
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

Jan 25, 2025 • 24min
549: Short Stacks #1
Join Nicole and Rebekah as they kick off their new podcast series, Short Stacks, where they dive into their journey so far as historians, the inspiration behind the show, and share some interesting historical tidbits along the way.

Jan 18, 2025 • 59min
548: State of the Union
Join Nicole, Chelsea, Rebekah, and Drew as they reflect on 2024 and share what’s ahead for Western Neighborhoods Project in 2025.

Jan 12, 2025 • 26min
331R: San Francisco Ice Arena (repodcast)
Join Nicole, Woody and David, as they discuss the mid-block skating rink that operated on 48th Avenue between Kirkham and Lawton Streets from the 1920s to the 1990s, in this classic episode of Outside Lands San Francisco!.

Dec 28, 2024 • 1h 15min
547: de Young Museum Christmas Eve Heist
Nicole and Drew uncover the history of an infamous art heist at the de Young Museum on Christmas Eve in 1978. Was the stolen Rembrandt painting returned? Was it even a real Rembrandt? Tune into this special holiday episode to find out.

Dec 14, 2024 • 1h 23min
546: Sean Connelly
Join Sean Connelly, a literature expert and former San Francisco State University instructor, as he discusses the launch of the WNP Book Club in 2025. The conversation touches on nostalgic reflections of academic life, the interconnections of humanities and history, and the evolving landscape of modern education. Sean emphasizes the importance of community and storytelling, linking the rich cultural tapestry of San Francisco to its literary legacy. Plus, he highlights the significance of fostering intergenerational dialogue through literature and music.

Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 16min
545: Legion at 100 w/ Isabella Lores-Chavez
Join Nicole and Isabella Lores-Chavez, the Associate Curator of European Paintings at the Legion of Honor, as they walk around and discuss the “Legion At 100” exhibit commemorating the museum’s centennial anniversary!

Nov 16, 2024 • 1h 6min
544: Fat Boy BBQ
Join Nicole and Chelsea as they discuss the fascinating history of Fat Boy BBQ, a long-gone Bay Area icon with a personal connection.

6 snips
Nov 2, 2024 • 53min
543: Gold Rush Legacies in the Outside Lands
Join Nicole and Drew as they look at the legacies of the Gold Rush in the Outside Lands, and share insights from a recent event with the Clement Street Art Walk.

Oct 18, 2024 • 54min
542: The Wreck of the SS City of Rio de Janeiro
Peter Hartlaub from the San Francisco Chronicle joins Nicole Meldahl to talk about the wreck of the SS City of Rio de Janeiro, the deadliest shipwreck at the Golden Gate.

Oct 5, 2024 • 1h 15min
541: USF Mens College Part 3
Nicole Meldahl and Drew Moss head back to their alma mater, the University of San Francisco, for the final installment of this comprehensive campus history from 1906 until 1978.