Podcasts by Bay Curious

Despite What You Learned, California Had Slavery. What Now? from 2022-02-17T11:00

When California became a state in 1850, it entered the union as a state that would not allow slavery. That's the history most people know. But in reality, California did allow slavery and its early...

When the Winter Olympics Came to Lake Tahoe from 2022-02-10T11:00

You might consider the 1960 Winter Olympics in Lake Tahoe a quaint affair compared to what's going on in Beijing right now, but these games had an outsize impact on televised sports, snow sports al...

Bay Curious Presents: Berkeley's Rainbow Sign from 2022-02-03T11:00

Located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Derby streets in Berkeley, The Rainbow Sign was a Black-centered space that was open to all — as a performance venue, a political organizing ...

Shipwrecked! How a 120-Year-Old Ship Ended up in the Martinez Mud from 2022-01-27T11:00

If you're out for a walk along the Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline at low tide, you might see the bones of an old ship poking out of the mud. How did it get there and what kind of life did it hav...

How You Can Responsibly Recycle Old Clothes from 2022-01-20T11:00

A lot of us are cleaning out our closets these days, getting rid of the stuff we don't wear and maybe even downsizing. But what do you do with all those old clothes? And, can stained or ripped clot...

How You Can Help Save the Monarch Butterfly And Other Pollinators from 2022-01-13T11:00

Western monarch butterflies migrate to California to overwinter each year, traveling hundreds, even thousands of miles When they arrive, they need nectar flowers and milkweed to survive, but climat...

$15,000 in Toll Penalties?! It Can Happen Faster Than You Think from 2022-01-06T11:00

Bay Curious newsletter reader Mike Robbins wrote to us saying he has thousands of dollars in toll violations and penalties. The number seemed so high we were incredulous. But, it turns out if you m...

How Black Shipyard Workers in Marin Helped Win World War II from 2021-12-09T11:00

The Bay Area is full of World War II history, even if it isn't always obvious. Listener Lise Ciolino stumbled on some in her Sausalito neighborhood when she learned that during the war there was a ...

Why So Many Driverless Cars in SF? from 2021-12-02T11:00

Lenore Kenny has noticed an uptick in autonomous vehicles on the streets of San Francisco in recent months. Specifically, she's seen a lot of white Jaguar SUVs with "Waymo" stamped on the sides. We...

More Whales Are Washing Up Dead on Bay Area Beaches. Why? from 2021-11-18T11:00

Kindergartner Caleb Whan is fascinated by whales. He wants to know all about what they eat and where they live. We've got answers for him and for another Bay Curious question asker, Ellea, who wond...

Are S.F. Streets Really Named For Gold-Rush Era Sex Workers? from 2021-11-11T11:00

Bay Curious listener Ron Hewlett heard a rumor that several alleys in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood are named for Gold Rush era sex workers. He wondered if it was true. Plus, why doe...

La Llorona, Legend and Protector, in the Streets of San Francisco from 2021-11-04T10:00

If you’ve grown up with the legend of La Llorona, you might be surprised to see how she’s depicted in a two-story mural at 24th and York Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. Instead of the g...

Listen If You Dare! Three Bay Area Ghost Stories from 2021-10-28T10:00

We recommend you listen to this episode on headphones.
Join us around the campfire to hear three ghost stories, some of them decades old, and all of from right here in the Bay Area. Featuring ...

Deep in the Santa Cruz Redwoods, Your Mind Will Play Tricks On You from 2021-10-21T10:00

Listener Clayton Schloss sent Bay Curious this question: "Why do so many people have bumper stickers on their cars from the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz? What is that place?" Reporter Amanda Font tak...

Meet the Bay Bridge Troll and the Broadway Tunnel Dragon from 2021-10-14T10:00

This week on the show, we hear the tale of the Bay Bridge Trolls, who have been keeping the Bay Bridge safe since 1989. Plus, we get to know more about an oft-overlooked but very cool dragon sculpt...

Why Are There So Many Graveyards in Colma? from 2021-10-07T10:00

You'll find millions of graves in Colma, but hardly any in San Francisco. This week on Bay Curious we dig into the history on how that came to be. Plus, we'll get to know more about some of the fam...

Can Redwood City Really Boast “Climate Best By Government Test”? from 2021-09-30T10:00

Drive around downtown Redwood City and you're sure to see the city slogan on a big arching signs: "Climate Best by Government Test." The slogan caught the attention of Lauren Tankeh of San Carlos, ...

There's a Castle in Pacifica?! from 2021-09-23T10:00

When Krisi Riccardi was a girl, her father used to take her on leisurely Sunday drives down Highway 1. She'd enjoy the beautiful scenery until they hit Pacifica, where something odd always caught y...

A Prison with Million Dollar Views? How San Quentin Came to Be from 2021-09-16T10:00

Terese O'Malley commuted across the Richmond-San Rafael bridge for years, and always wondered about a landmark visible from the bridge: San Quentin State Prison. The maximum-security prison sits on...

State of Drought 5: Desalination, Water Recycling and More from 2021-09-02T10:00

A lot of listeners, including Steve Held, want to know why Bay Area cities aren't investing more in desalination plants as a long term fix to our water problems. We’re a state with 840 miles of coa...

State of Drought 4: Saving Water In Your Home from 2021-09-01T10:00

Even though California’s population has grown since 2017, we’re using 16% less water. Good job everyone! We’ve already made some big strides in water conservation that are paying off. Today, we’re ...

State of Drought 3: Are We in a Megadrought? from 2021-08-31T10:00

We've been flirting with exceptional drought on and off in California for many years now. Bay Curious listener Nicholas Hardy is wondering if it's time to call it a megadrought. That got us wonderi...

State of Drought 2: Where Our Water Comes From from 2021-08-27T10:00

For most of us in the Bay Area, the journey our water takes to reach us is hidden from view. It travels long distances, sometimes more than a hundred miles! That can leave us disconnected from the ...

State of Drought 1: Facing Our Hotter, Drier Future from 2021-08-26T10:00

California is in drought. Again. And the infrastructure used to sustain the state's 40 million residents — and $50 billion agriculture industry — hasn't kept up with new climate patterns. In Episod...

The Story Behind the Bay Area's Favorite Sandwich Bread from 2021-08-19T10:00

Dutch Crunch is a common find at Bay Area sandwich shops, but get 10 miles outside of the Bay and that option disappears. Jonathan Hillis and Lauren Alexander sent this question to the Bay Curious ...

Your Guide to the Gavin Newsom Recall Election from 2021-08-12T10:00

You may have thought we were done with elections for a little while, but there's another big one coming up. On September 14th, Californians will vote on whether or not to recall Governor Gavin News...

In Daly City, Filipino Culture Runs Deep from 2021-08-05T10:00

Bay Curious listener Ricky Tjandra used to work helping international students find families to stay with in the Bay Area. In Daly City, he worked with many Filipino families, which got him wonderi...

Daly City Is One of the Densest Cities in the Country. Why? from 2021-07-29T10:00

Daly City is only eight square miles, but it's one of the densest cities in the US. There are a few factors behind this, but one of the most interesting is the design of the houses. But it's not al...

‘It’s Pure Energy’: How Hyphy Came to Define Bay Area Hip Hop from 2021-07-22T10:00

When it comes to cultural exports of the Bay Area, Hyphy is in a league of its own. The subgenre of hip hop has an up-tempo, hyperactive beat that makes you want to dance. In the early 2000s, artis...

Who Were the First People to Live in the Bay Area? from 2021-07-15T10:00

Bay Curious listener Héctor Pérez has long wondered about the first people to call the Bay Area home. He wants to know what life was like for them and what happened to them.
Additional Reading:...

Trucks are Banned on Oakland’s I-580. These Sixth Graders Wondered Why from 2021-07-01T10:00

This week, we take on a question from the sixth graders at East Oakland's Life Academy of Health and Bioscience. Many of them live near Interstate 880. They've seen lots of big rigs on I-880 but no...

Lightning Round! The Bay Area's Arts Innovators from 2021-06-24T10:00

It’s arts appreciation week on Bay Curious! We take on questions about the tension between the creative freedom in the Bay vs commercial acclaim in the theater world, dig into the musical legacy of...

