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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 •

California lawmakers demand answers after 8-hour traffic jam on I-5

Several California lawmakers are questioning the efficacy of the state’s transportation agencies after a major interstate in Southern California was unexpectedly shut down three times in the last three months. California state Sen. Catherine Blakespear led an inquiry and wrote a letter Monday to the California Department of Transportation, the California Highway Patrol and the San Diego Police Department, questioning the three abrupt freeway closures on Interstate 5. The interstate is a major ro...
SFGATE •

California theme park turns old IP license into new themed land

Six Flags is giving one of its oldest licensing agreements a facelift at a California property. On Tuesday, the company announced the transformation of Bugs Bunny World at Six Flags Magic Mountain into Looney Tunes Land, scheduled to open in summer 2026. The goal of the refresh is “to evoke the warm, nostalgic feelings of the Chuck Jones era of Looney Tunes,” the park said in a news release.

Six Flags is giving one of its oldest licensing agreements a facelift at a California property. On Tuesd...
SFGATE •

Bay Area airport approves guest passes for non-ticketed visits

With almost 30 restaurants and shops, the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport rivals a mall or shopping center. Typically reserved for travelers before a flight, the airport now allows Bay Area residents and visitors to spend the day meandering through the airport without a ticket. On Monday, OAK launched a guest pass program. It’s the first time non-passengers are allowed beyond security checkpoints at the airport since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

With almost 30 restaurants and shop...
SFGATE •

The California hotel where a $3,000 mattress is the destination

Worse, it feels like as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become a lighter sleeper, which means if anything wakes me up, I get the joy of starting the process all over again. So when the concept of “sleep tourism” — a wellness trend where the primary reason for an overnight stay is to get a good night’s sleep — emerged in hotels throughout California, I found it personally appealing. For all the money that business, leisure and staycation travelers might spend on a hotel room, one of the things they shoul...
SFGATE •

New flight from SFO lands miles from gate into major Calif. theme park

Two major commercial airlines are returning to a small, public airport in Southern California, including one that gives Bay Area travelers another option for visiting the state’s “best of the best” theme park from San Francisco International Airport.

Two major commercial airlines are returning to a small, public airport in Southern California, including one that gives Bay Area travelers another option for visiting the state’s “best of the best” theme park from San Francisco International Airpor...
SFGATE •

Cruise medic reveals why Hawaii trips have more onboard deaths

Michael Virgil, a 35-year-old from Southern California, died on board Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas cruise ship on Dec. 13, 2024. Virgil, of Moreno Valley in Riverside County, was traveling with his fiancee Connie Aguilar, their son and other family members to Ensenada, Mexico. A few hours after disembarking from Los Angeles, Virgil died while being detained by security personnel aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas cruise ship, court documents alleged.

Michael Virgil, a 35-...
SFGATE •

More change is coming to Southwest's flight offerings with new partnership

In another move that marks structural changes to Southwest Airlines, the carrier announced Tuesday its partnership with Condor, a lesser-known budget German airline that’s been connecting San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt since 2022.

In another move that marks structural changes to Southwest Airlines, the carrier announced Tuesday its partnership with Condor, a lesser-known budget German airline that’s been connecting San Francisco International Airport to Frankfurt since 2022....
SFGATE •

Netflix quietly does away with the easiest way to watch TV in a hotel room

Travelers who arrive at a hotel or short-term rental ready to relax by turning on an episode of, say, the latest season of “Love Is Blind” can expect a few more steps than they’re used to.

Travelers who arrive at a hotel or short-term rental ready to relax by turning on an episode of, say, the latest season of “Love Is Blind” can expect a few more steps than they’re used to.

Netflix users recently noticed that the casting button is missing from the company’s app when they try to play their fav...
SFGATE •

Major change goes into effect in California's carpool lanes

Since 1999, California drivers who purchased a qualifying vehicle have been eligible for the state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal, which permitted owners to drive in the carpool lane on freeways and bridge toll plazas even when flying solo.

Since 1999, California drivers who purchased a qualifying vehicle have been eligible for the state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal, which permitted owners to drive in the carpool lane on freeways and bridge toll plazas even when flying solo.

But the program ended on O...
SFGATE •

Major investor set to buy luxury San Francisco hotel

In another showcase of optimism about tourism returning to San Francisco, a major real estate firm is acquiring a hotel property in the city.

In another showcase of optimism about tourism returning to San Francisco, a major real estate firm is acquiring a hotel property in the city.

Blackstone, a global investment firm, is expected to shell out around $130 million to acquire the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, according to the Wall Street Journal. The luxury 277-room property is located at 7...
SFGATE •

'Huge bummer': California EV drivers lose major perk of purchase

Since 1999, California drivers who purchased a qualifying vehicle have been eligible for the state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal, which permitted owners to drive in the carpool lane on freeways and bridge toll plazas even when flying solo.

Since 1999, California drivers who purchased a qualifying vehicle have been eligible for the state’s Clean Air Vehicle decal, which permitted owners to drive in the carpool lane on freeways and bridge toll plazas even when flying solo.

