Total SF
346 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 282 ratingsA San Francisco culture podcast featuring celebrity guests, non-celebrity guests, personalities from the San Francisco Chronicle and a celebration of Bay Area life. Hosted by culture critic Peter Hartlaub and columnist Heather Knight and recorded on the streets, hilltops, parks and landmarks of San Francisco. The pair's focus on the whimsy and wonder of San Francisco began in 2018 when they rode every bus, train, cable car and street car in the city in one day. They believe in highlighting the eccentric characters, independent bookstores, burger joints and bars that make the bay so great.
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Episodes
6 things we learned about San Francisco (a Total Farewell!)
July 28, 2023 10:00 - 49 minutesWith Heather Knight leaving for the New York Times, co-hosts Knight and Peter Hartlaub talk about how they met, their friendship and bond with the Total SF community, then each list three things they learned about San Francisco over a five-year partnership. Also in this episode, Hartlaub and Knight give each other the lightning round — and address "Star Trek IV," doom loops and the future of San Francisco. THANK YOU for listening. Please keep following Total SF - we may have announcements abo...
Secrets of San Francisco City Hall
July 21, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutesSan Francisco City Hall has a legendary dome and rotunda, featured in movies including "Milk" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and literally covered in gold. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub take a dome tour with City Hall building manager Rob Reiter, visiting behind the scenes and climbing to the very top of the structure. Then they sit down with City Hall historian Ellen Schumer, who is also chair of the City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission, to hear stories about former m...
Pouring one out for Anchor Brewing
July 14, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutesWith the news that Anchor Brewing is closing, Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub pay tribute to the 1927-year-old brewery, share some fond beer memories and talk about what Anchor meant to San Francisco. They also talk about the La Cocina closing, and pledge to support surviving small businesses. The second half of the episode is a repeat of the Jan. 27, 2023, Total SF interview with Anchor brewmaster Dane Volek. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off t...
Secrets of the S.F. Public Library archive
July 07, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesWhen the San Francisco Public Library moved to its new location at 100 Larkin St. on April 18, 1996, it had a brand new archivist, Susan Goldstein, who brought the library into the 21st Century with new ideas, digitization and a proactive approach toward gathering more diverse and complete collections that represent the city. Goldstein, who retires this month after 28 years with the library, gave Total SF co-host Peter Hartlaub a tour of the archive and San Francisco History Center, then sat ...
Happy 50th birthday Sutro Tower!
June 30, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutesAs Sutro Tower reaches its 50th anniversary on July 4, 2023, Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pay tribute to the controversial TV tower — which began as a fiercely protested structure, and has developed into one of the most beloved San Francisco landmarks. Hartlaub and Knight also recount their trip in a very small elevator to the top of the tower, and talk about the history, including plans for a restaurant at the top. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Ship...
9 San Francisco things we miss when we're gone (Flashback episode!)
June 23, 2023 10:00 - 28 minutesIn this July 15, 2022 flashback episode, a return from vacation sparks a Total SF discussion between hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub about the San Francisco things they miss when they're gone, including weather patterns, food and one very specific transit agency. Knight just returned from two weeks in England, and Hartlaub — who rarely travels — channels the things he missed while living in Los Angeles in the 1990s. Total SF also gets a visit from James Morehead, the poet laureate of ...
Secrets of the Cow Palace!
June 16, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesThe Cow Palace is the Swiss army knife and working class hero of Bay Area arenas. Total SF co-host Peter Hartlaub gets a tour of the 82-year-old arena then sits down with Cow Palace president Chris Corgas and CEO Allison Keaney to talk about Evel Knievel, Cow Palace hockey, Dianne Feinstein's livestock queen win and the present and future of the arena. Future events include boxing, a lowrider show, mariachi festival and NOFX Punk in Drublic craft brew and music festival. More information at w...
Is San Francisco a great running city?
