Exploring San Francisco's Hidden Tunnels | Bay Curious

With nearly a million residents, San Francisco is bustling with life, but what goes on underneath the city is just as intricate. Built more than a century ago during the gold rush, San Francisco’s sewer system is a feat of engineering that very few get to see. Bay Curious follows San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Assistant Engineer Megan Abadie on an exploration of the hidden tunnels beneath the city's streets.
UPDATE: We removed a quote that included an inaccurate statement about sewer networks across California. Almost all of San Francisco uses a combined sewer system. San Francisco, along with a small part of Sacramento, are the only cities in California that use a combined system.

[@garcia9242]

Them Sewers look cleaner than the streets of San Francisco.

[@nategadow4482]

Probably more poop on the sidewalk

[@anthonyroberson5199]

Funny but true

[@thomaskrehbiel2946]

Sad comment regarding what the government has allowed to happen to San Francisco. When all the tourists don’t return maybe, just maybe the Supervisors will understand who is at fault.... but ....

[@craigbradl4139]

One tunnel big deal ,a joke

[@Planetcat2071]

@@thomaskrehbiel2946 They couldn’t care less. Them and the city workers and Bart get paid the all the same. More people and more commerce to them just means more work. I’ve worked there for 30 years and the recent lack of caring about that city is really sickening. It’s the city worker paradox there: hire more and more low grade employees that are never fired no matter how bad they are, and watch the city turn into a crime ridden dump.

[@BlueDotSessions]

Thanks for having us in this video!

[@icysurfer1]

We found tunnels under a downtown SF nightclub. With concrete walled rooms. Speakeasy was our guess. One room had a bunch of liquor bottles .

[@michelleb831]

Which club?

[@BallardBaller]

There was one in the basement of my friends night club, off Mission St, it connected to a few other basements on neighboring streets.

[@frankyu553]

A few of those tunnels are still working and used for a speakeasy called "Anti-Saloon League, ironically named for a Pro-Prohibition org back in the early 20th century. The tunnels lead out to various exits so that, back in the day, people secretly drinking could get out without getting noticed. The speakeasy is still a (pretty cool) bar and tunnels can still be used for exits.

[@lasergabe]

Bro tell us what club

[@youradhere1217]

Why you all want to know? You all just going to blow up the spot and have someone close access to it. I never share “secret spots” I only tell very close friends so they know where to look if I go missing.

[@JimCTSCLO]

I have the pleasure of working with many of the heroes in SFPUC Wastewater. They truly care and work miracles on a daily basis. Great video.

[@daniellomeli9884]

Hey any chance you guys are hiring? I am really interested in this type of job

[@alicefreist318]

Bad idea or not ... many years ago, I tagged along with friends who'd gone "spelunking" in the tunnels before. We entered out by the ocean and went exploring as far as we dared ... it was appropriately terrifying. I do not recommend for a variety of reasons.

[@morgato4200]

I did that on lsd

[@gunslingingbird74]

Care to elaborate?

[@alicefreist318]

At least one of the excursions was admittedly "under the influence." Ah, those were the days ... back when "microdose" meant "I got ripped off, dammit!."

[@tedkaplan6639]

@@alicefreist318 Glad you survived! Was John Law involved?

[@408HaRRy530]

Where is the ocean entrance??

[@samiam9059]

Had no idea those are so huge and tall! great video...

[@pattyandbustershow1031]

So, no crossover into old Chinatown tunnels?

[@oscar7513]

Right? I was hoping to see Lo Pan or at least the Sewer Monster... disappointed!

[@lt2143]

This is very inspiring. My nieces will know there are additional professions they can aim from. It would be awesome had there a CGI of the tunnels for a better view and perspective.

[@seanglennon4012]

My grandfather used to play in these tunnels when he was a little boy back in the 1920's. People used to get Shanghaid through some of these tunnels

[@brendanhauser4644]

Shanghaid?

