Olivia Harden

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...

SFGATE • 31st March 2025

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 • 26th March 2025

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 • 25th March 2025

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 • 24th March 2025

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 • 22nd March 2025

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 • 19th March 2025

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...