Recently, I had the happy experience of a Facebook HQ tour! Such an interesting day!   I have benefited greatly from FB–both on the commercial side as an author, but also from the wonderful connections I’ve made with FB friends all over the country. And the world!  It was exciting to get an insider’s look from an end user’s perspective.

They use the term “hacker” a lot, but they mean it in a different way than we think of it. I think of “hacker” as criminal activity . . . but they use it to mean “customizing.” They even hold “hack-a-thons” to try and build a better workspace or create something new.

As you drive into Hacker Way, you see these rather traditional-looking buildings. Once inside . . . it’s anything but. Very college campus-like.

Once you’re signed in and given a badge,and sign a pledge to reveal secrets (seriously!) . . . you can go anywhere. The interior of the buildings is designed like a quad.

Bridges between buildings are painted “golden-gate” orange . . . for obvious reasons.

A little warming station . . . which we need in California lately.

Stores line the quad–this one is the bike shop. Bikes were everywhere, available for employees to zoom around the quad. They  had free telephone stores, stores to help fix your computes, even vending machines with computer parts (batteries, cords, new keyboards).

Company store–filled with FB apparel and items. Bet a lot of stockings are stuffed with FB branded things each Christmas!

This bike is in front of a “garage door.” Behind it is a conference room, designed for employee brainstorming. Lots of those around the quad.

Believe it or not, they have foxes on campus. Real ones! This is a wooden one, but the real McCoys are sneaking around the campus. There’s a specially designated fox-habitat area, and the campus was certified for wild-life. Oh, so Facebook-like.

Video arcade for employees to hang out. I would have epilepsy if I spent much time in there.

Next to the video arcade is one of MANY fast food restaurants. Burgers, pizzas, burritos, sushi, sweet shops, coffee shops, vending machines filled with snacks and beverages. All free. Delicious food! My contact said he gained 7-10 pounds when he first started working at FB.

The interior of the buildings were mostly open seating, with small conference rooms named for those born in the 1980-1990’s. (Harry Potter-themed, for example). Very little privacy . . . so here’s a telephone booth for a private call to tell your roommates you’ll be late again. And an interior swing for employees to “chill.” This playground was near the mini-kitchen. More food.

Lots of electric cars in the parking lot.