[@something_in_the_radiator1665]

@@brendanhauser4644 Shanghaied, forcing someone to join to work on a ship lacking a crew. enslavement.

[@snowyowlz5992]

Get drunk the previous evening and find yourself on another ship at sea and only then waking up from your drunken stupor…

[@sinbaon2154]

This Was A Great Introduction To The Underworld So To Speak

[@StevenTorrey]

It is easy to lose sight of the fact that beneath the city, there is massive granite base.

[@DeanStephen]

That is the bedrock that the Millennium Tower’s foundation should have been set upon.

[@eastbaykidd8574]

The gas detectors must really go off underneath the Mission Burrito place.

[@iusethisplatform]

LOLL

[@christophersherman1198]

They had a attraction made out of one of those tunnels. I think it's called the San Fransisco Dungeon. A ride people can take to see historical period stuff in SF. I never made it there to see myself. I dont know if it's still there. If your interested I think you can look it up. ✌🏼

[@CrankyHermit]

Misleading title, unanswered questions. All style and cuteness here, no substance. You left people confused and uninformed about an important subject.

[@jessicabarsse3701]

Absolutely agree with you!

[@danielgoodson8155]

Agreed. Was expecting something entirely different. As the piece progressed, found wanting. Well said.

[@RavenJCain]

Particularly the part about dumping sewage into the ocean when it gets too full. A little clarity on that would have been great.

[@marcballesteros]

Heard there are still ships buried all around San Francisco

[@dk50b]

According to the National Park Service 50 at last count kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2bceqJtaryNras

[@justinoak9196]

Correct in the Finanical District. You can find out more by visiting the Guest area in Trans America Building.

[@aroach337]

Our combined system with direct access to the bay. Doesn't that mean untreated sewage going directly into the bay every heavy rain, or did I miss something.

[@CBlargh]

It means 2 things: 1. Really heavy rains _can_ overflow the catchment and send untreated sewage into the bay. 2. Much less of the oils and toxins from the street find their way into the bay, because they are removed by the treatment facilities before the water gets there. In general, I am in favour of the system. It could probably use more catchment storage to stop the overflow incidents.

[@StevenTorrey]

The storm drainage system (above ground where you see grates) is not connected to the sewer system; two separate sets of drainage. Not really explained in the video that they are not connected,

[@ciscokid77]

@@StevenTorrey The storm drains on the street surface do tie in to the main sanitary system in San Francisco, with the exception of a handful of spots. San Francisco is one of the only cities in the country to have a "combined sewer system" .

[@lhzav]

Weirs and baffles prevent solids and floating wastewater particles from entering the bay, or ocean, and large transport storage structures hold excess rainfall until it can be treated. A combined sewer overflow only occurs when the transport storage box is full.

[@StevenTorrey]

@@ciscokid77 Now that you mention it, you may be right.

[@Cyndogg085]

That job seems fun.

[@JChang0114]

Waiting for Flukeman.

[@sillypeople4873]

Love the full make-up.

[@tantradossantos4501]

Thank you for your service. 🙏

[@timberwolvesxx7250]

fascinating. i learned so much from this video

[@RunDub]

What a cool job!

[@KerryDSC]

cool job, she should wear a respirator though

[@davidfrancis949]

SO DOES SEEAGE WATER GO INTO SANFRANCISCO BAY

[@rdbjrseattle]

That’s what happened in Seattle. The tides backed up in the sewer pipes. The lower floors were covered over and became basements with sidewalks overhead, now Seattle Underground tours started in the 1960s.

[@akamano5]

...i remember this view at about 4:11,,...

[@Stensland55]

Back in 1994-95 I worked on that tunnel and overflow they showed.

[@LildaddyFire151]

Thought it was gonna be the Chinatown tunnels. But remember they got filled in

[@johngrepo9976]

Yeah let's see that!

