

Bay Curious
KQED
Bay 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 5, 2025 • 15min
What Is That Massive Tunnel on the Beach South of Fort Funston?
On a Daly City beach just south of Fort Funston there's a large tunnel carved into the cliff. Bay Curious listener Francisco Alvarado noticed it one day while walking his chihuahua, Little Bean, down the beach. The tunnel is large enough for a person to stand up and several feet wide, so of course Francisco's mind started racing. What could this mysterious tunnel be? Is it a remnant of life long ago? Or could it be something as mundane as a drain outlet? We head to Phillip Burton Memorial Beach, as it's technically called, with a geologist to find some answers.
Additional Reading
What Is That Massive Tunnel on the Beach South of Fort Funston?
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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts
This story was reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

May 29, 2025 • 33min
What Is the PayPal Mafia?
In this engaging discussion, Anna Mistele, a computer science major from Stanford, and Morgan Sung, host of the KQED podcast Close All Tabs, unpack the enigmatic PayPal Mafia. They delve into how this influential group, including figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, has shaped both Silicon Valley and political landscapes. The conversation explores the origins of these billionaires in apartheid-era South Africa and their lasting impact on contemporary U.S. policies. Tune in for insights on tech culture and its intersection with global politics!

6 snips
May 22, 2025 • 28min
How Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs Became Iconic Bay Area Street Food
Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, a KQED reporter, dives into the savory world of bacon-wrapped hot dogs and their cultural significance in the Bay Area. She shares the inspiring story of a Nicaraguan vendor overcoming adversity, shedding light on the challenges faced by street food sellers. The podcast also explores the unique Sonoran hot dog and its elaborate toppings, while discussing the nostalgia and community ties surrounding this iconic snack. Discover the resilience of vendors striving for recognition amidst a vibrant culinary landscape!

8 snips
May 15, 2025 • 17min
A Ford Factory Changed Milpitas, Then it Became a Mall
Gabriela Glueck, a producer with a keen eye for history, explores the fascinating transformation of Milpitas from a sleepy agricultural town to a bustling city. She highlights the key role of the Ford factory, which opened in 1955 and sparked significant social change. Listeners will hear personal anecdotes from former workers that illustrate the factory's impact on their lives. The discussion culminates in the nostalgic transition from the factory to the Great Mall, a major milestone for the community.

6 snips
May 8, 2025 • 21min
San Francisco Businesses That Date Back to the Gold Rush
Katherine Monahan, a seasoned reporter, dives into the fascinating history of long-standing Bay Area businesses that trace their roots back to the Gold Rush. She unveils the iconic Levi Strauss & Company and its revolutionary impact on workwear, particularly the evolution of denim. The discussion also highlights Tadic Grill, a culinary gem serving delectable dishes since 1849, showcasing its cultural heritage. Listeners are invited to connect with this rich history while testing their Bay Area trivia knowledge for fun.

May 1, 2025 • 20min
Why Are Private Schools So Popular In San Francisco?
When it comes to private school enrollment, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Marin counties are all well above the state average. But why? In today's episode, we'll explore the many reasons San Francisco families choose to send their kids to private schools. It's a trend rooted in the history of desegregation that's been hard to reverse.
Additional Resources:
Why Is Private Schooling So Popular in the San Francisco Bay Area?
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Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest
Got a question you want answered? Ask!
Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts
This story was reported by Pauline Bartolone. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

Apr 30, 2025 • 3min
Check Out KQED's New Show Hyphenación
Join host Xorje Andrés Olivares and guests to explore what it means to live within a hyphenation. Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to have easy conversations about hard things: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. Hyphenación—where conversation and cultura meet!

Apr 24, 2025 • 39min
A Peek Into The Lives Of Four Bay Area Teens
As part of Youth Takeover Week at KQED The Bay and Bay Curious have teamed up to collaborate with four high school students who live in San Pablo, Fremont, Walnut Creek and San Jose. For several months, these teenagers — two juniors and two seniors — have shared what’s going on in their lives, what’s got them worried, what’s making them excited and what they're passionate about. Additional Resources
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Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Jessica Kariisa, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Mel Velasquez, Kyana Moghadam, Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

Apr 21, 2025 • 19min
Olivia's Out On Maternity Leave
Olivia Allen-Price will be taking a step back from the show for a few months to give birth to her second child. Bay Curious producer and editor Katrina Schwartz will be stepping into the host role while she's gone. The two are both parents of young children in the Bay Area, so for this bonus hand-off episode they discuss some of the ways living here has changed since becoming mothers, including the high cost of housing in San Francisco and San Mateo.Additional Resources:
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The Future Looks Bright For Fairyland, as It Seeks to Better Reflect Oakland's Cultural Rainbow
Fairy Houses Enchant Point Richmond With Miniature Worlds of Whimsy
Where To Take Kids in the Bay Area
New Parent? Ideas For Exploring With a Little Kid
Sign up for our newsletter
Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest
Got a question you want answered? Ask!
Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsBay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

Apr 17, 2025 • 17min
Who is the 'Stevens' of Stevens Creek?
A lot of things in the South Bay, specifically around Cupertino and Mountain View, are named after somebody called Stevens. There’s Stevens Creek Boulevard, the Stevens Creek watershed, and Stevens Creek Reservoir, to name a few. Our question asker, Pete Smoot, wants to know: Who exactly was Stevens? Turns out we should really be asking: "Who was Stephens?" with a P-H! We've been misspelling the name of Elisha Stephens for decades. In this episode we learn more about the man behind the name, and his adventurous pioneer life in early California.Additional Resources:
The South Bay Is All 'Stevens Creek' This and 'Stevens Creek' That. So Who Is This Stevens Anyway?
Read the transcript for this episode
Sign up for our newsletter
Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest
Got a question you want answered? Ask!
Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Olivia Allen-Price and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Gabriela Glueck, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.


