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
Mar 7, 2019 • 13min
Know, Know, Know Your Boats, Drifting Through the Bay
The San Francisco Bay is full of boats, but do you know what most of them actually do?
Feb 28, 2019 • 14min
This Pricey San Francisco Cocktail Was a Gold Rush Knockout
This 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.
Feb 21, 2019 • 14min
Are There Dinosaur Bones in UC Berkeley’s Campanile?
On the way up to the observation deck, visitors pass five stories of prehistoric bones. Are dinosaurs among them?
Jan 24, 2019 • 17min
Is There a San Francisco Accent?
When you think about America’s biggest cities, many have a recognizable accent. Does San Francisco have one? And no, saying 'hella' doesn't count.
Jan 18, 2019 • 11min
Mile Rocks: A Bay Area Lighthouse Unlike Any Other
The 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.
Jan 17, 2019 • 14min
From Aviators to Apps: The Evolution of Traffic Data
How do Bay Area traffic reporters do their jobs? From flying high in the 1950s to the tech-powered tools of today.
Jan 10, 2019 • 13min
When Recycling Pays the Bills … and When It Doesn’t
In California over 18 billion beverage containers were recycled in 2017. Meet some of the people who recycled them and what their scraps are worth.
Dec 21, 2018 • 16min
Lightning Round: Brisbane’s Stars, Millbrae’s Sweet Smells and Red Rock Island
For 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?
Dec 20, 2018 • 11min
Stew on This: Cioppino Comes From San Francisco, Not Italy
Cioppino's San Francisco origins are undisputed. But the origin of its name? That's another story.
Dec 6, 2018 • 13min
How SantaCon Got Its Start in San Francisco Counterculture
The event's roots go back to 1994, when a counterculture group called the Cacophony Society hosted "Cheap Suit Santas."
