TRAVELS: What's new in San Diego this Summer 2025

  

New Hotels and Renovations After more than six years, the Hotel Del Coronado is set to unveil its $550 million renovation this June. This project encompasses the historic Victorian building, its garden courtyard, and event spaces, as well as two new dining destinations: an all-day dining restaurant, Veranda, and Nobu del Coronado. The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion of its 81 meeting spaces. Encompassing 270,000 square feet of refreshed ballrooms, conference rooms, and pre-function areas, the newly transformed meeting spaces introduce a modern, dynamic atmosphere designed to inspire and engage, welcoming the next generation of professionals.  The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has welcomed Chef Ananda Bareño to lead the resort’s culinary program, which includes the Marine Room and The Shores Restaurant, as well as a new restaurant, market, and bar launching as a part of a $60 million resort-wide transformation. Attractions  LEGOLAND® California Resort is unveiling its new Driving Schools on May 21, offering kids the chance to learn the rules of the road on fresh tracks at both Driving School and Jr. Driving School. The new tracks are located in Fun Town and feature realistic road scenarios, intersections, roundabouts, and even a car wash equipped with interactive bubble triggers that activate as kids drive through. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego announced that their new exhibition, Living Seas, will officially open to the public May 22. Living Seas, which is the largest capital improvement to the aquarium since 1992, invites guests to explore the wonders of our ocean planet on an unforgettable, immersive journey to uncover the splendor of the Pacific.  On June 6, San Diego Natural History Museum will be offering new experiences for visitors in the Tom Demere Paleontology Center, a new state-of-the-art collections space and fossil processing lab. It will officially open to the public as a part of Amazement in the Basement, an exhibition featuring natural history specimens of all kinds. The exhibition will also showcase stories of medical discoveries and conservation projects that have their foundation in The Nat’s research collections. As a part of its hundred-year anniversary celebration, Belmont Park has debuted a new ride, Tiki Typhoon.  This new “round up” ride is one of several additions and updates being made to the park in the coming months, including a new children’s play area called Shipwreck Cove.     Festivals and Events Dockside Night Market, an open-air celebration of local chefs and sustainable seafood, returns on August 7.  Organized by Puffer Malarkey Collective in partnership with San Diego Fishermen's Working Group, the evening brings together San Diego’s best culinary talent and local seafood suppliers all set against the stunning backdrop of the historic fishing harbor. On June 28, Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station will transform into a wellness sanctuary for the second annual Anchored in Wellness Festival.  Experience a vendor marketplace, participate in wellness classes on two dedicated stages, and enjoy special features including ice baths, contest giveaways and a wine and beer garden. From May 16-18, Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival, a highly-anticipated 3-day music, culinary and arts festival will descend upon the waterfront of downtown San Diego all along the Embarcadero. The festival offers diverse attractions including yacht parties, water sports, art installations, after-parties, a craft beer village and plenty of local flavors. Savor the flavors of San Diego’s most beloved dining district as Taste of Little Italy returns for two unforgettable nights on June 17th and June 18th. Each evening presents a unique lineup of 20+ participating restaurants, ensuring guests can experience new flavors and fresh pairings on both nights. Arts and Culture The New Children’s Museum recently debuted Artopia, an 8,600 square foot expansion that provides more room for guests