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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 •

'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...
SFGATE •

SFO sandwich singled out as one of the best airport meals in the world

Bloomberg highlighted the Vietnamese restaurant with locations in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 for its classic banh mi sandwich "stocked with sweet grilled pork, fatty mortadella and pâté de campagne in a toasted baguette," and its creative twist on a French dip sandwich with rib eye steak served with pho broth for dipping.

Bloomberg highlighted the Vietnamese restaurant with locations in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 for its classic banh mi sandwich "stocked with sweet grilled...
SFGATE •

Montana groups fire back at Calif. couple over half-built home in national park

In February, federal judge Kathleen DeSoto ruled in favor of John and Stacy Ambler after the Flathead Conservation District and Friends of Montana Streams and Rivers filed a lawsuit to force the couple to to remove their partially constructed house near a creek inside the Montana park. The two groups argued that the San Diego couple had violated the Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act and failed to obtain proper building permits.

In February, federal judge Kathleen DeSoto ruled...
SFGATE •

Caltrans shares when crucial Yosemite road will reopen

After a weeklong shutdown of a critical highway into Yosemite National Park, locals and visitors can expect the road to open to one-way traffic by Wednesday evening this week.

After a weeklong shutdown of a critical highway into Yosemite National Park, locals and visitors can expect the road to open to one-way traffic by Wednesday evening this week.

On March 26 at 4 p.m., the 2-mile section of state Route 140 that closed after a rockslide will reopen, Caltrans spokesperson Brian Hooker told SF...
SFGATE •

Why Southwest said staff are leaving major Bay Area airport

After months of turbulence at Southwest Airlines, including the first major layoff in the airline’s 53-year history, Southwest’s presence at a major Bay Area airport is about to shake up.

After months of turbulence at Southwest Airlines, including the first major layoff in the airline’s 53-year history, Southwest’s presence at a major Bay Area airport is about to shake up.

In response to overstaffing, the airline plans to reshuffle some of its employees at San Jose Mineta International Airport...
SFGATE •

California mountain towns reeling from major Yosemite road closure

On March 17, after a bout of wet weather, a rockslide tumbled down from the narrow canyon onto state Route 140. Caltrans closed about 2 miles of the highway between the small communities of Briceburg and El Portal indefinitely. The slide has dampened what is supposed to bring the first wave of the tourism season for spring and caused a major inconvenience for people living in the surrounding areas.

On March 17, after a bout of wet weather, a rockslide tumbled down from the narrow canyon onto st...
SFGATE •

Passenger bitten on St. Patrick’s Day flight to California

Authorities were called to Los Angeles International Airport on Saint Patrick’s Day after a man allegedly bit a passenger on a flight to California.

Authorities were called to Los Angeles International Airport on Saint Patrick’s Day after a man allegedly bit a passenger on a flight to California.

On March 17, Delta Air Lines flight 501 took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport a little after 10 a.m., according to Flight Aware. But when the plane landed and was taxiing to t...
SFGATE •

Rockslide closes critical highway into Yosemite indefinitely

A rockslide on a crucial entry into Yosemite National Park has closed a portion of state Route 140. The debris slide occurred sometime Monday night, according to Caltrans, and forced the agency to close about 2 miles of the highway between the small communities of Briceburg and El Portal.

A rockslide on a crucial entry into Yosemite National Park has closed a portion of state Route 140. The debris slide occurred sometime Monday night, according to Caltrans, and forced the agency to close about...
SFGATE •

Old BART car makes final stop in Sierra. You'll be able to stay there.

Michael Lin, a UC Berkeley architecture graduate, was one of several people who applied to a program in which BART gifted one of its cars from the retired fleet. On March 13, Number 1234 was loaded from BART’s Hayward Yard to make his vision a reality.

Michael Lin, a UC Berkeley architecture graduate, was one of several people who applied to a program in which BART gifted one of its cars from the retired fleet. On March 13, Number 1234 was loaded from BART’s Hayward Yard to make his vision a re...
SFGATE •

California fire marshal dies while snorkeling in Hawaii

On March 14, 43-year-old Lucas Shepard was snorkeling at Kaakaaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaa on Kauai. His friends realized he was missing and called 911.

On March 14, 43-year-old Lucas Shepard was snorkeling at Kaakaaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaa on Kauai. His friends realized he was missing and called 911.

The Kauai Fire Department responded around 12:30 p.m. and brought Shepard to shore after he was found unresponsive in the water. First responders...
SFGATE •

Driving to Tahoe this weekend has only one good window for travel

LATEST March 13, 11:15 a.m. After closing Highway 50 for an avalanche warning, the California Highway Patrol has since cleared Echo Summit and the roadway was open as of 10:36 a.m. Thursday.

LATEST March 13, 11:15 a.m. After closing Highway 50 for an avalanche warning, the California Highway Patrol has since cleared Echo Summit and the roadway was open as of 10:36 a.m. Thursday.

March 13, 9:18 a.m. The California Highway Patrol closed Echo Summit on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe at 8:47 a.m....
SFGATE •

Ranger programs canceled, visitor center hours reduced at Calif. national parks

As national parks adapt to the lasting effects of seasonal job offer rescindment and mass firings on Valentine’s Day, the National Park Service announced it’s canceling ranger programs and limiting visitor center hours at Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks until further notice.

As national parks adapt to the lasting effects of seasonal job offer rescindment and mass firings on Valentine’s Day, the National Park Service announced it’s canceling ranger programs and limiting visitor center ho...
SFGATE •

Driver backs Tesla Cybertruck into water at California harbor

As sales for Tesla vehicles plummet around the globe, no one could’ve expected that one would actually end up underwater.

