Great New Things to See and Do in San Diego for 2026
San Diego is gearing up for an exciting 2026, from expansions at major attractions to the high-octane arrival of NASCAR at Naval Base Coronado, along with a variety of centennial celebrations and groundbreaking art exhibits, and a wave of highly anticipated new restaurants. Whether you’re a sports fan, sun-seeker, gourmet traveler or arts aficionado, there’s always something new happening in San Diego. We’ve rounded up a list of notable things to put on your radar as you plan your San Diego itinerary for the year ahead.
Attractions and Signature Sites
Attractions and Signature Sites
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s elephants are getting brand-new stomping grounds with the opening of Denny Sanford Elephant Valley on March 5, the world-renowned park’s biggest project since it opened more than 50 years ago. Elephant Valley will offer visitors an experience where they’ll venture through a dynamic savanna environment — where more than 300 different plants that are native to Africa, including the rare kokerboom tree, were curated by the park’s horticulturalists — surrounded by elephants on multiple sides.
Mkutano House, which has design elements that were handcrafted in Kenya, is a two-story restaurant and lounge modeled after a safari lodge where visitors can watch as the elephants frolic and play in watering holes. Most important, Elephant Valley will provide insight into the herd’s social structure, the crucial role elephants play in their ecosystems and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation efforts to protect African elephants.
LEGOLAND California
The new year is stacking up to be a fun one at LEGOLAND California with the debut of the space-themed land, LEGO Galaxy, on March 6. The out-of-this-world adventure features the Galacticoaster, the park’s first new rollercoaster in 20 years, which will take parkgoers on a high-tech adventure where they can virtually customize their spacecraft.
The adventure in LEGO Galaxy includes more ways to explore the wonders of space: two additional themed rides, the Junior Astronaut Training Zone and U.F.O., the Ultimate Food Outlet eatery. And if you haven’t visited in a bit, take time to check out the park’s amazing re-creation of San Diego as part of Miniland USA, with detailed small-scale versions of such San Diego icons as Petco Park and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld unveiled plans for a reimagined Shark Encounter experience, debuting in Spring 2026. The experience will transport guests into a breathtaking aquatic environment, inviting them to explore the ocean like never before and discover the remarkable beauty and power of sharks. The cutting-edge exhibit will showcase 11 species of sharks from around the world — many of which are vulnerable or threatened — and include multimedia that will educate guests about sharks’ incredible diversity and their vital role in the ocean.
A new, exclusive VIP Shark Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the park’s zoological specialists feed and care for the sharks, and access to a brand-new walkway above the shark habitat provides a fascinating view of the animals. In celebration of the announcement, SeaWorld is launching its 2026 Fun Card, which offers unlimited visits through all of 2026.
Navy SEAL Museum
Honoring the region’s proud military history, San Diego is home to the West Coast’s only Navy SEAL Museum, sure to become one of San Diego’s biggest draws for 2026. Visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at the mental and physical discipline required to join this elite force, immerse themselves in exhibits that delve into key SEAL missions and experience a high-tech virtual reality rescue mission — a program developed by a former Navy SEAL.
Dining in the Spotlight
Dining in the Spotlight
San Diego’s vibrant food scene ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class neighborhood taco joints and everything in between. Here are some of the great new dining options that recently opened or are coming in 2026:
Lilo
One of San Diego county’s newest fine dining restaurants, Lilo, has already joined the Michelin ranks of Jeune et Jolie, Valle, Soichi and Addison, all of which retained their stars in 2025.
Fleurette
Chef Travis Swikard of the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Callie opened his newest culinary project, Fleurette, in La Jolla in December.
Dora
Dora, the newest culinary concept from the team behind the award-winning Cori Pastificio Trattoria, opened in fall 2025 near the La Jolla Playhouse.
Lucien
Lucien is a new addition to the burgeoning La Jolla culinary scene, helmed by Michelin-seasoned Chef Elijah Arizmendi, offering a guided 12-plus course dinner that is a love letter to California.
Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar
The Westgate Hotel located in Downtown, debuted Bonne Vie Brasserie & Bar, its signature restaurant celebrating the cuisine of Northern France with weekend brunch, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a generous happy hour that is available Monday through Friday.