to think, play and create. The new exhibit includes gallery space, classrooms expanded art-making studio space and will offer art-making workshops, artist-led experiences, and opportunities for private event rentals, all of which will be for multi-generational audiences. A new mural in Downtown San Diego, Abalone Journey, honors the Chinese fishermen of the 1800s who played a key role in developing San Diego’s abalone fishing industry. Located on Third Street and J Street, this piece was brought to life by the Downtown San Diego Partnership and the Asian Business Association in collaboration with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and talented local artists Janelle Louie and Thao Huynh French. The La Jolla Music Society has announced the lineup for its 39th annual SummerFest, taking place between July 25 and August 23. This chamber music festival brings the greatest classical musicians and more from around the world to The Conrad in La Jolla for four weeks of concerts. Centered on the theme of “Milestones,” SummerFest brings talents such as Alan Gilbert, Tessa Lark, and Yura Lee and chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt in a concert that pairs musical selections with specially prepared food courses. Restaurants and Bars Nearly two decades after its original build, San Diego’s iconic Starlite is reopen following a 14-month renovation by Bells + Whistles, in collaboration with CH Projects. In addition to the upgrades in the dining room, patio and bar, Starlite’s kitchen received a full teardown, expansion and rebuild. On the menu, Starlite loyalists will find many of their favorite classic dishes and cocktails, as well as some new additions.   The Hilton Gaslamp Quarter’s Wild Hare Bar Garden is now home to Le Petit Chef, an innovative 3D dining experience that merges gastronomy and entertainment. Created by Belgium’s Skullmapping Studios, the 58mm-tall chef uses cutting-edge projection technology to narrate a playful, immersive culinary journey, showcasing his virtual cooking skills directly on each guest’s plate. San Diego celebrity Chef Claudette Zepeda’s newest concept, Leu Leu, is officially open in Leucadia. Chef Zepeda, who was once a contestant on Top Chef and a judge on Netflix’s Iron Chef Mexico, has been in the San Diego culinary scene for 20 years, with stints at James Beard-nominated Bracero and El Jardin. Leu Leu’s menu is inspired by Zepeda’s Mexican-American heritage, with Mediterranean influences. Awards and Recognitions The historic La Valencia Hotel recently debuted on  50 Best Discovery, a highly-curated collection of city guides that is an extention of the annual 50 Best rankings of restaurants, bars, and hotels. The iconic La Jolla property, celebrating 100 years in 2026, was added to the platform after a vote by the expert Academy members, some of the world’s most foremost restaurant, bar and travel connoisseurs.   Cori Pastificio Trattoria in North Park recently received the Three Forks (Tre Forchette) distinction in the 2025 Top Italian Restaurants Guide by Gambero Rosso—Italy’s foremost authority on food, wine and hospitality. Cori was one of just 18 restaurants worldwide and five here in the United States to receive this coveted distinction. For a second year in a row, Chef Tara Monsod of Anime and Le Coq has been named a finalist for the James Beard Best Chef: California award. Monsod was also nominated in 2024 and named a finalist for the category.  Transportation Starting on May 8, San Diego will welcome more visitors from Amsterdam and surrounding areas thanks to a new direct route from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The flights from this European hub will begin at three days a week. Central American airline Copa Airlines has announced a new route from their hub in Panama City, Panama into San Diego. Starting June 25, Copa will offer flights four days a week in the summer and three days a week in the winter. This new route will bring travelers from all over South and Central America into San Diego. For a complete list of What’s New in San Diego, Summer 2025, click here.

