Time Difference Between Ramstein, Germany & California

Ramstein is located within the German state of Rhineland-Pfalz. The city is a part of Kaiserslautern county and it adheres to the Central European Time Zone. In the month of March, the clock moves ahead one hour due to daylight-saving time. California is in the western United States and falls within the Pacific Time Zone. Like Ramstein, California's clock also moves ahead one hour during the early summer months.

Time Difference

• Ramstein's Central European Time Zone is nine hours ahead of California's Pacific Time Zone. So when it is 5 p.m. in Ramstein, it is 8 a.m. in California. When it is 2:35 a.m. in Ramstein, it is 5:35 p.m. in California. The time of hour will always vary, but the minutes will not.

Coordinated Universal Time

• The world's clocks are regulated by a time standard known as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Currently, the UTC is officially held at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. This time standard is also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). All of the world's time zones are regulated in terms of positive (+) or negative (-) hourly offsets from the UTC. Ramstein's Central European Time Zone is listed as UTC+01:00 when daylight-saving time is not in effect. This means that the time in Ramstein, Germany, is always one hour ahead of the time in Greenwich, London. During daylight-saving time, the Ramstein clock moves ahead an hour, changing from UTC+01:00 to UTC+02:00. California's Pacific Time Zone is listed as UTC-08:00 when daylight-saving time is not in effect. Therefore, California is always eight hours behind Greenwich. When daylight-saving time is in effect in California, the Pacific Time Zone moves to UTC-07:00.

Time and Dates

• Due to the nine hour time difference in Ramstein and California, dates can vary. The difference allows for it to be a Tuesday morning in Ramstein when it is still Monday night in California. When it is 4 a.m. on June 25 in Ramstein, for example, it is only 7 p.m. on June 24 in California.

Daylight Saving

• Ramstein's Central European Time Zone skips an hour ahead during daylight-saving time. Since 1996, this change typically occurs on the last Sunday in March. Central European Time becomes known as Central European Summer Time. The time switches back in Ramstein on the last Sunday in October. Since 2007, daylight-saving time comes in California on the second Sunday in March. Pacific Standard Time becomes Pacific Daylight Time, and the clocks move forward an hour. Daylight-saving time ends in California on the first Sunday in November.

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Day Trip Sightseeing in Germany

The magic of Germany can hold you captive through weeks' worth of day trips spent exploring its history, fabled castles and diverse landscapes. While the country is big enough to contain several dynamic megacities, it's also small enough to reach most of the key sites in day trips from these major hubs.

Berlin

• Before you head far outside the city's borders, take in a serious dose of Berlin's fast energy, art scene and restaurant culture. Embark on a walking tour through the city, absorbing the key historical sites, such as the remains of the Berlin Wall and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Once you've absorbed the city, book a guided tour from Berlin, for a sobering day meandering through Sachsenhausen, a key concentration camp when the Nazis were in power. Sachsenhausen sits about an hour's drive north of Berlin, so expect the trip to last at least six hours. If you have any time remaining, head to Dresden for a day of cultural immersion and art museum exploration. Only two hours away from Berlin by train, plan to arrive early in the morning and begin strolling through the Old Town. Visit the Zwinger Palace complex, Albertinum Museum and walk along the promenade of Bruhl's Terrace. Purchase lunch from one of the many cafes near the River Elbe, and head down to the riverbank and indulge while watching boats drift past.

Munich

• After hours spent people-watching in the delightful city square of Marienplatz and long evenings chattering in the beer halls, venture outside Munich's city limits and explore the rest of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle deserves to be the first stop. Book a tour group out of Munich, with the entire trip generally lasting nine or 10 hours, including bus transportation. Set amid the panoramic, jagged Bavarian Alps, a trip to this castle will transport you straight to an imaginary dream world of dragons and fairies. The next day, ride the train to the city of Nuremberg, reachable by train from Munich in less than two hours. Wander around the Old Town, capturing photographs of the majestic Nuremberg Castle and its surrounding quarters. Stop for a traditional Bavarian lunch of sausage and beer, and spend the afternoon window shopping before heading back to Munich in the evening. If you plan to visit any sites within Bavaria, it's best to avoid Munich between the end of September and early October, as Oktoberfest might drown all your ambitions down at the beer halls.

