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
Jan 24, 2019 • 16min
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 • 10min
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 • 13min
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 • 12min
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 • 15min
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 • 10min
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 • 12min
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."
Nov 29, 2018 • 14min
Bike Theft: How It Works, and What Police Are Doing in San Francisco
Thousands of bikes are stolen in San Francisco every year. What are police doing about it? And how does this crime operation work?Reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi, Katie McMurran. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
Nov 22, 2018 • 12min
Why Are San Francisco Houses So Close Together?
Early on, housing lots in San Francisco were subdivided into plots as little as 25 feet wide -- just enough room for a parlor and a staircase.Reported by Sarah Craig. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour, Ryan Levi and Suzie Racho. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
Nov 15, 2018 • 13min
‘Frisco’: It’s Not Just for Tourists
Frisco is the nickname we love to hate. How did this once widely-used name fall out of favor?Reported by Vinnee Tong. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Paul Lancour and Ryan Levi. Additional support from Julie Caine, Ethan Lindsey, Katie McMurran, Suzie Racho and David Weir. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question or sign up for our newsletter at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