Aceite de Oliva y su impacto en la salud de los estadounidenses

 

 

•          El Olive Oil World Congress organizó la jornada “Drops of Health: Olive Oil in the United States” en Washington D.C., que conectó este producto con las responsables políticos y líderes de salud estadounidenses
• En la actualidad, Estados Unidos ocupa el segundo lugar en el ranking de países consumidores, solo por detrás de Italia, lo que demuestra la importancia que la sociedad norteamericana empieza a conceder a este producto debido a sus beneficios para la salud
• Joseph R. Profaci: “Si la sociedad estadounidense tuviera un 20% más de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea, el sistema sanitario estadounidense ahorraría 20.000 millones de dólares” 

                                      

 

 Siguiendo con las acciones previstas para el periodo “En Ruta Hacia El OOWC 2026”, el Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC) organizó en Washington D.C. la jornada titulada “Drops of Health: Olive Oil in the United States”, de la mano de la North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), y en colaboración con la Fundación Dieta Mediterránea, Food Tank y el CIHEAM de Zaragoza, para educar a los responsables políticos y líderes de salud sobre los beneficios del aceite de oliva.

El evento tuvo lugar en Estados Unidos, que actualmente ocupa el segundo puesto en el ranking de países consumidores, solo por detrás de Italia, lo que demuestra la importancia que la sociedad estadounidense está empezando a otorgar a este producto por sus beneficios para la salud.

Joseph R. Profaci, director ejecutivo de la NAOOA, analizó los principales datos de mercado del aceite de oliva en Estados Unidos, señalando que en 2024 se consumieron 368.000 toneladas, lo que representa un incremento del 32% desde 2013. Si embargo, aproximadamente la mitad de todo el consumo en Estados Unidos ocurre en la Coste Este y, sorprendentemente para muchos, la producción de aceite de oliva en Estados Unidos solo puede cubrir alrededor del 3% de lo que consumen los estadounidenses.

“El aceite de oliva es la piedra angular de la Dieta Mediterránea, y si más estadounidenses lo adoptaran, incluso de manera modesta, tendría un gran impacto”, aseguró Profaci. “Por ejemplo, la investigación encontró que incluso un aumento del 20 % en la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea ahorraría al sistema de salud estadounidense 20 mil millones de dólares cada año”, añadió.

Ricardo Migueláñez, coordinador general de la OOWC, señaló que “el aceite de oliva es rico en grasas monoinsaturadas saludables, como el ácido oleico, que ayudan a reducir el colesterol malo y protegen el corazón”. “Pero sus beneficios van mucho más allá: Estudios científicos demuestran que puede ayudar a mejorar la memoria e incluso reducir el riesgo de enfermedades neurodegenerativas como el Alzheimer. Sus propiedades antioxidantes y antiinflamatorias lo convierten en un aliado diario para una vida más larga y saludable”, añadió Migueláñez.

La jornada contó con profesionales de la salud reconocidos, como el doctor Mike Cirigliano, profesor de la Universidad de Pensilvania y colaborador médico en Fox29 Filadelfia, quien impartió la ponencia titulada “Beneficios del Aceite de Oliva para la salud: combatiendo la obesidad, la inflamación, las enfermedades cardíacas, la demencia y el cáncer”.

La jornada continuó con la mesa redonda “La necesidad de aumentar la producción de Aceite de Oliva y cómo lograrlo”, en la que estuvieron presentes expertos de la industria del olivar estadounidense tales como Samantha Dorsey, presidenta de McEvoy Ranch; Mouna Aissaoui, directora de operaciones de Pompeian/Sunrise Ranch; Denise Andre', especialista en Marketing de Capay Valley Ranches; y Paolo Colavita, director ejecutivo de Colavita/O Olive Oil Companies. La mesa redonda fue moderada por Danielle Nierenberg, presidenta de Food Tank.

Todos los participantes de la mesa redonda coincidieron en la necesidad de promover la producción de aceite de oliva en los Estados Unidos para hacer el producto más accesible para los consumidores estadounidenses, aumentando su calidad de vida y esperanza de vida.

Finalmente, la chef y autora Amy Riolo dirigió una demostración culinaria. Los asistentes tuvieron la oportunidad de ver las posibilidades que ofrece el aceite de oliva en cenas, postres e incluso cócteles.

El Olive Oil World Congress continuará en 2025 con su planificación para difundir el conocimiento sobre el aceite de oliva en diversos países, tanto productores como consumidores. Esta iniciativa tiene como objetivo principal ayudar a difundir las bondades del producto hacia la sociedad, así como mejorar la formación de los productores, de la industria oleícola y de todos los operadores relacionados con la cadena de valor del oro verde líquido en todo el mundo.

