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Olivia Harden

Travel Reporter at SFGATE -- based in California. Writing about social justice and mental health everywhere else. Passionate about food, exploring the world, and uplifting the voices of those who often go unheard.

SFGATE •

The Calif. beach so breathtaking homeowners fought to keep it private

Unlike other beaches in Orange County that are more accessible, such as Dana Point, Crystal Cove or Newport Beach, the entrance to Thousand Steps Beach appears so suddenly that if you blink while driving on Highway 1, you’ll miss it — like I did on a recent visit. Also called the Ninth Street Beach, its staircase entrance is marked with just a sign and encased in foliage. But anyone willing to venture down the 218 steps will find a quiet beach that locals once fought to keep secluded. Over 50 ye...
SFGATE •

TSA bans new item from travelers' checked luggage

New rules from the Transportation Security Administration should have flyers thinking twice about what to pack in their beauty bag.

New rules from the Transportation Security Administration should have flyers thinking twice about what to pack in their beauty bag.

On Aug. 20, the TSA announced on social media recent changes to what items with heating elements flyers can take in their luggage to the airport. The items have been flagged by the Federal Aviation Administration for having potentiall...
SFGATE •

Major BART change goes into effect

Public transportation riders in the Bay Area don’t need to rely on a Clipper Card anymore to ride on the region’s largest rail system.

Public transportation riders in the Bay Area don’t need to rely on a Clipper Card anymore to ride on the region’s largest rail system.

Beginning Wednesday, BART riders can tap to pay with a credit card or debit card directly at the gate. The Tap and Ride feature streamlines payment and eliminates the need for tourists to obtain a Clipper Card. The agency is cal...
SFGATE •

California beach town braces for Highway 101 closure lasting 40 days

Starting Monday, San Luis Obispo County has closed the Highway 101 interchange at Avila Beach Drive for 40 days, until Sept. 26, to build a roundabout as part of a larger project to reduce congestion and make the roadway safer. The intersections of Avila Beach Drive, Shell Beach Road and the ramps to get on and off southbound Highway 101 are all closed. Drivers will need to reach Highway 101 by driving to either San Luis Bay Drive to the north or Spy Glass Road to the south, according to a San L...
SFGATE •

Proposed cruise ship cuts leave some Hawaii locals concerned

In June, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan, which proposes slashing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-negative transportation emissions by 2045 — “(meaning Hawai’i should capture more emissions than we produce), and ultimately zero transportation emissions,” HDOT said in a June news release.

In June, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan, which proposes slashing c...
SFGATE •

Caltrans cancels California highway closure due to mega wildfire

A megafire that straddles two Central California counties has forced Caltrans to cancel its plans to close a highway near the sought-after enclave of Ojai for roadway construction.

A megafire that straddles two Central California counties has forced Caltrans to cancel its plans to close a highway near the sought-after enclave of Ojai for roadway construction.

In early July, Caltrans announced three significant weekend closures on state Route 33, known as the Ojai Freeway, in both directions, a...
SFGATE •

Disneyland's unofficial mayor dies at 79

Frank was known as the unofficial mayor of Disneyland and as the “porch potato” because of his habit of sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of Fargo’s Palm Parlor on Main Street and chatting with other guests. He was a fixture in the park, one of the many retirees who enjoy spending their mornings at Disneyland for the people-watching and socializing. Frank had his own fan club and was known to many passholders who also often visit the park.

Frank was known as the unofficial mayor of Disney...
SFGATE •

Activists plant war protest doll inside Disneyland

On Aug. 3, activists of the Up In Arms campaign, led by Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s, planted a doll near the Japan exhibit of the It’s A Small World ride holding a “Remember Hiroshima” sign in honor of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. The doll was covered in ash and wearing tattered clothing. Sarah Donze, who helped organize the protest, said the goal was in line with the organization’s mission to stop overspending on military spending.

