SeanChoe : open travel blog

Journals of Sean's Open Travel to US

The Valley : How Silicon Valley Became A Startup Paradise

This is the video I took on May 2010, when I traveled around United States.

I visited as many startups as I can in Silicon Valley, and interviewed people who work there.

I'm very inspired by the people there, and the atmosphere of the startup industry. Thanks to all the people who gladly allowed my interview.

And I hope all of you enjoy this film.

Staring:

  • Jia Shen (Co-founder, RockYou)
  • Mickey Kim (Google. Now he changed his position to Head of Google TV Partnership Asia Pacific.)
  • Robin Sloan (Media Partnerships, Twitter)
  • John Yamasaki (Director of Community and Partnerships, Seesmic)

Day 11 - Last but not Least

It was my last day in San Francisco. I will be missing this city so much.

Friends at the Korean tweetup in SF last night told me that I should visit the Palm Drive in front of Stanford University. So I went there in the morning. It was beautiful as they said. I was able to feel why Stanford is the Stanford.


And in the afternoon, I had an appointment with the CEO of RockYou, Jia Shen. We met once at the Kmixx meet-up in Korea, so he allowed me to visit his company. The company was in Redwood City, and it was quite big. They have up to 200 employees now. RockYou makes social games and widgets. And Jia allowed me to tape his talking as well, Very thankfully.

In the evening I went to Golden Gate Bridge again. The friends at the Korean tweetup also let me know the best view spot for the Bridge, where I've not been before. I could see the bridge very closely there. I stayed there until night, and was able watch the night view of the bridge and the city also. It was just gorgeous.


See more pictures here.

Day 9, 10 - Google I/O

Google I/O was one of the main reason of my travel to United States. And it was beyond my expectations. I met so many great people, had great food, and watched the amazing keynote. The best part was I was right in the middle of the event I've always dreamed of.

The best part of I/O was the keynote speech of second day. They announced the next Android, Froyo, and Google TV on that day. Watching the keynote in the middle of the audiences was far better experience than watching a concert for me. The room was full of techies like me, and it was so fun to feel the same things with everyone.

Froyo was amazing. I haven't think that way before, but now I started to think that Android actually can compete with iPhone. There were so many great features in the new Android version. In fact, it even looked as they tried to make only the features iPhone doesn't have. And it worked.


And Google TV, well, the first impression to me was like "Can't I just connect a Mac Mini to a TV?". It was good that they made TV searchable, but the UI was not that different from PC. And they made too many mistakes during the presentation because of the bluetooth connection, And it even devaluated the product itself. My friend Mickey was also in part of the project, so I felt really sorry about the mistakes. But I can tell the Google TV is just starting now, and it has so many potentials. We'll see.

Another best part of I/O for me was the GTUG(Google Technology User Group) managers' dinner on the night before the I/O. Managers of GTUGs from all around the world gathered in one place, had food together, and talked a lot. They were all fun and great people.

And as known to everyone, Google gave away the HTC EVO to every attendees! including the one month unlimited plan! That's perfect for me because I'm traveling here in US for a month. So I got 2 new Android smart phones from Google this time. I couldn't get more excited.


See more pictures here.

Day 8 - Moments in San Francisco

On this day afternoon I checked in for Google I/O, and rest of the day I looked around San Francisco by car. Even though there was some parking fee, I found that it's more easier to move around by a car than walking. Well, which is pretty obvious.

First I went to a famous brunch restaurant called Butler & Chef. I knew there by Mickey Kim, a friend of mine who works in Google. It was a french restaurant located at South Park. The waiter who had great french accent was very kind. And food was so nice too. Specially the onion soup. There was Google Places mark in front of the restaurant which means it's already known to many people.


Then I went to Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, I was about to visit the Palace of Fine Art, but I ridiculously drove to wrong way and got to the famous place for travelers where they can watch the bridge. I just took some pictures of the bridge and moved on.


Then as I planned, I went to the Palace of Fine Art, took pictures, and then headed to the famous Lombard street. You know, the well-known zig zag load in San Francisco. There were many travelers and the street was beautiful as the fame.


Then I drove to Twin Peaks. I didn't expect so much about that place but turns out it was the best view spot I've ever been in San Francisco. The weather was great, and I could see whole city at a glance. It was a gorgeous view.


And I went to the Civic Center, which is the city hall of the city.


My purpose of this day was to tape and take pictures of the great moments of the city. I was not that interested to look around the famous places, but the scenes and moments I saw today was very priceless and unforgettable. I'm more and more falling in love with the city. 

See more pictures here.

Day 1,2 - San Francisco

I'll be trying to post wrap-ups of every day during my travel. It's 3rd day today, but I came home to late yesterday and was so tired to post. So I'll do both today.

on Day 1, The weather was amazing. My uncle who picked me up from airport and gratefully provides a room for me, said it was raining yesterday. But today the weather was so great that he think America is welcoming me. :) Either way I felt really nice because of the weather. Everything looked so bright and vivid comparing with Korea because of the ray of sunshine.

on the first evening my uncle's family and I went to have dinner to a salad buffet restaurant named "Sweet Tomato". Since I got here in US, every food I had was just amazing. The restaurant was so great too. I had the best broccoli ever in my life at that place.

And fortunately I could borrow a cellphone from my cousin and rented a car from a shop for 2 days.

on Day2, I had an appointment with Mickey Kim at Google. it was on 3pm, but I got up early in the morning and drove to Apple headquarter. It was like pilgrimage to me. I couldn't go into the company because I don't know anyone there, but still it was really awesome experience to me. I bought some souvenirs at the company store.

And then I visited Stanford University. The whole campus was so clean and beautiful. But again, I didn't have any information about the campus so it didn't take long to look around.

Then finally I got to the Google headquarter. The meeting was on 3 but I've reached there on 1 and had lunch there. It was lunch time then so many people were there but no one recognized me that I'm a stranger. So I could have great time around the Google campus. Couldn't go into the office building of course.

It was first time for me to talk to Mickey in person but he was really great person. Kind and enthusiastic. He showed me the Liquid Galaxy, which was amazing, and we had an interview and I taped it. I will publish it later when I get to Korea.

I set an appointment with Joyce Kim at Soompi.com as well. I drove to San Francisco until 5pm. Joyce and I had coffee together and had great conversation. And unexpectedly but amazingly, The whole employees of Soompi was supposed to go watching the San Francisco Giants baseball game on that night, and they let me join!! And it was a Korean heritage theme game even!! I think God helps me a lot during this travel.

We lost the game but the whole experiences are just unforgettable. I appreciate to everyone.