San Jose Had 5 Chinatowns. Why Did They Vanish? from 2021-06-17T10:00

Most Bay Area residents know about the long established Chinatowns in San Francisco and Oakland, but did you know that San Jose used to have a Chinatown? In fact, it’s had FIVE throughout its histo...

Wait. There's A Volcano in the East Bay Hills? from 2021-06-03T10:00

If you head to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve above Oakland, you might wonder the same thing as Bay Curious listener Bourke MacDonald: How did a volcano form here and why did it go extinct?Today...

The True Story Behind the Myths and Mysteries of Searsville Lake from 2021-05-20T10:00

Bay Curious listener David Mattea grew up in foggy Daly City. He remembers his family driving down the Peninsula to get some sun at a man-made beach on the Stanford campus. He wants to know what ha...

The Gold Rush Delicacy That Started A War: Eggs from 2021-05-13T10:00

During the Gold Rush, people flocked to the San Francisco Bay Area to make their fortunes. A few entrepreneurial folks realized seabird eggs could provide protein to the hungry miners. Matthew Tuck...

The Origins of the Bay Area's Donut and Chinese Food Combo from 2021-05-06T10:00

Bay Curious listener Jaimie Cohen wants to know: "Why are there restaurants that serve Chinese food, doughnuts and burgers all in one location? And why are there so many of them in the Bay Area?" W...

How Bay Area Homelessness Compares Globally from 2021-04-22T10:00

Many people in our community are experiencing homelessness -- about 35,000 throughout the Bay Area at last count. Matthew Schmitz was shocked by how wealth and poverty exist side by side when he mo...

Crumbling Tunnels to Nowhere: The Story Behind Santa Cruz's Mountain Route from 2021-04-15T10:00

How did a cutting edge railroad become crumbling tunnels to nowhere? This week, the story of the Mountain Route, a long lost rail line that once cut through the Santa Cruz Mountains. In it's heyday...

Lightning Round! Ch-ch-changes Around the Bay Area from 2021-04-08T10:00

We’re answering your questions in a Bay Curious lightning round. We tackle changes you’ve noticed this past year on our bridges, on the water, and in how we consume.
Additional Reading:
Listen

Why There’s a Cross on San Francisco’s Highest Peak from 2021-04-01T10:00

For years, Bay Curious listeners Julia Thollaug and Phil Montalvo have wondered the same thing: "What's the deal with the cross on Mount Davidson?" This week, how a 103-foot tall concrete cross end...

The Wacky Lumberjack Frat Behind 'Hoo Hoo Way' from 2021-03-25T10:00

Bay Curious listeners Peter Caravalho and Sarah Caravalho Khan live in Cupertino. While wandering around their neighborhood they wondered where the street name "Hoo Hoo Way" came from. Turns out, i...

Your Stories From the Year of COVID from 2021-03-18T10:00

We asked you to send us reflections on how your life has changed in the year since Bay Area leaders first issued a shelter-in-place order —the emotional beginning of the pandemic year for man...

Why So Trashy? Your Highway Questions Answered from 2021-03-11T11:00

In this episode we answer your questions about Bay Area highways. Herb Masters has noticed what looks like a ghost freeway where 280 and 380 intersect on the Penninsula. He wants to know what's goi...

Will Oysters Ever Make a Comeback in the Bay? from 2021-03-04T11:00

The Bay Area is known for great oysters, but the ones grown locally are mostly from up in Marin County. San Francisco Bay used to have a thriving population of native oysters and Bay Curious listen...

What Would Happen If Chabot Dam in the East Bay Hills Broke Open? from 2021-02-25T11:00

The question is a simple but alarming one: If the Lake Chabot dam cracked open in a big earthquake, what kind of flooding should the communities below expect? This week's question asker, Hollyann V...

How COVID Could Change the Bay Area For All of Us from 2021-02-11T11:00

A year into the coronavirus pandemic there's hope on the horizon. It's too soon to know the lasting impacts on the Bay Area, but we asked experts in mental health, transportation and education to t...

Why It's So Expensive To Build Housing In The Bay Area from 2021-02-04T11:00

California is the most expensive state to build affordable housing in part because the costs to build are high. Some builders are turning to modular, prefabricated housing as a way to speed up prod...

Proposition 14: Stem Cell Research Bond from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This year Californians are voting on 12 statewide propositions that will have a big impact on criminal justice reform, taxes, and voting, among other things. Some of them are pretty complicated, so...

Ethnic Studies: Born in the Bay from History's Biggest Student Strike from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Listener Michael Viray wrote in to Bay Curious asking to learn more about the origin story behind ethnic studies: “I’ve heard from one of my professors of ethnic studies at UC Davis that there was ...

In A Changing City, How Does The Tenderloin Stay The Same? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood is bordered by some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city, yet it has a bad reputation. Tourists are told to avoid the area. You can often see drug dea...

You're Really, Really Curious About BART from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We get a lot of BART questions from our listeners, so this week we're answering a slew of them with long-time transit reporter Dan Brekke. How did they build the underwater tunnels for BART? In i...

Jerry Brown’s Impact on Oakland May Surprise You from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Jerry Brown has been a dominant force in California politics for decades. He spent 16 years as governor of California, ran for Senate twice, ran for president three times, and spent eight years as ...

What's The Real History of El Camino Real? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Reporter Rachael Myrow and listener Debbie Torrey discover that what we've been told about this famous road is mostly bunk. This story first ran on the podcast in Nov. 2017. Additional Reading: Vi...

Why Do S.F.'s Crosswalks Play a Machine Gun Sound? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The crosswalks in San Francisco, and many other Bay Area towns, play a 'machine gun' sound when the 'walk' sign is illuminated for pedestrians. A Bay Curious listener recalls hearing chirping sound...

A Look Back at the Occupation of Alcatraz, 50 Years Later from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Occupation of Alcatraz began on Nov. 20, 1969, when a group of Native American students, calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes, landed on Alcatraz Island. They wanted to return the land ...

Why Can't You Swim in Most of the Bay Area Lakes? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Bay Area is defined by water. Not just by the bay itself, but by the Pacific Ocean and myriad rivers, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Yet most of the bodies of water you drive past are devoid of p...

Why California’s Vaccine Rollout Has Been Chaotic from 2021-01-28T11:00

The coronavirus vaccine rollout in California has felt chaotic, in part because the state has changed course several times. Many Bay Area residents are wondering when and how they can get vaccinate...

Olivia's Having a Baby! from 2021-01-21T11:00

On this week's episode, Olivia says goodbye (temporarily!) as she gets ready to welcome a new baby to the Bay! But don't fret, Bay Curious producer Katrina Schwartz will be hosting the show while O...

Calling For Time: Whatever Happened to POP-CORN? from 2021-01-14T11:00

Want to know what time it is? These days, it's as easy as looking at your phone. But before the digital age, Bay Area residents could dial POP-CORN or 767-2676 to hear a woman's recorded voice givi...

Why Doesn't PG&E Bury the Power Lines to Prevent Wildfires? from 2020-12-17T11:00

In just two-and-a-half years the utility’s equipment started more than fifteen-hundred fires, a Wall Street Journal investigation found. Some of those were small, but others were deadly, like the 2...

What's the Best San Francisco Movie? A (Sorta) Heated Debate from 2020-12-10T11:00

Listener Ben Kaiser loves watching films shot and set in San Francisco, and is looking for some recommendations. This episode features Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle culture critic, and ho...

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s Life in San Francisco from 2020-12-03T11:00

Bay Curious listener Erin Al Gwaiz wanted to know more about the time that famous Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera spent in San Francisco. In this episode, reporter Marisol Medina-Caden...

What's Special About San Francisco’s Sourdough? from 2020-11-26T11:00

We've got food on the mind this week, so are bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes! Dig into the science behind San Francisco sourdough, and get to know the bacteria that shares our n...

How a Berkeley Police Chief Gave Rise to the Modern Force from 2020-11-19T11:00

August Vollmer was Berkeley's first police chief and is credited with pioneering many common aspects of policing used today. Listener Blake Schmidt wanted to know, is Berkeley responsible for the t...

What's Next For Incarcerated Firefighters In California? from 2020-11-12T11:00

For more than a century California has relied on incarcerated firefighters to help combat devastating wildfires. Bay Curious listener Brittany Powers wanted to know how much these firefighters are ...

