” I have never been reminded of California even when I am in Austin”
Well, then you’ve never been to the Silcon Valley, because Austin is the Silicon Valley with horse$hit and cowboy boots. Most of the major SV players are also in Austin. And your brand of “nuts” are working their way toward you from places like Brownsville.
I have been to the Silicon Valley and it is not like Austin. How long did you live in Austin again? Perhaps the airports are similar.