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Bay Curious

KQED
San Francisco
California
KQED
Bay Area
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay Area
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
World War II
Climate Change
Oakland
BART
Proposition 2
Alameda
Presidio
Sex Work
Gold Rush
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Housing Crisis
Port Costa
Proposition 5

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 understandin... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes513Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelHistory

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Artwork for Bay Curious

Latest Episodes

Sarah Reid noticed a control booth attached to one of Alameda's many drawbridges, and wondered if people are inside, working the bridge. Turns out they are, and it's a round-the-clock job. This week, Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman takes us into the life of a ... more

Suzanne Howard was playing around with Google Maps one day and zoomed in on Concord, in the east bay. She noticed a large open space near Concord High School that wasn't labeled, but had some mysterious looking mounds in a grid pattern. What are tho... more

The Pacifica Taco Bell, just outside of San Francisco, is legendary for its beachfront views and retro architecture. But it could never be built today. How did a fast food chain end up with such prime real estate? In this episode we explore it's orig... more

It's hard these days to make a good old fashioned friend! Especially here in the Bay Area, where there are so many demands for our time and attention. On today's show, we hear some of your experiences with making friends in the Bay Area, and follow o... more

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Recent Guests

Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman
KQED reporter who covers Alameda and Bay Curious stories
KQED
Episode: The 24 Hour Job of Running Alameda's Bridges
Pauline Bartolone
KQED reporter who scouted the Concord Mounds area
KQED
Episode: Concord's Long Road from Navy Weapons Station to Walkable Neighborhood
Deb Wong
Local historian
Pacifica history
Episode: The Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World
Nancy Cook Long
Pacifica local with memories of the area
Local resident
Episode: The Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World
Charles Lester
California Coastal Commission official
California Coastal Commission
Episode: The Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World
Katie Barrow
A woman in San Jose who is trying to make friends
Private individual in Bay Area
Episode: How to Make Friends in the Bay Area
Kat Vellos
Connection coach, educator, and researcher on adult friendships
Bay Area-based
Episode: How to Make Friends in the Bay Area
Tania Lensford-Links
Writer, artist, educator and fourth-generation Black San Franciscan
San Francisco Public Library (artist in residence, exhibition + archival project)
Episode: Real Voices From San Francisco's Great Quake of 1906
Aurelius Alburga
Black man and survivor of the 1906 earthquake
Oral history subject referenced in archival project
Episode: Real Voices From San Francisco's Great Quake of 1906

Host

Olivia Allen-Price
Host of the show, guiding listeners through diverse topics related to the Bay Area and fostering engagement through local narratives.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Always engaging

    Not only is it wonderful to hear about the Bay Area’s secrets and lost stories, but I’m always charmed by the experts and knowledgeable people you track down to fill in the missing pieces.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrendaMorg
    United States3 months ago
  • Local magazine—fun!

    Loving the chance to learn more about my neighborhood & neighbors. Reviewing this while listening to the Ukraina Honcharenko episode now—I’ve hiked there too! Secret, hyper-local places are fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaliador
    United States3 months ago
  • Great show with interesting, diverse topics

    A quick easy informative listen

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMS32205
    United States9 months ago
  • Re: “the PayPal Mafia”

    Bay Curious is in my “fun stuff” playlist. I can deal with the general left bent of many of the shows, but I listen to this list when I want a break from politics. This episode was less explanatory of the PayPal Mafia with regard to the Bay Area and more a history of South Africa. A more balanced version might have been interesting, but this episode did not belong in the Bay Curious series.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    lulubelle5
    United Statesa year ago
  • Extra good episode!

    Great job on the peek into four teens’ lives! Speaking as a retirement-age kind of senior, I enjoyed their creativity, drive and questioning about the directions of their lives. An articulate group, they reminded me what that period of life is like even as they expressed their own unique experiences in today’s world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sherrard24
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the podcast for its informative content and ability to entertain while educating about the Bay Area's unique history and culture.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and diverse topics that cater to both long-time residents and newcomers.
Feedback highlights an interest in community involvement, indicating that the podcast successfully connects with its audience on local issues.
There are occasional critiques regarding how some topics might feel politically charged to certain listeners.
Overwhelmingly positive reviews commend the show's ability to inspire curiosity and maintain high-quality journalism.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Broken Alphabet of SF's Westside Streets
Q: So, start us at the beginning. When did San Francisco even start naming its streets?
The city began naming streets around the Gold Rush era as it aimed to become a regional capital, but early practice included duplicates and ad hoc naming, which caused widespread confusion before formal renaming efforts in the post‑earthquake rebuilding period.
Why So Many Legal Courts in S.F.?
Q: Why are there so many courts in San Francisco, rather than in other cities like Sacramento or Los Angeles?
California's early statehood created a split into Northern and Southern Districts with San Francisco as a natural hub due to population, economy, and maritime strength; the federal and state court systems expanded around this central, accessible downtown area over time. The Ninth Circuit was formed when the region was developing, and San Francisco's role as an economic and legal center helped cement these courts here.
The Eccentric Personalities Behind Sunnyside Conservatory
Q: Could you start by painting a picture of the conservatory and how it looks now?
Katrina Schwartz describes it as a redwood, two-story octagonal building set back in a lush garden, with light-filled spaces and a modern recreation of the original spire, which has been carefully maintained to honor the past while serving as an event space today.
How Italian Is North Beach? The Surprising Stats
Q: Do Italian people still live in North Beach, or is it all just a tourist trap?
While the number of Italian residents has greatly decreased, many still visit for community gatherings and dining experiences that reflect their heritage.
Are We Having a 'Crow-maggedon'?
Q: Is there a plan to reduce their populations?
Experts suggest coexistence and better urban management rather than extermination.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bay Curious

What is Bay Curious about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricacies of the San Francisco Bay Area, this show uniquely weaves together listener-driven inquiries with vibrant narratives revealing the region's rich history, culture, and community dynamics. Episodes tackle a wide range of topics, from environmental issues like the decline of local wildlife to historical figures and events that have shaped the area's identity. The engaging storytelling approach not only educates but also entertains, resonating with both long-time residents and newcomers seeking to deepen their connection to the region. With an emphasis on local history and culture, it highlights unique stories that often go unnoticed, thereby fostering a strong sense of community and engagement among its listeners.

Where can I find podcast stats for Bay Curious?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Bay Curious. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Bay Curious and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Bay Curious get?

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What are the audience demographics for Bay Curious?

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How many subscribers and views does Bay Curious have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Bay Curious has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Bay Curious?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bay Curious:

1. The Bay
2. East Bay Yesterday
3. KQED's The California Report
4. KQED's Forum
5. Political Breakdown

How many episodes of Bay Curious are there?

Bay Curious launched 10 years ago and published 513 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Bay Curious?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Bay Curious?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Bay Curious from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Bay Curious?

Recent guests on Bay Curious include:

1. Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman
2. Pauline Bartolone
3. Deb Wong
4. Nancy Cook Long
5. Charles Lester
6. Katie Barrow
7. Kat Vellos
8. Tania Lensford-Links

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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