How Ballots Get Counted in California from 2020-11-05T11:00

Are ballots counted by machines or humans? How sure are we there was no meddling with votes along the way? When do they stop counting ballots? What happens to ballots after they're counted? We expl...

Part II: The Aftermath and Legacy of the Donner Party Saga from 2020-10-29T10:01

What happened to the Donner Party survivors after they escaped the snowy Sierra? In this episode we explore how this notorious disaster struck deep at the heart of everything California held dear —...

Part I: The Donner Party Story You Haven’t Heard Before from 2020-10-29T10:00

You probably know the broad strokes of the Donner Party Saga: In 1846, a group of migrants traveling to California got stuck in a surprise October snow storm. After exhausting all their resources, ...

How The Official California Voter Guide Gets Made from 2020-10-22T10:00

Colin Nichols gets the official California voter guide in the mail like folks in 11 million other households. It got him wondering, who puts it together? And why does one guy -- Gary Wesley -- writ...

Proposition 25: Cash Bail from 2020-10-16T10:00

Proposition 25 would eliminate the use of cash bail in California, replacing it with a threat assessment system using algorithms and judicial discretion. This episode is part of our Bay Curious Pro...

Proposition 24: Consumer Privacy from 2020-10-15T10:00

Proposition 24 would expand California's privacy laws, including the creation of a new state agency to regulate how companies collect and use consumer data. This episode is part of our Bay Curious ...

Proposition 23: Dialysis Physicians from 2020-10-14T10:00

We're exploring the 12 statewide ballot propositions in our Prop Fest series. This episode takes a closer look at Prop 23, which would require dialysis clinics to have a physician on-site during al...

Proposition 22: App-Based Drivers from 2020-10-13T10:00

Proposition 22 asks Californians if they want to define app-based transportation and delivery drivers as independent contractors, instead of as employees, as state law currently requires. This epis...

Proposition 21: Rent Control from 2020-10-12T10:00

Proposition 21 asks voters if local governments should be allowed to enact rent control measures. It would replace the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law pass in 1995 that limited what l...

Proposition 20: Criminal Sentencing and Parole from 2020-10-09T10:00

We're exploring the 12 statewide ballot propositions in our Prop Fest series. This episode takes a closer look at Prop 20, which aims to roll back some criminal justice reforms made over the past d...

Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers from 2020-10-08T10:00

Proposition 19 would allow adults 55+, people living with severe disabilities, and victims of natural disasters to transfer their property tax assessment to another home. It would also close the so...

Proposition 18: Youth Voting from 2020-10-07T10:00

We're exploring the 12 statewide ballot propositions in our Prop Fest series. This episode tackles Prop 18, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections, as long as they ...

Proposition 17: Voting While on Parole from 2020-10-06T10:00

Proposition 17 asks Californians if people convicted of felonies should be allowed to vote while on parole. This would impact about 40,000 people in the state. This is part 4 in our 12-part Prop Fe...

Proposition 16: Affirmative Action from 2020-10-05T10:00

We're exploring the 12 statewide ballot propositions in our Prop Fest series. This episode tackles Prop 16, which asks voters to overturn a ban on the use of affirmative action by public institutio...

Proposition 15: Commercial Property Tax from 2020-10-02T10:00

We're digging into the 12 statewide ballot propositions in our Prop Fest series. This episode tackles Prop 15, which would change how the state assesses taxes on commercial and industrial property ...

What Was the Bay Area Like During the Last Ice Age? from 2020-09-24T10:00

How the North Bay Became 'Wine Country' from 2020-09-17T10:00

The area north of San Francisco has come to be known as "wine country," but listener Michael Viray wanted to know, how did it get that way? Bugs, taxes and war all played their part. We take you th...

Does the Golden Gate Bridge Howl? from 2020-09-10T10:00

Listener Ryan heard an eerie noise while crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on his motorcycle. He's not the only one -- the sound can be heard from miles away. What's going on?
Additional Reading:...

Evacuation 101 And Why Wildfire Can't Defeat Those Redwoods from 2020-09-03T10:00

Recent fires in the Bay Area have a lot of us thinking about how to evacuate our homes, maybe for the first time. We answer all the basics about when you'll know it's time to go, what to bring, and...

The Secret Lives of The Palace of Fine Arts Swans from 2020-08-27T10:00

The lagoon in front of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts has been home to swans since its was built in 1915. Bay Curious listener Mishi Nova loves the spot and the swans. She wondered how the swa...

When And Why Did the Bay Area Become So Liberal? from 2020-08-20T10:00

Now there’s no question that today the nine-county Bay Area is solidly blue, but it hasn’t always been this way. Bay Curious listener Marcus wants to know: When and why did the Bay Area become over...

The Unassuming East Bay Beach Strewn With Ceramic Treasures from 2020-08-13T11:53

On a tucked-away beach in Richmond, Calif., shards of broken pottery outnumber sand or rocks. It’s an odd feeling, like you’ve stumbled on some kind of archaeological site right next to the Costco....

Getting Naked in San Francisco: A History from 2020-08-06T10:00

The state of California has indecent exposure laws, making it illegal if someone is naked with the intent of being sexual (like masturbating in public), or intentionally offensive (like flashing so...

Vegan Food is Big in S.F. — But Will the Scene Survive COVID-19? from 2020-07-23T10:00

San Francisco beat out Los Angeles, New York and Portland as the top vegan city in America. But with COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the food industry — will that title endure? In today's episode we exp...

How Love Inspired the Murphy Bed from 2020-07-16T10:00

This week we learn how one enamored entrepreneur on a shoe-string budget gave birth to the Murphy bed in San Francisco. Then, we revisit one of our most-popular Bay Curious episodes of all time, ab...

Why Does The Bay Area Have So Many Microclimates? from 2020-07-09T10:00

Bay Curious listener Scott has lived in the Bay Area his whole life. He's always wondered why the weather can be so different just a few miles apart. This week, we dig into Bay Area microclimates -...

A Long and Winding Journey For Some Drinking Water from 2020-07-02T10:00

Bay Curious listeners Alex Kornblum, 8, and his dad, Heath Kornblum, were talking about their drinking water when they landed on this question: How long does it take for water to get from Hetch Het...

Why San Francisco's Fillmore District Is No Longer the 'Harlem of the West' from 2020-06-25T10:00

Last year, this question won a public voting round on BayCurious.org: "The Fillmore district used to be known as the Harlem of the West. What's the story behind what happened to the city's once vib...

The Bay Area’s Long Tradition of Celebrating Juneteenth from 2020-06-18T10:00

Juneteenth celebrations in the Bay Area are some of the largest, and longest-running in California. We offer a quick primer on the history of Juneteenth locally, and explore the legacy of Rachel To...

What History Teaches Us About How Protests Spark Change from 2020-06-11T10:00

We look back at protests from the civil rights era — both nonviolent and violent — to understand how these actions lead to changes in public policy. This history gives us ideas about how the media ...

Truth Be Told: Protesting For The Soul of America from 2020-06-04T10:00

This week we’re sharing an episode from Truth Be Told, made by our colleagues: Tonya Mosley, Isabeth Mendoza and Suzie Racho. They speak with Dr. Eddie Glaude, chair of Princeton's African American...

The Little Known History of Japanese Internment on Angel Island from 2020-05-28T10:00

Visitors to Angel Island often learn about how the island was once an immigration processing and detention center where Chinese immigrants were made to wait for weeks or months in sordid conditions...

Where Everyone Gets a Slice of the Pie from 2020-05-21T10:00

Bay Curious listener Columbia Shafer was walking along Grand Ave in Oakland one day, when she noticed a new Zachary's pizza shop opening. "They were putting new paint on the doors and it said 100% ...

How Rice-A-Roni Became The San Francisco Treat from 2020-05-14T10:00

There was a time when you couldn't go too long watching television without seeing a commercial for Rice-A-Roni. Many featured images of San Francisco, and ended with a catchy jingle — "Rice-A-Roni....

No Prom. No Yearbook Signing. No Graduation Ceremony. It's High School in 2020. from 2020-05-07T10:00

For KQED's annual Youth Takeover project, we hand the mic over to four Bay Area high school students who have been keeping audio diaries while under stay-at-home orders. Without the structure of sc...

