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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 •

'Clearly a sham': Hawaiians, Texans unite against Elon Musk company

SpaceX asked the FAA to increase the number of rocket landings from five a year to 25. The company, owned by Elon Musk, also asked the FAA to expand the landing zone to around 20 times its current size. The rockets take off from Boca Chica in Texas and land in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii or the Indian Ocean near Australia.

SpaceX asked the FAA to increase the number of rocket landings from five a year to 25. The company, owned by Elon Musk, also asked the FAA to expand the landing zone to aro...
SFGATE •

Disneyland quietly removes suspected AI art after blowback

After backlash from hawkeyed Disney fans, Disneyland has removed a piece of artwork rumored to have been created by generative artificial intelligence.

After backlash from hawkeyed Disney fans, Disneyland has removed a piece of artwork rumored to have been created by generative artificial intelligence.

Disneyland recently opened its highly anticipated add-on to the Haunted Mansion — Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond, a stand-alone gift shop near the ride. Even better, in a “Nightmare Before Chri...
SFGATE •

Disneyland quietly takes down suspected AI art from new gift shop

After backlash from hawkeyed Disney fans, Disneyland has removed a piece of artwork rumored to have been created by generative artificial intelligence.

After backlash from hawkeyed Disney fans, Disneyland has removed a piece of artwork rumored to have been created by generative artificial intelligence.

Disneyland recently opened its highly anticipated add-on to the Haunted Mansion — Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond, a stand-alone gift shop near the ride. Even better, in a “Nightmare Before Chri...
SFGATE •

California couple's half-built home stirs dispute within national park

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Missoula is set to hear oral arguments on whether the region’s conservation district has jurisdiction over the home. The Flathead Conservation District previously ordered the couple, John and Stacy Ambler of San Diego, to tear down the house. The district claimed the couple violated state law because they did not obtain necessary building permits.

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Missoula is set to hear oral arguments on whether the region’s conservation distric...
SFGATE •

Mount Whitney hiker missing for nearly a week amid treacherous conditions

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Inyo County Search & Rescue are asking the public for help finding an “overdue hiker” who attempted to summit Mount Whitney in late December.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Inyo County Search & Rescue are asking the public for help finding an “overdue hiker” who attempted to summit Mount Whitney in late December.

On Jan. 2, Inyo County Search & Rescue called for tips on the whereabouts of Taylor Rodriguez after it was alerted to his disappearance. The...
SFGATE •

Man banned after allegedly urinating on passenger during SFO flight

A man was banned from flying on United Airlines after allegedly urinating on a Bay Area resident during a flight from San Francisco International Airport to the Philippines.

A man was banned from flying on United Airlines after allegedly urinating on a Bay Area resident during a flight from San Francisco International Airport to the Philippines.

On Dec. 27, Jerome Gutierrez of Hillsborough was traveling in business class on UA Flight 189 from SFO to Manila when, according to his stepdaughter,...
SFGATE •

2 dead, several injured after plane crash near small California airport

Two people died and more than a dozen were injured when a plane crashed into the rooftop of a commercial building near a small California airport, according to the Associated Press.

Two people died and more than a dozen were injured when a plane crashed into the rooftop of a commercial building near a small California airport, according to the Associated Press.

At 2:09 p.m. Thursday, the Fullerton Police Department in Orange County responded to a crash. In a social media post, police said the...
SFGATE •

Private jet narrowly avoids Calif. runway collision with Delta flight

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a private jet was ordered to stop before it could have collided with a commercial aircraft rearing for takeoff.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a private jet was ordered to stop before it could have collided with a commercial aircraft rearing for takeoff.

On Friday around 4:30 p.m., Delta Airlines Flight 471 was taking off from Los Angeles International Airport and headed to Atlanta while air traffic controll...
SFGATE •

Pothole spans lanes, damages tires on busy Bay Area freeway

On Dec. 27, around  4:10 a.m., California Highway Patrol received a call from a driver with a flat tire after hitting a pothole driving south on Highway 880, Oakland CHP spokesperson Adib Zeid told SFGATE.

On Dec. 27, around  4:10 a.m., California Highway Patrol received a call from a driver with a flat tire after hitting a pothole driving south on Highway 880, Oakland CHP spokesperson Adib Zeid told SFGATE.

CHP said the pothole measured 8 to 12 feet and stretched across the two lanes closest...
SFGATE •

Body discovered on board flight to Hawaii

A body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight after it landed in Hawaii.

A body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight after it landed in Hawaii.

On Dec. 24, Flight 202 from Chicago took off on time from O’Hare International Airport around 9:30 a.m. local time, according to FlightAware. The body was found following the flight’s arrival at Kahului Airport at about 2:15 p.m. local time on Maui.

On Dec. 24, Flight 202 from Chicago took off on time from...
SFGATE •

CHP closes flooded intersection linking 3 Bay Area counties

In the middle of holiday travel where AAA predicted the worst congestion was between San Francisco and Napa, the California Highway Patrol closed a highway in the middle of wine country because of flooding.

In the middle of holiday travel where AAA predicted the worst congestion was between San Francisco and Napa, the California Highway Patrol closed a highway in the middle of wine country because of flooding.

Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, CHP announced on social media that state Route 121 in Son...
SFGATE •

Delays, canceled flights pile up at California airport

Just as the holiday travel boom kicks in, when San Diego International Airport will see over 80,000 people a day, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay that’s expected to last through the evening. The culprit is a familiar foe for San Francisco International Airport: thick fog.

