Bay Curious
404 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsBay Curious is a show about your questions – and the adventures you find when you go looking for the answers. Join host Olivia Allen-Price to explore all aspects of the San Francisco Bay Area – from the debate over "Frisco", to the dinosaurs that once roamed California, to the causes of homelessness. Whether you lived here your whole life, or just arrived, Bay Curious will deepen your understanding of this place you call home.
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Episodes
Oh, SFO: Why So Delayed? (And What’s With the “O”?)
September 12, 2019 20:18 - 13 minutesIt 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. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2018 SFO was the third-most-delayed major airport in the U.S. in terms of arrivals, with about 26 percent of arriving flights delayed. And that’s not unique to last year. Since 2010, SFO has consistently ranked in the top four of the most delaye...
How the Bay Area Came to be a Hub for Casual Style
September 05, 2019 20:21 - 18 minutesOn 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 someone wearing jeans and white sneakers. “That to me is completely offensive,” Morby said. Morby is someone who likes to dress up when she goes out. “If I got a ticket to the opera tonight, I would pull out a silk jumpsuit. I would wear it with the tallest platform sandals that I have. And I would do ...
Why Are There So Many Palm Trees in the Bay Area?
August 29, 2019 20:23 - 14 minutesAfter 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 originate here. But they’re all over the place. Not that Joseph minds. “They remind me of vacation,” he says, “having a good time with a cold drink and sitting under a palm tree.” Then again: “Northern California doesn’t really seem to be the ideal location for palm trees. I’m expecting hot weather and sun...
Think Bay Area Nightlife Ends Early? That Could Be About to Change
August 22, 2019 20:24 - 12 minutesEver 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. last call frustrates a lot of people. KQED listener Tara Downey even gets a little embarrassed by it when out-of-town friends visit. “I have friends that live in New York, and so when they come back here it’s a little bit of a shock to them,” she explained. “They’re kind of like ‘OK, where do we go next?’ A...
The Minister of Loneliness, Aristotle And How To Make That Awesome Person Your Friend
August 15, 2019 20:25 - 17 minutesLast 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 lonely, and a lot of those lonely people also feel socially isolated. Last episode we found tips for finding potential friends. This week we talk about how to make friend crushes closer, Aristotle’s ideas about friendship and the potential role of government in addressing social isolation. For a few tips o...
How To Find New Friends
August 08, 2019 20:28 - 16 minutesThere 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 ask a person out, you go out again, maybe you keep going on dates, maybe one person isn’t feeling it and the relationship ends, or perhaps both people are feeling it, you talk and then make your relationship “official”. Last year, Bay Curious received the question: “How do I make friends?” We tried re...
Why Isn’t Local Seafood a Bigger Deal in the Bay Area?
July 19, 2019 20:32 - 16 minutesRayan 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 Vancouver, British Columbia. “It’s just this like magical wonderland of seafood,” he said. “Chefs just did things with seafood on the West Coast that I’d never even imagined in my lemon butter world of fish.” But when he got here, he was surprised not to see the local catch on many restaurant menus. So h...
Is Dutch Crunch Bread From the Bay Area?
July 18, 2019 20:32 - 11 minutesWhile 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 come from? How is it made? In this episode of Bay Curious, reporter Amanda Font bakes us an answer. Find the web story, including images of the baking process: Why Does Dutch Crunch Seem to be the Best Kept Local Food Secret? == If you’re still craving carbs, check out this Bay Curious episode: What Ma...
What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Your Old Clothes?
July 11, 2019 20:34 - 16 minutesSpring 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 unprecedented surges in their clothing donations. Bay Curious listener Ellen wants to know: What can you do with used clothing? What if it’s not suitable for donation sites? Can you recycle the material in the Bay Area? In this episode of Bay Curious, we sort a pile of clothes with a sustainable clothing ...
Yes, Your ‘Tropical’ Mai Tai Was Invented Here in Oakland
July 04, 2019 20:34 - 13 minutesYou 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’
June 22, 2019 20:35 - 17 minutesThis 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?
June 20, 2019 20:36 - 17 minutesFollow 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
June 13, 2019 20:37 - 12 minutesVeterans 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.
Marin Was Once Armed With Nuclear Missiles, Luckily They Were Never Deployed
June 13, 2019 20:37 - 12 minutesVeterans 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?
June 06, 2019 20:38 - 16 minutesThere 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
May 23, 2019 20:40 - 12 minutesThe 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 into prison.
The Not-So-Crystal Clean History of San Francisco’s Drinking Water
May 16, 2019 20:40 - 13 minutesAs 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)
May 09, 2019 20:41 - 13 minutesMany 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
April 25, 2019 20:43 - 14 minutesRead 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 Placzek, Katie McMurran, Rob Speight, Suzie Racho, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenpr...