Frankfurt

• The financial capital of Germany, Frankfurt serves as the central jump-off point for a wide range of day trips. First, head to Cologne, just over an hour by train, and devour the city's diverse architecture, touring the imposing cathedral, its surrounding churches and the modern art within Museum Ludwig. Once you have your fill, embark on a sunset dinner cruise along the Rhine, returning back to Frankfurt in the late evening.

  Allot another day to comb through the hills of the Black Forest, which are blanketed in dark evergreens. Book a tour group out of Frankfurt for an entire day of exploration, leading you through the most picturesque stops within the forest.

  Take an independent trip to Heidelberg, one hour by train from Frankfurt. Here you can explore yet another Old Town, splashed with baroque architecture. Tour Heidelberg's biggest star -- the main castle -- before exploring the numerous pubs and gastro halls for an afternoon of indulgence. If you have extra time in Frankfurt, book a boat tour for a full day cruising through the valley of the Rhine River, passing villages and vineyards along the way.

Hamburg

• The northern port city of Hamburg holds a lively open-air fish market every Sunday ,selling local and international delicacies. After you eat to your heart's content, ride the train a quick 45-minutes to the whimsical city of Lübeck. Indulge in marzipan while meandering around the medieval churches, such as Marienkirche and visiting the City Museum beside Holstentor City Gate. Next, plan an excursion to the the port city of Wismar. Take the roughly a two-hour train ride form Hamburg, plan to walk through the cobblestone streets feasting on delicacies and snacks purchased from the central market, while scoping out even more churches, like St. Mary and St. Nicholas. On your last night in Hamburg, set sail for a dinner cruise along the Elbe.

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Sightseeing Highlights of Regensburg, Germany

Although it is one of the better surviving examples of a European medieval city, Regensburg is relatively unknown to visitors from outside Germany, and feels like a world away from Munich, which is just 76 miles by car. This historical city suffered little damage from bombing during World War II, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Perched on the banks of the Danube, Regensburg dates back to Celtic times, and was old enough to play a part in the spread of Christianity in Germany. Nearly all the buildings of interest are in the original Old City on the river’s bank.

Religious Structures

• Regensburg’s many churches are testaments to its significance in the growth of Protestantism. Few examples are more impressive than St. Peter’s Church, a limestone and sandstone edifice that dates back to the 13th century, but was not completed until the 19th. Two looming spires, stained-glass windows and a noted resident choir draw a steady stream of visitors. The Old Chapel began construction in A.D. 875 and remains one of Bavaria’s finest rococo churches. The organ here was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, a former Regensburg resident. St. Jakob, on the other hand, is a 12th-century Romanesque basilica that used to house Irish and Scottish Benedictine monks.

Museums

• The Domschatzmuseum preserves cathedral artifacts, including 11th-century textiles, but has limited opening during the winter months. The nearby Diözesanmuseum St. Ulrich collection, in a former church, has paintings, sculptures and goldsmith’s work with religious art dating back a thousand years. Regensburg also has four city museums. The History Museum is, according to Frommer’s, one of the most important in Eastern Bavaria, which has relics from Roman times when the city was a Roman garrison.

Notable Buildings

• The town hall, or “rathaus,” often is the most distinctive building in a German city. Regensburg’s Altes Rathaus is preserved in all its glory. Dating from the 13th century, the building has a dungeon and torture chamber in its basement. The remnants of the Castra Regina Roman fortress that gave the city its name still are on show in the center of the Old Town around Dr. Martin Luther King Street, while the Porta Praetoria was the original entry gate to the fort. Stone Bridge is one of the best-preserved bridges to survive from the Middle Ages. Building started in 1135, and they provided a vital protected crossing of the Danube.

