, 2007 @ 12:36 am

    Craving for pizza? 4th. St. Pizza Co.’s The All Meat pizza is the best for me! You can try it, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. I always eat there whenever I visit my cousin in San Jose.

  68. cant generation hip history hop stop stop wont Said,

    January 2, 2008 @ 6:29 am

    Anglers discover joy of catching...

    According to the International Game Fish Association, “The barramundi is a distinctive fish that bears a close resemblance to its...

  69. horse man Said,

    January 16, 2008 @ 7:50 pm

    I have been once to the Winchester Mystery House on a flashlight tour. It was so much fun getting lost in the maze of rooms.

  70. John Mark Said,

    March 4, 2008 @ 7:59 am

    A healthy diet, however, is not arrived at by process of elimination. It is assembled from the foods with the most beneficial substances. More often than not, it is what we fail to eat that causes health problems, not merely what we do eat.

  71. sohbet Said,

    April 23, 2008 @ 3:23 pm

    Thanks you

  72. chat Said,

    May 6, 2008 @ 2:12 pm

    Thanksss

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