California announces a highly anticipated opening of new and refurbished hotels and resorts to theme parks and restaurants as well as important anniversaries throughout the year, providing endless opportunities to explore California’s top attractions. These exciting new updates, along with many others, make 2025 a truly exciting year to visit California. Here is a look at the top debuts in California this year.
Family Friendly Fun
The San Francisco Zoo is set to welcome giant pandas for the first time in roughly 40 years in late 2025. More fun awaits at Universal Fan Fest Nights in Universal Studios Hollywood providing the opportunity to step into the worlds of your favorite characters at after-hours fan events on select evenings from April 25–May 18, 2025. For more kid-friendly experiences, head to the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, for a one-of-a-kind Mardis Gras celebration. LEGOLAND in Carlsbad is also reopening its two driving school experiences in 2025 in a brand-new location. Ultimately, opening spring 2025, Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience at SeaWorld San Diego is set to be the first of its kind at SeaWorld parks. Mission Rock, San Francisco, a new waterfront neighborhood has emerged on the San Francisco Bay, offering five acres of green space, views of Oracle Park and the Bay Bridge, a sandy shoreline, and a still-expanding roster of restaurants, including local favorites such as Flour + Water and Arsicault Bakery.
Sports
The much-anticipated highlights of the star-studded NBA All-Star Weekend taking place Feb. 14–16, 2025, include the NBA Crossover fan event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, as well as a celebrity matchup and rising stars game at Oakland Arena. The weekend will culminate in the NBA All-Star Game at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors and the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, who will make their debut in May 2025. Additionally, the recently opened Intuit Dome, Inglewood, a 17,700-seat venue, houses five basketball courts. The 7,500 capacity Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, the new home to the Sockers indoor soccer and the L.A. Clippers G-League basketball, will also host musical acts, comedy and family shows, and community events.
New Hotels and Resorts
From Chicken Ranch in the Sierra Nevada, a 34,000-square-foot casino resort, to the 18-room Fainting Couch boutique hotel in Lake County near the tranquil Cobb Mountain, are new accommodations worth trying. For nature enthusiasts, Yosemite’s new offerings, which include glamping experiences at Wildhaven Yosemite and cottages at Firefall Ranch, are both adventurous and relaxing. Moreover, SoCal welcomed the historic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach in November, bringing 1920s luxury back to the coast with an open-air rooftop lounge, a two-story spa, and a live jazz club.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Set to open in 2025, the Mess Hall at the Presidio, in San Francisco will operate as an all-day café, market, and bar within San Francisco’s Tunnel Tops Park. The David Chang–founded restaurant group known for its pork buns and innovative ramen is opening Super Peach by Momofuku in spring 2025. Savor the star chef Nobu Matsuhisa signature miso-marinated black cod and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño while taking in ocean views when Nobu opens at the historic Hotel del Coronado in spring 2025. Jumbo’s Win Win, Philo; RO Restaurant & Lounge, Yountville; Valley Goat, Sunnyvale; and River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano; are amongst the other restaurants set to add flavor to California’s culinary landscape. The Yucaipa Valley is a newly distinguished American Viticulture Area in the Inland Empire. It claims to be the highest elevation AVA in the state of California (up to 4,600 feet) where you can taste the Syrah and Barbera at Suveg Cellars, the region’s first award-winning winery.
Retail Openings
California’s first Nintendo store is opening in San Francisco’s Union Square in 2025. A three-level Rolex flagship operated by Gearys opened in December 2024 on the Beverly Hills luxury shopping street. South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, the largest luxury shopping destination on the West Coast will add several brands in 2025 and Fashion Valley, San Diego welcomed new boutiques with other luxury brands set to open their doors in 2025.
Museums and Culture
Opening in spring 2025, Counterculture Museum, San Francisco, will examine the lasting impact of movements ranging from the Beat Generation and women’s liberation to LGBTQ+ rights and beyond. At the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum & Cultural Center opening in 2025, learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Ultimately, two ADA-accessible theatre spaces in the historic former Navy Building 178 in Liberty Station in San Diego, the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center opening in 2025, will host live performances and house a lower-level gallery showcasing local artists.
Notable Anniversaries
Gilroy’s agriculture-themed park, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, kicks off its 25th anniversary with a springtime celebration, followed by a new Cherry Jubilee event in the summer. Along with the return of fan-favourite parades, Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort is introducing new entertainment including a character cavalcade and the “Walt Disney—A Magical Life” show. Festivities begin May 16, 2025, and will run through summer 2026. The historic Belmont Park Centennial in San Diego’s Mission Beach ushers in its 100th year fresh off 2024 renovations that included the opening of the new Shipwreck Cove ride.
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