From Arks to Anchor-Outs: The History of Waterfront Living on Richardson Bay
April 18, 2019 20:44 - 14 minutesPeople 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
April 11, 2019 20:45 - 12 minutesIf 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 birdcage-looking structure known as Hangar One. This week on the show, we learn why the airfield was built, what majestic airship that was once house there, and what’s going on at Moffett Field now. Read the web story: That Giant Structure Off 101 Once Housed a Flying Aircraft Carrier Reported by Rachael M...
Why is Piedmont a Separate City From Oakland?
April 04, 2019 20:45 - 15 minutesPiedmont 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 lead Piedmont to form, and discuss some of the tensions that exist between Oakland and Piedmont residents today.
Lightning Round: Where Kids Live, Palo Alto’s Two Downtowns and S.F.’s Weeping Women
March 28, 2019 20:46 - 18 minutesWe 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
March 21, 2019 20:47 - 12 minutesIf 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 reminiscent of the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The house has always had it’s fans and detractors, but recent renovations have sparked controversy, and prompted the city of Hillsborough to sue the homeowner and declare the home a “public nuisance.” The renovations include the addition of several large sculp...
How Bill Graham’s Nazi Escape Might Explain His Fillmore Apples
March 14, 2019 20:48 - 10 minutesThe 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
March 07, 2019 21:48 - 12 minutesThe 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
February 28, 2019 21:49 - 13 minutesThis 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?
February 21, 2019 21:49 - 13 minutesOn the way up to the observation deck, visitors pass five stories of prehistoric bones. Are dinosaurs among them?
Is There a San Francisco Accent?
January 24, 2019 21:53 - 16 minutesWhen 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
January 18, 2019 21:52 - 10 minutesThe 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
January 17, 2019 21:53 - 14 minutesHow 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
January 10, 2019 21:54 - 12 minutesIn 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
December 21, 2018 21:56 - 15 minutesFor 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 sale?
Stew on This: Cioppino Comes From San Francisco, Not Italy
December 20, 2018 21:56 - 10 minutesCioppino'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
December 06, 2018 21:58 - 12 minutesThe 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
November 29, 2018 21:58 - 15 minutesThousands 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 Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi, Katie McMurran. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia A...
Why Are San Francisco Houses So Close Together?
November 22, 2018 21:59 - 12 minutesEarly 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 by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oalle...
‘Frisco’: It’s Not Just for Tourists
November 15, 2018 21:59 - 14 minutesFrisco 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 Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
There Were Once More Than 425 Shellmounds in the Bay Area. Where Did They Go?
November 08, 2018 22:00 - 15 minutesThese 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-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen...
Who Invented the Martini? A Bay Area Story, With a Twist
November 03, 2018 20:54 - 12 minutesThere 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?
November 01, 2018 21:02 - 15 minutesThe 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 Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice, or use the hashtag #BayCurious.
Ghost of a Legend: How a San Francisco Civil Rights Icon Was Made a Monster
October 25, 2018 21:02 - 14 minutesOne 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-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
The San Francisco Origins of Green Goddess Dressing
October 18, 2018 21:03 - 12 minutesCalifornia'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, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julia McEvoy, Ethan Lindsey, Erika Kelly, Julie Caine, David Weir, Amanda Font, Carly Severn and Katie McMurran. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsl...
Black Power, the 1968 Olympics and the San Jose State Students Who Shook the World
October 18, 2018 20:57 - 15 minutesAs 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
October 12, 2018 21:04 - 14 minutesProposition 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 Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twi...
Voting on EMT Breaks, Children’s Hospitals and Dialysis Profits. Propositions 4, 8 and 11 Explained
October 11, 2018 21:06 - 17 minutesWonky 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 Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
Should California Expand Tax Breaks for Older Homeowners? Propositions 5, 1 and 2, Explained
October 10, 2018 21:06 - 16 minutesPropositions 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 Aguliar, and Olivia Allen-Price. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCuriou...
Voting on Daylight Saving Time, Animal Confinement and Water. Propositions 3, 7 and 12, Explained
October 09, 2018 21:10 - 14 minutesShould 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 from Prop Week, visit BayCurious.org or check out other episodes in our feed! Produced by Ryan Levi and Olivia Allen-Price. Featuring KQED's Danielle Venton and Lesley McClurg. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie C...
What If Californians Repealed the Gas Tax? Proposition 6, Explained
October 08, 2018 21:12 - 14 minutesIf 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 Ryan Levi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Oliv...
This Is Only a Test: San Francisco’s Tuesday Noon Siren
October 04, 2018 21:13 - 13 minutesEvery 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 Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Chris Hoff, Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia ...