The San Francisco to Munich connection

With ever increasing frequency I'm hearing of people in Munich either going to, or coming from, San Francisco.

I know of a couple of TT readers who actually commute between the two cities. One of the forum moderators is there right now. And while at a conference he bumped into another TT'er - quite by random chance. I was over there a couple of months ago. As was Edmund Stoiber. Governator Arnie is rumoured to be in Munich in November. A number of TT readers are based in San Francisco, although none have yet admitted to it. And one of the most active English speaking groups in Munich is the California Association of Germany.

The connection kinda makes sense. Munich is supposed to be the IT capital of Germany, perhaps even of mainland Europe. San Francisco is the IT capital of the world. There's bound to be a natural affinity.

So what's your SF connection? Are you from there? Are you there right now or know someone who is? Have you lived there or been recently? Are you going there soon, and if so why?

i wish i could claim more of a connection to san fran... it's my fav city in america and if i move back... it'll be there. sanfran people are just so [typically] laid back and eclectic fun

Our connection: Moved over here from the SF Bay Area. Company HQ is in the SF area.

Well, I grew up in the SF bay area, and I'm moving to SF (actually, Berkeley, but close enough) in a couple months.

I have seen the movies Presidio, The Rock, Escape from Alcatraz, Dirty Harry and Bullit. Growing up I ate the San Francisco treat.

Well, there are a boat-load of people from Boston too. Maybe they should be twin-cities?

Grew up in the Bay Area for 6 years, and then moved back for another 6 years to work for software makers Macromedia, based in San Francisco. The IT connection played a big part for me in moving here to Munich - I knew there would be very similar type of work here in Munich as in San Francisco.

San Fran is a great place, though don't be fooled by the weather being good and stereotypically Californian! Gotta drive 30 minutes north, east, or south 9 months of the year for the sun (which really is an interesting weather quirk). The fog rolls down the streets of SF almost daily...

And the San Francisco Coffee Company is actually a Munich company.

I lived there for 8 years before moving here, and still own a place on the Panhandle that I rent out. I miss it quite a bit.

insider tip: most city residents do not refer to it "San Fran" or, even worse, Frisco. It's usually SF, the city or, most frequently, San Francisco. Haight Street was, at least when I left it, Starbucks free.

What about Herbie: The Love Bug?

"the city", I always found that so pretentious sounding!

For anyone with an SF connection, check out Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill DVD, one of his shows from San Francisco. The intro commentary of your typical SF cable car ride is hillarious!!!

Still, the official sister of Munich in the states is actually in Ohio..

http://www.munichcincinnatisistercity.org/

to each his own.

Eddie Izzard's bit is hilarious. Especially about the cabs...

I always call it SFO when I'm typing -- that's the abbreviation for the airport. I've never seen anyone else do that though. Both sets of grandparents and all my aunts and uncles live there and we go for Xmas every other year, and I lived in San Jose (an hour to the south, and I'd argue it as the real capital of IT) for ten years. When speaking I call it "safrcisco", but I've never heard anyone else pronounce it that way either...

I'm not sure how that is pronounced Gen...

Agree, San Jose is the city of the Silicon Valley (North 1st Street to be exact). There WERE some little dotcom types in SF but no longer as the landlords stopped taking options for rent...

Until recently all of my siblings lived there, so our whole family would meet up there for summers and christmases.. my oldest sister still has a house in Tiburon, although now she's in NY with her family, where my brother and his pregnant wife also reside. My other sister still lives in SF as do three of my best friends. Needless to say I know the city very well and LOVE it. Beautiful, cultural, liberal, cool architecture, bums everywhere.. it's great.

A house in Tiburon??? holy $$! Very nice!

I miss sitting out on the deck at Sam's and the margs at Guaymas...sob...

Yummy.. Guaymas. There shrimp cocktil think with the avocado is so good! The chips and salsa too.

Yeah, my sister's husband has a pretty fantastic job, even though he never gets to see his family. Their house there is actually too small.. they have 3 kids and one on the way... they're waiting for their grumpy neighbors to die so they can have more property. The view from their place is incredible. There view from their place in NY is not bad either.. it's in a new building directly across from Lincoln Center

@butterbean -

I used to think the same, but I think in all reality the capital of IT would be in Sunnyvale/Mountain View.