Just as the holiday travel boom kicks in, when San Diego International Airport will see over 80,000 people a day, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay that’s expected to last thro...
SFGATE •

How AAA predicts a mid-week holiday will impact Bay Area traffic

Bay Area travelers braving the roads for the holidays should expect an unprecedented number of drivers — even more than last year’s holiday season — on the highways.

Bay Area travelers braving the roads for the holidays should expect an unprecedented number of drivers — even more than last year’s holiday season — on the highways.

According to the annual AAA report based on data from INRIX, 119.3 million people are traveling 50 miles or more from Saturday, Dec. 21, to Wednesday, Jan. 1. That’s...
SFGATE •

How scammers are targeting TSA PreCheck travelers

However, in recent years, prospective TSA PreCheck travelers have fallen victim to an enrollment scam. People are providing information and payments to third-party manipulators to submit their applications. The problem is that travelers do not need a liaison to book an appointment for TSA PreCheck.

However, in recent years, prospective TSA PreCheck travelers have fallen victim to an enrollment scam. People are providing information and payments to third-party manipulators to submit their applic...
SFGATE •

Police investigating how Jeep rolled into waves on California beach

First responders in a California city successfully completed a beach rescue in challenging conditions on Saturday after receiving an early morning call that a vehicle and passenger had been swept out into the ocean.

First responders in a California city successfully completed a beach rescue in challenging conditions on Saturday after receiving an early morning call that a vehicle and passenger had been swept out into the ocean.

The Newport Beach Police Department, Fire Department and Public Wo...
SFGATE •

Newest Bay Area hike is like Muir Woods — but without all the tourists

What was once a confusing piece of nature in the heart of a Bay Area county is now a raised wooded walkway through coastal California’s most celebrated trees.

What was once a confusing piece of nature in the heart of a Bay Area county is now a raised wooded walkway through coastal California’s most celebrated trees.

Marin County Parks completed its $3.5 million project to restore Roy’s Redwoods Preserve, a 293-acre nature preserve in the San Geronimo Valley. The new trails allow visitors to en...
SFGATE •

SFO passengers stranded for nearly 2 days due to departure accident

A routine flight from San Francisco to Paris devolved into a travel headache for passengers who were left stranded during a layover at San Francisco International Airport that lasted nearly two days.

A routine flight from San Francisco to Paris devolved into a travel headache for passengers who were left stranded during a layover at San Francisco International Airport that lasted nearly two days.

On Thursday, passenger Séverine Margeridon boarded flight BF711 to Paris Orly Airport on French Be...
SFGATE •

Cruising to Mexico is about to become more expensive

Travelers who prefer cruises for their value may soon want to consider skipping itineraries that include Mexico.

Travelers who prefer cruises for their value may soon want to consider skipping itineraries that include Mexico.

The Mexican government recently announced plans to charge a $42 immigration fee for cruise passengers who visit the country’s ports. Previously, cruise lines were exempt from such a fee because not all passengers would disembark from the ship. Now, passengers will be char...
SFGATE •

Rug stolen from Madonna Inn returned for the 1st time in 4 years

The Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo’s landmark flushed pink hotel, has become the victim of serial theft of its welcome rug. However, in the latest chapter, the rug has been returned.

The Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo’s landmark flushed pink hotel, has become the victim of serial theft of its welcome rug. However, in the latest chapter, the rug has been returned.

The monogrammed rug was stolen from the hotel’s Gold Rush Steak House around 5 p.m. on Nov. 16, Madonna Inn spokesperson Amanda Rich tol...
SFGATE •

Once-endangered species to soon roam free at Bay Area national park

After years of scrutiny from conservationists and community advocates, the Tule elk of Point Reyes National Seashore will soon be free to roam, as the park prepares to remove an enclosure fence from the Tomales Point area, where the animals were introduced nearly 50 years ago.

After years of scrutiny from conservationists and community advocates, the Tule elk of Point Reyes National Seashore will soon be free to roam, as the park prepares to remove an enclosure fence from the Tomales Point area...
SFGATE •

Disney offers yet another ticket deal after recent price hike

After its annual price hike, Disneyland is offering yet another discount on tickets — this time for Southern California residents.

After its annual price hike, Disneyland is offering yet another discount on tickets — this time for Southern California residents.

Southern California residents can score three-day, one-park-per-day tickets for just $67 per day — totaling $199, according to a news release. Currently, three-day tickets start at $415 per visit, according to the Disneyland website.

S...
SFGATE •

Disneyland gets ready to double the size of an existing land

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans can get excited about Disneyland’s Avengers Campus expansion: Disneyland has officially submitted plans to the city of Anaheim for the preparations, according to the Orange County Register. The new additions are expected to double the size of Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure.

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans can get excited about Disneyland’s Avengers Campus expansion: Disneyland has officially submitted plans to the city of Anaheim for the preparation...
SFGATE •

SFO travelers with PreCheck will be taking an elevator during busy week

TSA PreCheck passengers may feel like they’re still getting their money’s worth if they travel through San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 this week.

TSA PreCheck passengers may feel like they’re still getting their money’s worth if they travel through San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 this week.

With an unprecedented number of travelers expected to pass through U.S. airports for the holiday season, flyers can expect packed airports and poten...
SFGATE •

The best and worst times to hit California's highways this week

Good news for Bay Area travelers making their way to their Thanksgiving gatherings: From Tuesday night on, the chance of rain within the Bay Area is minimal.

Good news for Bay Area travelers making their way to their Thanksgiving gatherings: From Tuesday night on, the chance of rain within the Bay Area is minimal.

“It looks like we’re going to be actually having a period of dry weather, which is great, great news going into Wednesday,” National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Canepa told SF...
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