Claim OwnershipOutside Lands San Francisco
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© 2013-2026 Western Neighborhoods Project
Description
Nicole Meldahl and a rotating cast of hosts from the Western Neighborhoods Project (outsidelands.org / OpenSFHistory.org) share San Francisco west side neighborhood history with humor, footnoted facts, and occasional guests.
630 Episodes
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In this classic episode of Outside Lands, Nicole welcomes Nancy Botkin - who tells us about the remarkable Bernice Rodgers. Bernice was a ground-breaking Rec and Park employee whose was later honored with street named after her in Golden Gate Park.
Nicole, Rebekah and Drew talk through recent efforts by the AASLH and others to resist censorship in historical scholarship and exhibitions, and what it means for WNP. Plus, jello shots come up again! And we breeze through news from 25, 50, 70 and 100 years ago on the day this episode airs.
Nicole and Drew take you to the northeast corner of the western neighborhoods to explore the long history of businesses at 2701 Lombard Street at Baker, which has been home to Phil's Electric Co. since the 1980s just outside the Presidio.
Nicole shares an exciting event coming up, and Rebekah talks about her recent work trip to Sweden, before the two jump into articles from this day 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Nicole and Drew introduce you to the women behind Auguste Rodin's sculpture of Miss Eve Fairfax on display at the Legion of Honor, from its mysterious subject to the inimitable women who gave her a home in San Francisco.
Rebekah reflects on her takeaways from Claude the Alligator’s recent funeral, and Nicole shares her excitement about a potential step into publishing. Together, they round out the episode by exploring local “On This Day” articles from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Nicole and Drew explore the important history of West Portal’s Empire Theater, reflecting on the role it played in the neighborhood and the generations it touched before closing its doors.
Nicole and Rebekah return for the first Short Stack of 2026! They catch up on their recent breaks, discuss the closure of California College for the Arts (CCA), and explore “On This Day” articles from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Elizabeth Larke Blodgett, mother and passionate supporter of returning Great War soldiers, took her doll house making hobby to incredible levels. One masterpiece miniature house has been featured at the Emporium downtown and at the Cliff House, Nicole and Michael are joined by a very special guest and Elizabeth's granddaughter, Janet Dyer in this classic episode rebroadcast.
To close out 2025, Nicole and Drew explore the history of the Partingtons, a family with a huge impact on San Francisco’s art scene.
Unlike today's SantaCon, Mabel Hawkin's Santa Claus Association does not involve scores of drunken Kris Kringles. Instead, the Association was a charity group that distributed thousands of gifts to San Francisco's children. This week, we’re rerunning this classic episode where Nicole and Michael provide the inspiring story behind this groundbreaking endeavor.
Nicole and Rebekah are back with another Short Stack, live at Tennessee Grill! Tune in as they chat about what brought them to this beloved neighborhood spot—and why they love it—before diving into “On This Day” stories from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Nicole and Rebekah explore the remarkable life of botanist Alice Eastwood and the lasting impact she left on the California Academy of Sciences and San Francisco.
Nicole and Rebekah return for another Short Stack to break down the big news about the Cliff House donation and revisit some moments from the recent WNP Family Dinner at Celia’s by the Beach.
Nicole and Rebekah return for another Short Stack! Nicole shares her thoughts and hopes for the preservation of the historic Mother’s Building — formerly part of Fleishhacker Pool — before the pair dive into “On This Day” articles from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Nicole and Drew explore how a few of Market Street’s iconic “Path of Gold” lamps found their way to Lands End, and uncover the fascinating history behind these glittering symbols of San Francisco’s past.
Attention was always lavished on US Presidents when they visited Downtown SF. But it was even more notable when they traveled to the West Side. Former WNP Board President, Arnold Woods, shared his research for an article he penned on presidential visits to the Outside Lands in this classic episode rebroadcast.
Nicole and Rebekah return with another Short Stack, as Nicole shares takeaways from her recent trip to Los Angeles and how it has shaped her opinion on the future of development in San Francisco. They also discuss their current reading picks — The Last Madame and Who Killed Jane Stanford — before exploring “on this day” stories from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
Nicole and Drew uncover the fascinating tale of an 1890s treasure hunt at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach—a spectacle that gripped the city and sparked unexpected chaos. Join them as they explore the frenzy, the mystery, and the colorful characters drawn to the sand in search of fortune.
Nicole and Rebekah return from vacation with another Short Stack: Rebekah shares insights from her current read “Strangers in the Land,” Nicole talks about her plans for OpenSFHistory and what makes the program special, and together they explore fascinating “on this day” stories from 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.
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rip Arnold 😢