What Help Is There for California’s Undocumented Immigrants? from 2020-05-05T10:00

Listener Russ Johnson asked how coronavirus is impacting undocumented Californians, and if leaders are working to help them. An estimated 2 million Californians are undocumented. Whether they're es...

For Love and Hair from 2020-04-30T10:00

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting people in ways big and small. Some are very personal. What's it like to date an immunocompromised person right now? And, listener Marcus Adams wants to know if...

Cleaner Air and Weirder Dreams — Such Is Life in April 2020 from 2020-04-23T10:00

As we shelter-in-place, a lot of people on Twitter are sharing the strange dreams they're having. We look into why that might be. And, listener Anne-Marie Rochè wants to know: Are there any positiv...

Did We Put the 'Bay' In Bay Windows? from 2020-04-16T10:00

There are so many bay windows in San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities around the Bay Area it would be easy to assume they were invented here. But were they? Listener Ayran Michaels wants to kno...

Coronavirus: A Guide to Grocery Shopping from 2020-04-09T10:00

Thanks to Judith Milgram and Ryan Stauffer for their questions. We cover how to shop safely, bring groceries home, and order takeout during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Additional Reading: Listen

Just Don't Call Them Buffalo: Meet the Bison of Golden Gate Park from 2020-04-02T10:00

Bay Curious listener Paul Irving wanted to know: "What's the story with the bison in Golden Gate Park?" The park celebrates its 150th birthday this week, so we are re-running this episode digging i...

Does Mount Diablo Have the Biggest View in the World? from 2020-03-26T10:00

Listener Mark Isaak heard that the spot on the earth from which you can see the most land is the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. But that the summit of Mount Diablo comes in second. Turns out, this is...

A Coronavirus Care Package: Care For Yourself, Others and Still Have Fun from 2020-03-19T23:09:09

It has been a week, y'all. We're bringing you some tips on how to care for yourself, an inspiring story about how one neighbor his helping another, and a tour through the creative world of digital ...

Coronavirus in the Bay Area: Your Questions Answered from 2020-03-12T10:00

What are the recommendations for taking public transit? Should I go to work? Should I cancel upcoming travel plans? How long does the virus last on a doorknob? Can it be transmitted in the air? Wil...

Why Highway 280 Has So Few Billboards from 2020-03-05T11:00

Question asker David Shayer has a lot of opinions... about billboards. He says the worst are electronic billboards that flash changing images at night. But in addition to an opinion, David has a qu...

Coyotes, They're Back and They're Thriving from 2020-02-20T11:00

Question asker Lauren Fleming has noticed a lot of signs warning about coyote sightings in San Francisco parks. She wants to know how many coyotes live here, how they got here, and how they manage ...

Bay Area, I Love You from 2020-02-13T11:00

This week the Bay Curious team asked locals to help us make a collective love letter to the Bay Area. We talked to people whose families have been here for several generations, people who just arri...

We Built This City on ... Water and Marsh? from 2020-02-06T11:00

When Nicole was growing up, her grandmother always told her: Don't live anywhere built on fill. Her uncle also had strong memories of watching the Marina burn after the 1989 earthquake — when parts...

What Are Those Grids of Glass in the Sidewalk — And Why Are They Purple? from 2020-01-02T11:00

Listener Britt McEachern is a tour guide in San Francisco, and spends a lot of time walking around city streets. He's noticed grids of glass embedded in the sidewalk and wants to know what they are...

Rising Seas and Sinking Land: The Precarious Future of Treasure Island from 2019-12-19T11:00

This is the second part of our series on Treasure Island.
Listener Gary Pilgrim was taking a drive across the Bay Bridge with his new wife when they decided to stop at Treasure Island. After ta...

Between Romance and War: the Making of Treasure Island from 2019-12-12T11:00

Listener Gary Pilgrim was taking a drive across the Bay Bridge with his new wife when they decided to stop at Treasure Island. After taking in the sweeping views, he wondered how this manmade islan...

How Charlie Chaplin and Silent Films Flourished in the East Bay from 2019-12-05T11:00

Question asker José Muñoz wants to know more about the storied history of this place, which was a pivotal stop-off in Charlie Chaplin's career. Was Niles Hollywood before Hollywood was Hollywood? Listen

Why Is There A Texas Flag Outside S.F. City Hall? What is S.F.’s First Square? from 2019-11-21T23:10

Kevin Platt was checking out a flag display outside San Francisco's city hall when he noticed the flag from his home state, Texas, was among them. What gives? Plus, we take a quick dive into the hi...

Think the Bay Used to Be Bluer? You're Not Imagining It from 2019-11-14T21:37

When Bay Curious listener Justin Hartung was growing up in Oakland, he remembers the Bay being blue. After moving to New York for college in the early 90s, and returning back to the East Bay a coup...

It's Our Birthday! Come Behind the Scenes from 2019-11-07T21:23

To celebrate the third birthday of the Bay Curious podcast we are answering listener questions about our favorite episodes, how we make the show, our theme music, the way we choose questions, and q...

Secret Tunnels Under San Francisco? from 2019-10-31T20:23

San Francisco is 49 square miles, but contains more than 1,000 miles of sewer mains, running under every block. Take a trip with Bay Curious reporter Carly Severn into the depths of the city, and d...

How Rocky Road Ice Cream Got Its Start in Oakland from 2019-10-17T20:22

Two Oakland ice cream makers claim they invented the famous flavor — Fenton's Creamery and Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream. Either way, the depression-era creation changed the game for ice cream flavors i...

You Gotta Check Out These Offbeat Museums from 2019-10-10T20:35

Our first stop is the Bay Model in Sausalito, a roughly 1.5-acre model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system. We visit The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which pays tri...

Do Preserved Bodies Dwell in Lake Tahoe's Depths?! The Truth Behind Tahoe's Myths from 2019-10-03T20:18

Lake Tahoe is the backyard playground for many in the Bay Area, so earlier this year we asked the Bay Curious audience what questions they had about this recreational hot spot. We collaborated with...

Sutro Tower’s Journey From Eyesore to Icon from 2019-09-26T20:16

Back in the 1960s, San Francisco had really bad television reception. By many accounts, it was the worst of any city in America.
Good reception required a clear line of sight from the broadcast...

The State Capitol Almost Moved to Berkeley and All It Got Was This Sweet Bear Fountain from 2019-09-19T20:17

If you’re in Berkeley and wander far enough up Marin Avenue, there’s no doubt you’ll run into the Fountain at The Circle. The grand Beaux Arts fountain has become a symbol of the neighborhood and h...

Oh, SFO: Why So Delayed? (And What’s With the “O”?) from 2019-09-12T20:18

It might seem like everyone thinks their local airport is the worst of them all: the longest security lines, the worst food, the most delays.
But we in the Bay Area have good reason to complain...

How the Bay Area Came to be a Hub for Casual Style from 2019-09-05T20:21

On a recent visit to San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, KQED listener Michelle Morby didn’t like what she saw. In the middle of the champagne-sipping, pre-performance throng, she spotted som...

Why Are There So Many Palm Trees in the Bay Area? from 2019-08-29T20:23

After Joseph Morales, an electrician from Chicago, moved to Emeryville this past winter, he found himself wondering: What’s with all the palm trees in the Bay Area? Like Joseph, they didn’t origina...

Think Bay Area Nightlife Ends Early? That Could Be About to Change from 2019-08-22T20:24

Ever had your late night revels ended abruptly by the bartender announcing last call just before 2 a.m. here in the Bay Area?
If this strikes a chord, you’re not alone.
California’s 2 a.m. ...

The Minister of Loneliness, Aristotle And How To Make That Awesome Person Your Friend from 2019-08-15T20:25

Last year, Bay Curious received the question: “How do I make friends?”
We tried reaching out to the question asker, but they never responded. However, surveys show many Americans often feel lon...

How To Find New Friends from 2019-08-08T20:28

There isn’t a clear path on how to make close friends. Some people find making friends even harder than dating. They say with romantic relationships there’s at least some semblance of steps: You as...