But the program ended on O...
SFGATE •

New construction project likely to snarl traffic for SF commuters

San Francisco commuters may need to carve out more time in their daily routine as Caltrans embarks on a massive construction project on the city’s west side.

San Francisco commuters may need to carve out more time in their daily routine as Caltrans embarks on a massive construction project on the city’s west side.

On Monday, Caltrans begins the 19th Avenue Rehabilitation Project. The government agency will repave all six lanes, which are also considered part of Highway 1, in “a major effort to...
SFGATE •

Fatal head-on big rig collision closes Northern California highway

A fatal collision has shut down a California highway during one of the busiest days for drivers on the road.

A fatal collision has shut down a California highway during one of the busiest days for drivers on the road.

On Wednesday, around 10:55 a.m., the California Highway Patrol was dispatched to Highway 20 between Penn Valley and Grass Valley, where two semitrucks crashed in a head-on collision, CHP Officer Sean Armacher told SFGATE. Following the major crash, a Toyota Tacoma also crashed in...
SFGATE •

California man dies while snorkeling at Hawaii beach

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, first responders were called to Lawai Beach for an unconscious swimmer, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department. Upon arrival, they found bystanders performing CPR on 56-year-old California resident Gavin Phillips. He had been snorkeling before he was brought to shore, officials said.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, first responders were called to Lawai Beach for an unconscious swimmer, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department. Upon arrival, th...
SFGATE •

Calif. travelers should brace for some Thanksgiving week headaches

California travelers should brace themselves for a busy week at the state’s major airports as they catch flights in time to be settled for Thanksgiving dinner.

California travelers should brace themselves for a busy week at the state’s major airports as they catch flights in time to be settled for Thanksgiving dinner.

Although the majority of Thanksgiving travelers are arriving by car, over 1.1 million travelers are expected to depart from California’s airports for the holiday, according to AA...
SFGATE •

TSA wants to charge you a fee if you don't have a Real ID

Six months after the Transportation Security Administration began enforcing its long-delayed Real ID policy, the agency is considering imposing a fee on noncompliant flyers.

Six months after the Transportation Security Administration began enforcing its long-delayed Real ID policy, the agency is considering imposing a fee on noncompliant flyers.

On Thursday, the TSA filed a notice to implement an $18 fee for travelers who show up at the airport without a valid Real ID-compliant document. In th...
SFGATE •

SFO becomes first California airport to launch new expedited security tech

Security for anyone willing to spend $209 a year to cut the line at San Francisco International Airport is expected to be even smoother now.

Security for anyone willing to spend $209 a year to cut the line at San Francisco International Airport is expected to be even smoother now.

Clear, the company that uses biometric data to expedite the security process at airports, announced on Thursday the launch of its eGates at SFO. The eGates allow passengers to bypass the TSA podium by matching their...
SFGATE •

Unexpected Bay Area route to see peak congestion during Thanksgiving travel

Bay Area travelers should brace themselves for sprawling traffic next week as drivers brave the roads to make it in time for Thanksgiving dinner. According to AAA’s annual holiday travel report based on data from INRIX, almost 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving — about 1.6 million more than last year and 4 million more than in 2019, before the pandemic.

Bay Area travelers should brace themselves for sprawling traffic next week as drivers brave the roads...
SFGATE •

Bay Area woman indicted for allegedly attacking flight crew on SFO-bound flight

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a grand jury indicted a Bay Area woman, Reshma Kamath, on Nov. 13 on several charges related to the alleged assault of a flight crew.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a grand jury indicted a Bay Area woman, Reshma Kamath, on Nov. 13 on several charges related to the alleged assault of a flight crew.

On June 28, Kamath boarded Air India flight 173 from New Delhi to San Francisco International Airport. Federal prose...
SFGATE •

Trump admin ends policy requiring cash payouts for flight delays, cancellations

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

On F...
SFGATE •

Apple debuts mobile passport on iPhone. Here's how to use it.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

On Wednesday, Apple launched its new Digital ID feature, having announced in June that it would debut as part of iOS 26. Travelers can now use their passports to create a Digital ID, which is valid for use at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at over 250 airports. It is not currently...
SFGATE •

Hawaii tourists are canceling their trips as flights are cut

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate to drop up to 10% of flights at major airports.

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate t...
SFGATE •

Bay Area tech company purchases LA airport ahead of World Cup and Olympics

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airport ahead of the 2028 Olympics.On Nov. 6, Archer Aviation, based in San Jose, announced it had purchased the Hawthorne Municipal Airport from the city of Hawthorne for $126 million. The company plans to use the airport to “serve as its operational hub for its planned LA air taxi network” and for test projects, including artificial intelligence-powered aviation technology.

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airp...
SFGATE •

How SFO's largest airlines are handling the FAA's reduction in flights

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration has directed airlines to cancel up to 10% of flights across 40 major airports to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are not being paid during the government shutdown. Flights nationwide on Friday and Saturday have already been cancelled, and San Francisco International Airport is among the affected airports listed Thursday by the FAA, along with neighboring Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.

In an unprecedented move, the...
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