On Aug. 3, activi...
SFGATE •

Great Pacific Garbage Patch brings 81 tons of trash to Kauai beaches

In the 2024 Surfrider Foundation report, the nonprofit reported that its volunteers had removed more than 162,902 pounds or 81 tons of marine debris and trash from the island’s beaches. It represents a major increase from 2017, when volunteers collected 120,000 pounds of trash.

In the 2024 Surfrider Foundation report, the nonprofit reported that its volunteers had removed more than 162,902 pounds or 81 tons of marine debris and trash from the island’s beaches. It represents a major increase fro...
SFGATE •

20-year-old Bay Area casino to be turned a luxury resort

The company announced in a news release that, on Aug. 2, it broke ground on a mega renovation to turn the River Rock Casino in Geyserville into Caesars Republic Sonoma County. It is slated to become the third Caesars Republic location: Caesars Republic Scottsdale opened in Arizona last year, and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel is expected to replace Harveys Lake Tahoe in mid-2026.

The company announced in a news release that, on Aug. 2, it broke ground on a mega renovation to turn the River R...
SFGATE •

Calif. parks jump on viral Gen Z social media trend

A very cutesy, very mindful, very demure social media trend has emerged on the accounts of California public land managers looking to appeal to younger audiences.

A very cutesy, very mindful, very demure social media trend has emerged on the accounts of California public land managers looking to appeal to younger audiences.

The trend, which has spread like wildfire across social media, prompts Gen Z interns or staff to write scripts for older generations using Gen Z, Gen Alpha and internet cul...
SFGATE •

Cruise passenger details getting left behind during Hawaii tsunami

After an 8.8 magnitude earthquake led to a tsunami barreling toward Hawaii and California on Tuesday, some cruise line passengers were left behind on the Big Island’s shores.

After an 8.8 magnitude earthquake led to a tsunami barreling toward Hawaii and California on Tuesday, some cruise line passengers were left behind on the Big Island’s shores.

Passengers of the Pride of America from Norwegian Cruise Line docked in Hilo were expected to return to the harbor for a departure time of 6 p.m. On...
SFGATE •

The decade-long effort to fix Santa Barbara’s deadliest street

A Central Coast road that was ranked first for fatalities and severe injuries for pedestrians and bicyclists in Santa Barbara is at the cusp of a transformation to improve safety after a nearly decade-long effort to secure funding.

A Central Coast road that was ranked first for fatalities and severe injuries for pedestrians and bicyclists in Santa Barbara is at the cusp of a transformation to improve safety after a nearly decade-long effort to secure funding.

The Santa Barbara Transportation a...
SFGATE •

Someone accidentally brought this California airport to a halt

A technical issue impacted an air traffic control tower on the Central Coast, triggering more than a dozen delays for travelers attempting to arrive at or depart from Santa Barbara Airport.

A technical issue impacted an air traffic control tower on the Central Coast, triggering more than a dozen delays for travelers attempting to arrive at or depart from Santa Barbara Airport.

On Tuesday morning at about 9:30 a.m., a fiber line owned by the company Frontier Internet was cut, causing a major ou...
SFGATE •

Golden Gate Bridge needs about a billion dollars

For decades, the Golden Gate Bridge has stood the test of time, but since it’s only about 6 miles from the San Andreas Fault, the bridge’s owners are keenly aware that it’s susceptible to damage that a major earthquake could cause.

For decades, the Golden Gate Bridge has stood the test of time, but since it’s only about 6 miles from the San Andreas Fault, the bridge’s owners are keenly aware that it’s susceptible to damage that a major earthquake could cause.

Following damage to the bridge dur...
SFGATE •

This Calif. city attracts big summer crowds. But what's that smell?

La Jolla Cove was crowded even for a recent Monday afternoon as tourists and locals gathered to take in the San Diego beach's scenic beauty, enjoy water activities and get a look at the sea lions lying around on the beach. But the elephant in the room (or in this case, the beach) for some guests was an unexpected odor emitting from the shore.“It was so gross,” Shay Delmo, a tourist from New Jersey visiting La Jolla, told SFGATE. “Some people were walking around as if there was no smell, but it w...
SFGATE •

California city's largest project ever replaces historic bridge by Highway 101

A small city on the Central Coast is in the middle of completing its “largest project to date,” as described in a May news release, replacing a historic bridge built parallel with Highway 101.