Why Isn’t Local Seafood a Bigger Deal in the Bay Area? from 2019-07-19T20:32

Rayan Rafay was prepared to be blown away by Bay Area seafood when he moved here in 2016.
After growing up on the East Coast, he had been amazed by the seafood he encountered when he moved to V...

Is Dutch Crunch Bread From the Bay Area? from 2019-07-18T20:32

While the Bay Area is known for its sourdough, it’s often Dutch Crunch that really gets the attention of newcomers. The tasty bread is especially prevalent at local sandwich shops. Where did it com...

What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Your Old Clothes? from 2019-07-11T20:34

Spring cleaning, Marie Kondo-ing, whatever you want to call it — there is a massive purge of clothing coming out of people’s closets right now. Thrift stores across the country have reported unprec...

Yes, Your ‘Tropical’ Mai Tai Was Invented Here in Oakland from 2019-07-04T20:34

You might think the iconic rum cocktail was born in Hawaii. We set off to discover its true roots.

Lightning Round: Dead Whales, Expensive Gas and ‘Earthquake Weather’ from 2019-06-22T20:35

This week we answer three listener questions: What happens to whale carcasses that wash ashore? Why is gas so expensive in the Bay Area? What is 'earthquake weather' and is it real?

California Sounds: What’s It Like to Navigate the Bay Area While Blind? from 2019-06-20T20:36

Follow one man through his morning routine to get a taste of what's helpful and harmful for commuters who are blind.

Marin Was Once Armed With Nuclear Missiles, Luckily They Were Never Deployed from 2019-06-13T20:37

Veterans say the Cold War missile batteries that ringed the Bay Area packed nuclear warheads with a punch that more than equaled the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs combined.

Why Are There So Many Crows in the Bay Area? from 2019-06-06T20:38

There are a lot of crows in the Bay Area, but maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Why Wild Turkeys Love the Bay Area’s Suburbs from 2019-05-23T20:40

The turkeys we see today are descendants of birds captured near the Rio Grande in Texas that were brought to California. Learn more about our wild turkeys and hear the story of a turkey that broke ...

The Not-So-Crystal Clean History of San Francisco’s Drinking Water from 2019-05-16T20:40

As San Francisco's population exploded in the 1850s, speculators looked to cash in by delivering fresh drinking water to the new boomtown.

How Old Oakland’s Historic Buildings Survived Decay (and Demolition) from 2019-05-09T20:41

Many of the classic buildings were condemned and padlocked in the 1970s before an architect undertook a massive project to restore them.

Meet Charley Parkhurst: The Gold Rush’s Fearless, Gender Non-Conforming Stagecoach Driver from 2019-04-25T20:43

Read our web story: Meet Charley Parkhurst: The Gold Rush’s Fearless, Gender Non-Conforming Stagecoach Driver
Reported by Jessica Placzek.
Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica...

From Arks to Anchor-Outs: The History of Waterfront Living on Richardson Bay from 2019-04-18T20:44

People have been living for free anchored in Richardson Bay for decades, but living on the water in Marin County goes all the way back to the state's early days.

The Flying Aircraft Carrier That Once Called Moffett Field Home from 2019-04-11T20:45

If you’ve driven north on 101 through Mountain View, you really can’t miss Moffett Field. Seeing the giant open airfield is one thing — but what really grabs the eye is the larger-than-life birdcag...

Why is Piedmont a Separate City From Oakland? from 2019-04-04T20:45

Piedmont is surrounded on all sides but the city of Oakland, yet has remained an independent city since it incorporated in the the late 1800s. We take a closer look at the wild circumstances that l...

Lightning Round: Where Kids Live, Palo Alto’s Two Downtowns and S.F.’s Weeping Women from 2019-03-28T20:46

We answer three listener questions: Where do kids live in the Bay Area? Why does Palo Alto have two downtowns? And what's with the 'weeping women' statues at the Palace of Fine Arts?

Yabba Dabba Don’t? A Trip Inside the (Now) Controversial Flintstone House from 2019-03-21T20:47

If you’ve ever driven northbound on Interstate 280 through Hillsborough, you’ve surely seen The Flintstone House from the highway. A cluster of orange and purple tubular domes, the home is reminisc...

How Bill Graham’s Nazi Escape Might Explain His Fillmore Apples from 2019-03-14T20:48

The barrel of free red delicious apples have been a mainstay of the iconic San Francisco music venue.

Know, Know, Know Your Boats, Drifting Through the Bay from 2019-03-07T21:48

The San Francisco Bay is full of boats, but do you know what most of them actually do?

This Pricey San Francisco Cocktail Was a Gold Rush Knockout from 2019-02-28T21:49

This mysterious (and super-strong) cocktail cost $25 — and drove 19th century San Francisco wild. Why? It was probably the secret ingredient, that could get you jail time if you used it today.

Are There Dinosaur Bones in UC Berkeley’s Campanile? from 2019-02-21T21:49

On the way up to the observation deck, visitors pass five stories of prehistoric bones. Are dinosaurs among them?

Is There a San Francisco Accent? from 2019-01-24T21:53

When you think about America’s biggest cities, many have a recognizable accent. Does San Francisco have one? And no, saying 'hella' doesn't count.

Mile Rocks: A Bay Area Lighthouse Unlike Any Other from 2019-01-18T21:52

The Mile Rocks Lighthouse used to stand more than 80 feet tall guiding ships through some of the most treacherous waters in San Francisco Bay. But that was before it was automated and decapitated.

From Aviators to Apps: The Evolution of Traffic Data from 2019-01-17T21:53

How do Bay Area traffic reporters do their jobs? From flying high in the 1950s to the tech-powered tools of today.

When Recycling Pays the Bills … and When It Doesn’t from 2019-01-10T21:54

In California over 18 billion beverage containers were recycled in 2017. Meet some of the people who recycled them and what their scraps are worth.

Lightning Round: Brisbane’s Stars, Millbrae’s Sweet Smells and Red Rock Island from 2018-12-21T21:56

For our last episode of the year, we get the answers to three of your questions: What's with the stars in Brisbane? Why does Millbrae BART station smell like chocolate? And is Red Rock Island for s...

Stew on This: Cioppino Comes From San Francisco, Not Italy from 2018-12-20T21:56

Cioppino's San Francisco origins are undisputed. But the origin of its name? That's another story.

How SantaCon Got Its Start in San Francisco Counterculture from 2018-12-06T21:58

The event's roots go back to 1994, when a counterculture group called the Cacophony Society hosted "Cheap Suit Santas."

Bike Theft: How It Works, and What Police Are Doing in San Francisco from 2018-11-29T21:58

Thousands of bikes are stolen in San Francisco every year. What are police doing about it? And how does this crime operation work?

Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia ...

Why Are San Francisco Houses So Close Together? from 2018-11-22T21:59

Early on, housing lots in San Francisco were subdivided into plots as little as 25 feet wide -- just enough room for a parlor and a staircase.

Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made ...

‘Frisco’: It’s Not Just for Tourists from 2018-11-15T21:59

Frisco is the nickname we love to hate. How did this once widely-used name fall out of favor?

Reported by Vinnee Tong. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lanc...

There Were Once More Than 425 Shellmounds in the Bay Area. Where Did They Go? from 2018-11-08T22:00

These mounds were used by Ohlone as burial sites for their ancestors, to help navigate bay waters and as a gathering place.

Reported by Laura Klivans. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-P...

Who Invented the Martini? A Bay Area Story, With a Twist from 2018-11-03T20:54

There are two origin stories for the much-beloved martini, and both place its birth in the Bay Area.

Why Is Part of Alameda Island in San Francisco? from 2018-11-01T21:02

The answer stretches back to 1820, when California was still a part of Spain.

Reported by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and...

Ghost of a Legend: How a San Francisco Civil Rights Icon Was Made a Monster from 2018-10-25T21:02

One of San Francisco's purported “ghosts,” has a remarkable real-life story often left out of San Francisco's history books.

Reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-P...

The San Francisco Origins of Green Goddess Dressing from 2018-10-18T21:03

California's iconic Green Goddess Dressing may be herbal and delicious — but its name has a not-so-savory history.

Reported by Sasha Khokha. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jess...

Black Power, the 1968 Olympics and the San Jose State Students Who Shook the World from 2018-10-18T20:57

As John Carlos and Tommie Smith stood on the medal stand, raising their fists in a black power salute, the San Jose State students were praying they didn't get shot.