Tacos El Franc
For casual dining, Tacos El Franc, the Tijuana-based taqueria that was recognized in the Michelin Guide, opened its second stateside location in the Gaslamp Quarter.
PopUp Bagels
PopUp Bagels made its West Coast debut in La Jolla and has been drawing crowds for its New York City-style bagels.
Halal Guys
Halal Guys opened its first San Diego location in Hillcrest.
The Admiral
In late 2026, Liberty Station is welcoming an exciting new hospitality concept, The Admiral, which is helmed by acclaimed restaurateur Ryan Thornsen of the landmark fine dining restaurant Mister A’s. The project will bring new life into four historic WWII-era buildings in the heart of Liberty Station, transforming the buildings into a dynamic blend of dining, entertainment and heritage.
À L'ouest
Brad Wise, the chef behind Trust and Fort Oak (both included in the Michelin Guide) is reviving a prominent corner in North Park with À L'ouest — his take on a French brasserie — that will include wood-smoked dishes and classics.
Corallino
In Point Loma, the owners of Italian restaurants Cesarina and Elvira are opening Corallino, a neighborhood restaurant with freshly made pasta and Roman specialties.
The Boatyard
Also in Point Loma, The Boatyard will transform a two-story landmark restaurant into a nautical-themed steakhouse and speakeasy.
Sugarfish
Diners can look forward to trying the sushi from Sugarfish, the Los Angeles-based chain from Chef Kazunori Nozawa that’s famous for affordable omakase and colorful takeout boxes complete with illustrated instructions, when it opens in Little Italy this spring.
Teleferic Barcelona
Coming to Westfield UTC in the La Jolla area are Teleferic Barcelona, the Spanish restaurant chain, and Joey, an upscale-yet-casual dining concept from Canada.
Sports Venue Delights
When it comes to amazing local food, it’s game on at San Diego’s sporting venues. You can find a range of great local bites and brews at the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park and at Snapdragon Stadium (also home to the San Diego State Aztecs as well as San Diego FC and San Diego Wave soccer) — and now at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, whose food purveyors include Seaside Market and Gelati & Piccati.
Sports Sensations
Sports Sensations
NASCAR Revs Up
San Diego The first-ever NASCAR San Diego Weekend will be held in June 2026 at Naval Base Coronado, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. NASCAR San Diego will be three days of races headlined by the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In addition to being San Diego’s first NASCAR event, it will also be the first race to take place on a military base.
Soccer Sweeps the Region
San Diego’s first Major League Soccer team, San Diego FC, arrived in Spring 2025 after much anticipation and finished their record-breaking inaugural season first in the Western Conference. The club, partly owned by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, kicks off the 2026 season in Round 1 of the Concacaf Champions Cup in Mexico City, then commences its first home game at Snapdragon Stadium against CF Montreal on February 21.
Another groundbreaking team, the San Diego Wave, launches into its fifth season of great National Women’s Soccer League action at the Coachella Valley Invitational — the largest preseason event in North American professional soccer history — before commencing their regular season at Snapdragon Stadium.
And while San Diego is not a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, San Diego FC is celebrating the tournament with official watch parties and events at Belmont Park from June 11 - July 19.
College Sports on the Rise
College sports are also in the spotlight in San Diego. The city has hosted the Holiday Bowl every December since its inception, but this year’s 46th Annual Trust & Will Holiday Bowl takes place on January 2 at Snapdragon Stadium, featuring the Arizona Wildcats (Big 12) and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (ACC).
In basketball, San Diego will host a major national tournament in March 2026. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (better known as March Madness) will hold its First and Second Rounds at Viejas Arena on the San Diego State University campus.
The holiday season will also be bustling with top-tier college basketball. The Rady Children's Invitational, produced by Sports San Diego, will once again field four elite teams from around the country on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026. The two-day tournament will be held at the Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego, featuring UCLA (Big Ten), Georgetown (Big East), Texas (SEC) and Saint Mary's (WCC). For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.
Rock N Roll San Diego Still Running Strong
Nearly 30 years after the original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon debuted here, San Diego will once again welcome the Rock 'n' Roll Running Series — now a global happening with a dozen events around the country and world. The races here (taking place May 30 to May 31) include a marathon, half-marathon and 5K. And it's hard to top San Diego as a host city: This region is a paradise for runners, with numerous road and trail races unfolding throughout the year.
