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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 •

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...
SFGATE •

SFO launches innovative bag check program — and it's free, for now

Flyers can check their bags at the long-term parking lot on Level 5, near the connecting walkway to the AirTrain station, and at the rental car center on Level 1, on the north side of the lobby area. Guests must check their bags at least 90 minutes before their flight to use the service.

Flyers can check their bags at the long-term parking lot on Level 5, near the connecting walkway to the AirTrain station, and at the rental car center on Level 1, on the north side of the lobby area. Guests mus...
SFGATE •

Delays at SFO continue amid second wave of massive storm

The Federal Aviation Administration announced a ground delay at SFO for the second day in a row as the region deals with the effects of the atmospheric river.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced a ground delay at SFO for the second day in a row as the region deals with the effects of the atmospheric river.

As of 12:20 p.m., 151 flights from San Francisco have been delayed and 23 have been canceled, according to Flight Aware. Over 30% of all flights headed to San Francisco have been d...
SFGATE •

Over 100 flights delayed, canceled at SFO due to atmospheric river

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on Thursday morning as the atmospheric river is in full swing in the Bay Area.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on Thursday morning as the atmospheric river is in full swing in the Bay Area.

According to FlightAware, there have been 94 delays and 34 cancellations of flights from SFO and 28 cancellations and 171 delays of flights coming...
SFGATE •

‘Nobody wants that trip to take 3 hours’: SF’s worst holiday drive

Bay Area travelers braving Thanksgiving traffic for slices of grandma’s pumpkin pie should expect an unprecedented number of travelers to hit the road for the holiday. About 80 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles for the holiday, according to an annual AAA report based on data from INRIX, surpassing last year’s numbers by 1.7 million people. It’s also 2 million more than the number of pre-pandemic travelers in 2019.

Bay Area travelers braving Thanksgiving traffic for slices...
SFGATE •

Obscure Calif. town is the most popular for hotel searches

While trips to metropolitan cities are always in style, small towns are having their moment, with one California village dominating a new analysis for hotel searches.

While trips to metropolitan cities are always in style, small towns are having their moment, with one California village dominating a new analysis for hotel searches.

Three Rivers, a prime home base for exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, is the top small-town destination for Priceline shoppers. The travel deals ag...
SFGATE •

Caltrain finds international buyer for retired diesel fleet

Caltrain is sending its retired diesel fleet to Lima, Peru, where it will have a second chance at life by providing commuter rail service. On Saturday, the U.S. Department of State, Lima representatives and several world leaders will celebrate the next stage for the trains while gathering for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Peruvian capital.

Caltrain is sending its retired diesel fleet to Lima, Peru, where it will have a second chance at life by providing commuter rail servi...
SFGATE •

Caltrain's electrification project is paying off big-time

Caltrain officials say the recently launched electrification project is paying off, after seeing a significant ridership increase since making the switch. The new trains officially took off from most Caltrain stations Sept. 21.

Caltrain officials say the recently launched electrification project is paying off, after seeing a significant ridership increase since making the switch. The new trains officially took off from most Caltrain stations Sept. 21.

This October, Caltrain saw more than 753,0...
SFGATE •

Disneyland's new ticket deal makes most expensive day of the year free

Just a month after Disney announced its yearly price hike on tickets to the Happiest Place on Earth, the company is rewarding its Disney+ subscribers with a mesmerizing discount.

Just a month after Disney announced its yearly price hike on tickets to the Happiest Place on Earth, the company is rewarding its Disney+ subscribers with a mesmerizing discount.

Disney+ subscribers who want to enjoy the holiday magic inside the California parks can buy a three-day park ticket and get the third day fo...
SFGATE •

California's ban on new motorhome sales could start in weeks

On Oct. 24, the California Air Resources Board voted to amend the Advanced Clean Truck regulations. Manufacturers for vehicles over 8,500 pounds — which includes motorhomes — must gradually increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) they sell in California. The change comes as California works toward its ambitious attempt to phase out sales of all new gasoline cars by 2035.

