Google Earth

Get your favorite places on the map with Local Guides

November 13th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Picking the right place to go can be tough—whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, a quiet weekend away with family, or just a neighborhood coffee shop. To help make these decisions easier, we’re expanding the Local Guides program in Google Maps, which gives you the chance to share your discoveries directly to the map, making it more useful for everyone.

Local Guides is a global community that helps you explore the world while earning perks. Once you sign up, every place you contribute to in Google Maps earns you points towards unlocking something new—from early access to new products to exclusive contests and events, bonus Drive storage, and more.

You can earn points and level up by writing reviews, uploading photos, adding new places, fixing outdated information, and answering simple questions. Each contribution type is worth one point, so you can earn up to five points per place.

The more you contribute as a Local Guide, the more benefits you’ll enjoy. Here’s an overview of what you’ll unlock at each level:

Level 1 (0 – 4 points): Enter exclusive contests (think new Google devices!) in select countries.
Level 2 (5 – 49 points): Get early access to new Google products and features.
Level 3 (50 – 199 points): Show up in the Google Maps app with your official Local Guides badge.
Level 4 (200 – 499 points): Receive a free 1 TB upgrade of your Drive storage, allowing you to keep all the stories, photos, and videos from your travels in one safe place.
Level 5 (500+ points): The very top Local Guides will become eligible to apply to attend our inaugural summit in 2016, where you’ll be able to meet other top Guides from around the world, explore the Google campus, and get the latest info about Google Maps. Look out for details early next year.

Once you sign-up, download the latest Google Maps update on Android and iPhone to follow your progress on the new Contributions tab. Your total points, level, and to-do list—suggestions for places to contribute to—conveniently appear together in one place. And when you share photos, you’ll now see view counts, giving you an idea of how many people your image may have helped. To learn more about how to contribute and unlock benefits, visit our website or Help Center.

Posted by Mara Chomsky, Local Guides Community Management Lead

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Navigate and search the real world … online or off

November 10th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Roughly 60 percent of the world is without Internet today, and even where online access is available, it can still be spotty. That means that quick and easy access to information is still not possible for a majority of the population. This is a huge problem, especially as people attempt to navigate and explore the world around them, so Google Maps is taking steps to help people across the globe find directions and get where they’re going, even when they don’t have an Internet connection.

Now you can download an area of the world to your phone, and the next time you find there’s no connectivity—whether it’s a country road or an underground parking garage—Google Maps will continue to work seamlessly. Whereas before you could simply view an area of the map offline, now you can get turn-by-turn driving directions, search for specific destinations, and find useful information about places, like hours of operation, contact information or ratings.

You can download an area by searching for a city, county or country, for instance, and tapping “Download” on the resulting place sheet, or by going to “Offline Areas” in the Google Maps menu and tapping on the “+” button. Once downloaded, Google Maps will move into offline mode automatically when it recognizes you’re in a location with spotty service or no connectivity at all. When a connection is found, it will switch back online so you can easily access the full version of Maps, including live traffic conditions for your current route. By default, we’ll only download areas to your device when you are on a Wi-Fi connection to prevent large data fees.

We first previewed these new capabilities during Google I/O in May, and today we’re gradually rolling out the first set of these improvements with the latest version of Google Maps on Android (coming soon to iOS). Over time, we’ll be introducing even more offline features to help you find your way—even when you can’t find a connection.

Posted by Amanda Bishop, Product Manager, Google Maps

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‘Tis the season: Google brings holiday hours to Maps and Search

November 6th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Ever trekked all the way to your favorite restaurant just to realize it’s closed for the holidays? Well, we have. Now Google Maps and Google Search will help you avoid that common holiday mistake. We’ve added holiday hours to Maps and Search, so when you search for a business and a major holiday is within the next seven days, you’ll see whether the business has a special holiday schedule. Not only will you avoid showing up to find the doors locked, but you’ll save time by not having to call the business or check the website for hours.