As sales for Tesla vehicles plummet around the globe, no one could’ve expected that one would actually end up underwater.

On Monday around 11 a.m. in the Central Coast city of Ventura, the Ventura Harbor Patrol unit was conducting rounds when the crew noticed a Tesla Cybertruck floating in the harbor. The patrol unit quickly responded, but Captain Carson Shevitz of TowBoatU...
SFGATE •

Newly discovered California species is already endangered

A California biologist discovered a new plant species in 2021 while on a nature walk in a small community on the Central Coast. Now, a housing development project in the area could jeopardize the future of the newly found shrub.

A California biologist discovered a new plant species in 2021 while on a nature walk in a small community on the Central Coast. Now, a housing development project in the area could jeopardize the future of the newly found shrub.

On Jan. 16, researchers from San Francis...
SFGATE •

Only 650 windmills remain near Palm Springs. That number could shrink even more.

Up close, the stoic giants in the desert are even bigger than they seem from the highway. Including the stem and blade, the tallest machines reach about 500 feet — nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. The region has over 650 wind turbines, and just one can power 1,500 homes annually.

Up close, the stoic giants in the desert are even bigger than they seem from the highway. Including the stem and blade, the tallest machines reach about 500 feet — nearly twice the height of the Statue...
SFGATE •

Major snowblast leaves drivers stranded in Southern California mountain towns

As a significant storm system made its way through California, a snowblast hitting Southern California mountain town communities forced many people to abandon their vehicles Thursday evening.

As a significant storm system made its way through California, a snowblast hitting Southern California mountain town communities forced many people to abandon their vehicles Thursday evening.

California Highway Patrol told local station KNBC-TV that it received several calls Thursday night from drivers st...
SFGATE •

Hikers bypass safety rail on Sierra peak where 23 people have fallen

In the latest instance of tourists misbehaving at national parks, a Redditor’s post was a hot topic of discussion, as it showed a group of tourists appearing reckless at Sequoia National Park.

In the latest instance of tourists misbehaving at national parks, a Redditor’s post was a hot topic of discussion, as it showed a group of tourists appearing reckless at Sequoia National Park.

In the national parks subreddit, user zackk3030 posted a video at the start of February of several tourists bypa...
SFGATE •

High-end California hotel begins banning children

In a note on its website, the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, north of San Diego, said it “plans to transition to an adults-only resort, welcoming guests aged 18 and over.” The policy change, effective Feb. 14, is to “provide a serene and tranquil environment tailored to adult travelers seeking relaxation, exploration and a peaceful stay by the beach.”

In a note on its website, the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, north of San Diego, said it “plans to transition to an adults-only r...
SFGATE •

Major Oakland hotel defaults on loan following huge sports renovation

In another blow to Oakland’s tourism industry, the largest hotel in the city’s downtown is defaulting on its loan.

In another blow to Oakland’s tourism industry, the largest hotel in the city’s downtown is defaulting on its loan.

The owners of the Oakland Marriott City Center, a 500-room hotel on Broadway, defaulted on its $100 million loan from Invesco CMI Investments, putting the property at risk of foreclosure, according to the Mercury News, citing Alameda County public records filed earlie...
SFGATE •

'Earth-shaking boom': Several injured by explosion near Hawaii beach

On Feb. 20, police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Kaanapali Beach at 2481 Kaanapali Parkway, Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico told SFGATE in a statement. The explosion happened near the pool area at the Whaler condominiums, officials told KHON-TV.

On Feb. 20, police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Kaanapali Beach at 2481 Kaanapali Parkway, Maui Police Depart...
SFGATE •

Cruise ships haven't returned to this Calif. city in 2 years. But at what cost?

In December 2023, a group of California students fought to effectively ban the cruise ship industry from operating in a major city on the Central Coast. Two years later, as mega boats are still missing from Monterey’s shores — the outcome of a teenager-led environmental effort to protect the bay from spills or disasters — impacts from the absent travelers have rippled to some on land.

In December 2023, a group of California students fought to effectively ban the cruise ship industry from operat...
SFGATE •

In 'unprecedented' move, Southwest sacks 15% of corporate employees

For the first time in its 53-year history, Southwest Airlines announced mass layoffs that are specifically affecting its corporate workforce. Southwest plans to cut 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate leg.

For the first time in its 53-year history, Southwest Airlines announced mass layoffs that are specifically affecting its corporate workforce. Southwest plans to cut 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate leg.

Senior leadership will lose 11 employees with the title of vice president or higher, a...
SFGATE •

Disney sued for alleged discrimination after changes to disability service

In the lawsuit, plaintiff Trisha Malone of San Diego — described as “an individual with a physical disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act” — alleges that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ changes to DAS “systematically discriminate against individuals with physical disabilities and violate their rights to equal access, privacy, and dignity.” The lawsuit also alleges that Inspire Health Alliance, a California health care provider, was con...
SFGATE •

Judge sides with California couple building home within national park

After hearing arguments in January, a federal judge sided with the couple whose half-built home sits next to a creek in a national park.

After hearing arguments in January, a federal judge sided with the couple whose half-built home sits next to a creek in a national park.

Previously, the Flathead Conservation District ordered the couple, John and Stacy Ambler of San Diego, to tear down the home they had started building on a 2,300-square-foot piece of private land in Apgar Village. The house...
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