New and Renewed Hotels and Transportation
New and Renewed Hotels and Transportation
San Diego International Airport
There’s a lot of buzz at San Diego International Airport, as the first phase of the new Terminal project 1 opened last fall. Travelers are welcomed by a completely revamped terminal to the downtown-close airport, with 19 new gates, public art installations featuring works by local artists and an outdoor dining area with views of downtown. There’s also a wealth of great new dining options including local favorites Kettner Exchange, Puesto and Cutwater Restaurant & Bar.
Le Meridien Pinnacle San Diego
Le Méridien Pinnacle San Diego will soon be the hottest address in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood when it opens this summer. The sleek 39-story hotel will offer 231 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar, outdoor fitness center and modern European-style decor. Situated in one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods, hotel guests will have seamless access to the waterfront and Broadway Pier, Santa Fe Depot train station and Little Italy’s bustling restaurants and shops.
Manchester Grand Hyatt
The Manchester Grand Hyatt, a landmark dual-tower hotel that graces San Diego’s waterfront, is undergoing a complete refresh and is set to debut its renovated spaces in spring and summer of 2026. Guests can expect updated guest rooms, the transformation of Sally’s Waterfront Dining into an open-air destination offering clear views of the bay, an enhanced pool deck and a new look for the Top of the Hyatt, the hotel’s signature lounge on the 40th floor that treats guests to sweeping views of the marina, downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge.
Hotel del Coronado
If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to San Diego, head to Coronado Island to see the completed restoration of the Hotel del Coronado, the iconic red-roofed Victorian-era resort. The property recently underwent a multiyear $550 million renovation that preserved the historic architecture and refreshed the guest rooms, courtyard and veranda, pool deck and the debut of the Sun Deck Bar & Grill, an expansive lounge with front-row views of Coronado Beach. Also new to the hotel is Nobu Del Coronado, serving Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s renowned dishes in a stunning seaside locale.
Arts and Culture at Center Stage
Arts and Culture at Center Stage
Top Theater Premieres
San Diego has gained a stellar reputation as one of America’s top theater towns, birthing numerous Broadway-bound productions. And 2026 is shaping up to be another banner year for big shows: The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park is staging three world premieres, including Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” starring Katie Holmes, while La Jolla Playhouse’s season features the world premieres of the musicals “The Family Album” and “GRIM,” and the play “A Black-Billed Cuckoo,” alongside the West Coast premieres of “Purpose” and “The Monsters.”
The Joan
And speaking of big premieres: The long-awaited Joan & Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center has opened at ARTS Center Liberty Station in Point Loma. Affectionately known as “The Joan” in memory of Joan Jacobs, a beloved arts patron and philanthropist (alongside her husband, Irwin), the center serves as a permanent home for Cygnet Theatre. Upcoming shows include the uplifting musicals “Somewhere Over the Border” and “The Sponge Bob Musical.”
San Diego Symphony
The San Diego Symphony rechristened its indoor home to complement its hugely successful outdoor Rady Shell: the Jacobs Music Center, which was beautifully restored as part of a four-year, $125 million renovation project.
Banksy in Del Mar
From January through April, the Del Mar Fairgrounds will host the exciting San Diego debut of “The Art of Banksy: Without Limits,” an immersive exhibit celebrating the elusive street artist’s famous works. “Without Limits” has toured throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, and showcases a mix of original art by Banksy from a private collection, as well replicas, hologram installations, an infinity room and murals. Tickets must be booked in advance and are timed for one hour.
WOW Festival
San Diego takes its arts acumen outside in 2026 with awesome outdoor festivals and exhibits in the spring. La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW (Without Walls) Festival returns to its home base of UC San Diego in April with 20-plus boundary-busting arts experiences. The 46th Annual Mission Fed Artwalk in April will turn the streets of Little Italy into a multi-block festival showcasing the works of more than 250 artists from across the U.S. and Mexico. In July and August, nearly 200 artists will gather for Artwalk Liberty Station in Point Loma, and the weekend kicks off with a preview party complete with live music.
Shopping
Shopping
New at Westfield UTC
The new luxury wing of Westfield UTC is set to open in early 2026, bringing shoppers 70,000 square feet of innovative, sustainable design along with iconic luxury fashion brands, including Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Tom Ford — the San Diego location will be one of a handful of Ford’s freestanding boutiques in the U.S. — plus an expanded Restoration Hardware and more.
