Bay Curious
Bay Curious
KQED
The Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World
17 minutes Posted Apr 23, 2026 at 10:00 am.
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Show notes
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 origins, and how policy about California's coastline has evolved.
Additional Resources:
It’s the Most Beautiful Taco Bell in the World. Here’s Why It Could Never Be Built Today
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This story was reported by Gabriela Glueck. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale and Olivia Allen-Price. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.
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