
Outside Lands San Francisco
Nicole Meldahl and a rotating cast of hosts from the Western Neighborhoods Project (outsidelands.org / OpenSFHistory.org) share San Francisco west side neighborhood history with humor, a real fact or two, and much-better-informed occasional guests.
Latest episodes

Mar 26, 2022 • 34min
452: SNACK Concert at Kezar Stadium
We celebrate the anniversary of the SNACK concert at Kezar Stadium. SNACK, or Students Need Athletics, Culture and Kicks. It was conceived by rock music impresario, Bill Graham, to raise money for San Francisco school sports and arts programs. Nicole & Arnold share the tale of the event that featured a who's who of the SF music scene and celebrity speakers. For concert photos visit: https://bit.ly/OpenSFHistorySNACK

Mar 19, 2022 • 1h 6min
451: Virtual Paddle Out for Bill Hickey
Bill Hickey opened his surfboard shop in 1964 on the West Side and was one of the central figures in Kelly's Cove. In honor of Bill's recent passing, WNP hosted a Virtual Paddle Out. We have a bevy of guests, including some Kelly's Covers, to share their fond recollections and stories of Bill.

Mar 12, 2022 • 42min
450: Fire(s) on Point Lobos Avenue
The history of beloved buildings on Point Lobos Avenue seems inextricably linked to fire. John Martini joins Nicole & Arnold to describe the conflagrations that destroyed cherished west side attractions like the Cliff House (twice!) and Sutro Baths.

Mar 5, 2022 • 44min
449: The Case of Ephraim Merida
Ephraim Merida, a former slave brought to California in 1850, found himself in the middle of a lawsuit contesting the ownership of the land he called home for over 15 years. Nicole and Arnold tell the convoluted legal saga for property near Lone Mountain.

Feb 26, 2022 • 26min
195: San Francisco History Association (Repodcast)
In this classic episode, we fondly remember our dear friend, Ron Ross, inveterate collector and founder of the San Francisco History Association. Ron joined the pod in 2016 to tell us his origin story, about his collection of San Francsico ephemera, and recall the founding of the San Francisco History Association.

Feb 19, 2022 • 59min
448: Presidential Visits to the Outside Lands
Attention is always lavished on US Presidents when they visit Downtown SF. But it's even more notable when they travel to the West Side. WNP Board President, Arnold Woods, shares his research for an article he penned on presidential visits to the Outside Lands.

Feb 12, 2022 • 46min
447: Bernice Rodgers
To help celebrate Black History Month, we welcome Nancy Botkin - who tells us about the remarkable Bernice Rodgers. Bernice was a ground-breaking Rec and Park employee whose was later honored with street named after her in Golden Gate Park.

Feb 5, 2022 • 1h 2min
446: Thorsten Sideboard
This week, we are treated to an Oral History with special guest, Thorsten Sideboard. A local Sunset artist, Thorsten created Western Neighborhoods Project's first activity book for children on the life of Adolph Sutro and WNP's Cliff House Collection.

Jan 29, 2022 • 44min
445: Keepers of the Steps
This week's podcast celebrates 150 years of Irish dance in San Francisco with a trio of special guests: Anne Cassidy Carew, Eileen Mize, and Jamie O’Keefe. They tell us about the United Irish Cultural Center's exhibition called "Keepers of the Steps".

Jan 22, 2022 • 47min
444: Olympic Club Hike N Dip
It's the New Year and what better way to start it off than to take a dip in the frigid waters of Ocean Beach. Special guest, Jessica Smith, joins Nicole and Michael to explain the origins of the Olympic Club Hike 'N Dip.