You can't wander around the Bay Area for long without thinking about computers. Indeed, it is hard to go far without passing the offices of some famous hardware or software company. It is only fitting, therefore, that the area is also The Place to shop for computer equipment and consumer electronics. A visit to the area is not complete without a trip to Fry's.
There are several Fry's Electronics stores around the Bay Area, each one of them decorated with a specific theme. Our local branch in San José has a Mayan theme and looks very splendid. Sadly customers are expressly forbidden from taking photographs inside the store. Goodness only knows why, because some good photos would probably attract a lot more visitors, but I guess Frys' corporate lawyers have got to earn a crust somehow.
Fry's stores are huge, really huge. The largest store is over 180,000 square feet. There are plenty of shopping malls in Britain that would fit inside a typical Fry's. Consequently, of course, there is stuff, loads and loads of it. There are computers, printers, hardware accessories, software, 'how to' books, and of course those staples of nerdish life, Jolt Cola, coffee and huge bags of potato crisps (that's chips to you American readers). There are doubtless things to do with computers that you cannot get at Fry's, but I don't have the time to find out what they are.
Having said that, Fry's is probably not the cheapest place to buy computer stuff. And while the staff doubtless do their best, they cannot hope to be well versed in the intricacies of everything that the company sells. Fry's is a store for people who know what they want, don't want to have to wait for it to be delivered, and don't want to hunt around for a shop that has it. If that description fits you, go shop; otherwise just go take a look because you won't see many shops like these.