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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 •

Bay Area tech CEO says test project likely struck United flight at 36,000 feet

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

On Oct. 16, United flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was supposed to land in Los Angeles. The plane was forced to divert to Salt Lake City Interna...
SFGATE •

Unidentified object hits windshield of Calif.-bound flight, forcing 6-hour delay

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified object at an unusually high altitude, 36,000 feet, struck the windshield, forcing the flight to divert to Salt Lake City International Airport.

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified o...
SFGATE •

New boarding process for Southwest Airlines revealed

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

On May 28, Southwest got rid of its beloved two free checked bag policy. Up next on the chopping block is its...
SFGATE •

White House, Newsom clash over Calif. freeway closure for military celebration

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

On Saturday, the White House plans to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday at Camp Pendleton — a significant military base between San Diego and Orange County t...
SFGATE •

No, SFO is not playing politically charged shutdown video about TSA

Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a video that blames Democrats for slower airport travel times due to the government shutdown. However, many airports are refusing to air the public service announcement, including all major airports in the Bay Area.

Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a video that blames Democrats for slower airport travel times due to the government shutdown. However, many airports are refusing to ai...
SFGATE •

Hundreds of flight delays hit SFO as storm rolls into Bay Area

A string of disruptive weather conditions has forced a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on the tail end of the holiday weekend.

A string of disruptive weather conditions has forced a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on the tail end of the holiday weekend.

Beginning at 10:45 a.m. Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration enacted a ground stop at SFO caused by low-ceiling clouds. The average delay time is 30 minutes, but travelers could experience delays l...
SFGATE •

Bay Area hotel ranked best hotel for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, a Bay Area hotel has taken the top spot for best hotel in the world.

For the second year in a row, a Bay Area hotel has taken the top spot for best hotel in the world.

On Tuesday, Conde Nast Traveler released its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the best travel destinations in the world. After receiving 757,109 votes, readers named the Lodge at Bodega Bay the best hotel in the world — beating out contenders in Morocco, Istanbul and New York.

On Tuesday,...
SFGATE •

California man dies swimming off Hawaii beach

On Oct. 6, 61-year-old Todd Wilt was swimming at Anini Beach Park on the North Shore of Kauai. Around 3 p.m., first responders were sent to the beach following reports of a swimmer in distress, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department.

On Oct. 6, 61-year-old Todd Wilt was swimming at Anini Beach Park on the North Shore of Kauai. Around 3 p.m., first responders were sent to the beach following reports of a swimmer in distress, according to a news release from the Kauai Police...
SFGATE •

More than 1,000 people are working without pay at SFO amid shutdown

Since Oct. 1, workers employed by the federal government, including those at the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard, the FBI and federal air marshals, have all been reporting to work without the immediate promise of a paycheck.

Since Oct. 1, workers employed by the federal government, including those at the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coa...
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...
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