[@jessicabarsse3701]

Well once i saw what this video was about i was sooo excited to watch and learn but it really didn't show much☹. No telling where they are or what entrances there are. I honestly would have been happier with a map of the underground tunnels! Maybe re-do??

[@tedkaplan6639]

This is a video by KQED public broadcasting, there is no way they are going to make a guide to illegally exploring tunnels where you can be killed 5 different ways.

[@sfnative9365]

why on earth would they tell or even give any more of a hint than they did about where this is. do some research and maybe you can find something, i dont mean this disrespectfully just saying.

[@lhzav]

Join the SF Hiking Club. We’ve hiked there.

[@dreboerte5864]

Circle of life where human go swimming in them.

[@alancampos8906]

Combined systems are a waste of rain water!

[@BallardBaller]

All the shits the homeless take on the street go to the same place you flush 😂

[@blacklanner5886]

And I thought San Francisco smelled bad above ground.

[@kotastrophie]

Almost as short as the podcast. Only difference is the 10 minutes of ads that make the podcast seem longer

[@randywest1185]

Not actually a particularly clear explanation of anything.

[@lukesky6157]

So what smells worse? The sewers or the streets? Or are they considered the same thing now?

[@pwp8737]

The worst is the stench of transplants who contribute nothing to the betterment of humanity; no amount of designer cologne can mask that smell

[@bethanyp4698]

@@pwp8737 perioddd

[@davidfrancis949]

SEWAGE EXCRETEMENT GO AS SUCH UNTREATED DIRECTLY FROM A DISCHARGE INTO SEA WATER

[@leobav2425]

So the waste products just get dumped into the ocean ?...

[@ashesmandalay1762]

After it is biologically treated to neutralize it.

[@JimCTSCLO]

There is a comprehensive process of treatment that occurs before the final effluent is discharged into the ocean. There are many resources you can check and perhaps even contacting SFPUC would provide you with information on the outstanding work Megan and many, many, others do on a daily basis. The fact that you bothered to ask the question is also outstanding and hopefully more will.

[@leobav2425]

@@JimCTSCLO when I seen the discharged methods, I thought where is the plant that makes the discharge safe ?....

[@JimCTSCLO]

@@leobav2425 Two plants one on Great Highway next to Ocean Beach. One called Southeast Plant near Third and Phelps.

[@argentosebastian]

Would be awesome to have a tour down there.

[@rust-0hspray156]

There's sewers underneath the city it is my job it's a fun job it feels good to be near the light of the tunnel water is not the only danger here but sea water could be bad for the tunnel Is that it okay cool video didn't explain too much or show about the tunnels

[@BRANDON-FJB]

Hear that? It's the ocean ....🤢🤢🤢

[@kmbytt984]

Began to be built during the gold rush??? Or it was already there and we simply inherited lies? Who made those millions of bricks?

[@kmbytt984]

@mermaid dream a good question is did they build the Erie Canal or simply clean it out of the mud.

[@TheEDNC]

Jimmy Hoffa’s new digs... ?

[@MichaelSnyder1776]

I put it on 1.5x speed and she still talks slowly

[@13DarkMelody]

One of humanities biggest blunders; flushing human waste into our planets water. Human waste/animal waste should be buried in soil. Our world is dying.

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

You can make tea out of waste water if you find it really that satisfying. Good on you though

[@johnnyblade1293]

tunnel rats 🖤

[@Albertangelo123]

The guy at 3:02 in the clip is super cute.

[@hughgrection9439]

A brown water spelunker,if u will

[@345mrse]

Did they find used condoms and empty amyl nitrate bottles?

[@eastbaykidd8574]

You must be thinking of the Tunnel of Fudge under Polk Street.

[@ralphturner3798]

It would have been better if you had been more accurate in your choice of words. I don't think that these very large tunnels "are under EVERY house and run along EVERY block."

[@antn8387]

we have the greatest infrastructure in the world!