Should Californians Allow Rent Control to Expand? Proposition 10, Explained from 2018-10-12T21:04

Proposition 10 aims to overturn the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing act, which limits rent control throughout the state.

Produced by Jessica Placzek. Featuring KQED's Guy Marzorati. Bay Curio...

Voting on EMT Breaks, Children’s Hospitals and Dialysis Profits. Propositions 4, 8 and 11 Explained from 2018-10-11T21:06

Wonky and easy to overlook, these health-related propositions could have a big impact on Californians and the rest of the country.

Produced by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Alle...

Should California Expand Tax Breaks for Older Homeowners? Propositions 5, 1 and 2, Explained from 2018-10-10T21:06

Propositions 5 would expand the ability of older Californians to take advantage of property tax breaks put into place 40 years ago by Proposition 13.

Produced by Jessica Placzek, Erika Agu...

Voting on Daylight Saving Time, Animal Confinement and Water. Propositions 3, 7 and 12, Explained from 2018-10-09T21:10

Should California go full-time daylight saving time? Take animals out of cages? Pass a water bond? For Bay Curious Prop Week, we explore the three science-related propositions.

For more fr...

What If Californians Repealed the Gas Tax? Proposition 6, Explained from 2018-10-08T21:12

If Proposition 6 is approved, it would repeal SB 1, the gas tax and vehicle fee increase passed by state lawmakers last year.

Featuring KQED reporters Katie Orr and Dan Brekke. Produced by...

This Is Only a Test: San Francisco’s Tuesday Noon Siren from 2018-10-04T21:13

Every Tuesday at noon, San Francisco tests the Outdoor Warning System. A siren and announcement ring out for 15 seconds. The system got its start in the 1940s.

Reported by Julie Caine. Bay...

S.F. School Lottery: Time For It To Go? from 2018-09-27T21:13

Three San Francisco school board members are calling for an end to the current student assignment system.

Reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica P...

How the San Francisco School Lottery Works, And How It Doesn’t from 2018-09-27T17:19

San Francisco's complicated school lottery system offers opportunity that isn't always realized.

Reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, R...

The Story Behind Belmont’s Painted Fire Hydrants from 2018-09-20T21:15

Dozens of fire hydrants around the town of Belmont have one-of-a-kind paint jobs that date back to the early 1970s.

Reported by Suzie Racho. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jess...

Could Creating One Bay Area City Solve the Housing Crisis? from 2018-09-13T21:17

If all the nine Bay Area counties merged, would that result in a more cohesive approach to the regional housing crisis?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Pri...

How Do You Define the ‘Bay Area’? from 2018-09-06T21:18

Where the boundaries of this region are will vary according to who you ask and what you're looking to define.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessic...

The Mystery of the ‘East Bay Walls’ from 2018-08-30T21:19

For more than a century, stone walls scattered through the East Bay hills have proven a puzzle.

Who’s Behind the Knitted Animals in San Francisco’s Civic Center? from 2018-08-23T21:19

Some have called yarn bombing a feminist response to graffiti. Meet the sisters behind one of San Francisco's most prominent displays.

Reported by Suzie Racho. Bay Curious is made by Olivi...

Palms, Prophecy … and Permits? How Fortunetelling Works in the Bay from 2018-08-22T21:20

How the state Supreme Court cleared the way for psychics in California, and how regulation works.

Reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul...

Is Ultimate Frisbee the Golf of Silicon Valley? from 2018-08-16T21:20

Why does it seem like a lot of start-up execs play ultimate frisbee and use that to network with VCs?

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek,...

Why So Windy? Why So Foggy? And What’s With Karl? from 2018-07-26T21:24

If you're coming to San Francisco in the summer, bring a jacket! We take a closer look at what causes the wind and fog to descend upon parts of our region each summer. Plus, a few bonus questions a...

Why Is Lane Splitting Only Legal in California? And Is it Safe? from 2018-07-19T21:27

People have a lot of feelings about lane splitting, but they don’t always have all the information.

Reported by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul ...

Hetch Hetchy Water’s Epic Journey, From Mountains to Tap from 2018-07-12T21:27

Take a journey with the Bay Area's drinking water -- from mountain to tap.

Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and ...

Cracking the Bizarre Urban Legend of Alameda’s Little People Houses from 2018-07-05T21:28

A small street inadvertently becomes ground zero for so-called "Hobbit Hunters," but is there truth in the legends?

Reported by Chloe Veltman and Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia A...

Is Rent Control Working and Should We Have More or Less of It? from 2018-06-28T21:28

Rent control is in at least 15 California cities, but even in those cities there are many limits on what can be rent controlled. A proposition on the November ballot may get rid of those limits, bu...

The Origins of Bay Area Place Names from 2018-06-21T21:29

California was named after a fictional island for black Amazon-like warrior women, ruled by Queen Calafia. What about Bay Area names?

Reported by Jessica Placzek and Dan Brekke. Bay Curiou...

The Forgotten Men of the Point Reyes Life Saving Service from 2018-06-14T21:30

A tiny hidden cemetery reveals the brutal realities of saving shipwrecked sailors in the 19th century.

Reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek,...

The Serpent Statue in San Jose That People Think Is Something Else from 2018-06-07T21:31

Is the Quetzalcoatl sculpture in San Jose the best tribute to the city's Mexican heritage? It's a matter of debate.

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Je...

Are There Really More Dogs Than Children in S.F.? from 2018-05-24T21:32

It's a dog show! We answer how many dogs could fit on a Muni train ... and other pressing canine questions.

Reported by Lisa Pickoff-White and Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Alle...

Spinning Rims, Spinning Cars: the History of the Oakland Sideshow from 2018-05-17T21:33

Sideshows have a bad reputation, but they also have a long tradition, East Oakland roots and deep ties to the hyphy movement.

Reported by Sandhya Dirks. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen...

This S.F. Fortress Is Full of Money That Will Never Be Spent from 2018-05-10T21:34

The prettiest pennies are made in San Francisco. Take a trip inside the S.F. Mint.

Reported by Amanda Font. Editing by Jessica Placzek and Julia McEvoy. Hosted by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is...

Why Hasn’t the Tenderloin Gentrified Like the Rest of San Francisco? from 2018-05-03T21:35

Tenderloin residents wanted to preserve its affordability. But will they be forced out as improvements come to the neighborhood?

Reported by Kelly O'Mara. Edited By Jessica Placzek. Bay Cu...

Does Anyone Play Polo at the Golden Gate Park Polo Field Anymore? from 2018-04-26T21:35

We go back in time to the days when polo was king at Golden Gate Park.

Reported by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi, Suzie Rac...

420 Started in the Bay Area. Meet the Guys Who Invented It from 2018-04-19T21:36

It all began with a treasure map to secret weed plants abandoned somewhere in Point Reyes.


Reported by Olivia Allen-Price and Emmanuel Hapsis. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Pric...

Have Ride-Hailing Apps Made Traffic Worse? from 2018-04-12T21:36

Traffic is worse in the Bay Area. Are Lyft and Uber making it worse? Or could they be our salvation?

Reported by Eli Wirtschafter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placze...

Oil Beneath San Mateo County? You Betcha from 2018-04-05T21:37

Bay Curious travels down the Peninsula and back in time to discover the history of oil drilling in San Mateo County.

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica P...

How Worried Should You Be About Shark Attacks on the California Coast? from 2018-03-29T20:43

Learn why our coastline is called the Red Triangle and how you can minimize the risk of an encounter with a great white shark.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Al...

Name That Team! How the Sharks and the Golden State Warriors Got Their Names from 2018-03-22T20:43

Why are the Warriors the only team with a state nickname in their name? And how did we end up with the San Jose Sharks?

Reported by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Je...

How Oakland Became a Gnome-Man’s Land from 2018-03-15T21:40

There are thousands of gnomes nailed into the base of Oakland utility poles. Meet the man who painted them there and learn why he did it.

Why Are People Convinced This California Ghost Town Is Cursed? from 2018-03-08T22:41

Countless people who have stolen items from this deserted town have come to regret it.

Reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Ryan Levi, Paul...