Well, all y'all will have to come and visit. Hopefully, we'll have an extra room for guests.

I came to deutschland from there...well Bezerkley but close enough as IPJ says...Go with this job about 2-3 times a year. Cant wait to visit IPJ since Ive only met her once in TT !!

PS: I think theres quite a few Beantown connections as well...I know 1-2 ex TTers are around. Oonis floating around here somewhere for the next year...maybe he can be our beantown stammtisch organizer.

When my parents decided to be hippies they moved to San Francisco from Ohio (separately - they met in San Francisco). I was born in Martinez, but we left when I was a baby, and I've only been back once since.

I was born and raised in San Francisco. It's a beautiful city with lots to do and see. The thing I love most is how there are all types of different people and everyone gets along. You can have purple/green hair and nobody will stare at you. I always thought it reminds me of Amsterdam on that level. There is such a big mix of different races and cultures that you can get anything you want - yummy fat burritos, fried calamari, crab, steak, Chinese, Italien, Japanese, whatever. There are the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor walking the same streets. I used to live in Southbeach on King Street across from the Giants baseball park, although on game days it was lots of traffic and loud people, it was one of the nicest areas in the City. The weather was sunny where you could go for long walks along the Embarcadero down to Fishermans Wharf, great views of the bay bridge, Red's Java House, Gordon Biersch, Pier 23...Has anyone been to the restaurant called Carribean Zone? under the freeway on Harrison St with the tropical decor where you sit inside a real airplane and have drinks and watch little videos in the windows? I want to go home...

I am from SF, and I just moved to Munich eight months ago.

Munich and SF have some things in common (a sort of Silicon Valley here, closeness
to mountains, etc), and SF is, in my opinion, the most European city in the USA.
As TT-ers know, Munich is low on crime, etc comparted to just about anyplace in
the USA - SF included. I expecially appreciate the somewhat idyllic life here compared
to SF where, at last estimation, there are about 5,000 homeless living on the streets.
There is the "left coast" socialism (that is very strong here in the EU), as well as some
serious conservatism. And then there is the cost of living, one of the highest in the
USA. The "jump in your car to go around the block" mentality that is mostly Californian
is ever present there. SF residents do, however, use public transportation and "BART"
- the local train - much more than other cities in California.

I still prefer Munich.

Must add, though, that the BART's a joke compared to the MVV.

...and if you take the bus through China Town you might find some loogies on your shoes...

I've just been in SF as part of my holiday, great city. Even stayed 2 days longer than planned because we had so much fun.

I am from the bay area, specifically, Los Gatos. Having led EMEA business development for a number of technology startups throughout the 90's, I know 'the city' very well, and still conduct business with Bay Area companies, so I still get back there occasionally.

Before moving to Munich in 2000, I traveled back and forth on Lufthansa's direct flight every 2 weeks (did this for 2 years!). Met my wife here. Got married, finally got tired of the 2-week travel plan, and convinced my company to expat me here.

A lot has changed since then; the technology bubble burst, the Euro, and the weakness of the dollar. Things have changed a lot compared to the old days of the technology boom, Deutschmark, and strong Dollar, and I'm sure a few of you know what I'm talking about :-)

Anyway, would love to connect with others from the bay area.. What's your story?

One thing I really miss.. about California in general.. GREAT Mexican food. Especially in San Diego..

Hey Jeffn, I spent some time studying park management at West Valley. I'm sure you're familiar with it. My sister used to work at a restaurant/pub (or one or the other, can't remember) in LG called "the Wave" or something like that. Ah yes, and my very first job ever was at Los Gatos Meadows as a waitress.

Hi Jeffn,

I lived in Saratoga from 93 - May, when my husband & I moved to Munich. Worked in 'high-tech', always on the software side. I miss California but am already having doubts about going back to the suburbia that is Saratoga! I LOVE the S-bahn, and having the beautiful big city so close.

