Image: San Diego Tourism Authority

Attractions & Events

The all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will officially open on March 5. As the largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history, Elephant Valley is meticulously designed to foster empathy and a lasting appreciation for elephants, while igniting a desire to protect them and their native habitats. At the heart of Elephant Valley is two-story restaurant Mkutano House. Inspired by the rich and varied culinary traditions across Africa's many regions and blending them with global influences, the restaurant will offer a harmonious fusion of familiar flavors with bold notes.   

LEGOLAND California Resort will launch LEGO® Galaxy on March 6, an immersive, space-themed land marking the park’s first new roller coaster in more than 20 years and the largest single in-park investment in its history. The $90 million expansion (across California and Florida resorts) will feature the customizable indoor Galacticoaster, two additional rides, interactive build-and-play zones and galactic-inspired dining and retail. The new land blends cutting-edge technology with hands-on LEGO storytelling and invites families to design spacecrafts, train as junior astronauts and blast off on a fully immersive journey through the stars. 

SeaWorld San Diego’s Seven Seas Food Festival will run through April 26 (Fridays–Sundays), featuring more than 150 globally inspired dishes and drinks curated plus craft beer and wine from top local breweries. The festival also brings high-energy entertainment across six stages and live concerts from chart-topping artists. This spring Seaworld will also debut the all-new Shark Encounter, featuring new shark species in the refreshed and expanded exhibit. Almost all the species at Shark Encounter are listed as at least vulnerable or near threatened, reinforcing SeaWorld’s commitment to education and species protection.

Arts & Culture

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will be the only West Coast venue to present Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys from April 18 through August 9. Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, the exhibition features more than 130 works by 37 Black American and diasporic artists from Africa, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean, drawn from the personal collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. Marking the collection’s San Diego debut, the thematically organized show offers a powerful, large-scale exploration of contemporary art and cultural legacy. 

The San Diego Symphony will present its highly anticipated Brahms Festival on select dates in February and March, marking the orchestra’s first festival in six years. The musical celebration honors the legacy of Johannes Brahms with performances of his four symphonies, the virtuosic Violin Concerto and the transcendent German Requiem. Bringing together some of the composer’s most powerful and beloved works, the festival promises a rare, immersive experience for classical music enthusiasts and a standout moment in San Diego’s cultural calendar. 

The Old Globe San Diego, located in Balboa Park, will present Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler February 20-March 8. Katie Holmes, a renowned film, television, and stage star, will be performing a landmark role in a world-renowned drama, showcasing the unraveling world of a newlywed woman named Hedda, who is bored, restless, and trying to control those around her.  

Dining & Libations

Diamond Room is a new 50-seat cocktail lounge located inside the historic Simon Levi Building at Petco Park. The retro-inspired space pairs a late-1970s aesthetic with a cocktail program that reimagines classics with a San Diego twist, alongside elevated bar bites. The venue also introduces interactive “Shaken & Stirred” mixology classes to the market and is available for private events, further expanding the district’s dynamic nightlife scene. 

George’s at the Cove recently reopened its iconic Ocean Terrace rooftop following a three-month renovation. The enhancements included a brand-new foundation and flooring, improved lighting, a four-foot glass perimeter wall without obstructions, and decor all designed to enhance the sweeping ocean views without altering the beloved atmosphere.

TRUST Restaurant Group has opened the doors of its new French brasserie concept À L’ouest in North Park. Chef Brad Wise's menu is rooted in classical techniques and brasserie staples through TRUST Restaurant Group’s lens, including Raw Bar and Charcuterie programs, pâtés, and chicken liver mousse, along with thoughtfully sourced seafood. The wine program was built around French wines with a focus on France's eight major regions, complemented by thoughtful selections from California.

Awards & Recognitions

San Diego’s La Jolla Cove was named the #1 Best Beach in the United States and #7 Best Beach in the World by Trip Advisor’s 2026 Traveler’s Choice Awards. The title celebrates the highest excellence in travel and is only awarded when a high-volume of positive reviews are left over a 12-month period.

Arts District Liberty Station was named one of 10 new California Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council, recognizing its role as a vibrant hub for creativity within San Diego’s former Naval Training Center. Over the past 25 years, the 100+ acre campus has transformed 18 historic buildings into a thriving destination home to more than 120 museums, galleries, studios and nonprofit arts organizations. The designation, which runs from 2026–2030, provides state certification, funding and marketing support, further elevating the district’s impact on the region’s cultural economy and tourism landscape. 

Transportation

San Diego International Airport (SAN) has announced new travel routes to and from San Diego. KLM Airlines returned in February for direct flights to Amsterdam with year-long service. Alaska Airlines will begin service to Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 19 and Southwest Airlines will begin services to Maui, Puerto Vallarta, and Seattle on March 5 and Bozeman and Spokane on March 7. 

For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at sandiego.org. For more updates, please visit sandiego.org.