San Diego New Happenings for 2024: Plan Your Trip

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Discover San Diego’s latest: LEGOLAND’s 25th, SeaWorld’s jellyfish exhibit, World Design Capital 2024, hotel revamps, cultural fests, dining, and more!

Theme Park Innovations

LEGOLAND California is gearing up for its 25th anniversary, aptly named its “brickday,” with spectacular festivities planned. This spring, the park will unveil Dino Valley, a new themed area packed with three fresh attractions, a redesigned dinosaur excavation site, and character meet-and-greets. Visitors will be treated to the DUPLO Little Dino Trail, Explorer River Quest, and the revamped Coastersaurus ride.

SeaWorld San Diego is ready to enchant guests with its new exhibit, Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience. This immersive attraction, launching this spring, will showcase the mesmerizing world of jellyfish through one of the largest jelly cylinders in the country, an immersive walk-through arch, and an expansive viewing wall.

San Diego and Tijuana have been named the 2024 World Design Capital, celebrating their contributions to art and design. The World Design Festival, happening May 1-5 in Tijuana, will bring the design community together with lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and studio visits, welcoming both local and international participants.

Hotel and Resort Revamps

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is revealing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its Marina Tower in early 2024. The update includes revamped public spaces, guest rooms, and suites, along with four new dining and entertainment concepts: Rumorosa, Brewery X’s San Diego debut, Sunglow harborside bar and cabana club, and Strada for quick dining options.

Cultural Festivities and Museum Highlights

The Japanese Friendship Garden will celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival from March 7-10, 2024, with cultural performances, family activities, taiko drumming, and a cosplay contest, inviting guests to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

For its 150th anniversary, the San Diego Natural History Museum is offering free admission during visitors’ birthday months and will introduce a new outdoor Nature Trail in spring 2024.

The NTC and Cygnet Theatre are constructing The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station Arts District, set to open in spring 2025. It will include a 289-seat theatre, a 150-seat studio space, and modern amenities.

Dining and Nightlife Additions

Chef Phillip Esteban’s Wildflour, opening this spring in Liberty Station, brings a global deli and bakery concept with a Southern California twist, featuring locally sourced ingredients.

The iconic Whaling Bar, a favorite since the 1940s, is set to reopen in early 2024 under SDCM Restaurant Group, retaining its classic charm while updating its design and menu.

The Lafayette Hotel introduces Lou Lou’s Jungle Bar, offering live performances and premium dining, and will soon open Le Horse, a luxurious dining experience inspired by European elegance.

Airport Achievements and Air Travel Expansions

San Diego International Airport has been celebrated for its punctuality and ranked as the best U.S. airport for layovers by Upgraded Points. The airport welcomes Breeze Airways this spring, adding five new nonstop flights, and sees updated schedules from international carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa, improving connectivity to and from San Diego.

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