Bay Curious

It looks sort of like a gigantic table...or a huge metal space dog...or maybe even an Imperial Walker from Star Wars. Whatever you imagine the Hunters Point Gantry Crane looks like, it certainly stands out—this massive structure on the edge of the bay on San Francisco's south side can be seen from three counties. But what is it doing there? This week, reporter Ezra David Romero investigates its origins and how it relates to actions by the U.S. Navy decades ago still haunt San Franciscans today.Additional Reading: The Hunters Point Crane’s Legacy Is Both Majestic and Troubling  Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Ezra David Romero. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family.

Join reporter Asal Ehsanipour as she dives into the debate surrounding Mount Diablo's claim to the world's second-best view. She explores the majestic vistas from the peak and unravels the legendary status tied to this beloved landmark. Discover the origins of this myth, dating back to 19th-century surveys, and how it flourished through clever marketing. Asal also examines the surprising reality of the mountain's viewshed, reminding us that beauty often transcends mere numbers and calculations.

Join reporter Katherine Monahan, who dives into the quirky charm and rich history of Port Costa. Discover if the legendary Burlington Hotel really was a brothel and explore eerie ghost stories that surround it. Katherine uncovers Port Costa’s transformation from a booming port town in the 1800s to a funky community with a captivating vibe. Hear enchanting tales passed down through generations and experience the town’s unique ambiance, where nostalgia merges with local legend.

Sebastian Miño-Bucheli, a reporter delving into lowrider culture, takes listeners on a colorful journey through its history. He reveals the roots of lowriding, linking it to the 1940s pachucos and the Mexican-American experience. The discussion highlights the cultural significance of lowriders in Chicano communities and the defiant spirit expressed through fashion and vehicle modifications. Additionally, Miño-Bucheli shares stories from recent community celebrations, showcasing the joy and pride that this vibrant culture continues to inspire.

In this insightful discussion, producer Pauline Bartolone uncovers the dual nature of the ice plant, a vibrant but invasive species threatening California's coastal ecosystems. She highlights community efforts at Point Reyes to combat its spread and protect local flora and fauna. Pauline also sheds light on the ecological consequences it has on endangered species, such as butterflies and nesting birds. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of community involvement in raising awareness and managing invasive plants, featuring hands-on training initiatives at Redwood forests.

California plans to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and trucks by 2035. But does the state have enough charging stations to support them? Today, some electric vehicle (EV) owners will tell you that charging an EV can be unreliable and stressful—especially if you are depending on public charging stations. Come 2035, the charging crunch could get much worse. This week on Bay Curious, reporter Dana Cronin takes on a road trip to understand what it will take to get more charging stations in our Bay Area neighborhoods.Additional Reading: What Will it Take to Improve EV Infrastructure in California? Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Dana Cronin. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family.

It has been called "the world's oldest profession," but it's not one that's often discussed openly. Of course, we're talking about sex work. Attitudes about certain parts of the industry—from porn to strip clubs—have evolved over time, and so has the language used to discuss it. Even the term "sex work" is relatively new. This week, reporter Steven Rascón brings us the story of the woman who coined the term, and the history of the sex worker rights movement.This episode contains frank discussions about sexual acts, and sex work—some of which is criminalized in California. And it includes some outdated language.Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Steven Rascón. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Nastia Voynovskaya, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.

Before the rise of Silicon Valley, long before the 1906 quake, way before indigenous peoples settled in the Bay Area—actually way, WAY before humans even existed as a species—some fearsome creatures roamed this land. That's right, I'm talking about dinosaurs. This week we're reprising our 2017 episode from reporter Daniel Potter about what kinds of these "monstrous lizards" swam, stomped and flew over the Bay Area.Additional Reading: Which Dinosaurs Roamed the Bay Area? Read the transcript Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Daniel Potter. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family.

While strolling through the beautiful Morcom Rose Garden, Bay Curious listener Julia Fogelson noticed something peculiar. All over the garden are signs banning a very specific item: glitter. So, what's with all the "NO GLITTER" signs? This week, reporter Christopher Beale takes us to the garden to figure out what sparked the sparkle ban.Additional Reading: Heading to Morcom Rose Garden? Better Leave Your Glitter at Home Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Christopher Beale. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.

Gone are the days of the Old West with sheriffs sitting astride their horses and star shaped badges gleaming in the dusty sunshine. But the idea of police on horseback isn't a total relic. San Francisco, with the country's second oldest mounted police force, still has a few hooved officers left. This week on the show, producer Katrina Schwartz heads to the stables to meet this four-legged squad.Additional Reading: After 150 Years, Why Do San Francisco Police Still Have a Mounted Unit? Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Katrina Schwartz. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Kevin Stark, Chris Egusa, Paul Lancour, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Jasmine Garnett, Carly Severn, Joshua Ling, Holly Kernan and the whole KQED family.