June 09, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutesSan Francisco's hills and busy streets can make it a challenge for runners. But professional runner and UCSF cancer biologist Paddy O'Leary says S.F. is an outstanding running city, and produced "Urban Oasis: A Love Letter to San Francisco" as proof. With Total SF host Peter Hartlaub days away from competing in the grueling Dipsea Race, O'Leary, last year's second-place finisher, offers tips for the Dipsea course and some of his favorite places to train in San Francisco. Hartlaub and O'Leary ...
Ask a drag queen, with D'Arcy Drollinger
June 02, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutesD'Arcy Drollinger, drag star and owner of Oasis SF, achieved his biggest role yet when he was named San Francisco's first drag laureate by S.F. Mayor London Breed. Drollinger joins Total SF hosts Heather Knight, Peter Hartlaub and Tony Bravo to talk about the new role, the potential for a drag emporium in S.F. and the future of "Golden Girls Live" after the passing of drag icon Heklina, who played Dorothy. Drollinger also answers Total SF "ask a drag queen" questions, including how long it ta...
The story behind S.F.'s official instrument
May 26, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesWhat's the story behind North Beach and San Francisco's official instrument? Accordion player Tom Torriglia and San Francisco Italian Athletic Club chief operating officer Nick Figone join Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to explain the history of North Beach, take some accordion requests and talk about the Festa Italiana street festival coming up on Saturday and Sunday June 3-4. The festival will feature accordion music, pizza tossing, a children's activities and beer and win...
Secrets of the San Francisco Opera House
May 19, 2023 10:30 - 35 minutesThe San Francisco Opera is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, with programming returning on June 3. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight paid a visit to the War Memorial Opera House, getting an insider's tour — including a drop inside the iconic chandelier — from building steward John Boatwright and prop master Lori Harrison. Boatwright and Harrison share their best stories, including high points in S.F. Opera history, ghost sightings in the old building and tips for guest...
Archery lessons and S.F. love with Dave Eggers
May 12, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutesAuthor Dave Eggers has made his home in San Francisco, founding McSweeney's Publishing and co-founding the 826 Valencia writing workshop. His latest book, "The Eyes & the Impossible" may be his most S.F. book yet, following the adventures and poetic thoughts of a dog in a loosely fictionalized version of Golden Gate Park. Eggers joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about archery, the inspiration he finds in the park, his optimism about San Francisco and the greatness...
Secrets of SFMOMA!
May 05, 2023 10:30 - 29 minutesThe San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is internationally known, but it remains dedicated to local artists and art-lovers. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight take a tour with chief curator Janet Bishop, who has worked at the museum for 35 years. After a walk through the One-Way Color Tunnel, Bishop talks about SF MOMA's amazing founder Grace McCann Morley, last year's Soap Box Derby and the museum's post-pandemic rebound. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwre...
The best hidden stairways of San Francisco
April 28, 2023 10:30 - 28 minutesIs San Francisco a great stairway city? Walk SF's Nancy Botkin answers with a definite "yes," after designing the S.F. Stair Challenge, a 4-mile, 2,000-step path through North Beach, Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill that's happening Saturday, May 6, 2023, exclusive to members of the pedestrian advocacy group. Botkin leads Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight on the bulk of the hike, then sits down at Joe DiMaggio Park in North Beach to pick some favorite stairways in San Francisco....
8 things to do in S.F. this spring!
April 21, 2023 10:30 - 25 minutesWith the weather improving after a frigid winter, Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight pick eight fun things to do this spring. Outdoorsy adventures include a super bloom flower tour, walk from Oracle Park to North Beach, SF City FC soccer game at Kezar Stadium and fun on the Treasure Island ferry. Also in this episode, an important announcement about Heather's Bay Area Hip-Hop Mixtape. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community," Castr...
Secrets of S.F. International Airport!
April 14, 2023 10:30 - 30 minutesSan Francisco airport commissioner Jane Natoli gives Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight a tour of SFO's Harvey Milk Terminal, then sits down to discuss the artwork, amenities and hidden gems in San Francisco International Airport. Also in this episode, Natoli discusses the concept of a "quiet airport," the importance of making transgender travelers feel welcome, her favorite S.F. burrito and why SFO should have a gay bar called "The Cockpit." Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music fr...
