Awards and Anniversaries

Lucien, located in the picturesque coastal neighborhood of La Jolla, has earned a prestigious MICHELIN star at the 2026 MICHELIN Guide California ceremony, held in San Diego for the first time. Lilo, a one MICHELIN-starred restaurant in Carlsbad, also received the Sommelier award. With the addition of Lucien, San Diego is now home to five MICHELIN-starred restaurants, nine Bib Gourmand restaurants, and twenty-nine restaurants included in the MICHELIN guide, reinforcing the destination's reputation as a premier culinary destination. 

San Diego International Airport's (SAN) new Terminal 1 was recently named to the World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026 by Prix Versailles, the prestigious international award program that recognizes outstanding contemporary architecture and design. Terminal 1 was one of only two U.S. airports and one of seven airports worldwide selected for the 2026 list. Additionally, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority's Procurement Department has once again been recognized for excellence, earning the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). The honor marks the Airport Authority's 17th consecutive year receiving the national distinction.

La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla’s iconic “Pink Lady,” is celebrating its centennial anniversary with a yearlong celebration honoring a century of coastal elegance, history and hospitality. Throughout the year, guests and locals can experience special centennial offerings inspired by the hotel’s storied past, inviting visitors to celebrate this milestone and experience the timeless character that has defined the property for generations.

San Diego-based sunscreen company SUNMUD has been named the 2026 Sunscreen Product of the Year by the Outdoor Innovation Awards. The company uses natural ingredients to be 100% reef-safe and has recently partnered with the San Diego Safari Park for the launch of Elephant Valley.