Olivia Harden

SFGATE • 30th May 2025

Kendrick Lamar's SF show gives ominous nod to his legal feud with Drake

It’s been more than a year since the dust settled from the rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, yet it seems that Lamar is still riding high. In that time, he’s put on a one-night-only show in Los Angeles for Juneteenth and headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Now Lamar shares the stage with SZA in a coheadlining tour that sustained a buzz throughout San Francisco’s Oracle Park over an almost three-hour set Thursday night.

It’s been more than a year since the dust settled from the rap...

SFGATE • 24th May 2025

A cursed Calif. Egyptian-themed waterpark became a rave venue until burning down

Nostalgic ravegoers on Instagram continue to fondly recall events like Garden of Eden, Fuzzy Fest, Pajama Jam and the 420 Fest in 2009, which blasted music past 8 a.m. Colorful lights and “raver’s rain,” sweat from other ravers’ bodies, fell from the balcony onto those below. Before iPhones became commonplace, cellphones, for the most part, stayed in people’s bags and pockets instead of being used for recording sets. Many of the shows in the venue’s history were shows marketed as “all ages,” wit...

SFGATE • 21st May 2025

Southwest flyers notice strange change in onboard service

Eli Weiss, a resident of San Francisco and frequent flyer on both Alaska Airlines and Southwest, told SFGATE he noticed he was not served snacks about half the time he flew on Southwest so far this year. Weiss said he usually flies short routes between San Francisco and Burbank or Los Angeles, and from Seattle to Denver.

Eli Weiss, a resident of San Francisco and frequent flyer on both Alaska Airlines and Southwest, told SFGATE he noticed he was not served snacks about half the time he flew on...

SFGATE • 16th May 2025

Mexico slashes cruise fee by almost 90%

A fee that could have made Mexico one of the most expensive countries to cruise to has been narrowly avoided.

A fee that could have made Mexico one of the most expensive countries to cruise to has been narrowly avoided.

In winter 2024, the Mexican government planned to start charging cruise passengers a $42 fee to visit the country’s ports in 2025, regardless of whether or not they disembarked. However, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association and its “member cruise lines,” which represent mor...

SFGATE • 15th May 2025

California State Parks announces the best beach in the state

A picturesque day at the beach is nearly a guarantee in Orange County, and especially at Crystal Cove, known for its natural seashore, open spaces and great sunsets. After all, it was named in 1927 by a regular visitor named Elizabeth Wood “because the name seemed right for such a beautiful place.” So it should come as no surprise to anyone who’s visited the cove that it’s the best state beach in California, according to the California State Parks Foundation.

A picturesque day at the beach is n...

SFGATE • 14th May 2025

Adult entertainer becomes surprising hero for national parks

It all started when a Yellowstone National Park fan account went viral with a series of posts featuring provocative music, funny captions, adult entertainers and even shirtless celebrities, paired with shots of the park’s natural beauty. Soon after, about a dozen other copycat TikTok accounts began posting similar thirst traps, or social media posts aiming to evoke desire in viewers.

It all started when a Yellowstone National Park fan account went viral with a series of posts featuring provocat...

SFGATE • 7th May 2025

Real ID is a waste of my time and I don't need one

It’s May 5, 2025, and I’m taking one last trip to San Francisco International Airport without the coveted golden bear on my driver’s license. As I reach the front of the TSA PreCheck line at the San Diego Airport, I hand the Transportation Security Administration agent my driver’s license. He glances it over. “Just make sure you have a Real ID by May 7,” he said. I politely respond, “I have a passport. Thank you.”

It’s May 5, 2025, and I’m taking one last trip to San Francisco International Air...

SFGATE • 6th May 2025

Calif. city issues thousands of tickets for a law that SF doesn't enforce

Police in San Diego revealed they have written thousands of tickets in the last two months, fining drivers over $100 for a controversial law that other cities, including San Francisco, have decided is too difficult to enforce.

Police in San Diego revealed they have written thousands of tickets in the last two months, fining drivers over $100 for a controversial law that other cities, including San Francisco, have decided is too difficult to enforce.

