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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 •

Convenient I-5 stop in Calif. to close, lay off 45 employees

Bay Area travelers making their way to Oregon on Interstate 5 will soon lose a convenient rest stop in a town that was once known as the olive capital of the world but today is more famous for its truck stops and a massive casino.The TravelCenters of America in Corning is slated to close Oct. 15, the company confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle (the Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms). Forty-five employees will lose their jobs without severance or trans...
SFGATE •

Like clockwork, Disneyland does its annual October price hike

Disneyland parkgoers are already feeling the pressure of the price to visit the parks. But, like clockwork, Disney chose October to kick off another price hike.

Disneyland parkgoers are already feeling the pressure of the price to visit the parks. But, like clockwork, Disney chose October to kick off another price hike.

The California park will keep its base rate for entry the same, as it has for the last six years, but Disney fans looking to visit on more popular days at the park could see an...
SFGATE •

Caltrans seeks input on project to remove racist Bay Area freeway

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SFGATE •

Disneyland slashes park passes in half for kids in 2025

As ticket prices at the Happiest Place on Earth continue to climb, Disneyland is once again offering a reprieve for parents hoping to get a deal on admission for their small children.Beginning Oct. 22, parkgoers can buy one-park admission for children ages 3 to 9 for $50 per day on one-day, two-day or three-day tickets. The discounted price is valid for visits between Jan. 7 and March 20, 2025, Disney wrote in a news release. Guests must make a reservation for the parks that matches the dates th...
SFGATE •

Calif. company selling $725 gambit to skip LA traffic

The drive to Palm Springs is such a popular weekend getaway for Angelenos that bottlenecks going in and out of the desert are nearly a given. A private jet company is betting on Californians’ aversion to gridlock with a new flight service that would haul them only about 150 miles to avoid the traffic below.

The drive to Palm Springs is such a popular weekend getaway for Angelenos that bottlenecks going in and out of the desert are nearly a given. A private jet company is betting on Californians...
SFGATE •

Mother arrested at Disneyland after allegedly sneaking kids into park

In the latest example of unruly behavior at Disneyland, a Disney Magic Key pass holder was arrested after allegedly attempting to bring her children into one of the parks without paying for tickets.

In the latest example of unruly behavior at Disneyland, a Disney Magic Key pass holder was arrested after allegedly attempting to bring her children into one of the parks without paying for tickets.

On Sept. 24, a 26-year-old woman from Torrance entered Disney California Adventure Park with two chi...
SFGATE •

Calif. city was the hottest place in America for 3 days straight

It might be autumn on the calendar, but Palm Springs continues to reckon with extreme heat. The California desert city spent three consecutive days this week as the hottest city in the nation, according to the Desert Sun.

It might be autumn on the calendar, but Palm Springs continues to reckon with extreme heat. The California desert city spent three consecutive days this week as the hottest city in the nation, according to the Desert Sun.

On Sept. 24, Palm Springs reached a high of 112 degree...
SFGATE •

Why lanes on the Bay Bridge are closing every weeknight for 8 months

Nighttime drivers on weeknights can expect congestion while crossing the oldest bridge into San Francisco until the spring.

Nighttime drivers on weeknights can expect congestion while crossing the oldest bridge into San Francisco until the spring.

Starting Thursday, Caltrans is closing one to two far right lane on the westbound side of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weeknights for routine inspection and maintenance of the cables, Caltrans spokesperson Lori Shephe...
SFGATE •

Roughly half the workers at this SFO hotel want to leave the union

As hotel workers around San Francisco strike for higher wages and better health care, workers at a hotel near San Francisco International Airport are considering leaving the union entirely.

As hotel workers around San Francisco strike for higher wages and better health care, workers at a hotel near San Francisco International Airport are considering leaving the union entirely.

This month, an employee at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel filed a petition with the National Labo...
SFGATE •

75,000 birds die during ongoing outbreak at California refuge

Between 75,000 and 80,000 birds are estimated dead as a severe botulism outbreak rages at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed to SFGATE.

Between 75,000 and 80,000 birds are estimated dead as a severe botulism outbreak rages at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed to SFGATE.

The U.S. Agriculture Department National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the presence of avian botulism on Aug. 23 af...
SFGATE •

Calif. airport ranks first for its class in traveler satisfaction. It’s not SFO.

Even as airport travel gets busier and more expensive, California airports are still leaving passengers satisfied after their flights. In fact, one airport in Southern California was rated the best in its class for passenger satisfaction. For its part, San Francisco International Airport is still a top-10 airport for traveler satisfaction, even as it falls a few pegs after dominating during the pandemic years for a surprising reason.

Even as airport travel gets busier and more expensive, Califo...
SFGATE •

Newly crowned 'coolest beach' in Calif. closes in two weekends

Anyone looking to beat the heat before summer ends might want to head to what Travel + Leisure recently named the “coolest beach” in California.

Anyone looking to beat the heat before summer ends might want to head to what Travel + Leisure recently named the “coolest beach” in California.

Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville is a beloved beach along the Russian River. Sonoma County Tourism says the beach is a century-long tradition perfect for “sunning, swimming and floating.” The 90-minute drive ma...
SFGATE •

Fall hiking at a treasured Bay Area park will look different this year

Nature lovers on foot and hoof will soon have to share the trails at one of the Bay Area’s most incredible outdoor treasures.

Nature lovers on foot and hoof will soon have to share the trails at one of the Bay Area’s most incredible outdoor treasures.

