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

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

Boo! Hide n’ Street...View

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

Google Maps making stressful times easier

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

From sea to shining sea with Street View

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