Computing Trips to San Francisco

We recommend a weekday during term time for this itinerary, to make sure you’re getting the best “on-campus” experience.

Start your computer science study trip in a place noted for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and many more honed their craft as students, Stanford University. Tours on the campus are conducted by students so at certain points of the year it would be self-guided.

After being on campus, and just a short drive away you can visit Silicon Valley Computer History Museum. Widely regarded as the best in the world it presents stories and artifacts of Silicon Valley and the information age and explores the computing revolution and its impact on society.

Finally, finish off the day at Intel Museum NASA’s Ames Research Centre, located at Intel’s headquarters the free museum has exhibits of Intel's products and history as well as semiconductor technology in general.

Heading back to Mountain View spend the morning at Googleplex (Google HQ), unfortunately we can’t get you full access but you can soak up the atmosphere around sections of the campus.

Make sure to check out Steve Jobs Garage, a short drive away in suburban Silicon Valley. See where Apple was founded before heading to Apple Infinite Loop original headquarters and the newly constructed $5bn Apple Campus with Visitor Centre. The Apple Park Visitor Centre has free creative sessions happening every day.

For more accessible hands on exhibits and activities The Tech Museum of Innovation is a science and technology center that offers hands-on activities, labs, design challenges and other STEAM education resources. It is located in downtown San Jose.

Time to explore San Francisco! Visit the infamous Alcatraz prison complete with audio tour for an opportunity to experience the legendary island that was a civil war fort, then military prison before becoming a federal prison. And enjoy the city skyline from the ferry.

The afternoon could be awash with much to see and do. There’s The Walt Disney Family Museum an American museum that features the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Or the Zoo, or the famous Lombard Street. Don’t forget Golden Gate Park with it’s California Academy of Sciences which has an albino Alligator and a full size rainforest canopy you can explore.

Not forgetting the Morrison Planetarium where you can explore the stars.

After breakfast, enjoy a bit of time in San Francisco before heading to the airport late afternoon, maybe pop into the dept stores around Union Squares for some souvenirs, or have some lunch at famous Mel’s Diner nearby. Airport transfer for your flight back to the UK included.