If you want to find out what’s open as the holiday draws close, just search for a place and if the holiday hours are listed, you’ll see them.

If you search for a business and the holiday hours aren’t listed, you’ll see a warning message alerting you that the actual hours may be different because of the holiday.

And if you want to find a nearby open coffee shop, restaurant or bakery, just use the “Open Now” filter and we’ll show you places that are open on these days.

We’ve got you covered pretty much everywhere you search and anywhere you go. Because holiday hours and warnings are available globally, if you happen to be celebrating Boxing Day in the UK or New Year’s Eve in Sweden, you’ll see info specific to the country you’re in. How’s that for traveling like a local?

Posted by Jonathan Sidi, Product Manager, Google Maps & Local Search

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Take a walk on the wild side with Street View in New Zealand

November 4th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

From the lush waterfalls of the Milford Track to the alpine peaks of the Kepler Track, you can now explore some of the most stunning parts of New Zealand’s wilderness with the launch of seven of the world-renowned ‘Great Walks’ on Google Street View. Known for the beauty of their remote multi-day treks, the Great Walks are a favourite destination for hikers around the world, and are now available in 360-degree panoramic imagery right from your smartphone or computer, with Google Maps.

Collected with help from our friends at New Zealand’s Department of Conservation using the Google Trekker, this new imagery shows off New Zealand’s natural beauty while inspiring hikers around the world to plan a trip.

Our intrepid trekker collector Matt checks the lenses of the Google Trekker at Lake Te Anau on the Kepler Track

Take in the view of Lake Waikaremoana from Panekire Bluff, look down at the Hollyford Valley from Conical Hill, or check out the tallest waterfall in New Zealand — all without breaking a sweat.

Panekire Bluff looks over Lake Waikaremoana which translates to ‘sea of rippling waters’ in te reo.

Conical Hill on the Routeburn Track is quite a hike at 1,515 meters. (It’s easier to get to from your phone).

Dropping 580 meters from Lake Quill, the Sutherland Falls on the Milford Track are bigger than Eiffel Tower.

Emerging from the Enchanted Forest on the Heaphy Track you might not see hobbits, but if you’re very lucky you can sometimes spot baby seals. They’re even more common at Separation Point which is a fur seal breeding ground.

Wander through an Enchanted Forest on the Heaphy Track. (Eat your heart out, Peter Jackson).

Say hi to baby seals on the Heaphy Track

Even without seals, Separation Point knows how to put on a good show.

If you’re enjoying the coast, why not head south to the Golden Beaches on Stewart Island? Once you’ve explored that, you can head north again to the Abel Tasman Track and cross The Falls River suspension bridge or the Swing Bridge over the Kohaihai River.

An impressive 47-meter long suspension bridge takes you over Falls River

It’s just a hop, step and a swing bridge over the Kohaihai River on the Abel Tasman Track

New Zealand’s Great Walks have long been on the bucket list of keen outdoors people from all around the world. We hope by bringing the Milford, Kepler, Abel Tasman, Lake Waikaremoana, Heaphy, Routeburn and Rakiura / Stewart Island tracks to Street View, these images will not only help people who are about to trek them prepare, but give anyone who wants to virtually roam the beauty of the Great Walks an opportunity to do so. And you can view more Street View collections from around New Zealand here.

Posted by Cynthia Wei, Program Manager, Google Street View

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Catch your breath and take in the best views of Sabah on Street View

October 30th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Malaysia’s most eastern state of Sabah sits just south of a typhoon belt. Seafarers used to call it the “Land Below The Wind,” as it provided refuge from the raging storms of the north. From today you too can catch your breath, in awe, at the beauty of Sabah with the launch of new Street View imagery from 23 islands and nature reserves from the area.

Sabah is home to the highest mountain in Malaysia, so you can now scale the Mount Kinabalu peak from the couch. A UNESCO world heritage site, Mount Kinabalu sits in Kinabalu Park which teems with unique flora and fauna — including the gigantic Rafflesia plant and orangutans.

