This is definitely not my favorite Frank Gehry building, but it's still architecturally interesting and famous. And if you're in Venice, absolutely drive down Main street and see this. It's stunning. As it is now a Google building, if you're taking pictures of this wonder of architecture, security WILL come out to question you. Because, you know, Google cares about privacy. Theirs. read more

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Do you like spotting the "world's largest" types? e.g. world's largest ball of yarn, world's largest picnic basket, typically strewn out around rural parts of Kansas or Idaho, places you'll likely never need to visit? If the answer is yes, then boy, this spot is for you! Although not officially named the "world's largest pair or binoculars," it probably could be! Good for pulling over, snapping a photo, and then moving along. read more

When I was researching Landmarks of Los Angeles, this Binocular Building popped up under "Local Flavor". It's kind of out of the way (in Venice, California) and you can't drive inside unless you have business inside this Headquarters of Google, but fun to see in real life. .. It's not really on the corner of Main Street and Rose Avenue (as listed on this business page), so I submitted the address change as: 340 Main Street. I had to drive a bit down from the corner, then I parked on the side of the road, across the street and got my photograph! Mission accomplished!! After you get your photo, you can go to Venice Beach or the canals!! read more

Binocular Building - Cool building, eh? - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

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The Binocular Building is actually Google's Venice Campus. It has a large sculpture of a Binocular in front of the building. The Binocular is actually an entrance to an underground parking garage. The whole campus takes up the whole block. Unfortunately, you can't tour the inside unless you know someone who works there. However If you Google "Google Venice Campus" you can see images of the inside which is amazing. It must be nice to work for Google. read more

Binocular Building - Google Venice Campus - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

I got a chance to check this place out one day! It is Google's LA office. It is on the smaller side compared to other Google locations. There are two Google buildings and this is one of them. There is a parking garage when you go under the binoculars. You can only get in if you know someone who works at Google. Once inside the building, you check-in and receive a badge. You have to be with your host at all times because host's badge is needed to enter in/out of some places within this facility. Also, you can take pictures inside the building with your host's permission. Honestly, I was really looking forward to free lunch at Google LA because that is the main reason why I drove all the way to Venice, CA. I was very disappointed when I found out that I could not get free lunch (not even snacks) because of the holidays! The place was completely emptied out. This place has a game room, fitness center, shower, bike rentals, mini basketball court, conference rooms, quiet rooms, kitchens, and a nice outdoor space. I hope I can come back to try their free lunch one day! I can't wait to visit other Google locations. read more

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When I first came to LA, almost 10 years ago, I landed on Venice Beach. I'd never been to LA before I got off a plane with 3 suitcases, with the intention of staying. Needless to say, I love a good adventure. And Venice Beach certainly did provide me with just that. I lived a few doors from the Boardwalk for a couple of years. On my first day out, the night after I arrived, I went looking for food. I walked a couple blocks inland and discovered the Clown Building and the Binocular Building. I wondered where the hell I was.....had I entered the Twilight Zone? or was the circus in town? or both...? Holy crap, there was nothing like this back on the South Side of Chicago....... Little did I know that these landmarks would be among the tamest discoveries I would encounter on Venice Beach. But that's a whole 'nother story. About the Binocular Building: Leave it to Frank Gehry, what a great mind. It was originally called the Chiat/Day Building, after the original tenants. Construction began in 1985 and dragged on for several years due to some sitch with toxic contamination on the site. If the giant binocs remind you of a Claes Oldenburg sculpture, that's because Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen helped with the design. Remarkably, the binoculars provide the entrance to the building's parking garage! I always wanted to drive into those binoculars and someday I will, haha. Hopefully it will be planned...... read more

Binocular Building - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

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The Binocular Building is Google's Venice headquarters. My boyfriend became a Google Glass Explorer and had the option to either have them ship him the Glass or go pick it up. He opted to pick up. You must either work here or be on the list to get in here. If you are visiting for something, you can drive your car through the center of the binoculars into an underground parking garage. We didn't realize that at first so we drove by and circled around and came back. When you pull in there is a gate and a security guard will ask your name, open the gate for you, and you will drive down to their free valet parking. While this building looks small from the outside, it is actually quite massive. We did not take a full tour, but what we did see was so cool! The man who was our guide said that Google takes up the entire city block, and I believe it. Their headquarters are so awesome, I wish I worked there!! If you even have an opportunity to visit this building, I highly recommend you do! We were here about an hour drinking beers and mimosas, having our guide go over Glass in massive detail. Everybody who works here seemed to be so friendly and happy. I would be too if I worked somewhere so cool! Check it out if you can :) read more

"Do you get a kick out of tellin' brothers no?!" Sorry, was listening to Positive K while writing this review. "If your man don't treat you like he used to, I kick in like a turbo booster!" HAHAHAHA! Damn... So you're driving on Main street and BAM! What the heezy is that?! A binocular?! Yup a big ass binocular as the main entrance to a brick building. Now you're like, yup something is definitely going on inside there. And what that is just so happens to be that thing you use to search on when using the internet. As George Bush would say "the internets". Feeling Lucky? I sure am when you get to walk into Google Headquarters in Venice. It's pretty sick in there from the work stations in an open environment, the outdoor movie area, the roof top patio, the gymnasium, the coffee bar, the game room, the inside of the actual binocular, the amazing cafeteria, the Eames room and so much more... So for those who didn't know, now you know. Good luck trying to get in there for a visit, you definitely need to know someone and I'd suggest going between 11:45-1:30, ahem - it's lunch time! HOLLA! read more