The ultimate Bay Area hip-hop mixtape
April 07, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutesKQED launched the ambitious That's My Word project earlier this year, assembling several music and culture writers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop in the Bay Area. KQED's Gabe Meline and Pendarvis Harshaw join Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight in The Chronicle archive to talk about the project, the KQED/Chronicle rivalry and the legacy of rap music in the Bay Area. Meline, Hawshaw and Hartlaub also draft some of their favorite artists and songs for a Bay Area hip-h...
Secrets of the Pier 39 sea lions
March 31, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutesHow did the sea lions get to Pier 39? With the pinnipeds dominating the voting for the Official Animal of San Francisco, Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight sat down with Pier 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor and former CEO Taylor Safford to learn about the history of Pier 39's famous marine residents. Chandor and Safford also talk about Pier 39's beginnings as a much-derided tourism center, and why a larger number of locals have been enjoying the waterfront attraction. Produced by...
Secrets of the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill
March 24, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutesThe parrots of Telegraph Hill have been getting strong support for Official Animal of San Francisco. "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" director Judy Irving and parrot rescue volunteer Sarah Lemarié join Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about the 20th anniversary of the movie, its restoration and what the flock is up to now. News about Irving's films, including her new documentary "Cold Refuge," can be found at www.pelicanmedia.org. Lemarié is CEO of Mickaboo, a rescue o...
Secrets of the Golden Gate Park bison
March 17, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutesBison may not be native to San Francisco, but they have a lasting legacy in the history of the city and Golden Gate Park. Western Neighborhoods Project executive director Nicole Meldahl joins Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub to talk about the 1891 bison arrival in S.F., numerous escapes, Dianne Feinstein's weird bison gift and that time the Golden Gate Park superintendent wanted to feed excess bison to the bears. Knight and Hartlaub also give an Official Animal of San Francisc...
S.F.'s 90-year-old fish is breaking records
March 10, 2023 11:00 - 29 minutesMethuselah the Australian lungfish arrived at the Steinhart Aquarium in 1938, when Willie Mays was six years old and Al Capone was still seeing time in Alcatraz. Cal Academy of Sciences biologist Ryan Schaeffer gives Total SF co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight a tour of the famous fish's enclosure, before talking about the life, care, puppy-like quirks and history of the world's oldest fish in a zoological settling. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off thei...
It's Animal Month! Meet Claude the albino alligator
March 03, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutesMarch is animal month on Total SF, where hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight showcase some of the most iconic animals in San Francisco, and poll listeners and readers to determine the official animal of San Francisco. First up is an up-close feeding with Claude the albino alligator, and an interview with California Academy of Sciences biologist Emma Kocina. She talks about Claude's training, the details behind his breakup with alligator roommate Bonnie and the strange things people drop i...
Behind the scenes with our Warriors beat writer
February 24, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutesC.J. Holmes joined the San Francisco Chronicle last year with some unique experience to cover the Warriors beat — he was a Division I basketball player who competed against current NBA stars. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight meet Holmes, shoot around at a park near the newsroom, and ask Holmes about his journey from playing ball to covering the current world champions. Holmes also breaks down the wild and erratic current Warriors season, talking about the current chemistry whi...
The 9 best live music venues in S.F.
February 17, 2023 08:02 - 38 minutesSan Francisco is filled with excellent music venues, from historic spots including the Great American Music Hall and SF Masonic to the brand new Chase Center. Dublin poet Laureate James Morehouse joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to draft their nine favorite music venues in San Francisco, and tell stories about some of their favorite concerts in the city. Morehead wrote the upcoming book "At the Barricade," celebrating San Francisco's music venues through his poetry and photograph...
The most romantic spots in San Francisco
February 10, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutesFor Valentine's Day, Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub, Heather Knight and Tony Bravo head to the Cupid's Span sculpture along the Embarcadero to pick 12 of the most romantic spots in San Francisco. The picks include some less obvious spots, including the most romantic view in San Francisco, a tour of Chinatown and North Beach and two romantic walks through the Presidio. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community," Castro Theatre organist David Hegarty...