Jeffn,
I spent most of my adult life in the SF Bay Area, and worked in a bunch of high-tech
places like Atari, Sun Microsystems and even PIXAR (back when it was a hardware
company). I do miss the dynamicism of the pre bubble-burst Silicon Valley.
What I don't miss is buying 6 months of stuff at COSCO just to see half of it waste
away in you garage, consuming more garbage in California than most countries,
living in a car-culture where they stop making sidewalks, the single-minded focus on
money money money, and just the frenetic lifestyle of working 12-14 hours a day,
every day, every week, every month (with just five DAYS vaction your first year),
and NO healthcare if you don't work (except 7 hour waits at the county hospital), and
and and...
Did I say I like it here?

Levon

I'm from the bay area, and that wasn't a part of any culture I know there. Even as a gas station attendant, I had at least two weeks of vacation and health care.

IPJ - well, in most of the jobs I had (I even worked in a gas station during
college), the first year you got 1 week (5 days) of vacation. The next year, you
got two weeks. And my high-tech world was filled with a "get-it-done-at-all-costs"
attitude that just wears you out...I *did* burn out in that environment a couple of
time. But the money was good...

-l.

Speaking of movies made in SF...Has anyone seen "So I married an Axe Murderer"...best movie ever!!! REminds me of home...
Does anyone know if the cafe in the 1st scene with the mega-huge cappucino´s really exists? My brother and I heard it did and went to look, but couldnt find it.

Not sure but the butcher where she works used to.. it was on the corner of Grant and Green and is now a Harley bar

I'm actually going to be moving to Palo Alto in the end of August and thru September as part of my work here in Munich. Anyone familiar with that part of the Bay Area? I'm from the East Coast and have never been to Cali so ANY info you can give me would be great. Thanx.

Yep, drive to Santa Cruz for your weekends.

Palo Alto's alright, but seriously, go to the beach for the weekends. Btw, if you're into sushi, there's a really good place on El Camino Real called Fumiyoshi.

Funny film. I like Mike Myers.

Wow!!! Didn't realize so many Silicon-Valley-ites living in the neighborhood. Guess I've been living in a bubble. Need to reach out. Maybe we can organize some sort of silicon valley get-together!

But honestly, I also like Munich a lot. I too enjoy the really well organized public transportation all through Europe, I love the culture, the relatively low crime rate (in Munich, at least), and the availability of great stuff to do here or close by. I love the fact that I can let my 9yr old son play anywhere in the neighborhood without fear.. And that my wife can be out with her friends without fear of being accosted.

But, all things considered, I find the cost of living here (today) comparable, if not more expensive than the bay area (quite expensive!), the career opportunities limited by comparison, and I do miss the conveniences of being able to shop and have virtually any service you want at a broader choice of hours and days.. and the climate.. well, by comparison, I needn't say much about that... And I REALLY miss the Mexican food!

Shall we attempt a get-together at one of the Mexican places in Schwabing? I travel a lot, but maybe we can organize something...

J

Levon,

Well, I can agree with you about a lot of what you say.. but healthcare? I don't know what plan you are on, but we were on the 'social' healthcare system for about a year... Paying €400/month in premiums for it for the family (yeah, 'free' healthcare for everyone).

One day, just as ski season was starting (my kid loves to ski) my son was playing with a bunch of kids.. he broke his big toe. He's a kid.

So, we went to the hospital in Schwabing, but because we had social health care, we waited for 6 Hours before anyone would look at him.

So, they took x-rays (another 90 minutes) and after another 2 hours, an intern came and put a cast on him up to his knee, and told us he'd have to stay off it for six weeks. Unbelieveable. We took the Xrays with us.. (my wife is smart).

Bottom line, We were there for almost 10 hours to get crappy healthcare.

So, since he likes to ski so much, a friend recommended we go to austria to have him looked at. We went to a clinic in Kitzbuhel, and the doctor saw us immediately. He looked at the xray and chuckled. He said 'You have social insurance and you took him to a hospital in Munich, Right?'. Yep.

So, he cut off the cast, taped his toes together, put his foot in a some sort of magnetic machine, charged us €40, and my kid immediately went skiing.. for the rest of the season. No problems, no pain, no side-effects.

The doc told us that if you have social insurance, you are the lowest possible priority, and they will always take the most extreme, least costly, and least risky (lawsuit) approach. This is consistent with what we saw.

Now we have private insurance. I pay just short of €1000 a month for the entire family. But I gotta tell you..

Every time we need any healthcare at all.. we get right in, and get immediate, competent attention from the attending physician, not an intern. We get good healthcare. The private card has power.. But we pay dearly...

So, from my point of view, there is nothing good about the 'social' healthcare system. In fact, the 'free' healthcare we received for €400 euros a month was ridiculous and I would have rather just paid cash at a foreign clinic..

I could get on a stump about the education system here, too. Fortunately, our kid goes to a private school.

So, I'm reluctant to say the 'system' is better here.. not in my experience..

J

I didn't catch the whole thread, jsut this last post (I am actually trying to work right now...) but - we are still on the social system, I could put the family on a private scheme, but I take the difference (would be about 4-500 Euros here) and pay directly for certain medical things out of pocket - and get treated like a private patient. On the other hand, my son is on allergy medicine and has asthma, so this is all covered 100% by the state. If we ever need a dentist, though, we go to a private one.

I've actually been treated fairly well on the state scheme though.

We haven't had to pay a dime out of pocket on the private insurance system. It's expensive, but the care you get is defeinitely 'priority'

I'm also from the San Francisco area originally. Grew up in a small town just east of the Bay (anyone ever heard of a little town called "Moraga"? )

I miss the great Mexican food in California, too! But, I also heartily agree with IPJ: BART is -nothing- compared to the MVV!

I must admit - I've heard of Moraga but never been there.

Not missing much, IPJ!

I live in San Francisco. Right in North Beach. Haven't yet been to Munich, but hope to in the near future, so I can't offer a comparision. Flights are EXPENSIVE to Munich!!!

Happy though to see SO MANY 'TT's' associated with San Francisco though!

Well Jeffn,

You are right - healthcare is not exactly free here (I, too, pay monthly), however,
if you are not working and have health issues, you still get taken care of here (see
my letter in the current issue of Munich Found)

Yes - it would be nice for us California types to get together. I am going to the
Amerika Haus 4th of July event (hey - may the 4th be with you!!!). This would be a
good time to get together. Also - I make a mean chili, so the Chili Cook-off is on my
radar as well...

-L.

With all these ex-SF'ers I wonder if I could ask a question? I'm going to be spending a weekend in SF in August before going down to a conference at UC Santa Cruz. I'm trying to work out what the best thing to do wrt hotels is... where to stay etc. I'm going to get in on Friday night, after 13 hours of flying, and planned to get the BART into town. I'd then collapse before spending Sat & Sun morning sightseeing and then somehow get to UCSC Sunday afternoon.

I've looked at lots of websites and think I have a plan revolving around the BART, but personal recommendations would be very welcome. specfically:

* what area of town would be best to stay in for such a brief visit (and how to get there from SFO). Work will be paying but it comes out of my travel budget so I'd rather it was not at the Ritz end of the scale!

* the best way to get from whichever region of SF to UCSC on a Sunday afternoon

Useful suggestions secure transportation of whatever goodies you happen to be missing!

It's about a 45 minute to 1 hour drive in a car, so any form of public transit will take longer.

-- Santa Cruz Airporter: San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Santa Cruz, 61 miles, approximately $40 (this is probably the fastest).

-- Public transit: Take Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) from the airport, travel south 1 stop to the Millbrae station ($1.25). Transfer to a southbound Cal-Train and travel to the San Jose Diridon station ($4.50). Take the a "Highway 17 Express" bus to the Santa Cruz Metro Center stop ($4.00).

-- Amtrak Train: San Francisco to San Jose Amtrak Station ($12) at Diridon/Cahill St, 32 miles, take Amtrak bus ($4) to Santa Cruz Metro Station.

-- Greyhound Bus: San Francisco direct to Santa Cruz ($11), easiest way, but takes almost 3 hours due to stops (I guess).