On Sept. 3, the Marin Water Board of Directors unanimously approved a new pilot program allowing bikers on select trails in the Mount Tamalpais watershed, totaling 7 miles — including some trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

On Sept. 3, the Ma...
SFGATE •

Google reveals the best week to purchase Christmas flights

As summer turns to fall, holiday travel planning becomes top of mind. But as prices to fly out of Bay Area airports are on the rise, it might be a good idea to start planning now for when to purchase airfare for end-of-the-year festivities.

As summer turns to fall, holiday travel planning becomes top of mind. But as prices to fly out of Bay Area airports are on the rise, it might be a good idea to start planning now for when to purchase airfare for end-of-the-year festivities.

A recent study c...
SFGATE •

9-hour rescue tragically ends after orca washes ashore Calif. beach

Following hours of a rescue effort, a young orca died after it was found on the shores of a California state park. The cause of death remains unclear.

Following hours of a rescue effort, a young orca died after it was found on the shores of a California state park. The cause of death remains unclear.

On Sept. 10, the orca calf, also known as a killer whale, was discovered stranded at Carmel River State Beach between Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Rescue crews from...
SFGATE •

One of the world's oldest oaks is tearing a Calif. city apart

Following hours of emotional public comment at the Jurupa Valley City Hall last week that divided one of California’s youngest cities into two, council members decided to approve a controversial development project that some argue will lead to the end of one of the oldest living trees on Earth.

Following hours of emotional public comment at the Jurupa Valley City Hall last week that divided one of California’s youngest cities into two, council members decided to approve a controversial developm...
SFGATE •

National Park Service sorrows over Cheeto bag littered in ancient cave

A rogue bag of Cheetos triggered a cleanup project and a stern warning to National Park visitors about the unforeseen consequences of highly processed corn.

A rogue bag of Cheetos triggered a cleanup project and a stern warning to National Park visitors about the unforeseen consequences of highly processed corn.

On Friday, the Carlsbad Caverns National Park took to Facebook to explain in great detail how rangers were forced to carefully remove “foreign detritus and molds” from the surface of t...
SFGATE •

Smoke found in cockpit forces emergency flight landing in Sacramento

A UPS plane bound for Southern California on Wednesday was forced to divert to a former Air Force base in Sacramento after its crew saw smoke coming out of the cockpit.

A UPS plane bound for Southern California on Wednesday was forced to divert to a former Air Force base in Sacramento after its crew saw smoke coming out of the cockpit.

On Sept. 4 at 9:19 p.m., fire crews responded to a “major in-flight emergency” at Sacramento Mather Airport. UPS Flight 975 was headed to Ontario, California, w...
SFGATE •

Battle between wealthy couple, private Disneyland club takes a turn

A Disney-obsessed couple did not get their happy ending on Tuesday after an Orange County jury refused to overturn their ban from the California park’s swanky and exclusive Club 33.

A Disney-obsessed couple did not get their happy ending on Tuesday after an Orange County jury refused to overturn their ban from the California park’s swanky and exclusive Club 33.

Diana and Scott Anderson filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company in December 2017 after the couple was permanently banned from...
SFGATE •

A historic Calif. hot springs hotel returns to shake off its weird commune past

The Luiseño people called the springs “Cherukanukna Hakiwuna” and used the water for healing centuries before the Spanish arrived, mixing the water with dirt to take mud baths. After the Spanish arrived, the water was used to heal body sores.

The Luiseño people called the springs “Cherukanukna Hakiwuna” and used the water for healing centuries before the Spanish arrived, mixing the water with dirt to take mud baths. After the Spanish arrived, the water was used to heal body sores.

Testimonies...
SFGATE •

Park Service staff numbers 'deteriorating' as Calif. park's popularity soars

As visitation numbers continue to reach new heights, national parks are having trouble staffing enough rangers to keep up with demand, according to the nonprofit organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

As visitation numbers continue to reach new heights, national parks are having trouble staffing enough rangers to keep up with demand, according to the nonprofit organization Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

“The Park Service’s ranger force is in deterio...
SFGATE •

SFO animal named top dog in TSA's cutest canine competition

In barking news, the Transportation Security Administration named the winner of its annual Cutest Canine Contest, praising a pup from San Francisco International Airport.

In barking news, the Transportation Security Administration named the winner of its annual Cutest Canine Contest, praising a pup from San Francisco International Airport.

Barni, a 5-year-old German shorthaired pointer, snatched the title of cutest canine after sniffing out 86 competitors nationwide. TSA employees narrowed the...
SFGATE •

Calif. man arrested after wild car chase, accused of 'terrorizing' Yosemite area

Following a dramatic series of events that included a car chase outside Yosemite National Park, a 40-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Wednesday. The chase stretched across both Madera and Mariposa counties, according to local station KFSN-TV.

Following a dramatic series of events that included a car chase outside Yosemite National Park, a 40-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Wednesday. The chase stretched across both Madera and Mariposa counties, according to local station KFSN-TV.

On...
SFGATE •

Thirsty pests lead to significant closure at Calif. national park

Scorching hot temperatures are more of an indirect reason the National Park Service decided to close a major campground.

Scorching hot temperatures are more of an indirect reason the National Park Service decided to close a major campground.

Joshua Tree National Park announced in a Facebook post that the park is temporarily closing the Cottonwood Visitor Center, campground, restrooms and parking area due to “increased bee activity.”

Joshua Tree National Park announced in a Facebook post that...
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