Ruth Asawa’s must-see S.F. Fountain turns 50
February 03, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutesThis Valentine's Day is the 50th anniversary of Ruth Asawa's most community-minded work, her San Francisco Fountain, which was conceived with baker's dough and made with contributions from more than a hundred locals ages 3 to 90. Asawa's grandson Henry Weverka joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub, Heather Knight and Tony Bravo to talk about Ruth Asawa's legacy, growing interest in her work, the Apple Store controversy and the history and wonderful details of the fountain. More information abou...
Secrets of Anchor Brewing in San Francisco!
January 27, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutesAnchor Brewing has been a big part of San Francisco for more than a century, surviving Prohibition as the only steam beer left in San Francisco, then leading the craft beer movement after innovative brewer Fritz Maytag took over in 1965. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight got an Anchor Brewing tour from brewmaster Dane Volek, then sat down to talk about Anchor history, the controversial label change and what is was like joining the Anchor team as a 20-year-old San Francisco Stat...
Secrets of the Cal Academy penguins!
January 20, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutesWith two new penguin chicks arriving at California Academy of Sciences late last year, Academy biologist Holly Rosenblum gave the Total SF team a behind-the-scenes tour — and an exclusive interview with the baby birds. Also in this episode, hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub announce their new quest to find an official animal of San Francisco (the penguins are nominated!) and Rosenblum explains the international breeding program to save the African penguins — which includes travel on com...
11 FREE things to do in S.F. in 2023
January 13, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutesWith wet weather hitting San Francisco, Stuart "Broke-Ass Stuart" Schuffman joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle archive to talk about free things to do in 2023. Choices include a free museum in the city with no fee, hidden parks near the Financial District, the best outdoor movie series and the best free basketball action in the city. Get tips from Broke-Ass Stuart and his new book Slouching Toward Neverland at www.brokeassstuart.com Produced ...
14 things you must do in S.F. in 2023
January 06, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutesAs a bomb cyclone hits San Francisco, Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight hunker down in the San Francisco Chronicle archive and look forward to exploring San Francisco in 2023, and each choose seven things that listeners should do in the city this year. Choices include two of the city's most underrated hikes, the Muni route with the best views and a new adventure to challenge Peter's fear of heights. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "C...
8 reasons why we still love San Francisco (Best of 2022!)
December 30, 2022 11:00 - 27 minutesAfter seeing yet another high-profile attack about "the decline of San Francisco," hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight returned on Feb. 8, 2022, to the San Francisco Chronicle's podcast studios to discuss the myth of the Golden Age of S.F., and then pick eight reasons why they still love the city. San Francisco's parks and views, a few very competent city agencies and the Phoenix mentality are all on the list. Is San Francisco over? Maybe some day, but it's definitely not going to be deci...
Secrets of the San Francisco fog!
December 23, 2022 11:00 - 35 minutesGerry Diaz is the first meteorologist in San Francisco Chronicle history, after working for the National Weather Service. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub invite Diaz on the podcast to talk about San Francisco fog and why it happens, the current cold front and help us give a name to San Francisco's wind. Knight and Hartlaub also welcome Diaz to San Francisco, and talk about how newcomers to the city help us all appreciate our home. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Su...
Best places to get married in San Francisco
December 16, 2022 11:30 - 37 minutesSan Francisco is a beautiful place to have a wedding, as Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight learned, after attending the nuptials of podcast listeners Kevin Dublin and Kate Lewin. Hartlaub and Knight play audio from that wedding, then invite Chronicle arts and culture columnist Tony Bravo for a draft to pick the best places in the city to get married. The Muni historical streetcars, Hornblower cruises, San Francisco Botanical Garden and Vaillancourt Fountain (!?!) make the list....
Secrets of the Transamerica Pyramid!