Hasta el momento el OOWC cuenta con el respaldo del Consejo Oleícola Internacional (COI), el CIHEAM de Zaragoza, la Fundación Dieta Mediterránea, la Junta de Castilla-La Mancha, con su marca ‘Campo y Alma’, la iniciativa ‘SOM Gastronomía’ de la Generalitat de Catalunya, el Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, a través de Alimentos de España y el Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (Imidra), como Patrocinadores Institucionales. A nivel privado el congreso cuenta con el apoyo de AgroBank que es Patrocinador Platino y GEA es Patrocinador Oro.

TRAVELS: What's new in San Diego this Spring 2025

                             

Attractions & Events Seaworld San Diego welcomes Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience on March 15. The long-awaited exhibit will feature a first of its kind immersive experience. Visitors will be met with an interactive underwater aquarium, featuring the tallest jellyfish tanks in the nation and will display several varieties of live jellyfish and teach about conservation. The park has also announced its first annual Fins and Flippers 5k running and walking event for families and children. The event will take place on April 13 and invites participants of all ages to run/walk a 3.1-mile course through the park and Mission Bay. The first ever home game for the San Diego FC kicks off against Saint Louis City FC on March 1 at Snapdragon Stadium. All fans in attendance of the inaugural home opener will receive a commemorative scarf. The celebration will also include pre-match musical performances, the introduction of the club’s pre-match tradition, and special in-game moments to mark the beginning of a new era in San Diego’s sports history.  For more attractions click here For more events click here New Hotels & Renovations The Bower Coronado, one of Coronado’s first new developments in decades, will open this spring.  The hotel takes a unique approach to hospitality with transaction-free arrivals and offers custom-built itineraries for guests. The architecture and design embrace the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy of perfection imperfection, emphasizing natural materials and serene aesthetics in homage to its location on the historic grounds of John D. Spreckels' Japanese tea garden. The Bower will also feature Coronado’s first and only rooftop bar and restaurant, Dive, which will offer panoramic views from Point Loma to Mexico.   For more hotels click here Arts and Culture The U.S. premiere of the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction exhibit at San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum opens March 15. The exhibit features original props and set pieces, offering fans a chance to explore iconic characters and worlds from the series while delving into the real-life science behind the show’s fantastical concepts like time travel and AI. Highlights include a Time Vortex Corridor, TARDIS Tech Room, and a Monster Vault.  The La Jolla Playhouse presents its next world premiere production with 3 Summers of Lincoln showing February 18-March 23. This gripping new musical tells the inspirational story of one of the most important friendships in our nation’s history, and a divided country coming together. And on April 24-27, the annual WOW Festival, presented by The Playhouse in partnership with UC San Diego, will take art beyond traditional theater walls and into unique spaces. The festival promises four action-packed days of immersive theatre, dance, music, puppetry, spectacle events, and more by local, national, and international artists. For more arts and culture click here   Restaurants and Bars Chef Phillip Esteban, creator of White Rice and Open Gym San Diego, has now opened Wildflour Delicatessen in Liberty Station. Inspired by its namesake in the Philippines, Wildflour focuses on local ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu features house-cured meats, fresh bread, and standout dishes like steak tartare and eggs on toast and pistachio tiramisu. The restaurant also offers a curated coffee program by Jocelyn Farinas and Provecho Coffee, a full bar with natural wines, and a modern California-inspired space spanning over 4,200 square feet with multiple patios.  The team behind Madison on Park is launching three new projects this spring, bringing diverse dining experiences to San Diego. Sonny’s will introduce a 1980s Brooklyn-inspired pizza spot in University Heights, serving pastas, pizzas, and Italian-American classics alongside natural wines and amaros. A second location of their popular brunch spot Madi will open in Pacific Beach, featuring California-meets-Mediterranean dishes like Waffle Churro Sticks and White Bean Shakshuka. Meanwhile, Hillcrest will welcome a yet-to-be-named diner concept inspired by classic American diners and partner Matt Sieve’s Midwestern roots.    For more restaurants and bars click here Awards and Recognitions Roma Norte has been named a 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Bar, one of two in the state of California. Opened by the team behind Puesto and Marisi last July, Roma Norte blends the electric energy of Mexico City’s cocktail culture with Latin American flavors, offering expertly crafted drinks and small plates at The Headquarters at Seaport Village.  Chefs Tara Monsod, of Animae and Le Coq, and Roberto Alcocer, of the Michelin-starred Valle in Oceanside, were nominated for the James Beard Best Chef: California award. Monsod was nominated in 2024 and named a finalist for the category. For more awards and recognitions click here   Transportation North Park and City Heights now have a new, free transportation option with the launch of Mid-City GO! The City Heights Community Development Center, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and California Climate Investments, has introduced this program to provide community members with free on-demand shuttle rides between the two neighborhoods. Funded through the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) Voucher Pilot Program, this initiative is part of broader state efforts to reduce emissions, improve public health, and expand access to clean transportation in communities.  A federal grant was recently awarded to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency to add more Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains between Los Angeles and San Diego, increasing service to 13 daily roundtrips. This expansion, which includes two new trains debuting in March and a third by November, aims to restore the service to pre-pandemic levels and improve transportation options along the busy Southern California corridor.  For more transportation click here