Culinary Delights

• Regensburg is an ideal place to explore on foot as its modest size is largely off limits to vehicles. No visit to Germany would be complete without tasting some sausage, and the city’s Sausage Kitchen is the oldest in the world, near the Stone Bridge and St. Peter’s Church. Try a local “wurst” with sauerkraut and mustard. The nearby Salt Warehouse, built in the early 17th century, is a reminder of the importance of the salt trade. Finally, visit the city during December for the enchanting Christmas Markets, which combine food, crafts, and live theater and music.

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License Requirements for a US Citizen to Drive in Germany

Anyone driving a motor vehicle in Germany must hold a valid driver's license, known as a Führerschein. U.S. citizens may use their existing license for a period of up to 12 months if they register their intent to do so. Those staying longer can exchange their license for a German one, in some cases without having to take a German driving test

Short-Term Visits

• U.S. citizens staying in Germany for less than six months do not need to register to drive legally in Germany, provided that they already hold a valid U.S. driver's license. Visitors who intend to stay between six and 12 months should go to a driver‘s registration office, known as a Führerscheinstelle, and notify the office that they wish to continue to drive using a U.S. license. The staff will ask to see proof of exit from the country before 12 months have passed and also ask for an official translation of the U.S. license.

States With Reciprocity Agreement

• Anyone who lives in Germany as a registered resident has six months to obtain a German driver‘s license. Thanks to a reciprocity agreement with the German government, citizens from 26 U.S. states (plus Puerto Rico) are exempted from taking either the practical or theoretical parts of the driving test. Applications for a license are made directly to the driver’s license office and can take weeks to process.

States Without Reciprocity Agreement

• Citizens from U.S. states without a reciprocity agreement will need to take a driving test in order to continue driving while they live in Germany or if they plan to visit for more than a year. The written test takes place at a driving school and is more difficult than U.S. tests. About 30 percent of people fail the test on their first attempt.

Exceptions

• The German states of Hamburg, Saarland, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-
  Holstein have opted out of the reciprocity agreement scheme. They do not require U.S. citizens from any state to take either the practical or theoretical tests to obtain a license. To apply for an automatic conversion of their license, applicants must meet certain conditions, which vary by state. These include working for an American company or running a business and not being registered with the Central Register of Traffic Offenders.

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Places to See in Ramstein, Germany

Ramstein Air Base is the headquarters of the United States Air Force in Europe and as such, is home to the largest U.S. community outside of the United States, with a population of more than 50,000. Set in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz in the southwest corner of Germany, it is surrounded by the country’s main wine-growing region. The city of Ramstein-Miesenbach, originally formed by the merger of two farming villages, is outside the base’s west gate.

Old City Hall

• This beautiful baroque building, the oldest in Ramstein, has gone through many incarnations from brewery to pub, then city hall. Now it is home to the Museum im Westrich, which has a permanent collection of exhibits offering insight into local culture, folklore and art. It also is home to the Center for Documentation and Exhibition, which charts the city’s history and relationship with the American community since it arrived shortly after World War II when the base was built in 1951.

Market

• Shop with the locals at the Saturday market in the main square in Ramstein, where stalls are brimming with an array of fresh produce, plants and flowers. Sculptor Professor Gernot Rumpf designed the fountain in the middle, which was themed on the city’s history. Or visit Miesenbach’s market square where the “Goose Anna” fountain, sculpted by Otto Kallenbach, commemorates a local farmer’s girl.

Palatinate Forest

• Go hiking or bicycling across the Palatinate Forest Nature Park, which starts on the edge of the city, and has a comprehensive network of trails. Follow the route taken by medieval Christian pilgrims, heading to the northwest Spanish town of Santiago de Compostela to the tomb of Saint James. St. James’ Way is marked by stones engraved with the saint’s scallop shell emblem.