The San Diego Police Department's Parking En...

SFGATE • 3rd May 2025

Hawaii lawmakers pass bill raising state's hotel tax for visitors

A trip to Hawaii is about to get even more expensive for travelers in an attempt to preserve the islands’ future.

A trip to Hawaii is about to get even more expensive for travelers in an attempt to preserve the islands’ future.

Hawaii lawmakers have passed a first-of-its-kind bill to raise the tax on hotel stays and other vacation rentals, specifically to fund efforts to fight climate change. Senate Bill 1396 was unanimously passed in the Senate on April 25. On May 2, the House of Representati...

SFGATE • 30th April 2025

Historic Lake Tahoe south shore casino to be reborn as a new brand

Harveys Lake Tahoe originally opened in 1944 as a family-owned and -operated casino on the south shore. In 1963, the casino expanded to a high-rise hotel. Now, Caesars Entertainment is in the midst of plans to renovate the hotel-casino, and on Wednesday, the company unveiled plans to rebrand the property into Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino — part of a new branch of the Caesars brand that launched last year in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Harveys Lake Tahoe originally opened in 1944 as a f...

SFGATE • 29th April 2025

Dangerous Bay Area freeway on-ramps reopen after $100 million redesign

A project to fix a Bay Area interchange known for causing dangerous car crashes is finally complete. On Monday, Caltrans and the Alameda County Transportation Commission announced that the project addressing the Gilman Street interchange with Interstate 80 in Berkeley was complete. The $100 million bill was paid for by various government entities and constituent tax dollars.

A project to fix a Bay Area interchange known for causing dangerous car crashes is finally complete. On Monday, Caltrans...

SFGATE • 25th April 2025

Major Bay Area lawsuit settled, clearing way for Calif. high-speed rail project

After years of negotiation, Millbrae and the California High-Speed Rail Authority reached a settlement on April 17 to resolve a lawsuit the city filed in 2022 that threatened to delay construction of Millbrae’s high-speed rail station, clearing a significant hurdle for California’s elusive bullet train project. The city and rail authority reached a decision that addressed the city’s concerns over local control of the land and proper integration with the city’s other transit services.

After year...

SFGATE • 23rd April 2025

Nearly half of California IDs aren't acceptable for travel after May 7

The deadline by which travelers will need a Real ID for domestic flights is just two weeks away, but only 55% of Californians have one.

The deadline by which travelers will need a Real ID for domestic flights is just two weeks away, but only 55% of Californians have one.

After several years of extending the deadline to obtain a Real ID for domestic travel, the Department of Homeland Security is preparing to enforce the requirement on May 7, 2025. But a CBS News data analysis conducted from Apr...

SFGATE • 21st April 2025

British Airways flight attendant found dead at San Francisco hotel

On April 15, a British Airways flight crew stayed in San Francisco for two nights on a stopover. But when the crew was scheduled to leave on Thursday, April 17, one flight attendant failed to show up for his shift, which raised alarm bells among his fellow crew members, according to the Sun. Hotel staff let his colleagues into his room, where they found the man deceased.

On April 15, a British Airways flight crew stayed in San Francisco for two nights on a stopover. But when the crew was schedu...

SFGATE • 19th April 2025

'I'm actually not happy': California Coastal Commission backs massive hotel

A proposed development in Santa Barbara has divided some in the Central Coast city for years over which is more valuable: maintaining one of the few remaining enclaves of affordability for artists and small businesses, or embracing the tide as a luxury hotel seeks to reshape the shoreline.

A proposed development in Santa Barbara has divided some in the Central Coast city for years over which is more valuable: maintaining one of the few remaining enclaves of affordability for artists and small b...

SFGATE • 17th April 2025

'Gonna take you an hour longer': Driving to Tahoe hits major delay on I-80

Bay Area travelers headed to Lake Tahoe and Truckee for Easter or one of the last weekends to enjoy all of the ski resorts before the season ends should brace themselves for significant delays on Interstate 80.