Trvales: 25 Top Things to See and Do for 2025 in San Diego

 

From elephant encounters to sports spectaculars to awesome arts happenings, San   Diego brims with excitement in 2025.  Attractions and Signature Sites  Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park  The Safari Park’s elephants are getting brand-new stomping grounds with the late-2025 opening of Denny Sanford Elephant Valley — the world-renowned park’s biggest project since it opened more than 50 years ago.  SeaWorld’s Jellyfish and More  SeaWorld San Diego is set for yet another opening: Jewels of the Sea, the Jellyfish Experience. SeaWorld is also re-envisioning its Journey to Atlantis ride for a reopening in 2025, with a re-envisioned storyline and other fresh elements.  Building Excitement at LEGOLAND California  The new year is stacking up to be a fun one at LEGOLAND in California, with the planned return of the popular World Parade this summer, plus ongoing adventures at the newly opened Dino Valley and other family-friendly features.  Arts and Culture at Center Stage  Top Theater Premieres  The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park is staging five world premieres, while La Jolla Playhouse is producing the world-premiere musicals “Working Girl” (with music by ‘80s icon Cyndi Lauper) and “3 Summers of Lincoln” plus several other new works.  The Joan Opens  This summer brings the long-awaited official opening of the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at ARTS Center Liberty Station in Point Loma. The center will serve as a permanent home for Cygnet Theatre.  Arts in the Great Outdoors  La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW (Without Walls) Festival returns to its home base of UCSD in April with 20-plus boundary-busting arts experiences. Annual art walks once again roam the streets and pathways of Little Italy, Liberty Station, Leucadia and Carlsbad. The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival returns in May to enchant music lovers and light up the Embarcadero. And the San Diego Symphony’s stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park brings a full summer season of waterfront entertainment under the stars.  Jacobs Music Center Returns  The San Diego Symphony once again has an indoor home at the Jacobs Music Center, which has been beautifully restored as part of a four-year, $125 million renovation project. Sports Sensations  Breeders’ Cup Takes Another Run  Following successful meets in 2021 and 2024, the Breeders’ Cup will once again land in Del Mar in 2025, bringing excitement and worldwide attention to the track where “the turf meets the surf.”  San Diego FC Kicks Off  San Diego’s first Major League Soccer team finally arrives in Spring 2025. San Diego FC joins another groundbreaking pro soccer franchise, the San Diego Wave, which will launch into its fourth season of great National Women’s Soccer League action.  Gold Cup Gleams Again  The Concacaf Gold Cup returns to Snapdragon Stadium in Summer 2025, with key matches among national teams in both men’s and women’s soccer. Plus, Snapdragon hosts the final round of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup in February. A Run for the Ages  The now-international Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series will notch another milestone in September 2025, as the first U.S. location to host the World Athletics Road Running Championships. Holiday Hoops and Hoopla  The Rady Children’s Invitational (produced by Sports San Diego) will once again field four elite college basketball teams on the seaside campus of the University of California San Diego. And the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl returns with a game that matches top college football teams and is part of a festive weekend that includes a parade in Downtown San Diego and much more.  