Leisure

• Take a dip in Azur Water Park next to the Empire Stadium. The center has an indoor pool with a large 140-foot slide, water cannons and waterfall showers. Children can enjoy the lighthouse mini-slide and fountains while their parents can sink into the hot tub or sauna. In summer, an Olympic-size pool opens outside, complete with diving towers, a giant slide and water basketball nets. Or head to the Haus des Burgers community center to visit the bowling alley.

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Top 10 Attractions in Germany

For decades, Germany suffered an undeserved reputation as Europe’s rather workmanlike, dour tourist destination, repeatedly overlooked in favor of the more alluring France and Italy. Following unification, however, the country has reminded those visitors who do take the plunge that it is a charming, diverse nation of 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning natural scenery and hip, energetic cities. Fittingly, the nation that gave the world Romanticism has revealed that beneath the exterior of efficiency and economic success, there lurks a warm heart.

Fairytale Castle

• Neuschwanstein Castle was named number one out of 100 attractions by the German National Tourist Board. The ultimate fairytale castle, perched on a hillside in Bavaria, was built for Ludwig II, who then died a few days after it was finished in 1886.

Cathedrals

• Aachen Cathedral on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands was the first cathedral in northern Europe and the place where German kings were crowned. Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO site that dates back to 1248, is one of the best examples of high-Gothic architecture in Europe.

Palaces

• With its magnificent façade, Würzburg Residence Palace in southern Germany is a masterpiece of baroque opulence, while Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, dubbed the German Versailles, was a former residence of Prussian Emperor Frederick the Great.

Monument

• Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is an iconic symbol of German imperial power. Built between 1788 and 1791, the monument was impassable for 28 years, 1961 to 1989, during the existence of the Berlin Wall. With its six columns and crowned by a quadriga, or chariot drawn by four horses, which bears the Roman goddess Victoria, the monument is one of unified Germany’s most potent symbols.

The Wall

• The Berlin Wall, or what remains of it, divided the city from 1961 until its dramatic breach in 1989. Although President Reagan famously implored President Gorbachov to “tear down this wall,” the task fell to enterprising businessmen who sold parts of it to tourists. Little remains, but a Berlin Wall Trail follows the original wall and tells its story.

River

• The Rhine is an almost mythical natural feature, best viewed from the UNESCO heritage site at Loreley Rock, a 636-foot-high granite outcropping overlooking the narrows at St. Goarshausen. The so-called “Romantic Rhine,” on the other hand, runs between the steep hillside vineyards between Koblenz and Bingen.

Forest

• The Black Forest covers 2,876 square miles and is one of the largest nature reserves in Germany. Noted for its pine trees, maids, farms, gateaux and cuckoo clocks, the forest covers Germany’s highest hills and the medieval towns of Baden-Baden and Freiburg.

Beer

• Oktoberfest in Munich is an event rather than an attraction, drawing a staggering (literally) 6 million visitors a year, but the Hofbräuhaus beer hall where the steins go down is as authentically Bavarian as lederhosen and a beer belly. The largest beer hall in the world, the structure can cope with 30,000 drinkers a day.

Islands

• The holiday resort of Lake Constance, with shores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, includes the Flower Island of Mainau and the monastic Island of Reichenau. The former is a temperate climate paradise of gardens and parkland, while the latter, a UNESCO site, is a haven of Romanesque churches and contemplation.

Sport

• In a country obsessed with soccer, the Allianz Arena is home to Germany’s most successful team, Bayern Munich. The pulsing, illuminated stadium is an architectural marvel in itself, courtesy of Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.

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Hot Spots in Freiburg, Germany

As you delve into Germany’s famed Black Forest, you’re bound to visit Freiburg along the way. Rolling green hills, medieval spires, cobblestone lanes lined with immaculate historical architecture and the winding Dreisam River make for delightful first impressions. Freiburg is a model of sustainable urban development and a bustling historic university town. An economic affluence, multicultural student population and healthy tourism industry ensure hotspots galore for every taste and pace. Freiburg is well worth a stop.

