Contact and opening hours

We are moving!

Dear friends,

We are pleased to inform you that we have moved to a new location. Our new institute is currently being renovated. Until our official move-in date, we are working from home.

You can still reach us by phone and online if you have any questions, need help or just want to stay in touch. We are there for you between Monday and Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm.

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We’ll continue to offer cultural programs of the highest quality in our new location, while also providing an innovative and exciting gathering place for cultural exchange in the community.

Join us in taking a first look at our new location in this video.


As we’re surrounded by moving boxes, we’re reminiscing about all the amazing times we’ve had at 530 Bush Street, which has been our home for so long. Indeed, for over 40 years this space has been a hub of cultural exchange and language learning. It has seen countless students, artists, and scholars from around the world. We are proud of the part we’ve played in bringing the German language and culture to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Take a trip down memory lane with us in this photo gallery of 40 years of Bush Street.
 
  • Bush Street Front View © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    530 Bush Street, home to GISF for over 40 years, was a very special place. Not only because of its special location in the heart of SF, but especially because the institute offered a unique space for events of all kinds. From exhibitions to film screenings to football events, anything was possible here.
  • Art Lounge Bush Street © Barak Shrama
    The Art Lounge not only provided a perfect venue for events, but also a great projection surface for a wide variety of artwork. Pictured here: Peter Eickmeyer's graphic novel adaptation of Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front"
  • Close to the Wind Exhibition ©
    For the exhibition "Close to the Wind" (2013), the Goethe team was allowed to lend a hand themselves.
  • The Power of Emotions (2019) © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    The exhibition "The power of emotions" (2019) inspired not only the visitors but also the team. But not only exhibitions took place here - interested people could learn more about Goethe's language courses at Language Fairs.
  • 50 years of German-Israeli diplomacy © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Things were a bit more formal in 2015 at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of German-Israeli diplomacy.
  • Fußball © Barak Shrama
    ...and, of course, sports were not to be neglected. Whether Bundesliga or World Cup - soccer fans were always welcome!
  • Christmas © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    What showroom can claim to have enough space for a Christmas tree so big it won't fit in the photo?!
  • Office space Bushstreet © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    There was always something going on in the office on the second floor. Admittedly, the furniture and color scheme (especially in the early years) couldn't compete with the glossy offices of the tech giants here in the Bay Area, but the office certainly had charm.
  • German Language Courses © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    Whether German students, teachers, guests or colleagues: All were welcome
  • Goethe goes SF - Chinatown © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    By the way, we were not only in the office - but also in China Town...
  • Goethe goes SF - Union Square © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    ...at Union Square
  • Goethe goes SF - Golden Gate Park © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    ...or in the Golden Gate Park
  • Berlin & Beyond Film Festival © Barak Shrama
    ... and of course Berlin and Beyond can't be missing here! Every year, stars of the film scene are drawn to our festival in San Francisco. At Youth 4 German Cinema, the stars of tomorrow can get their first insights into the film business.
  • The Team © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    ...Finally, we want to remember the most important thing: the wonderful teams that made Bush Street the special place we are saying goodbye to. We thank everyone for the wonderful years and look forward to welcoming you to our new location!
  • Berkeley 2012 © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Berkeley 2012
  • Berkeley 2012 © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Berkeley 2012
  • Costanoa 2015 © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Costanoa 2015
  • Oakland 2018 © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Oakland 2018
  • Trip to Ocean Beach © Goethe Institut San Francisco
    Trip to Ocean Beach
  • Lunch on the roof top terrace © Goethe-Institut San Francisco
    Lunch and farewell party of our colleague Madeleine 2023


We’re grateful to all our patrons and friends who have supported us over the years. Our work is made all the richer thanks to you!

We look forward to continuing our collaboration in our new space. Questions or concerns about our language classes or our cultural events? Please send us an email  anytime; we're always happy to hear from you!

 

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