December 09, 2022 11:30 - 30 minutesThe Transamerica Pyramid was mercilessly attacked by critics when it was finished 50 years ago. But now a new owner of the Pyramid may be a catalyst to help save San Francisco's struggling Financial District. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight welcome new Pyramid owner Michael Shvo, who talks about his childhood visit to the building in the 1970s and his current plans to revitalize the area. And then the podcast hosts take a trip to the very top of the city's second-tallest buil...
The joyous sounds of Glide Memorial Church
December 02, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutesGlide Memorial Church musical director Vernon Bush is a dynamic presence leading the Glide Ensemble, using his experience as a preacher's kid and his love for community to lift the diverse group – and the congregation — higher. Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight watch and record a Glide Ensemble rehearsal, then join Bush on stage to talk about his upbringing near choirs, the church's history and how he feels about the Tenderloin District making the news. And Bush tries to explai...
8 things we're thankful for in San Francisco
November 23, 2022 11:00 - 29 minutesTotal SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight choose the eight things they're thankful for in 2022, including two very specific modes of transit, a small business category that survived the pandemic and ... disco balls? Also in this episode, Hartlaub heads out to JFK Promenade and interviews Total SF listeners and other San Franciscans, asking the question: "What are you thankful for in San Francisco in 2022?" Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Co...
Talking steaks, history and caviar doughnuts, with Tyler Florence
November 18, 2022 11:00 - 39 minutesFood Network chef Tyler Florence is an international star, but he chose to settle in the Bay Area. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub meet Florence at Warriors owner Joe Lacob's table in the Chase Center restaurant Miller & Lux, to talk about the California cattle barons who inspired the steak house's name, the future of restaurants in San Francisco, how the South Carolina-born chef ended up settling in the Bay Area and the secret "Goodfellas" door between his restaurant and the...
The NBA's Warrior/poet writes a new chapter
November 11, 2022 11:00 - 46 minutesTom Meschery had his number retired by the Golden State Warriors. He's a poet, 20-year English teacher, poet, bookstore owner and at age 84 just published his first novel. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub sit down with the extremely well-rounded basketball great to talk about Meschery's signing bonus and NBA fights in the 1960s, his immigrant childhood in San Francisco and his new book — "The Case of the '61 Chevy Impala: A Brovelli Brothers mystery." He also reads three baske...
The best (and worst) Bay Area hikes!
November 04, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutesWhat are the best hikes in San Francisco and the Bay Area? Chronicle data editor Dan Kopf joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about their recent collaboration, using more than 600,000 AllTrails user reviews to determine the best and worst hikes in the region. Kopf talks about his own love of hiking (and fungi) and the 10 best local trails, Knight recounts her journey on the worst trail in S.F. and Hartlaub explains whether the highly-rated Dipsea Trail cured his dis...
Branching out with S.F.'s tree maestro
October 28, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutesMike Sullivan is the author of The Trees of San Francisco, and has been sharing his tree expertise for years on his site sftrees.com. But he found new purpose during the pandemic, working with tree-loving friends to create chalk tree tours throughout the city. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub sit down with Sullivan in his tree-filled Cole Valley backyard, and talk about S.F.'s good and bad tree neighborhoods, tree history and Peter's suggestion that there are "bad" trees. (Loo...
A perfect day in San Francisco 2022
October 21, 2022 10:00 - 37 minutesTotal SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub each pick a full perfect day in San Francisco, including food, drinks, historic streetcars, drag shows, an edible and a lot of love for small businesses. It's a sequel to the 2021 "perfect day in S.F." episode that was the most popular Total SF release of the year. This year, we included perfect day ideas from 15 Total SF listeners, recorded on the All Our S.F. Outdoors Day hike across the Crosstown Trail. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from...
Secrets of the Doggie Diner heads!
October 14, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutesWith three 10-foot Doggie Diner heads appearing on John F. Kennedy Promenade in Golden Gate Park, historian, maker and Doggie Diner collector John Law joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about the phenomenon. The history of Doggie Diner includes detours into Dan White and Jefferson Airplane, with more recent stories about the preservation of the heads. And Law also talks about the Suicide Club and Cacophony Society, two local urban exploration and pranking groups that influe...