It’s quite a view from Mount Kinabalu peak!

Scaling the Mount Kinabalu peak is even tougher with an 18kg Trekker on your back

Or take a quiet cruise down the Kinabatangan River. The longest river in Sabah, Kinabatangan winds through a forest-covered floodplain which is home to Proboscis monkeys, Sumatran rhinos and Asian elephants. If you like wildlife, try and catch a glimpse of the orangutans at Sepilok Orang Utan Reserve:

Two orangutans having a tête-à-tête at the Sepilok Orang Utan Reserve

Once you’ve explored the jungle, why not go island hopping and visit Mabul or Mataking? The clear turquoise waters of the Celebes Sea are teeming with sea life and gentle sloping reefs which makes them diving hotspots.

Take a virtual dip at Mabul Island

The tiny Mataking Island can be walked around in an hour. We bet you could go even faster with Street View.

Sabah is home to incredibly unique natural diversity. We hope you enjoy scaling the peaks of Kinabalu, going deep into the jungle, or lazing around on the many island beaches with this new Street View collection.

Posted by Nhazlisham Hamdan, Street View Operations Lead Malaysia, Indonesia & Thailand

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Boo! Hide n’ Street…View

October 29th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Are you seeking a Halloween fright without hopping on a flight? Look no further than our creepy crop of spooky sites in Street View. Just in time for All Hallows’ Eve, you can go on a virtual journey to see the world’s most petrifying places—from safely behind your screen.

Few places have more history (or horrors!) than Bran Castle in Romania. On the border of Transylvania, “Dracula’s Castle” is home to Bram Stoker’s infamous bloodsucker. Walking through the castle, with sun streaming in the windows, you may feel a false sense of confidence…but beware what awaits you after night falls.

Bran Castle, Romania

For another shiver up your spine, visit the Isla de las Muñecas Xochimilco in Mexico, where a young girl died mysteriously years ago. For the last 50 years, the trees have been adorned with decaying dolls, which people have left behind in memory of the tragedy.

Isla de las Muñecas Xochimilco, México

Next on your tour of terror: Bodie State Historic Park in northern California. An abandoned town from the gold rush, you can tour one of the gold mines from the early 1900s and walk the deserted streets. Preserved in a state of arrested decay, the eerie silence feels ominous to its visitors.

Bodie State Historic Park, California

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not stop by Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island” in Japan? The set for the villain’s lair in James Bond’s Skyfall, the decaying industrial wasteland used to be a booming coal mining town until the 1970s, when the island was abandoned. Now you take your life in your hands as you walk beneath the deteriorating concrete structures as the wind blows in from the ocean.

Gunkanjima, Japan

If haunted houses are more your speed, the zombie apocalypse at the 13th Gate Haunted House in Baton Rouge, Louisiana may be for you. Or stop for a drink at The Stanley Hotel, the site of Stanley Kubrick’s classic film The Shining, where you can ponder the meaning of “redrum.”

13th Gate Haunted House, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

One thing’s for sure: This tour of spooky places on Google Maps is sure to get your cauldron bubbling. Happy Halloween!

Posted by Susan Cadrecha, Google Maps Zombie Bride

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Google Maps making stressful times easier

October 20th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

You’re running late for an interview, but that little gas light on your dash has been on… for well… too long. You reroute Google Maps to the nearest gas station and start to fill up—and that’s when you notice the gas across the street is 25 cents cheaper. When you finally close the tank, re-type the original address into your phone and get on the road again, you’re short 15 minutes and $5.

Over the next few weeks, we’re rolling out an update to Google Maps on Android that will make your next gas stop more convenient and affordable. Now you can check out gas prices and add detours to your route, without having to exit out of navigation.

When you’re driving in navigation mode and you get that call from your spouse to pick up some more milk on your drive home or if you’re on a road trip and want to find a great restaurant option along your route, simply tap the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen. You’ll see a drop-down menu with helpful options, like gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants. If the drop-down options aren’t what you need, you can always add a detour to your favorite coffee shop by tapping the search icon or by using voice commands.

Whether you’re low on fuel, forgot that bottle of wine for the dinner party, or just really need a coffee to get through your next appointment, Google Maps is here to help make stressful times easier.

Posted by Aditya Dhanrajani, Google Maps Product Manager

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From sea to shining sea with Street View

October 13th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Across the U.S., you can tour beautiful parks, historic sites, stunning city views and breathtaking beaches with Street View in Google Maps. Many of these sights come from our partners participating in the Trekker Loan Program, who are adding imagery from their region for the world to explore. Today, we invite you to discover five new collections across the country, from California all the way to New York.

Starting our journey in NorCal, hike through the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve with the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, who work to preserve some of the state’s most beautiful parks and nature refuges. On your Street View stroll, you can see the old growth redwoods—the largest forest stand in Sonoma County open to the public—as well as countless beautiful meadows and vistas.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, California

Making our way east to Kansas City with Visit Kansas City, virtual visitors can ascend to the top of the Liberty Memorial Tower, one of the largest war memorials in the world at 217 feet tall. If heights aren’t your thing, check out the 22-acre lawns of Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, which is home to Kansas City’s iconic installation Shuttlecocks.

Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, Missouri

Journeying to Kentucky with Sheltowee Trace, stop by Cane Creek, a vast wildlife management area within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Covering more than 6,000 acres, Cane Creek is the principal hiking, biking and horseback riding trail in the area.

Cane Creek Wildlife Management Area, Kentucky

Next up: the great state of Pennsylvania with Visit Bucks County. In Ringing Rocks County Park, it’s said a hammering of the rocks gives off sound like a bell’s chime. Also stop by the Sand Castle Winery, where guests are invited to sip their way through hundreds of acres of vineyards with expansive views.

Ringing Rocks County Park, Pennsylvania

Ending our Street View tour the Hudson River in New York, you can experience the scenic beauty of a daytime excursion on a NYC steamboat. Thanks to the Hudson River Foundation, in partnership with the SS Columbia Project, you can now virtually float 130 miles of the Hudson River—a glorious trip through one of the most culturally, historically and environmentally important regions in America.

Statue of Liberty from the Hudson River, New York

Let Street View be your guide across the great US of A—whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, an afternoon hike or a cross-country road-trip. To see more Street View sites, explore our U.S. Highlights Gallery.

Posted by Deanna Yick, Google Maps Street View Program Manager

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Never be late for a very important date

September 30th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

8:30am: You just hopped in your car for a quick dash across town to make that 9am appointment.
9:15am: You are still sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, watching as pedestrians hurry past and cursing the decision to pick up the car keys.
9:25am: Finally arriving at your appointment, you reflect that maybe hopping on a bike was a smarter option.

Anyone who has been stuck in city traffic knows that the fastest way from A to B is not always by car, and that public transit, biking or even walking can be a better choice. Well, now you can stop playing transportation roulette and start navigating with confidence. Starting today on iOS (already available on Android), Google Maps will show you travel times for all transportation types on just one screen so you can easily compare your options and get where you’re going as quickly as possible.

With live traffic and public transit information reflecting delays and cancellations, Google Maps will quickly compare transport options in real-time to give you the right information, right when you need it. Once you’ve selected your mode of transportation, Google Maps goes the extra mile to provide you with alternate routes directly on the map.

All you need to know is where you want to go. Google Maps for mobile will provide you with the most detailed and useful information so you can make the best decision—whether that means picking up your keys, bike helmet or bus pass.

Post By: Florian Goerisch, Product Manager, Google Maps

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Islands of the Philippines now on Street View

September 16th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Starting today, you can virtually explore downtown Manila, wander the historic streets of Vigan, and see where boxing legend Manny Pacquiao grew up and trained, with the launch of new Street View imagery in the Philippines. Thanks to the support of the Philippines Department of Tourism, 37 cities and 35 historic locations—including eight UNESCO world heritage sites—are now available for the world to explore in 360-degree panoramic views with Street View.

