TBM Staff - Mumbai
California unveils an exciting lineup of new and refurbished hotels, theme parks, and restaurants in 2025, offering endless opportunities to explore the state’s top attractions. Family-friendly highlights include the return of giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoo after 40 years and Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood from April 25 to May 18. Disneyland Resort debuts Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Anaheim, while LEGOLAND Carlsbad unveils two new driving school experiences. SeaWorld San Diego introduces “Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience,” a first-of-its-kind exhibit opening in spring 2025. San Francisco’s Mission Rock waterfront neighborhood adds green spaces, shoreline views, and restaurants like Flour + Water and Arsicault Bakery.
Sports enthusiasts can look forward to the NBA All-Star Weekend from February 14–16 in San Francisco and Oakland, featuring the NBA Crossover fan event, celebrity games, and the All-Star Game at Chase Center. May 2025 marks the debut of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries. Newly opened venues include the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, a 17,700-seat basketball arena, and the 7,500-capacity Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, home to indoor soccer and G-League basketball, as well as concerts and comedy shows.
California’s hotel scene welcomes a mix of luxury and boutique properties. Notable openings include the historic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, featuring a rooftop lounge and live jazz club, and Yosemite’s Wildhaven glamping sites and Firefall Ranch cottages for nature lovers. The Fainting Couch boutique hotel near Cobb Mountain offers a tranquil escape, while Chicken Ranch in the Sierra Nevada debuts as a casino resort.
Culinary additions in 2025 range from Nobu’s oceanfront restaurant at Hotel del Coronado to David Chang’s Super Peach by Momofuku in San Francisco. The Mess Hall at the Presidio opens as an all-day café and bar, while Philo’s Jumbo’s Win Win and Yountville’s RO Restaurant & Lounge expand the state’s dining options. Yucaipa Valley, California’s highest-elevation American Viticulture Area, offers award-winning wines like Syrah and Barbera at Suveg Cellars.
Cultural attractions include the Counterculture Museum in San Francisco, exploring movements like the Beat Generation and LGBTQ+ rights, and the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum & Cultural Center, showcasing the heritage of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center in San Diego features ADA-accessible theaters and an art gallery in a renovated historic Navy building.
California celebrates major anniversaries in 2025, including Disneyland Resort’s new shows and parades for its yearlong 70th-anniversary festivities starting May 16. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park marks its 25th anniversary with special events, while San Diego’s Belmont Park commemorates its 100th year with fresh renovations and new attractions like Shipwreck Cove.
