Olivia Harden

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...

SFGATE • 18th March 2025

Rockslide closes critical highway into Yosemite indefinitely

A rockslide on a crucial entry into Yosemite National Park has closed a portion of state Route 140. The debris slide occurred sometime Monday night, according to Caltrans, and forced the agency to close about 2 miles of the highway between the small communities of Briceburg and El Portal.

A rockslide on a crucial entry into Yosemite National Park has closed a portion of state Route 140. The debris slide occurred sometime Monday night, according to Caltrans, and forced the agency to close about...

SFGATE • 17th March 2025

Old BART car makes final stop in Sierra. You'll be able to stay there.

Michael Lin, a UC Berkeley architecture graduate, was one of several people who applied to a program in which BART gifted one of its cars from the retired fleet. On March 13, Number 1234 was loaded from BART’s Hayward Yard to make his vision a reality.

Michael Lin, a UC Berkeley architecture graduate, was one of several people who applied to a program in which BART gifted one of its cars from the retired fleet. On March 13, Number 1234 was loaded from BART’s Hayward Yard to make his vision a re...

SFGATE • 17th March 2025

California fire marshal dies while snorkeling in Hawaii

On March 14, 43-year-old Lucas Shepard was snorkeling at Kaakaaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaa on Kauai. His friends realized he was missing and called 911.

On March 14, 43-year-old Lucas Shepard was snorkeling at Kaakaaniu Beach, also known as Larsen’s Beach, in Moloaa on Kauai. His friends realized he was missing and called 911.

The Kauai Fire Department responded around 12:30 p.m. and brought Shepard to shore after he was found unresponsive in the water. First responders...

SFGATE • 13th March 2025

Driving to Tahoe this weekend has only one good window for travel

LATEST March 13, 11:15 a.m. After closing Highway 50 for an avalanche warning, the California Highway Patrol has since cleared Echo Summit and the roadway was open as of 10:36 a.m. Thursday.

LATEST March 13, 11:15 a.m. After closing Highway 50 for an avalanche warning, the California Highway Patrol has since cleared Echo Summit and the roadway was open as of 10:36 a.m. Thursday.

March 13, 9:18 a.m. The California Highway Patrol closed Echo Summit on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe at 8:47 a.m....

SFGATE • 12th March 2025

Ranger programs canceled, visitor center hours reduced at Calif. national parks

As national parks adapt to the lasting effects of seasonal job offer rescindment and mass firings on Valentine’s Day, the National Park Service announced it’s canceling ranger programs and limiting visitor center hours at Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks until further notice.

As national parks adapt to the lasting effects of seasonal job offer rescindment and mass firings on Valentine’s Day, the National Park Service announced it’s canceling ranger programs and limiting visitor center ho...

SFGATE • 12th March 2025

Driver backs Tesla Cybertruck into water at California harbor

As sales for Tesla vehicles plummet around the globe, no one could’ve expected that one would actually end up underwater.

As sales for Tesla vehicles plummet around the globe, no one could’ve expected that one would actually end up underwater.

On Monday around 11 a.m. in the Central Coast city of Ventura, the Ventura Harbor Patrol unit was conducting rounds when the crew noticed a Tesla Cybertruck floating in the harbor. The patrol unit quickly responded, but Captain Carson Shevitz of TowBoatU...

SFGATE • 11th March 2025

Newly discovered California species is already endangered

A California biologist discovered a new plant species in 2021 while on a nature walk in a small community on the Central Coast. Now, a housing development project in the area could jeopardize the future of the newly found shrub.

A California biologist discovered a new plant species in 2021 while on a nature walk in a small community on the Central Coast. Now, a housing development project in the area could jeopardize the future of the newly found shrub.

On Jan. 16, researchers from San Francis...

SFGATE • 10th March 2025

Only 650 windmills remain near Palm Springs. That number could shrink even more.

Up close, the stoic giants in the desert are even bigger than they seem from the highway. Including the stem and blade, the tallest machines reach about 500 feet — nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. The region has over 650 wind turbines, and just one can power 1,500 homes annually.

Up close, the stoic giants in the desert are even bigger than they seem from the highway. Including the stem and blade, the tallest machines reach about 500 feet — nearly twice the height of the Statue...