Milestones and Encores
Milestones and Encores
La Valencia Hotel
The La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla’s iconic seaside retreat known as “The Pink Lady,” celebrates its centennial this coming year (and is looking fabulous). In gearing up for its 100th birthday, the resort underwent a series of renovations that included a refresh of the guest rooms and public spaces. Last fall it debuted a new wellness oasis, The Spa at La Valencia, with signature treatments like the “Pink Lady Indulgence” that incorporates a rose gold radiance facial complete with rose quartz crystal and Damask rose extract.
The landmark Whaling Bar, known for well-crafted cocktails and inventive Cesar “Twinkie” salad, also got a new look and menu, while preserving the original murals and paintings by artist Wing Howard that date back to the 1940s. All throughout the year, the hotel plans to host numerous celebrations.
San Diego Museum of Art
In 2026, the San Diego Museum of Art will be hosting its Centennial Celebration. The celebration kicks off in January with a special exhibition, SDMA 100 Years. On February 28, the museum’s official birthday, visitors can attend the Birthday Fest, complete with free admission, live music and dance performances, a Cake Party for an additional fee, and more.
Pechanga Arena
Pechanga Arena, San Diego’s iconic event and concert venue that was immortalized in Cameron Crowe’s film “Almost Famous,” turns 60 this year. The indoor arena is home to both the San Diego Gulls hockey and San Diego Seals lacrosse teams in winter and spring, and hosts an impressive lineup of performances and concerts throughout the year.
On the calendar for 2026 is “Disney on Ice: Let’s Dance” in January, the Harlem Globetrotters — who are celebrating their centennial this year— in February, Nine Inch Nails in March, Rosalía’s “Lux” Tour in July, and Third Day’s 30th anniversary tour in April. Visitors can also look forward to a recap party in November as well as commemorative celebrations throughout the year.
Music, Art and Culinary Festivals
Music, Art and Culinary Festivals
Music Fests
The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival returns in May to enchant music lovers and light up the Embarcadero. The weekend will feature an eclectic mix of artists across all genres. CRSSD brings a weekend of electronic, house and techno music to Little Italy’s waterfront park in March and September — the spring fete’s lineup includes international artists like Dom Dolla and Cirez D. The San Diego Symphony’s stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park brings a full summer season of waterfront entertainment under the stars, and in October, Mission Bayfest transforms Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay into a three-day reggae music festival.
Food, Wine and More
Combine San Diego’s great outdoors with the city’s culinary pizazz and you have the ideal recipe for awesome foodie festivals. Fall brings both the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival and the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, as well as San Diego Beer Week for fans of the region’s famous craft brews.
Comic-Con and TwitchCon
Come summer and fall, San Diego will once again host a pair of major pop-culture events. First comes Comic-Con International: San Diego, the globally renowned celebration of comics, Hollywood and much (much!) more. Then, November brings TwitchCon, focused on the wide world of live-streaming and gaming. Both of these spectacular events unfold at the San Diego Convention Center.
Kids Free San Diego
If you’re visiting San Diego with kids, October totally rocks – and not just because the month is topped off with the sweet satisfactions of trick-or-treating. The month brings balmy weather, quiet beaches and the much-loved Kids Free San Diego program. The month-long promotion will be celebrating its 15 year anniversary, and lets young visitors eat, play and stay for free when they visit many of San Diego’s amazing attractions, hotels, restaurants and more with their families.
Beaches and Outdoor Bliss
Beaches and Outdoor Bliss
Take a Scenic Drive
San Diego is a big place, and one great way to embrace it is by taking the 59-mile Scenic Drive that loops its way through the city's charming neighborhoods and byways, offering views of everything from the stunning Pacific coastline to the sparkle of Downtown's skyline. The tour makes for the perfect sampler of the region’s beauty and diversity. Or, you can opt to head east to San Diego’s inland valleys and mountain communities and then head back west to see the Beach, Mountains and Desert in one day.
Hit the Beach
And of course, San Diego just wouldn't be San Diego without its amazing beaches, offering year-round surf, sun and fun. While there are always new things to do and see in this ever-dynamic region, you can always count on the city’s 70 miles of coastline — from its beaches to its boardwalks to its bays — to make a visit here one for the memory books.