Bay Area travelers headed to Lake Tahoe and Truckee for Easter or one of the last weekends to enjoy all of the ski resorts before the season ends should brace themselves for significant delays on Interstate 80.

Drivers heading east on Interstate 80 can expect to encounter major delays w...

SFGATE • 14th April 2025

DMV offers early access to Bay Area offices for those without Real ID

The Department of Motor Vehicles is opening select locations earlier for Real ID appointments to assist Californians panicking about the upcoming travel deadline.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is opening select locations earlier for Real ID appointments to assist Californians panicking about the upcoming travel deadline.

Eighteen locations throughout California will open one hour early, specifically for Real ID appointments, from April 14 to June 27, according to the DMV. The additional app...

SFGATE • 10th April 2025

Central Coast city finally tops list for best beach town of the year

On Wednesday, USA Today released its top 10 best coastal small towns for 2025, and the top honor went to Pismo Beach. USA Today editors and readers praised Pismo’s “quiet” beaches, wineries and outlet shopping. “Other highlights to check out include Dinosaur Caves Park, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the award-winning boardwalk,” USA Today wrote.

On Wednesday, USA Today released its top 10 best coastal small towns for 2025, and the top honor went to Pismo Beach. USA Today editors and readers...

SFGATE • 9th April 2025

‘The atmosphere in town is one of anxiety’: Palm Springs is in trouble

The tourism industry in Palm Springs is growing fidgety as Canadian visitors reconsider returning to California, given the ongoing strain on the relationship between the two North American countries. Hoping to assuage this tension, Palm Springs has launched a full-throated celebration of Canada across its downtown and airport.

The tourism industry in Palm Springs is growing fidgety as Canadian visitors reconsider returning to California, given the ongoing strain on the relationship between the...

SFGATE • 9th April 2025

Airline abandons Bay Area hub to instead offer ICE deportation flights

An ultra-low-cost carrier that established base operations at a Bay Area airport last year abruptly announced it is now shrinking routes to make room for its latest contract — deporting immigrants for the Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

An ultra-low-cost carrier that established base operations at a Bay Area airport last year abruptly announced it is now shrinking routes to make room for its latest contract — deporting immigrants for the Trump administration a...

SFGATE • 4th April 2025

New details released after police fatally shoot man in Hawaii national park

The National Park Service on Thursday released body camera footage of law enforcement officers fatally shooting a man inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The shooting took place on March 4 around 6 p.m. at the Namakanipaio Campground, according to the park service.

The National Park Service on Thursday released body camera footage of law enforcement officers fatally shooting a man inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The shooting took place on March 4 around 6 p.m. at the Namakanipaio Camp...

SFGATE • 3rd April 2025

Trump chef to open 2 barbecue joints in Disneyland

The former executive chef of Mar-a-Lago, who once led a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, is set to unveil a steakhouse and a barbecue fast-casual restaurant in Downtown Disney.

The former executive chef of Mar-a-Lago, who once led a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, is set to unveil a steakhouse and a barbecue fast-casual restaurant in Downtown Disney.

Joe Isidori has a decorated resume. He took the helm at the Mar-a-...

SFGATE • 3rd April 2025

Entire committee resigns in protest of Bay Area city's safety plan

A waterfront road along San Francisco Bay that’s extremely popular among bicyclists was due to receive a hefty grant for redesigning the roadway to enhance bike lanes. But after a marathon meeting this week ended with the Sausalito City Council rejecting the grant to reshape Bridgeway, the entire Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee quit in protest.

A waterfront road along San Francisco Bay that’s extremely popular among bicyclists was due to receive a hefty grant for redesigning the roadw...

SFGATE • 1st April 2025

'Grab it by the tail feathers': Rare bird abducted from Calif. park

On March 18, around 1:30 p.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office park rangers responded to a report of a stolen peacock at Hart Memorial Park in Bakersfield, sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Meza told SFGATE in an email. There was minimal suspect description, and the case has no updates.

On March 18, around 1:30 p.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office park rangers responded to a report of a stolen peacock at Hart Memorial Park in Bakersfield, sheriff’s office spokesperson Lori Meza told SFGATE in an em...