Springtime in San Diego

Spring into the SoCal vibe in San Diego.

Springtime welcomes a host of new attractions across the city, new bars, eateries and arty events. Check out the best spring happenings in San Diego:

Attractions & Events

LEGOLAND California is gearing up to celebrate its 25th birthday (“brickday”) in a big way. The park will introduce Dino Valley, a new land with three rides, a wholly transformed dino-dig space, and character meet and greets this spring. The new attractions include DUPLO Little Dino Trail, Explorer River Quest, and Coastersaurus.

SeaWorld San Diego invites guests to experience the world of jellyfish in a new and interactive way with the debut of Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience this spring. Visitors can see striking habitats, from one of the largest jelly cylinders in the country to an iconic walk-through arch and a giant viewing wall.

San Diego and Tijuana have been named the 2024 World Design Capital. This distinction gives a platform to and celebrates the cities’ contributions to art and design. From May 1-5, The World Design Festival will take place in Tijuana. The festival will engage the cross-border community and international visitors to experience design in Tijuana through multiple activities, which include lectures, design exhibitions, public design workshops, and design studio open houses.

New Hotels & Renovations

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina’s renovation of the Marina Tower will launch in early 2024. The redesign of the Marina Tower focuses on the hotel’s public spaces, guest rooms and suites. The resort will also welcome four new concepts: Rumorosa, a Cali-Baja-inspired dining outlet, the first San Diego Brewery X location, Sunglow harborside bar and cabana club, and Strada, a casual grab-and-go eatery.

Arts and Culture
 
The Japanese Friendship Garden is celebrating the annual Japanese tradition of Hanami with the 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival from March 7-10. The garden will host a variety of daily performances and fun activities for the entire family, including taiko drummers and a cosplay contest. Visitors will be able to stroll the upper and lower garden to experience the various features of the property and enjoy Cherry Blossom Trees.

In celebration of the San Diego Natural History Museum’s 150th birthday in 2024, the museum is offering free, one-time admission during the visitor’s birthday month. The museum continues the party with a new outdoor Nature Trail, opening in spring 2024, showcasing varieties of beneficial plants native to the San Diego and Baja regions.

The NTC and Cygnet Theatre recently broke ground in the Liberty Station Arts District for The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center. The space, anticipated to open in spring 2025, will include a 289-seat proscenium theatre and a 150-seat flexible studio space, as well as state-of-the-art back-of-house support spaces such as dressing rooms, two green rooms, a costume shop, dedicated rehearsal and orchestra spaces and more.

Restaurants and Bars
 
Award-winning chef Phillip Esteban is adding to his growing list of fast-casual restaurant concepts with the opening of the long-awaited Wildflour in Liberty Station this spring. Influenced by hustling and bustling deli services from around the world, and integrating a mix of Southern California vibes, Wildflour will offer an all-day menu for a casual sit-down or takeout experience. From its namesake in the Philippines, the restaurant will focus on local ingredients, seafood and provisions.

Following a 10-year closure, the Whaling Bar will reopen in early 2024. Opened in the 1940’s, the Wailing Bar was a favorite among notable locals and luminaries like Tom Hanks and Robin Williams. The new rendition will incorporate a new design but will bring back some original nautical-themed paintings and cocktails. The cocktail lounge will continue as part of the hotel, with its cocktail and bar menu managed by the SDCM Restaurant Group.

The historic Lafayette Hotel recently revealed the latest installment of its transformation with Lou Lou’s Jungle Bar. The bar brings a New York jazz nightclub atmosphere and live music, as well as prix fixe dining and elevated craft cocktails. The property is also set to debut Le Horse, a European-style restaurant that will pay homage to early 20th-century hotel fine dining, later this spring.
 

Transportation

San Diego International Airport (SAN) recently announced it will welcome Breeze Airways this spring and will offer five new flight options in and out of San Diego. Starting in late April, Breeze Airways will offer nonstop flights to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, followed by Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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