Once you get to Santa Cruz, you can take any of the following buses from the Metro station up to the campus:

-- Route 10 - University via High Street
-- Route 12A/12B - University/East Side Direct (School Term Only)
-- Route 13 - University via Walnut (School Term Only)
-- Route 15 - University via Laurel West (School Term Only)
-- Route 16 - University via Laurel East
-- Route 19 - University via Lower Bay
-- Route 20 - University via Westside

Actually, I think you'll be there just before the school term starts (usually 3rd or 4th week of August), so the ones labeled School Term Only above can be ignored. The only difference in these buses as far as the stops up on the campus are concerned is that the even numbered ones enter the campus one way, while the odd numbered ones enter the opposite (they make a big loop up on the campus). The 13, 15, 16 and 19 are the most direct. I'm not sure how much a ticket will cost you, since it was free with my student ID card.

Benpanther-
My preference is Supershuttle, rather than BART. The shuttle will take you inexpensively to most any front door in the city-particularly important if you have luggage to deal with! Supershuttle

I don’t know what would be a reasonably priced hotel for you. My personal preference are for the Joie de Vivre Hospitality hotel selections:
Joie de Vivre Hotels
They can accommodate a variety of tastes and budgets.

The selections below may meet your budget needs,while staying at a very nice place:
Phoneix Hotel...(fun and chic, but not the best location; in my view)
[img]http://www.jdvhospitality.com/images/dynamic/hotels/phoenixhotel_large.jpg[/img]
“… How many hotels can claim that Keanu Reeves, Linda Ronstadt, Sinead O’Connor, John F. Kennedy Jr., Faye Dunaway, and David Bowie have graced their mattresses (no, silly, not all on the same mattress!)? How many hotels have become the crash pad and launching pad for world-renowned bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana and Pearl Jam; and up-and-comers like Norah Jones, Pete Yorn and Hoobastank?...�
Opening Act Package
-One night in a Standard Room with a King or two Double beds
-Two drinks and one appetizer at Bambuddha Lounge
-Complimentary parking
-Complimentary continental breakfast served poolside
-Package rates start from $129 plus tax

The following have better locations.
The Commodore Hotel
[img]http://www.jdvhospitality.com/images/dynamic/hotels/commodorehotel_large.jpg[/img]
“…The Commodore Hotel near Union Square is the start of your San Francisco urban adventure. The hotel was designed with an eye for 1920s luxury liner detailing and Neo-Deco stylings. Mosaics and murals, playful custom furnishings, and rooms named for the City's hidden treasures create an air of sophisticated fun. The Red Room bar is a San Francisco hot spot and always hopping….�
Shake Your Booty
Package starts at $109.00 per night.
Package Includes:
-Deluxe Guestroom
-Complimentary Self Parking ($25.00 value)
-Split-bottle of Shakers Vodka
-A Shakers Vodka, 12 oz. stainless steel mini shaker
-Commodore Hotel’s list of top San Francisco places to
shake it on the dance floor.
-VIP treatment at some of the “hippest� spots in town
-Late night……...enjoy a 2pm late check out

Hotel Bijou... (about $130/night)
[img]http://www.jdvhospitality.com/images/dynamic/hotels/hotelbijou_large.jpg[/img]

“…Inspired by San Francisco's rich cinematic history, the Hotel Bijou is adorned with movie palace stylings, dramatic Hollywood portraits, and a mini-movie theater in the lobby. Each light and comfortable guestroom is named for a motion picture shot in San Francisco, with original movie stills as decorative room accents. A double feature of San Francisco-based films are screened each evening in the Petit Theatre Bijou….�

Hotel Adagio...(about $150/night)
[img]http://www.jdvhospitality.com/images/dynamic/hotels/hoteladagio_large.jpg[/img]

“…The new Hotel Adagio features a fresh design that bridges its Spanish Colonial Revival architectural roots to a clean and contemporary design aesthetic. Located in the heart of San Francisco's theater, dining and shopping districts, the Adagio is the perfect destination for exploring whether you're visiting on business or pleasure. Uniquely San Franciscan and clearly Californian, the new Hotel Adagio offers a pace and atmosphere that is luxuriant and aromatic….�

While you are at the Joie de Vivre site, check these links:
Things to do in SF
http://www.jdvhospitality.com/thingstodo/

Get the inside scope from locals:
http://www.jdvhospitality.com/locals/

Have fun!
~CP