Green City

• Can a city produce more energy than it uses? Freiburg, also known as the Green City, can. Sustainable architecture projects like the Solar Settlement, Sun Ship and Heliotrope -- built by “Germany’s solar pioneer,” architect Rolf Disch -- combine living and commercial space with eco-friendly construction materials. Powered by Disch's PlusEnergy concept, the photo-voltaic roofs produce so much energy, the surplus is sold to the public power grid. Stroll pedestrian-only streets, relax in the many green zone parks, or join the growing populace of bicyclists.

Café Culture

• The summer sun favors Freiburg, located in Germany's warmest region. Do like the locals and laze in the sun at cafés along the lanes and squares of old town. Sit in Münsterplatz square in the shadow of the city’s iconic gothic minster cathedral with coffee and cake or taste wines from local vineyards. Saunter the Dreisam River near the university and stop for beer and bratwurst at one of the riverside cafes and biergartens. At night, the choice of bar locales multiplies; student-packed places dominate, but there’s still plenty for the older crowd.

Live!

• Like any student town, the bar scene in Freiburg is huge and includes loads of live music venues. Go elbow to elbow in tiny old town locales with medieval vaulted cellars that double as stages. Punk’s not dead at Atlantik, and local bands can be heard at the trusty Irish Pubs’ Isle of Innisfree or O’Kelly’s. Jazz abounds in Freiburg too -- relax to wine and smooth jazz at Waldsee, Tuesday night jazz at Josfritz Café, sessions by the river at Jazz & Dogs, or bigger concerts at the Jazzhaus.

Clubbing

• With about 20 clubs around the city center, you can dance till you drop in Freiburg. Warm up at locations like the stylish Jackson Pollock Bar, which is open all night on weekends with deejays in the Soundboutique. Step to Electro, D&B and Dub at White Rabbit or the KGB Club. For indie rock to reggae, the insider club EL.PI is popular with students. Bigger clubs with mixed ages and different dance floors include Karma, Nachtschicht, Agar or Kagan.

Chilled-Hot

• The city offers plenty for slower-paced tastes. Waldsee, located on the river, is a relaxing spot to enjoy idyllic surroundings with authentic Baden-region cuisine and a tamer nightlife. Culture in dance, theater and art can be found at E-Werk, also host of the annual Jazz Festival Freiburg. Baden is known for its fine wines, which can be tasted at vineyards, local vendors and wine locales like the Alte Wache on Münsterplatz. Cultural hotspots abound too, with art and history museums, galleries, cuisine, and fabulous historic architecture.

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Ecotourism in Germany

Most Germans love to travel. They also pride themselves on environmental awareness, sustainability and alternative energy. As well as practicing ecotourism abroad, the choice of green places and things to do also is big on the home front. Germany is a cornucopia of natural wonders, including large expanses of forestland, Alpine regions, a northern coastline and plenty of lakes and rivers. Add to that a thriving eco entrepreneurship, and Deutschland makes an ideal ecotourism destination.

Oko Means Eco

• You know you’re in good hands in a country like Germany for eco-based trips when you look at the facts. As of 2014, Germany has an 85-percent recycling rate; a 25-percent renewable energy in use rate; a 25-percent reduction in harmful emissions since 1990; and a plan for shutting down its nuclear power for renewable energy by 2022. Germany is quite serious about sustainability. There are "green" hotels in most cities, and organic food and fair-trade product markets are commonplace. Try Greenty.com for a start in finding green accommodations throughout Germany.