On Oct. 24, the California Air Resources Board voted to amend the Advanced Clean Truck regulations. Manufactu...
SFGATE •

New Caltrans intersection project is the first of its kind in the Bay Area

Caltrans and the Solano Transportation Authority broke ground Friday on a unique highway improvement for the Bay Area: Its first “diverging diamond interchange.” The $25 million project linking Highway 37 and Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo will “significantly improve traffic flow and safety, while reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions,” according to a news release from the STA.

Caltrans and the Solano Transportation Authority broke ground Friday on a unique highway improvement for the...
SFGATE •

I saw the DOT’s new refund rule in action on a Calif. flight

One of my worst travel woes was actualized this week during an offseason vacation to the Caribbean. A hurricane warning went into effect, canceling my flight home to California. Having written nightmare stories about travelers at the mercy of airlines, I braced for the long fight with United Airlines for a refund because I had purchased the airline’s most restrictive ticket, which was ineligible for reimbursement.

One of my worst travel woes was actualized this week during an offseason vacation...
SFGATE •

A menu item that started as a joke propelled Calif. chain's incredible rise

At Miguel’s Jr., everyone knows about the Garbage Burrito. The unfortunately named dish is stuffed with almost everything on the menu and has been a staple for Riverside County and San Bernardino County customers for decades. The more-is-more construction is complex, but its origin story is simple. One day at work, co-founder Mike Vasquez spotted his daughter making a giant custom burrito for herself, using any (and seemingly every) ingredient at hand.

At Miguel’s Jr., everyone knows about the...
SFGATE •

California national park shakes from 130 earthquakes in just 3 weeks

A surge of earthquakes is rippling through California and reaching as far as Las Vegas.

A surge of earthquakes is rippling through California and reaching as far as Las Vegas.

Since Oct. 9, Death Valley National Park has seen 130 earthquakes. Elizabeth Cochran, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey, confirmed the number to SFGATE in an email. The park saw the largest earthquakes on Oct. 25, reaching magnitudes 4.7 and 4.5.

Since Oct. 9, Death Valley National Park has seen 13...
SFGATE •

Disneyland's 'wall season' in full swing with 5 attraction closures

Disneyland's holiday season is right around the corner, and it's one of the biggest times for the park every year. It's also the season that rides traditionally go dark for repair. This year, visitors in November may be out of luck regarding five attractions at the park.

Disneyland's holiday season is right around the corner, and it's one of the biggest times for the park every year. It's also the season that rides traditionally go dark for repair. This year, visitors in November may be out of...
SFGATE •

Yosemite’s newest casino embraces name Feds ‘forced’ on Calif. tribe

The road to Yosemite and some of California’s most stunning natural beauty now includes a detour to an eclectic casino from an Indigenous tribe in the Sierra Nevada.

The road to Yosemite and some of California’s most stunning natural beauty now includes a detour to an eclectic casino from an Indigenous tribe in the Sierra Nevada.

The Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, off Highway 49 in Jamestown among the foothills of Tuolumne County, is slated to celebrate a grand opening Nov. 9 after opening for r...
SFGATE •

Distressed Hawaii airport awarded another $17M makeover project

The federal government has approved another round of funding for a Hawaii airport that is already undergoing major renovations.

The federal government has approved another round of funding for a Hawaii airport that is already undergoing major renovations.

On Oct. 24, the Biden administration announced that the Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $970 million as part of its next round of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolu...
SFGATE •

American Airlines tests new 'shaming tools' to deter boarding frauds

A major airline is testing a stricter approach to deny passengers who try to cheat at the boarding group game before a flight. American Airlines recently began testing new technology that audibly alerts gate agents when passengers attempt to board outside their assigned boarding group, sometimes called being “gate lice” within the airline industry.

A major airline is testing a stricter approach to deny passengers who try to cheat at the boarding group game before a flight. American Airlines rec...
SFGATE •

SF man alleges flying coach killed his dog on SFO-bound flight

A French bulldog died on a return flight to San Francisco International Airport, and the owner alleges the airline is responsible because the man and his dog were booted from first class.

A French bulldog died on a return flight to San Francisco International Airport, and the owner alleges the airline is responsible because the man and his dog were booted from first class.

“It makes no sense,” Michael Contillo told the Mercury News about the airline’s decision. “Because there’s less space in t...
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