Calle Crisologo, Vigan

From the beautiful baroque churches of Miag-ao and Paoay, to Bantigui Island’s stunning beaches, or Pulag peaks, this new imagery showcases some of the archipelago’s most important historical sites and natural beauty. This imagery expands on existing Street View collections in the Philippines, including underwater views from Apo Island and images of Manila’s historic walled city of Intramuros.

Miag-ao Church, Miagao, Iloilo

Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Bantigui Island, Gigantes Islands

In addition to seeing the Philippines’ famous beaches and churches, you can take an insider’s tour of Manny Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City. Glimpse the Pacman Wildcard Gym that Manny owns, named after the gym in Los Angeles where he used to train, or wander around his farm.

For those looking for something truly unique, head to Baguio for some inspiration and see the Cemetery of Negativism at Camp John Hay, a place where people can bury bad thoughts and vibes in humor, which was established in the early 80’s, or stop by Dinosaur Island in Benguet to experience the dinosaur era with life-size animatronic sauruses.

Cemetery of Negativism, Camp John Hay

Mapping an archipelago with 7,000+ islands is no small undertaking. Since kicking off imagery collection last January, we’ve driven well over 10,000 miles across the country.

We’ll continue to bring Street View to new places across the Philippines, so people around the world can see even more of the beauty and diversity of the country for themselves. Pinoys who would like to share their corner of the world with the world can also use our new Street View app to create and share your own panoramic images.

Posted by Ken Lingan, Country Manager, Google Philippines

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Walk alongside the elephants of the Samburu National Reserve in Street View

September 15th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Today for the first time, we’re releasing Street View imagery of Kenya—including the Samburu National Reserve, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust—in partnership with Save the Elephants and with the support of the Samburu County Government. We’ll let Save the Elephants’ David Dabellen take it from here. -Ed.

It’s a wild life at the Save the Elephants research camp in Samburu, in the heart of northern Kenya’s wilderness. For the last 15 years at Save the Elephants, I’ve spent my days among the elephants, working alongside my fellow Samburu people to study and protect them. Research shows that 100,000 elephants across Africa were killed for their ivory between 2010-2012, but thanks to our work in the Samburu National Reserve their numbers are now slowly increasing. Today, a visit to Samburu is a chance not only to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, but also discover a uniquely beautiful landscape where people’s live are interwoven with the landscape’s wildlife. It’s my honour to invite you on a journey to my homeland with Street View in Google Maps.

Every time I drive into the Reserve, I can see the trust on the elephants’ faces and feel a warm welcome. When I’m out and about, I never know which of my fellow citizens I’ll bump into next. It could be some of the 600+ elephants I can recognize—like the Hardwood family—frolicking together, a group of Samburu warriors walking along the Ewaso Nyiro River, a pride of lions enjoying a bit of shade, or a leopard crossing the path. While you make your journey through Street View, you may be surprised what awaits.

Hardwood family of elephants, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

South of Samburu, up into the hills of Kenya, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy awaits exploration. In this greener landscape, you can cross the open savannah, where animals like zebras and rhinoceroses live protected from poachers and hunters. Every day, the Lewa radio command center plots the movements of elephants (and other GPS-collared wildlife) onto Google Earth to help rangers determine where elephants are and when they might be in danger. If an elephant’s GPS collar sends an alert to indicate the elephant has stopped moving, a team of rangers and tracking dogs will investigate. Save the Elephants was one of the first organizations to use this technology, having collared 266 elephants across Africa since 1998.

Elephants and zebras graze in the open plains of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you can see the devastating effect of poaching and other causes of elephant deaths in Kenya. Founded in 1977, the Trust provides lifesaving assistance to wild animals in need, including orphaned elephants and rhinos. At their Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi, elephant caretakers stand in for an elephant’s lost family, providing 24/7 care and specially formulated milk. As the orphans grow, they are gradually reintegrated back into the wild, where they are protected by the charity’s Anti-Poaching and Aerial Surveillance Teams. To date, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has hand-raised more than 180 orphaned infant elephants, including little Sokotei, who I helped to rescue in Samburu after his mother died of natural causes when he was six months old. He’s just one elephant amid thousands that have been lost across the continent, but when you’re up against a challenge of this scale, every elephant counts.

