How to Make Friends in the Bay Area

How to Make Friends in the Bay Area

From Bay Curious by KQED

April 20, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges of making friends in the Bay Area through listener experiences and a personal journey in San Jose.

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 one listener as she tries to meet new friends in San Jose. This episode originally aired on The Bay podcast. Be sure to subscribe! Additional Resources: Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Jessica Kariisa. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale and Olivia Allen-Price. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Olivia Allen-Price

Guest: Listener

Topics covered

  • society
  • culture
  • friendship
  • personal experiences
  • community

Keywords

  • making friends
  • Bay Area
  • San Jose
  • listener experiences
  • social connections

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bay Curious

Places: the Bay Area, San Jose

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