This has been on a list that my friend and I wrote up and have spent the last month of weekends visiting. For this roadside Americana pilgrim, I can tell you visiting the Binocular Building was no religious experience. Parking in the area, not to mention the majority of people's driving, is horrendous and it's tough to get a good look while driving by it on Main. Ended up going down South Main where we were able to have a moment of pause and snap a picture (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jS1m2DpMgekycG4eWLHcAw?select=DfvQutTh5yOf1rmTseD4pA) before someone turned down the street. I hate to act jaded and unimpressed, especially when it comes to feats of architecture, but once you see it, you're done. I felt like I'd driven into a hurricane to see a giant doughnut sign, but without the promise of lard and sugar. The confused, cross-dressing clown on top of the CVS, not a block away, was more worth the drive and hassle with traffic and jaywalkers with a death wish. read more

Binocular Building - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

Who wouldn't love a tour of Google's Venice HQ. It's the kind of thing you have to know someone to get, and fortunately I did know someone. You can't help but wonder how anyone gets anything done there with all of the fantastic amenities including: full service cafeteria, convenience store type snack bars throughout the campus, 24 hour gym, game rooms, bouldering wall, basketball court, rooftop decks, lounges, open spaces, and more! I think my favorite part was the Google Earth simulator, essentially an immersive 360 degree view of Google Earth searchable by keyword and address! Not to mention it's in a historic Frank Geary building that looks like a pair of binoculars just a few short blocks from the beach. Wouldn't it be cool if the binoculars were functional? What a place to work it must be... read more

You've seen the binoculars... Google Venice HQ. If you have ever been inside, its awesome! Free food, micro kitchens everywhere, their own Googlebucks (starbucks type), video games, pool table. What else can I say, you can sleep, train, shower, and go back to work. sick place!! read more

Binocular Building - Google! - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

As a Googler who works in the Ann Arbor, MI office, I can confidently say that this office is spectacular. From the outside, an otherwise nondescript office building becomes a focal point with the massive binoculars. Moreover, the 'googleyness' that makes these offices so special is alive and well, with exciting 'LA-twists.' If you know any Googlers, I'd highly recommend asking them if you can visit for a few hours. The experience is worthwhile, and gives you a taste of what it's like to work in such a fun and unique setting! read more

Binocular Building - Binoculars! - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

Like Disneyland for adults! One of the many offices for the top search engine in the world... Google! Isn't it funny that Google owns the binoculars building? Binoculars are used when you are typically searching/looking for something... as is Google :) You must have ties to a Googler to gain inside access (or marry one, in my case!), but oh is it a sweet, sweet treat once you're in! I believe they own the entire block, and I still haven't had the chance to see everything. Just a few cool specs: every room has its own theme (Big Lebowski, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, etc), they have a gym, garden, lime trees, lawn with a giant projector screen, a rooftop lounge, the bathrooms have everything you could possibly need (floss, lotion, deodorant, etc, even a Tide pen!), a big open cafeteria with plenty of chefs (they even have highchairs for family days!), snack/drink bars around every corner, and lounges galore! Hands down, best company to work for in the world! I get so excited when we get to visit the Google office, let the binoculars guide you... read more

We did the typical drive up, get out, snap snap snap and drive off. I did get back in the car first, he didn't drive off without me. It's a pretty impressive piece. I love big roadside attractions and this one is pretty cool! read more

Apparently this is a landmark and I never knew this until now. Architecturally, really cool! You can actually enter through the bottom middle. This became a Google building so unless you know someone or have reason to be there, you'll not be able to get in. Luckily, I have access, lol. Although the building inside really has nothing to with the binoculars themself. In any case, the building is cool to look at while driving by! read more

So this building is really an APPLE INC building. Why do I say that? Okay, well the previous tenant here was an advertising company called Chay Day. (mis-spell?) and they were the company Steve Jobs used for his apple products. The building was design by local, Frank Gehry. You'll find several building throughout Venice designed by him. They are all cool and you can see. I'm a fan of this building. Google I'm still not decided on? Ha... read more

Dear Google, would you please move out of Venice. My local friends are having to leave after many years because you've driven up our rents. The new abby Kinney stores that to appeal to your nouveau riche tech crowd are ruining our locally owned mom and pop stores. Locals are really suffering now that you're here. I have been here for 17 and because of you my landlord wants to take my home away, make a few adjustments and rent it to one of your tech employees or competitors for 6 times the rent. You keep buying more land. We know you're cool with all your hipster employee policies and I know they're actually pretty awesome for people the people who work for you, but for those of us who don't, we want our cool, poor, beach, artist, surf town back. You're pushing us out. I think Google is awesome, but it's not for everyone, and it's certainly is screwing up the lives of locals. We're not all screw ups and junkies. We're artists, actors, painters, surfers and poets. Venice is all we had. Please give it back. Sincerely, Jessica Lynn read more

Great example of Novelty architecture, which LA was once upon a time known for. Currently, it is the headquarters of YouTube and Google Venice. Public art but private building. read more

Binocular Building - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

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Wonderful healthy food! The desserts are excellent, and the nerd vibe, unbeatable. A must-see for anyone with a friend at Google. read more

Binocular Building - Lunch at the chef's table. - Local Flavor Near Me - Venice, California

I have clue what function building actually serves, but it is pretty darn cool too spot when you're just strolling by! And if you're not expecting it, like me and my friend, you may miss it! read more