Orphaned elephants play in the mud at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya

I hope this glimpse into life in Samburu has inspired you to learn more about elephants’ plight and how you can help. Samburu is my home and is full of life. To ensure it remains that way, please consider supporting the research of Save the Elephants, making a donation to the anti-poaching efforts of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, or fostering an orphaned elephant at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. After exploring in Street View, come and see us here in Kenya in person—we’d love to have you!

Posted by David Daballen, Head of Field Operations at Save the Elephants

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Introducing the new Street View app from Google Maps

September 3rd, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

For all the Street View fans out there: exploring the world just got even easier. Today we are introducing the new Street View app for Android and iOS, which allows you for the first time, to tour immersive 360-degree imagery and instantly contribute your own — right to Google Maps. Find a great hiking trail, check out restaurant and hotel interiors, and snap and share your own photo spheres (360-degree panoramas) to Google Maps for others to explore and enjoy. All in one place.

The new Street View app for Android (left) and iOS (right)

Explore

In one gallery, you can explore Street View collections and content from Google Maps alongside photo spheres contributed from people around the globe. So whether you want to track the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, scale the famed rock wall El Capitan in Yosemite, or hike Mt. Fuji, the Street View app has you covered.

Explore Google Maps and user galleries in the Street View app

Contribute

Now you can publish photo spheres of your favorite places from around the world (or around the block!) to Google Maps instantly. The Street View app allows you to shoot photo spheres directly from your Android phone or iPhone or connect to spherical cameras like the Ricoh Theta S, or NCTech iris360.

Publish photo spheres directly to Google Maps in the Street View app

Starting today, the Street View app will replace the Photo Sphere Camera app for iPhones and the Street View from Google Maps app on Android phones. It is available for download on iTunes and Google Play.

Posted by Charles Armstrong, Product Manager at Google Maps

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Discover deliciousness with “explore” in Google Maps

September 2nd, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

Whether you’re a tourist looking for a casual dinner or a local trying to find a new neighborhood watering hole, Google Maps for mobile provides the most detailed and useful information so you can make the best decision on where to go. Starting today in Google Maps for Android in the US and UK, you’ll be able to uncover the best your city has to offer with our updated explore feature. And in NYC, San Francisco and London, you’ll enjoy curated recommendations from Google Maps. Now you can discover what is unique (and delicious!) about the neighborhood you’re in — whether it’s pre-theater dining in the Theater District in NYC, Dolores Park picnic fare in the Mission in San Francisco or centuries-old pubs in The City in London.

Having the best local guide is great, but what’s better: having the best local guide for you. To do that, you’ve got to know where you’re going, the time of day for your meal, and what vibe you want. After all, the best spot for a quick bite alone may not be your top pick for a dinner with friends. With today’s Google Maps update, no matter the occasion — think Lunch nearby right now or Best spots for dinner with kids this weekend — you can be confident that Google Maps has you covered.

Once you pick the category that suits your craving, you can see in-depth details about each location. Swipe through photos, get details (family-friendly? quick bite?), and check out ratings and reviews from Google and other diners. And for select spots, you also discover why it may be particularly relevant to you: for example, Google Maps may recommend a place that’s popular with other diners who visited a place you’ve been to in the past.

While Google Maps may offer a suggested list, such as lunch or dinner based on your location and time of day, sometimes a change of scenery is in order! Never fear, all options for nearby neighborhoods, categories and cuisines are all just one tap away. And if you don’t find the perfect place at first glance, you can choose to load more places from the area, expand the area or switch to a different category.

Now enjoy, and eat up!