Dining in the Spotlight  New Eateries Debut  San Diego’s vibrant food scene ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class neighborhood taco joints and everything in between. Among the great new dining options coming our way in 2025:  Pro skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, a local native, is opening the long-awaited Chick N Hawk in Encinitas in partnership with Chef Andrew Bachelier; the place will specialize in fried chicken sandwiches and pay homage to ‘90s skate and surf culture.  Ponyboy, the new bar/restaurant at the Pearl Hotel in Point Loma brings a midcentury-modern vibe to classic cocktails and menu items, under the guidance of two alums from San Diego’s Michelin-starred Addison restaurant at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel.  Celebrated Chef Travis Swikard, proprietor of the much-buzzed Callie in Downtown San Diego, is readying the opening of an as-yet unnamed restaurant in La Jolla this summer, focusing on French cuisine.  Liberty Wing Co., founded by an alumna of the San Diego Tourism Authority’s Tourism Accelerator program, is setting up shop in Liberty Station’s Liberty Public Market food hall.  And the bustling Convoy District in Kearny Mesa, with its profusion of restaurants, continues to burst with culinary creativity and pan-Asian deliciousness.  Festivals for Foodies  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.  Bites and Ballgames  You can find a range of great local bites and brews at Petco Park and at Snapdragon Stadium -- and now at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, whose food purveyors include Seaside Market and Gelati & Piccati.  Milestones and Encores  Belmont Park Turns 100  A San Diego icon, Belmont Park has been a vibrant part of the Mission Beach boardwalk since 1925 and this year, Belmont marks its centennial with a series of special events throughout 2025, including a lifetime-pass giveaway.  Saluting Neighborhood Signs  San Diego is a collection of amazing neighborhoods, and their sense of place is enhanced by the treasured neighborhood signs that are a fixture in many of them. The newest one celebrates the Convoy District, renowned for the richness of its pan-Asian culture.   A Pair of Pop Culture Icons  Summer welcomes Comic-Con International: San Diego, the globally renowned celebration of comics, Hollywood and much (much!) more. Then, October brings TwitchCon, focused on the wide world of live-streaming and gaming.  Frontwave Arena Debuts  The San Diego area’s latest sports and music venue is now open in Oceanside: Frontwave Arena, which will host everything from concerts to soccer to special community events. Kids Free San Diego Returns  October brings the much-loved Kids Free San Diego program, which lets young visitors eat, play and stay for no charge when they visit many of San Diego’s amazing attractions, hotels, restaurants and more with their families.  New and Renewed  The Hotel del Coronado’s Victorian Rebirth  The signature Victorian architecture of the Hotel del Coronado might be this grand hotel’s defining feature. And now the Del’s original, red-spire-topped central structure has been revitalized as part of a $160 million restoration project.  Botanical Building and More in Balboa Park  Balboa Park's Botanical Building has reopened after a complete rebuild. Visitors can once again enjoy the Botanical Building’s hundreds of rare, tropical and indigenous plants, or soak in the views of the serene Lily Pond. The Airport’s Next Big Phase  The San Diego International Airport's New T1 project brings a completely revamped terminal is set to open in 2025. In addition to 19 new gates, a wealth of great new dining options for hungry travelers is also on the way. Beaches and Outdoor Bliss  59-Mile Scenic Roadtrip  San Diego is a big place, and one great way to embrace it is by taking the 59-mile Scenic Drive offering views of everything from the stunning Pacific coastline to the sparkle of Downtown's skyline. Your Perfect Beach Visit  While there are always lots of new things to do and see in this ever-dynamic region, you can always count on our 70 miles of coastline to make a visit here one for the memory books.