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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 •

Cost nearly triples to build train between LA, Las Vegas

The company that owns the Brightline West project, which plans to build a nearly 220-mile rail line connecting Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, has recently revealed that the cost is almost three times higher than initially projected. The project was initially expected to cost $8 billion, and more recently, the number grew to $16 billion. As first reported by Bloomberg, a report from the Transportation Department released Wednesday estimated that the cost of building Brightline West is now $21.5...
SFGATE •

Highway into popular California lake closes indefinitely after storm

A significant route to Big Bear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Southern California, is closed indefinitely after a cataclysmic storm last week. On Sept. 18, a major storm ripped through Southern California, triggering floods and mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains. The storm closed over 30 miles of Highway 38 due to excessive mud and debris while washing out a significant portion of the highway.

A significant route to Big Bear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Southern Califo...
SFGATE •

Legoland to add first new roller coaster in 2 decades

Legoland is preparing for takeoff as it inches closer, brick by brick, to introducing both a new land to its theme park and its first new roller coaster in 20 years.

Legoland is preparing for takeoff as it inches closer, brick by brick, to introducing both a new land to its theme park and its first new roller coaster in 20 years.

The Galacticoaster is a Space Mountain-style indoor coaster set to open in the Carlsbad theme park in 2026. Merlin Magic Making, the parent company of Legoland theme...
SFGATE •

'Unprecedented': Trump order stuns pilot at SFO

Abrupt news from the White House created disorder among passengers on a flight taking off from San Francisco International Airport on Friday.

Abrupt news from the White House created disorder among passengers on a flight taking off from San Francisco International Airport on Friday.

Emirates flight EK226 was scheduled to depart from SFO and head to Dubai at 5:05 p.m. Hours before the flight, President Trump signed a proclamation that added a $100,000 fee to H-1B visas for foreign workers. As n...
SFGATE •

How wildfire triggered devastating mudslide in Southern California

A cataclysmic storm rolled into San Bernardino County on Thursday, trapping highway drivers in mudslides and triggering rescue operations throughout the area, and the death of a 2-year-old boy.

A cataclysmic storm rolled into San Bernardino County on Thursday, trapping highway drivers in mudslides and triggering rescue operations throughout the area, and the death of a 2-year-old boy.

The National Weather Service issued its first flash flood warning for the San Bernardino Mountains, which incl...
SFGATE •

California theme park abruptly ends its 2025 season, angering fans

On Sept. 15, Sesame Place San Diego took to its social media to announce that the park will go from being open year-round to “transition[ing] to a seasonal schedule.” The Chula Vista theme park closes its doors on Sept. 21 and won’t reopen until 2026.

On Sept. 15, Sesame Place San Diego took to its social media to announce that the park will go from being open year-round to “transition[ing] to a seasonal schedule.” The Chula Vista theme park closes its doors on Sept. 21 and won’t reopen until 2...
SFGATE •

San Francisco approves largest hotel in years

During its Sept. 11 meeting, the commission unanimously approved a towering boutique hotel at 570 Market St. At 211 rooms and 29 stories, the hotel would not be the tallest new hotel in the city (the recently approved 530 Sansome St. project is taller in height), but a planner for the city told SFGATE that it’s the largest hotel approved recently in terms of room count.

During its Sept. 11 meeting, the commission unanimously approved a towering boutique hotel at 570 Market St. At 211 rooms and...
SFGATE •

LA's airport has lost its X

Travelers around the country are fascinated that a symbolic piece of California culture is disappearing — at least for a little while.

Travelers around the country are fascinated that a symbolic piece of California culture is disappearing — at least for a little while.

On Sept. 4, Los Angeles International Airport officials announced that it would take down the iconic LAX letters that sit along Sepulveda Boulevard and are easily spotted before entering the terminal loop. Workers are deconstruc...
SFGATE •

Reno casino spending $1 billion on record-setting expansion

A towering casino resort in Nevada is expanding and betting on Reno by adding a $1 billion sports arena and hundreds of new hotel rooms.

A towering casino resort in Nevada is expanding and betting on Reno by adding a $1 billion sports arena and hundreds of new hotel rooms.

On Sept. 30, construction is set to begin at the Grand Sierra Resort to add a 10,000-seat arena — including suites and hospitality clubs. The 300,000-square-foot concert and sports venue is expected to boost tourism appeal i...
SFGATE •

Tech giant ditches Texas, brings conference back to San Francisco

After years of concern that tech companies are turning their backs on San Francisco, a tech giant has decided to return its annual conference to the city for years to come.

After years of concern that tech companies are turning their backs on San Francisco, a tech giant has decided to return its annual conference to the city for years to come.

For its 20th anniversary, Visa committed to hosting its Visa Payments Forum event at the Moscone Center from 2026 until 2030, according to a news releas...
SFGATE •

30-year-old Southwest policy gets sweeping change

Beginning Jan. 27, 2026, Southwest is changing its “Customer of size” policy, with some travelers not guaranteed a refund on additional seats they book. The program has been in effect for over 30 years and was widely praised by larger travelers for ensuring a second seat when flying. The change begins the same day the airline switches from open seating to assigned seats.

Beginning Jan. 27, 2026, Southwest is changing its “Customer of size” policy, with some travelers not guaranteed a refund on...
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...
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