Posted by Murali Viswanathan, Senior Product Manager

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Walking in the footsteps of Galápagos giants: Wild tortoises in Google Maps

September 2nd, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

The giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands have been stalwart survivors for centuries, but the last few hundred years have been rough. Once so numerous that sixteenth century explorers actually named the archipelago “galápago” for the old Spanish word for tortoise, the rats and hungry sailors that followed them caused the tortoises’ numbers to dwindle almost to extinction. Today, thanks to the establishment of tortoise breeding centers and invasive species eradication programs carried out by the Government of Ecuador, the Directorate of the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation, the giant tortoise is back. And now, you can follow the giant tortoises all around the Galápagos with Street View in Google Maps.

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Wild tortoise in front of Alcedo Volcano in the Galápagos Islands

In 2013, we partnered with the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galápagos National Park to collect 360-degree imagery of the landscapes and wildlife of the Galápagos. Last year, we extended our partnership to our loan program and sent the Street View Trekker back to the Galápagos Islands so that our partners could collect more imagery to support ongoing conservation and scientific studies. Thanks to the conservation effort that saved them, you can now view the tortoises in their natural habitats on islands like Pinzón and Isabela, happily traversing the wild terrain or just enjoying a morning meal.

The Street View Trekker collecting imagery along a lava shoreline

Similar to Charles Darwin’s exploration in 1835 that inspired his theory of evolution, scientists and park managers continue to study and protect these majestic creatures. Most people think of tortoises as very sedentary animals, but in fact, they’re frequently on the move. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology allows observers to track the movements of giant tortoises across the different islands. For example, the data shows that on Alcedo volcano, the tortoises undergo long distance, annual migrations related to the seasons and availability of water.

An accelerated view of a “tortoise highway” along the Alcedo volcano crater rim

To explore more of the sites from today’s Galápagos release, or imagery from our previous trip in 2013, take a look at the Galápagos Street View Gallery. And remember: you’re with the tortoises, not the hares, so take your time and enjoy!

Posted by Raleigh Seamster, Program Manager for Google Earth Outreach

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Plus codes: A new way to help pinpoint places on the map

August 12th, 2015 | by Lat Long | published in Google Earth

The Adventure Crafts Glassmart in Kibera, Kenya, has the address: Stall No. 164, Makina Stalls, Kibera Drive, Located close to the Toi Market. There is no traditional address system in Kibera, so no easy number-and-street identifier. Nothing easy to plug into your phone. So, say you wanted to visit the shop: How would you go about finding it?

Last April we released a new system to help provide an address for every location in the world, called Open Location Code (OLC, also known as “plus codes”). Today, plus codes are now searchable on Google and Google Maps. Plus codes are a useful way of representing locations that don’t have specific street addresses. But it’s not just in less developed places like Kibera. For example, an area the size of a few beach blankets on Atlantic Beach would have the plus code 87G8H7P8+FH. If you’re hoping to tell some friends where to meet you on the beach — and they are near Atlantic Beach or looking up the specific location in Google Maps while zooming in over it — you can give them just the last four digits “P8+FH” to help them find you. You can find the plus code for your location at http://plus.codes.

Using plus codes to locate friends at the beach is one example, but these codes become extremely helpful in places with high population density but poor data accuracy or coverage, or those that lack a specific addressing system altogether. Kathmandu, Nepal, has a population of around 1 million people, but most roads have no names and houses have no street numbers. Being able to precisely navigate without local knowledge is difficult. Plus codes will now let you easily specify your destination.

7MV7P8R9+W2, or P8R9+W2 if you or your viewport are already in Kathmandu.

These codes can help many different people, in many parts of the world: Small businesses rely on customers being able to find them. Crisis response organizations rely on accurate location information–often long distances from established roads and buildings–to provide aid and save lives.

As we continue to make Maps as accurate and comprehensive as possible, we hope plus codes become a useful way to pinpoint the places that might be harder to find — whether you’re looking for your friends’ beach towels, or some glassware in Kenya.

Posted by Rasťo Šrámek, Software Engineer, Google Maps

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