[@BreDawg714]

That will a huge problem with sea level rise! The whole city will be in jeopardy. How is this catastrophic issue being ignored?

[@trs4184]

It's honestly not terrible. It'll be expensive, but we can move the outfalls and, in the worst cases, pump to a higher elevation

[@royreynolds108]

Sea level rise is a hoax and is meant to scare. It is NOT happening. There are areas where the land is sinking because of the removal of groundwater or other underground minerals.

[@BreDawg714]

@@royreynolds108 well…sea level has risen, like a inch every 100 years.

[@HanginInSF]

Because the ocean is exactly where its always been.

[@bennybonilla2864]

I’m a little bay curious

[@susanb6289]

2:41 what's with the tongue

[@richietattersall2122]

NYC's is older, and it doesn't dump the waste directly into the ocean or the rivers unless there is so much rain the recycling plants can't deal with it.

[@deusexme]

Same for San Francisco, if it wasn't clear. And they're not recycling plants, they're wastewater treatment plants (though some plants can recycle water back into public use).

[@richietattersall2122]

@@deusexme Got it, I used the wrong name, 62 and epilepsy for the last 16 years has not helped my memory. I am dealing with the seziures, but the damage is already done.

[@deusexme]

@@richietattersall2122 No harm done, and my sympathies for your condition.

[@richietattersall2122]

@@deusexme Thanks, finally seeing the right Neurologist. That's all she deals with, I just found out yesterday that she has had epilepsy since her teens, that's why she has focused her whole life on dealing with it.

[@deusexme]

@@richietattersall2122 best of luck. Getting the right help is a journey onto itself sometimes.

[@bruceg1845]

sewers! You can have them

[@DeanStephen]

Why is it okay for San Francisco to dump untreated waste water into the ocean, but not okay for cruise ships to do the same?

[@hmbanton]

it is not OK and they spend Billions with a B to prevent it.

[@ancientage6051]

Watch out for the physcotic caca monster that is still running around like a mad man down there

[@crashweaverda]

So your sewer system is not up to EPA code. Sewer and storm water are suppose to be separated.

[@DTAP17]

Human trafficking

[@suzellepalacios1982]

This is the most disappointing video ever. Lol like what?

[@zerojee1]

@2:39 super cringe

[@alexcarrillo5510]

A lot of Poo Gas..... Think about it - The next that you go drinking at those fancy $$$ Yuppie bars, and then you come home and contribute to the Sewer Taxes, as that is what your doing, and going there.... Again Think about it,

[@cynthiawoodmancy2564]

you all will get to see them up close and personal if a big quake hits the city again.

[@CaliforniaFly]

Hey, let's go walk around in shit.

[@jarrodyuki7081]

gentrify the city.

[@massdisruption3437]

150 year old sewers,250 feet deep, cut thru granite like rock that looks like a cave, but has perfect 90’s. This is horse shat. There’s no way the time line for San Francisco is true. For population and for the buildings being built in the time they say they was built in.

[@aquariandawn4750]

Mud flood, very interesting topic.

[@robertstewart4953]

What is your hypothesis? Are you saying the granite was cut before? I'm very interested in hearing your contention

[@gunslingingbird74]

@@robertstewart4953 He hasn't seen your message because his tin foil hat blocked the notification.

[@jackmccann1291]

San Francisco is fake! Liberal Lie!

[@robertstewart4953]

Still waiting...

[@Yahootie]

0:23 everyone looking at their damn phones. Nobody talks to one another anymore. Pathetic and sad what’s happened to society. Tech sucks.

[@niojji]

ironic.

[@vilikatavuki6523]

Look at me, the Bay Area people plotted against me and I became many people's enemy.

[@HARDL3FT]

I think this chick is an actress.

[@MegaShowmaster]

It sucks

[@babygirl5299]

Boooooo

[@Jmoney-db4rp]

Is that how the Chinese come into our land?