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Home > Bay Curious > Why So Many Motels on Lombard Street?
Podcast: Bay Curious
Episode:

Why So Many Motels on Lombard Street?

Category: Society & Culture
Duration: 00:18:05
Publish Date: 2025-10-09 10:00:00
Description:

Lombard Street is famous for its winding brick lane, but beyond that iconic block lies something unexpected: a stretch of old-school motels. Why so many in one place? This week on Bay Curious, we explore how the growing popularity of automobiles – and the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge – transformed Lombard Street into a bustling hub for motor lodges. Then, we’ll head south to the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge to unpack its history.


Editors note: This episode has been updated to correct a street name error.


Additional Resources:


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These stories were reported by Christopher Beale and Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.

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