America’s Emperor, San Francisco’s Treasure: Who Was Emperor Norton? from 2018-03-01T22:42

Almost 140 years after his death, the beloved eccentric is still celebrated and revered in San Francisco. So who was he?

Reported by Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, J...

The Sculpture Wonderland That Once Delighted I-80 Drivers from 2018-02-22T22:44

Anonymous artists once created sculptures made from driftwood and trash at the Emeryville Mudflats.

Reported by Jessica Placzek and Maddie Gobbo. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica...

Car Break-Ins Are Up in San Francisco. What’s Being Done? from 2018-02-15T22:47

San Francisco saw more than 30,000 car break ins last year - three times that of 2010. We tag along with police as they try and catch one of these thieves, and learn about what the city is doing to...

San Francisco Was Once Aglow With Neon from 2018-02-08T22:52

The city was right up there with places like New York, Los Angeles and even Las Vegas. Market Street alone had hundreds of signs lighting up the night.

Reported by Serginho Roosblad. Bay C...

Eucalyptus: How California’s Most Hated Tree Took Root from 2018-02-01T22:52

Depending who you ask, eucalyptus trees are either an icon in California or a fire-prone scourge.

Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancou...

The Beautiful Bay Bridge Frank Lloyd Wright Never Got to Build from 2018-01-25T22:54

What would the San Francisco Bay look like if Frank Lloyd Wright got to build the bridge he proposed in 1949?

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica ...

Unwrapping the Bay Area Origins of the Fortune Cookie from 2018-01-18T21:42

There are California and Japanese connections to the fortune cookie, going back more than a century.

Why a Tire Shop Built ‘The City’s Biggest Fortune Cookie’ from 2018-01-18T11:00:01

This sign in front of the tire shop was built in 1958, and it has displayed nothing but quotes ever since.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica...

How Joseph Eichler Introduced Stylish Housing for the Masses from 2018-01-03T18:20

Between 1949 and 1974, when the developer died, his group built roughly 11,000 homes in California, mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Everything You Want to Know About Legal Weed in California from 2017-12-21T18:23

Reported by Jessica Placzek, Eli Wirtschafter and Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Ryan Levi, Erika Kelly and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by P...

What Are Those Weird, Pink Ponds in San Francisco Bay? from 2017-12-14T18:24

In the South Bay's colorful salt ponds, a decades-old industry continues to crystalize.

Reporter by Lauren Sommer with KQED Science. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Pau...

Is the Castro Getting Less Gay? from 2017-12-06T18:37

How economics and cultural acceptance are changing queer communities across the Bay Area.

Reported by Ryan Levi. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Erika Kelly, Paul Lancour, Suzie...

Can You Go To Jail For Picking California’s State Flower? from 2017-11-30T18:38

Rumor has it California's golden poppy has some special protections. Is it true?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Erika Ke...

The Buried Ships of San Francisco from 2017-11-23T18:40

The hulls of several dozen ships can be found below ground in the middle of San Francisco.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour...

The True History of Irish Coffee and Its San Francisco Origins from 2017-11-16T18:41

Legend has it the Irish coffee was brought to the U.S. by the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco.

Reported by Kelly O'Mara. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour,...

Why Are There Rainbows on the Tunnel Between S.F. and Marin? (Plus Bonus Anniversary Questions) from 2017-11-09T18:43

It started as a quest to make Bay Area highways more beautiful. Plus, three other bonus questions!

Reported by Jessica Placzek and Olivia Allen-Price. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Je...

Bay Curious Lightning Round: Inspiration for AT-ATs, the ‘Tenderloin’ and Popeye’s Voice from 2017-11-09T18:42

This week the Bay Curious podcast is celebrating our one-year anniversary with a lightning round of questions and answers!
Is it true that George Lucas was inspired to create the AT-AT because ...

El Camino Not-So-Real: The True Story of the ‘Ancient Road’ from 2017-11-02T17:44

Legend has it, El Camino Real is an ancient road that connects the Spanish missions. But is it true?

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lan...

Why Are There So Many Dead People in Colma? And So Few in San Francisco? from 2017-10-26T17:44

Reported by Jon Brooks. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question at BayCurious.or...

Wildfires: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers from 2017-10-20T17:46

What does containment mean? How are wildfires named? What happens after your house burns?

Reported by Lindsey Hoshaw, Jessica Placzek, Sukey Lewis and Olivia Allen-Price. Technical directo...

What are the Mysterious Brick Circles in San Francisco Intersections? from 2017-10-12T17:47

Spend some time walking around San Francisco, and you'll probably notice the large, brick circles decorating the pavement at some intersections. What are they for?

Reported by Sarah Craig....

How San Francisco’s Drag Royalty Does Good, While Looking Fierce from 2017-10-05T17:48

How an S.F. drag artist founded one of the biggest and most bejeweled charities dedicated to LGBTQ causes.

Reported by Chloe Veltman. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Paul Lancour, Jessi...

Their Country Hated Them, But They Fought for It Anyway from 2017-09-28T17:49

Bay Curious listener Marcy Ballard wrote to us wanting to know more about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team — a segregated, Japanese-American unit that fought for the U.S. during the Second World Wa...

Quake Prep: BART’s Tunnel Plan and the Muni Bus That Could Save You from 2017-09-21T17:49

Picture a set of binoculars — only a pair the size of a low-rise building. That’s the shape of BART’s Transbay Tube — the dual-bore, 3.8-mile passageway that connects the West Oakland Station to Sa...

History of the Berkeley Pier: A Ferry Tale from 2017-09-14T17:50

For years Martin Kunz has been looking down the hill from his office at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, out over the water, at one of the longest piers in California — the Berkeley Pier.
“I see t...

Parking After the Street Sweeper Passes: Legal or Not? from 2017-08-31T17:51

There's one "no parking" sign in San Francisco that you can bend the rules on ... if the conditions are right.

Reported by Penny Nelson. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Paul Lancour, Je...

The History of Nudity in San Francisco Uncovered from 2017-08-24T17:52

Whether at Baker Beach or Bay to Breakers, it’s not unusual to see public nudity in San Francisco. What are the current laws on the matter, and how did the city become known for bodies in the buff?...

Rusty Navy: The Bay Area’s ‘Mothball Fleet’ Enters a New Era from 2017-08-17T17:53

Reported by Craig Miller. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Jessica Placzek, Suzie Racho and Penny Nelson. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question a...

What Gets Shipped Through the Port of Oakland? from 2017-08-10T17:57

Oakland is home to the fifth-busiest container port in the country and all around it, containers are stacked sky high like colorful, life-size Lego bricks. Listener Ajith Kumar asked Bay Curious: “...

Mountain Lions: Real Threat to Bay Area Hikers? from 2017-08-03T19:13

A Bay Curious listener who hikes a lot wonders: Should he be scared of mountain lions? We find out for him.

Reported by Vinnee Tong. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Vin...

The Mesmerizing Machine That Makes Your Golden Gate Bridge Drive Less Terrifying from 2017-07-27T19:17

Two years ago, a big steel and concrete median barrier went in on the Golden Gate Bridge, and two yellow machines appeared that move it several times a day. Bridge commuters have some questions. Listen

The Island Ghost Town in the Middle of San Francisco Bay from 2017-07-20T19:18

Drawbridge was a popular bird hunting destination decades. What happened?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Suzie Racho....

What Is the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Why Is It in San Jose? from 2017-07-13T19:21

If you attended sixth grade anywhere in or near San Jose, there’s a high likelihood you've been to see the largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities on public display anywhere west of the ...

Why the ‘O’ in San Francisco’s Airport Code, SFO? from 2017-06-29T19:22

Why the "O" in SFO? And why is one of Chicago's airports coded ORD? And IAD for Dulles?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Rac...

Living Without a Home in San Francisco: 3 stories and 4 questions from 2017-06-22T20:28

Since Bay Curious first answered your questions on homelessness in 2017, the cost of living has continued to rise in the Bay Area and with it, the number of people living without a home.
In the...

Homelessness: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers from 2017-06-22T19:23

What causes homelessness? What's the best way to help people you see on the street? And what other cities have had success in solving homelessness?

Reported by Jessica Placzek, Olivia Alle...

What Would Really Happen if a Tsunami Hit the Bay Area? from 2017-06-15T19:25

Our question-asker saw a tsunami hit San Francisco in the movie San Andreas, and wonders: would it really be like?

