Olivia Harden

SFGATE • 31st July 2025

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 • 26th July 2025

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 • 23rd July 2025

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 • 22nd July 2025

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 • 18th July 2025

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 • 18th July 2025

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 • 12th July 2025

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 • 10th July 2025

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 • 9th July 2025

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 • 6th July 2025

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 • 1st July 2025

'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 • 1st July 2025

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 • 30th June 2025

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...

SFGATE • 26th June 2025

California woman dies while swimming off Hawaii beach

On June 22, 59-year-old Stacy Coon was swimming at Whittington Beach Park in Naʻalehu on the Big Island when witnesses saw her about 40 yards from shore shouting for help, according to a news release from the Hawaii Police Department. The Hawaii Police Department responded around 2:40 p.m. Bystanders had already brought her to the shore and were attempting CPR, but she was unresponsive. First responders attempted to revive Coon, but she was pronounced dead at at nearby hospital.

On June 22, 59-...

SFGATE • 19th June 2025

Oldest wooden hotel on the West Coast finally finishes $550M renovation

The Del, considered the oldest wooden hotel on the West Coast, began what would ultimately amount to a $550 million restoration in 2018, according to local San Diego news station KGTV. Among the major projects was renovating the 137-year-old Victorian building, the hotel’s centerpiece with its red roof shaped like a witch’s hat. Hotel owner Blackstone Real Estate reportedly spent $160 million to renovate the Victorian building alone, boosting the number of rooms from 367 to 404.

The Del, consid...

SFGATE • 17th June 2025

UCSF researchers suggest this 4-minute Yosemite video boosts happiness

A group of researchers at UC San Francisco conducted a study to prove that small acts of joy can add up. One of their methods was showing a 4-minute video to immerse participants in the most popular national parks in California.

A group of researchers at UC San Francisco conducted a study to prove that small acts of joy can add up. One of their methods was showing a 4-minute video to immerse participants in the most popular national parks in California.

Darwin Guevarra, Yoobin Park, Jin Liou a...

SFGATE • 16th June 2025

Historic hotel on Central Coast reopening with rooms for $500 a night

A hotel in the heart of Ojai, California, is returning to its roots after a storied history for the last half century. Hotel El Roblar originally opened in 1919 but fell into disarray. It was converted into a spa in the 1970s but closed due to the Thomas Fire in 2017. Now Ojai’s longest-standing hotel is reopening on June 19, according to the Ojai Valley News.

A hotel in the heart of Ojai, California, is returning to its roots after a storied history for the last half century. Hotel El Roblar o...

SFGATE • 13th June 2025

It's gone viral, but resellers are struggling to sell this Disneyland souvenir

Parkgoers were off to the races to pick up Disney’s Key to Disneyland at various stores around the park. For $60, the giant key is an interactive blind box that allows guests to visit all nine lands in Disneyland and insert their key into a giant themed lock. After unlocking the key in all lands, they’ll be able to unlock the key itself, which has a surprise pin inside.

Parkgoers were off to the races to pick up Disney’s Key to Disneyland at various stores around the park. For $60, the giant ke...

SFGATE • 12th June 2025

TSA approves mobile passport on iPhone for SFO flights

It’s been a little more than a month since the Transportation Security Administration started enforcing Real ID requirements for domestic travelers at airports across the country. But travelers whose state IDs aren’t Real ID compliant could soon have another option that may already be in their pocket.

It’s been a little more than a month since the Transportation Security Administration started enforcing Real ID requirements for domestic travelers at airports across the country. But travelers wh...

SFGATE • 6th June 2025

Caltrans shares route for Bay Area drivers to skirt Sacramento traffic

A trio of highway construction projects in the California capital is shaping up to be the migraine of the summer for motorists. As Caltrans prepares to fully close one direction of a key highway in the heart of Sacramento for an entire weekend next week, adding even more congestion to the roads, a spokesperson for the agency shared a tip for how Bay Area drivers might bypass the bottleneck.

A trio of highway construction projects in the California capital is shaping up to be the migraine of the...

SFGATE • 5th June 2025

First SFO fee hits before even arriving at the airport

A viral post on X trumpeting public transportation from California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter sparked confusion over the price of a single ride on BART. But a fee that’s unique to only two cities in California inflated the cost of the former congresswoman’s ride.

A viral post on X trumpeting public transportation from California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter sparked confusion over the price of a single ride on BART. But a fee that’s unique to only two cities in California infla...

SFGATE • 2nd June 2025

'Out of necessity': Why the drive to Tahoe takes twice as long right now

Drivers are experiencing significant construction delays on Highway 50 and Interstate 80 because of three simultaneous capital projects: the I-80 Pavement Rehabilitation project, the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvements project and the Fix50 project.

Drivers are experiencing significant construction delays on Highway 50 and Interstate 80 because of three simultaneous capital projects: the I-80 Pavement Rehabilitation project, the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvements project and the Fix50 project.

The collec...

SFGATE • 2nd June 2025

Flight attendant reportedly found naked during flight from SFO

A flight attendant for British Airways on an outbound flight from San Francisco International Airport was arrested after he was found naked in the business-class bathroom, the Sun first reported.

A flight attendant for British Airways on an outbound flight from San Francisco International Airport was arrested after he was found naked in the business-class bathroom, the Sun first reported.

On Sunday, Flight BA284 took off from SFO around 5 p.m., according to Flight Aware. According to the Sun,...

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...