Making S.F. glamorous again, with Juanita More!
October 07, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutesJuanita More has spent 30 years in San Francisco as a drag queen, philanthropist, activist, chef and party central. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub visited the new Juanita More exhibit at the San Francisco Arts Commission's main gallery and talked with More and her fashion designer Mr. David Glamamore about their history, why San Francisco has not lost its soul and how to bring glamour back to the city and our lives. Juanita: 30 Years of More! is free to the public and is ope...
Bay Area transit report card — Total Transit 2022 recap!
September 30, 2022 10:00 - 34 minutesTotal SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub recap some of the highlights from their Total Transit 2022 adventure, where they attempted to ride as many of the Bay Area's 27 transit agencies as possible. (Ending at the San Francisco Giants game.) Audio from the journey is shared, including an interview with Pac-Man the BART falcon. And they break down some positives and negatives for regional transportation, and a grade for the current state of Bay Area transit. Produced by Peter Hartlaub....
Ask a Cable Car Gripman: Your questions answered!
September 23, 2022 10:00 - 42 minutesTotal SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight visit the cable car barn in San Francisco and talk with gripman Val Lupiz and former cable car barn superintendent David Banbury about the history of the transit network, and ask listener questions about the cable car line. Lupiz and Banbury cover the meaning of certain bells, why Muni no longer allows tourists to push cars on the turnaround and what gripmen think about that cable car explosion scene in "The Rock." Produced by Peter Hartlaub. M...
Ask a Muni Driver: Your questions answered!
September 16, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutesTransit lover and poet Mc "Mack" Allen met Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight on Total Muni 2018, when he was the first civilian to find them during their successful attempt to ride every Muni line in one day. He's since become a Muni operator, and we invited him back on the podcast to answer "Ask a Muni driver" questions from listeners — including his favorite views, the strangest things he's seen as a driver and what he thinks of the Lunchables ad-wrap on several Muni coaches ...
Ask a Muni Driver: All your questions answered!
September 16, 2022 10:00 - 38 minutesTransit lover and poet Mc "Mack" Allen met Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight on Total Muni 2018, when he was the first civilian to find them during their successful attempt to ride every Muni line in one day. He's since become a Muni operator, and we invited him back on the podcast to answer "Ask a Muni driver" questions from listeners — including his favorite views, the strangest things he's seen as a driver and what he thinks of the Lunchables ad-wrap on several Muni coaches ...
The San Francisco Bay Ferry rises again!
September 09, 2022 10:00 - 31 minutesThe ferry system in San Francisco was written off as dead in 1958. But the San Francisco Bay Ferry rose again after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and is arguably the most liked transit system in the Bay Area. Total SF hosts Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub recorded on the ferry with executive director Seamus Murphy, talking ferry history, learning how the system works and what's the possible future for the growing transit agency. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music from the Sunset Shipwreck...
The best stories from 50 years of BART
September 02, 2022 10:00 - 39 minutesFor the first episode of Transit Month on the Total SF podcast, hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight invited BART's Alicia Trost and Seung Lee, who hold the keys to the transit agency's social media. Trost and Lee talk about BART history, modern challenges and the agency's 50th anniversary celebration, which lands during Transit Month in September. BART's big plans for the birthday include video games at the Powell Station, fare discounts and a big Sept. 10 party at the Lake Merritt Statio...
Secrets of Glen Canyon: Dynamite, bears and a freeway revolt
August 26, 2022 10:00 - 35 minutesGlen Canyon is one of the most underrated parks in San Francisco, with a dramatic history that's mostly unknown beyond the Glen Park neighborhood. Glen Park Neighborhood History Project founder Evelyn Rose joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about the canyon's history, including the dynamite factory (and a huge explosion), the zoo and plans for a freeway that were successfully fought by three women called the "Gumtree Girls." Also in this episode, Hartlaub and Knigh...