Reported by Johanna Varner and Olivia Allen-Price. Bay Curious is Olivia ...

What’s With the Bison in Golden Gate Park? from 2017-06-08T07:01:25

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Ask us a question ...

What Dinosaurs Roamed the Bay Area? from 2017-06-01T19:28

The answer is satisfyingly full of toothy prehistoric beasts.

Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Penny Nelson and Jessica...

You Live in S.F. and Your Home Was Built in 1906: True or False? from 2017-05-25T19:29

Ask around in the more historic parts of San Francisco and you’ll find a good number of the homes were built in 1906. Or so people have been told.

Reported by Penny Nelson. Produced and ed...

Are Plastic Bag Bans Actually Helping the Environment? from 2017-05-18T19:30

California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags in November. A middle-schooler from Sacramento wants to know if the ban actually helps the environment.

Can’t Get That Camping Spot? It Could Be Bots from 2017-05-11T19:31

Some people are using bots to get campsites at state and national parks. Is it legal? Is it fair?

Credits: Jessica Placzek, Olivia Allen-Price, Paul Lancour, Vinnee Tong, Julia McEvoy

It’s-It! The San Francisco Treat That Sparked a Cult Following from 2017-05-04T19:32

San Franciscans have been having a love-affair with this ice cream treat since 1928.

Reported by Alyssa Kapnik Samuel and Seth Samuel. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul ...

Who’s Behind the Colorful Lights at San Francisco City Hall? from 2017-04-27T19:41

It used to take hours or days to change the lights at city hall lights. Now it's done with a few clicks.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong...

What Makes San Francisco Sourdough Unique? from 2017-04-20T19:43

Reported by Julia Scott. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Jessica Placzek, Penny Nelson and Julia McEvoy.

Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.
Listen

Why Do Giants Fans Hate the Wave? Oakland Started It. from 2017-04-13T07:01:43

Reported by Olivia Allen-Price and Adam Grossberg. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Jessica Placzek, Suzie Racho, Penny Nelson, Ethan Lindsey and Julia McEvoy. Our Vice...

These Colorful Dots Are For Your Health from 2017-04-06T07:02:48

They look like a work of abstract art, but these colorful dots on Bay Area streets have a big purpose.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul L...

It’s a Mushroom Bonanza This Year! What’s the Deal? from 2017-03-30T19:45

It’s been a wet winter across Northern California this year, and that means a bounty of mushrooms. Get ready for a lesson in fungi from KQED Science reporter Lesley McClurg.

Reported by Le...

What Would It Take to Make Lake Merritt Swimmable? from 2017-03-23T15:00:40

It would take a lot of money, work and imagination to turn Lake Merritt into a swimmable body of water.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul L...

What’s That Thing Off 280? The Flintstone House from 2017-03-16T19:47

Take a tour inside this unique Peninsula home that architects find whimsical. Would you live there?

Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour,...

How Does Rain Create More Potholes? from 2017-03-09T20:49

This year's rainy winter has left San Francisco Bay Area roads riddled with potholes. Why? And will Caltrans fix them?

Reported by Penny Nelson. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee T...

Why Do Some Hate the Nickname ‘Frisco’? from 2017-03-02T20:50

Not long after people started using it, others started hating it. They said only out-of-towners used it.

Reported by Vinnee Tong. Produced and edited by Paul Lancour, Olivia Allen-Price, J...

This Lumberjack Frat Once Had the Coolest Clubhouse in S.F. from 2017-02-23T20:51

A Cupertino couple wondered where the street name "Hoo Hoo Way" came from. Turns out, it's a long story.

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Bay Curious is Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul L...

Why is Marin County So White? from 2017-02-16T20:53

Marin County is the whitest county in the Bay Area -- but why? Reporter Ericka Cruz-Guevarra takes us through some pivotal moments in Marin history that contributed to its demographics today.
<...

How Many Are Being Displaced by Gentrification in Oakland? from 2017-02-09T20:53

Putting a number on displacement is a tall order, but we do have an idea about who is leaving Oakland.

Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour and Julia McEvoy...

Why Does San Jose Have So Many Urban Islands? from 2017-02-02T14:22:13

Bay Curious listener Kristin Seitz was looking at a map of San Jose when she noticed an awful lot of holes. The city's territory isn't one undivided shape, but rather resembles a piece of Swiss che...

For Sale: San Francisco Air from 2017-01-26T21:51

Owners of historic buildings might be able to sell the air space above their building, allowing developers elsewhere to build higher.

Is Air Quality in the Bay Area Getting Worse? from 2017-01-26T20:56

Listener Jenny Wread has noticed the Bay Area's smog on her commute. And she's hearing more Spare the Air alerts. How is the air quality doing in the Bay Area as the population grows?

Repo...

Ode to the Foghorn: The Sound of the Sea from 2017-01-19T22:23

Take a trip around the San Francisco Bay and get to know our local foghorns -- where they are, how they work, who turns them on.

Reported by Laura Klivans. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Al...

For Whom The Foghorn Blows from 2017-01-19T20:58

If you live in the Bay Area, a foggy day can be a good excuse for some guilt-free time indoors. If you live near the water, days like that bring something else: foghorns.

Reported by Laura...

Why Aren’t There Any Strip Clubs in the East Bay? from 2017-01-12T20:58

In the 1960s, San Francisco was in the midst of a sexual revolution. Officials across the Bay in Oakland wanted none of it.

Reported by Adizah Eghan. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Pr...

Sutro Tower: The Origins of an ‘Eyesore’ from 2017-01-05T21:00

When Sutro Tower was first proposed, nearly everybody hated it. How did it get built?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivia Allen-Price, Vinnee Tong, Paul Lancour, Suz...

Does San Jose Deserve the Nickname ‘Man Jose’? from 2016-12-29T21:01

The Big Apple, Sin City, the Big Easy -- all famous nicknames for American cities. But have you heard of Man Jose? This week we explore if San Jose should be called Man Jose.

Reported by J...

There’s a Secret Message to Decode in San Jose from 2016-12-28T15:45:09

f you’ve walked past Adobe’s corporate headquarters in downtown San Jose, you may have spotted them: four big orange LED lights that look like flat-head screws, turning in apparently random pattern...

How Much Truth Is There to Those ‘Speed Enforced by Aircraft’ Signs? from 2016-12-22T21:05

We've all seen the signs warning us of eyes in the sky looking for speeders. A Bay Curious listener wanted to find out if someone really was up there ready to hand out tickets.

Reported by...

What Happens to San Francisco’s Recycling Once It Leaves the Curb? from 2016-12-15T21:06

Take a trip to Recology's Recycle Central, where San Francisco's waste is sorted and sent off for processing. Join the Bay Curious team as they test your trash I.Q.

Reported by Lindsey Hos...

Did the Emptying of Mental Hospitals Contribute to Homelessness? from 2016-12-08T08:02:38

After patients were released from mental hospitals, there wasn't always a place for them to go. On this week's episode, we explore if deinstitutionalization was a factor in the Bay Area's homeless ...

Where Did the Wild Parrots of San Francisco Come From? from 2016-11-24T21:08

The busy streets of San Francisco seems like the last place you'd find wild parrots. And yet, there they are. How'd they get here?

Reported by Jessica Placzek. Produced and edited by Olivi...

Where Did The Word ‘Hella’ Come From? from 2016-11-17T21:39

Long associated with the Bay Area, the word 'hella' has gained widespread use. But how was the word born?

The Origins of ‘Hella’ from 2016-11-17T21:10

Long associated with the Bay Area, the word 'hella' has gained widespread use. But how was the word born?

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Why Are BART Trains So Loud? from 2016-11-10T21:11

Sometimes the noise on BART is so loud you can hardly think. Why such a racket? And could it possibly damage your hearing? Sam Harnett and Eli Wirtschafter help host Olivia Allen-Price get to the b...

Why Are Ships Buried Under San Francisco? from 2016-11-04T23:00:29

Ships from the Gold-Rush era are hidden deep underground throughout the city. How did they get so far from the shoreline?

Welcome to the Bay Curious Podcast from 2016-11-02T23:00:58

Bay Curious gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what we wor...