Rhine Castles Trail

• One of the most lovely and romantic regions of Germany is along the Rhine Castles Trail, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk or bike the trails from atop steep hillsides overlooking the river far below. Along the way, you’ll come across numerous castles perched above the Rhine, and historic towns with that old German flair. Overnight at campgrounds and green hotels, or spend a couple days at a vineyard or organic farm. The 133-mile stretch is traversable by train or riverboat, so you won’t need a car.
• Freiburg: The Green City

• This Black Forest city is not only a lively university town with picturesque historic streets, but a model of sustainable living known as the Green City. Beneath the towering Gothic minster cathedral, you’ll see green belts, pedestrian-only zones and loads of solar panels. With sustainable buildings such as the Solar Settlement or Sun Ship providing solar-powered living and commercial spaces, the city produces more energy than it uses. There is no end to the choice of eco-friendly accommodations, cuisine and products here, and it’s a great base for Black Forest excursions into nature.

Eco Spas on the Baltic

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  Enjoy the eco beaches of the Baltic.

  
  

  The Baltic coast and islands are wellness retreats for Germans to enjoy creature comforts in sustainably built hotels or beach bungalows on scenic backdrops. Indulge in organic cuisine, Ayurveda treatments, saunas and naturopathic medicine while relaxing on Baltic dune beaches at Gingko Mare Medical Wellness Hotel. Take part in sustainability seminars and workshops, or just enjoy the Flensburg fjord-land coast at unusual, 100-percent eco-friendly guest houses with Artefact International Centre for Sustainable Development.

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Places to Visit Near Lippstadt, Germany

Bicycle-thronged Lippstadt, the largest city in the district of Soest, sits in the verdant, green lowlands of Germany's Munsterland. The region's profound sense of history pervades the place: this castle-dotted landscape is where the historic Peace of Westphalia was signed. Lippstadt -- literally, the "city on the lip" of the Lahn river -- is no exception. To experience the best of the place, make like a local and hop on a bike to check out the local sights.

Catch a Show at City Theatre

• A favorite night out for culture-vulture locals, Lippstadt's City Theatre is wide-ranging in its offerings. The lovingly modernized theater schedules its share of traditional German acts, of course, but branches out to feature well-known international artists across all genres. Take advantage of convenient bicycle parking, as well as convenient access to downtown restaurants, bars and cafes for an after-show nibble.

Canoe the Lahn River

• Crossed by several rivers, canals and lakes, locals dubbed Lippstadt "the Venice of Westphalia." On a sunny day, rent a vessel at Canoe Tours Weilburg and head out on the Lahn River for a lackadaisical ramble downriver. The views take in the city's expansive waterside parks, historic architecture and plenty of zestful antics at the riverside's many swimming spots. Kayaks and canoes can be had for four-hour, half-day rentals or -- if you're feeling especially energetic -- eight-hour, full-day rentals. A word to the wise: since many miles of water loop in and around Lippstadt, pick up a map -- and, if you're not an adrenaline-seeker, ask the rental agent to point out where you might encounter whitewater.
• Relax in Bad Waldliesborn

• Indulge yourself in a classically German, highly idyllic spa town just 10 minutes north of central Lippstadt. Famous in Germany, Bad Waldliesborn seems like a well-kept secret, as it's virtually unknown to tourists. However, the "Bad" is certainly worth a stop: not only is the town lovely, but the namesake Mineral Spa at Bad Waldliesborn, set in a pristine parkland, offers a long list of medi-spa treatments -- or just a simple, soothing bath in the mineral hot spring. Once you've regained your energy, try Bad Waldliesborn's local climbing park and nordic walking route.

Get Wet at Wasserski Paderborn

• Half an hour northeast of Lippstadt, the leisure park at Wasserski Paderborn is comprised of two lakes, a campground, several beach volleyball courts, a restaurant and several sun decks. The operation runs on cables, not boats: skiiers and 'boarders hang on to a handle that's attached to a motor-driven cable, pulling yelping participants on a large circuit around the water. Newbies are welcome. Staff instructors run hour-long water-skiing and wakeboarding courses on the water, the price of which includes skis or a board, a life vest and a wetsuit.

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