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I was invited by Disney to attend this event. All of my expenses were paid, but I promise all opinions are my own.

One of the highlights of my trip to San Francisco in March was the opportunity to tour Pixar Animation Studios. I had previously been out to the West Coast, to Los Angeles and toured Walt Disney Studios but was super excited to tour Pixar. I learned so much about the campus and the meaning of certain things that I’m excited to share with you. Pixar is truly an amazing place and I am that much more appreciative of the hard work after this tour.

An Exclusive Tour of Pixar Animation Studios

The Steve Jobs Building

The campus is absolutely beautiful and has a lot of unique character to not only the buildings but the campus. One thing that I didn’t realize was the impact and influence Steve Jobs had on the campus and Pixar. In fact, the main building was named the “Steve Jobs Building” about a year after he passed. This building is stunningly beautiful and has a lot of character. The brick on the outside is color matched to Steve’s favorite coffeehouse in Oakland – that was quite the task to match it.

This building has a huge glass front because of Steve’s philosophy in business. He felt that people would get behind their doors and in their offices and not be influenced by the outside world or by people that they worked with. The building aims to create the ability to be influenced by the outside world with the big open spaces and front. Further, when you’re walking into the building you see your reflection in the glass front. The idea is that you’re walking through the looking glass as you come inside. Further, you’ll see that the only sets of bathrooms are on the main floor in the atrium. Steve wanted people to have to come out and interact so he designed it this way! 

The other buildings on the Pixar Animation Studios campus are named after New York neighborhoods – Brooklyn, Queens, etc. Steve was a big fan of the NY infrastructure and how it was laid out. Further, the address of Pixar Animation studios is Park Avenue and the campus has different sections – West and East sides that lend itself the NY feel. Even in the Steve Jobs building, it is laid out like a brain. Animation and creatives are on the left side and technical are on the right side. 

What Was Here Before?

You may wonder what was here before Pixar? Well, in the early 1900’s it was the Oaks Baseball field  which was an MLB team! Babe Ruth played here at one point, too! In 1940s-1950s, it was the home of the Del Monte Fruit Company where they canned the fruit with the cherry on top! When Pixar acquired the property, they pretty much built from the ground up to make it was today! The campus spans 16 acres that they’ve made into their own little natural park. Along the main line, there are beautiful rose bushes (which hadn’t bloomed yet) and fragrant jasmine! Steve had the idea that people were able to come and cut roses to put them on their desks. Now the company has gotten so large that if that happened, the trees would be bare! The campus not only models New York, it also captures California. On the most western part the plants/flowers/trees are model to the California Coastline and then on the east side, they’re modeled for the Redwoods and other areas! Can you tell that there is a thinking process behind everything here? 

On campus there are a lot of social areas including a pool that is heated all year round, basketball courts, gym, fitness classes, and BBQ areas. Steve wanted you to work outside of your building and be around other people to become one big family. 

Recreational Activities

One of the other beautiful things about the campus is the garden beds! There is a gardener that takes care of them and the herbs are used in the cafe as well. They have an amazing pastry chef but also have other healthier lunch options in their cafe. 

Pixar Ball & Lamp

I can’t tell you about Pixar without highlighting the story of the iconic lamp & ball. I learned that these items were not original to the campus. Pixar has an exhibition that goes around the world. When it was in Australia, that museum had these built. When the exhibition was over, the lamp and ball came on a barge from Australia!! How cool!! 

When it gets dark, the lamp does turn on which is AWESOME!! 

Awards cabinet  

Academy Awards inside on the top shelf and technical awards are on the bottom. This cabinet is so fun to look into as it shows all that Pixar has accomplished and is known for! Plus, there’s a GREAT story to go with this Woody doll.

Woody doll – it is used, worn, etc. It belonged to a little boy named Caleb and this was his security toy. It was falling apart and his Mom wanted to get him a new one. When they went to Walt Disney World she found him a new one and didnt know what to do with the old one. She took it to the help desk at Walt Disney World and asked if they could send it to Pixar to live with Buzz Lightyear to infinity and beyond. It became a symbol for what they do at Pixar because they’re not just creating a few hours of entertainment but characters and storylines that live beyond that and can become your best friend. John Lassiter will sometimes take the doll on speaking tours and every time he talks about it, he cries. 

We got some awesome group shots while at Pixar too!! Check them out ;).

I truly enjoyed being at Pixar Animation Studios and hope that you enjoyed following my journey. I learned a lot about Pixar and have more of an appreciation for what they do!! In addition to sharing this awesome experience with you, I’m excited to share the NEW Trailer for Cars 3 which drives into theaters on June 16th! 

NEW Cars 3 Trailer

Cars 3 will hit theaters on June 16th and is simply an amazing film. Stay tuned to the blog for more details about Cars 3 and information from our trip. While you wait, check out these fun images from the film.

Cars 3 Races Into Theaters On June 16th! 

CARS 3: Next Generation Extended Look Now Available!!!

Cars 3: About the Characters!

Cars 3 – Brand New Teaser Trailer is Here!! 

Thank You For Sharing!!