A small city on the Central Coast is in the middle of completing its “largest project to date,” as described in a May news release, replacing a historic bridge built parallel with Highway 101.

The City of Arroyo Grande near Pismo Beach is replacing the 93-year-old Traffic Way Bridge adjacent to Highway 1...
SFGATE •

Freeway roadwork to cause delays near wealthy California enclave

An already busy and sometimes perplexing section of Highway 101 that is the gateway to one of its wealthiest communities is set to undergo significant changes starting this weekend.

An already busy and sometimes perplexing section of Highway 101 that is the gateway to one of its wealthiest communities is set to undergo significant changes starting this weekend.

On Saturday night, Caltrans plans to close the southbound on-ramp at Olive Mill Road and the southbound off-ramp at San Ysidro Road ne...
SFGATE •

Calif. airport to spend $22.8M on noise mitigation for 400 residences

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted funding to California airports to reduce noise levels for their residential neighbors.

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted funding to California airports to reduce noise levels for their residential neighbors.

California received $81.3 million in total to improve its airport infrastructure, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff announced in a Wednesday statement. Nearly $23 million of that money will go toward Los Angeles Internatio...
SFGATE •

Disgraced Tinder co-founder buys $82.2M California hotel

An enchanting five-star resort on a private hillside along the Central Coast recently sold to one of Los Angeles’ tech millionaires.

An enchanting five-star resort on a private hillside along the Central Coast recently sold to one of Los Angeles’ tech millionaires.

The El Encanto hotel in Santa Barbara, previously owned by the French luxury brand LVMH, is now in the hands of Justin Mateen, one of the co-founders of Tinder. Tyler Mateen, Justin’s brother, and Culver Capital were also partners i...
SFGATE •

I spent $12.50 for a day inside California's new gigantic hotel

“We are a really solid example of public and private partnership and what can happen when local governments come together to really bring something audacious to life,” Peter Borum, spokesperson for the Gaylord Pacific, told SFGATE by phone. “Part of our partnership between the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista was to provide day passes to the local public and to make those available at an affordable cost, not just on a limited-time basis but in perpetuity.”

“We are a really solid ex...
SFGATE •

'Get out the door before noon': AAA warns Bay Area drivers ahead Fourth of July

“One way people are looking to save the gas if you’re going from the Bay Area where it’s a little bit more expensive, you’re traveling through the Central Valley, maybe to Lake Tahoe, save up to fill up your gas tank until you’re in Sacramento, where it’s significantly cheaper than it is in San Francisco,” Northern California AAA spokesperson Doug Johnson told SFGATE. “Or if you’re going through Modesto, or I think like Marysville, it’s even cheaper in some of those outlying communities.”

“One...
SFGATE •

A popular Disneyland ride just lost its fast lane — and it's a good thing

According to Disneyland officials, Pirates of the Caribbean has returned to standby only and has been removed from the park’s lane-skipping Lightning Lane offerings as of July 1.

According to Disneyland officials, Pirates of the Caribbean has returned to standby only and has been removed from the park’s lane-skipping Lightning Lane offerings as of July 1.

Disneyland first added the ride to its list of Lightning Lane attractions in January 2024 after losing two rides with line-skipping to renov...
SFGATE •

I tried the $49 upgrade on one of America's worst airlines

For my air travel study, I classify Frontier’s worst seat as the middle seat in the back of the plane. The best seat, also known as UpFront Plus, guarantees a spot in the first two rows of the aircraft along with ample leg and elbow room. The cost for these seats starts at $49 for an upgrade on your original fare. For my trip, I’d fly from San Diego to San Francisco and pay $212, including the one-way $49 upgrade.

For my air travel study, I classify Frontier’s worst seat as the middle seat in t...
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