New at Theme Parks

At San Francisco Zoo

• SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area will welcome giant pandas for the first time in roughly 40 years when a pair arrives from China in late 2025. Giant pandas are found in small populations in six mountainous regions in China, mainly in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. The San Francisco Zoo will be one of only three locations in the U.S. where you can visit pandas. Giant pandas don’t hibernate like some other bears. Instead, they travel to warmer climates to find better sources of bamboo.  (The San Diego Zoo welcomed two new pandas in August 2024.)

At Universal Studios Hollywood

UNIVERSAL CITY – Step into the worlds of your favorite characters at after-hours Fan Fest Nights events based on some of the theme park’s most popular sci-fi and gaming attractions. On select evenings from April 25–May 18, 2025, visitors can enjoy themed food, immersive experiences, and exclusive merchandise. This all-new, after-hours event brings you into the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.™  There will be celebratory moments that takes fandom to a whole new level. See more at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Disneyland

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open at Disneyland Park! Let the fireflies light the way down the bayou where you can dive into the next chapter of Princess Tiana’s unforgettable adventure. The revamped log flume attraction inspired by “The Princess and the Frog” splashed into Bayou Country at Disneyland Park in November 2024. Picking up after the animated film’s final kiss, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure follows the princess as she gathers her musical friends for a one-of-a-kind Mardis Gras celebration. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/

SeaWorld  

SAN DIEGO – Opening spring 2025, Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience, is an immersive aquarium that will be the first of its kind at SeaWorld parks. Walk through habitats in three galleries, which features a 10-foot archway, photo ops, and a “touchable globe” of jellyfish. See striking habitats, from one of the largest jelly cylinders in the country to an iconic walk-through arch and a giant viewing wall. Your journey takes you from the shore to the ocean’s depths before surrounding you with a vivid display that forever connects you to these extraordinary animals. See https://www.visitcalifornia.com/things-to-do/seaworld-san-diego/ for more information.

New at the Museums

Santa Ynez Chumash Museum & Cultural Center, Santa Ynez

Learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians at this new museum in the Santa Ynez Valley. Opening in 2025.

Counterculture Museum, San Francisco

At the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets, the museum will examine the lasting impact of movements ranging from the Beat Generation and women’s liberation to LGBTQ+ rights and beyond. Opening in spring 2025.

Slamdance Film Festival, Los Angeles

The annual film festival for emerging artists is moving to L.A. in 2025 and will run Feb. 20–26 at the Landmark Theaters Sunset and the DGA Theater Complex in West Hollywood.

The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, San Diego

Two ADA-accessible theater spaces in the historic former Navy Building 178 in Liberty Station will host live performances and house a lower-level gallery showcasing local artists. Opening in 2025.

New Hotels

Notable openings planned for 2025 include:

• Outdoor experiences company Evo is opening a Campus Tahoe City hotel in collaboration with pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones.
• Appellation Healdsburg, cofounded by chef Charlie Palmer, will blend culinary experiences with luxury amenities in the heart of wine country.
• Outdoor spaces abound at Treehouse Silicon Valley, the London brand’s first U.S. property.
• Yosemite is getting two new hotels and glamping sites in 2025: Outbound Yosemite about 25 minutes from the South Gate entrance and Under Canvas, the tented camp brand’s first California location.
• The all-electric Limelight Mammoth hotel will offer convenient access to the village gondola up to Canyon Lodge.
• Santa Cruz’s first luxury beachfront property, La Bahia Hotel & Spa, will feature four restaurants and a rooftop deck with views of the Pacific.
• Book an Airstream through AutoCamp Sequoia to bask in the great outdoors of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
• Sleep under the starry skies in a steel container-inspired guest room at Reset Hotel Twentynine Palms, located just outside Joshua Tree National Park.
• Splash and relax at the 4.25-acre water park experience at Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista.

New Restaurants

RO Restaurant & Lounge, Yountville

What started as a caviar and champagne pop-up lounge has evolved into acclaimed chef Thomas Keller’s newest Yountville restaurant featuring an Asian-inspired menu that highlights local California ingredients.

The Mess Hall at the Presidio, San Francisco

Set to open in 2025, this new food hall will operate as an all-day café, market, and bar within San Francisco’s Tunnel Tops park.

Valley Goat, Sunnyvale

James Beard Award–winning chef Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat fame is opening her first Bay Area restaurant inside the new Treehouse hotel featuring shareable plates and fresh, bold flavors. Opening in 2025.

Super Peach by Momofuku, Los Angeles

The David Chang–founded restaurant group known for its pork buns and innovative ramen is opening a casual dining experience at Westfield Century City in spring 2025.

River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano

The diverse culinary scene at Orange County’s newest foodie destination features global flavors and farm-fresh fare from restaurants such as La Vaquera and Finca, which sources produce from the nearby Ecology Center.

Nobu del Coronado, Coronado

Savor the star chef’s signature miso-marinated black cod and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño while taking in ocean views when Nobu opens at the historic Hotel del Coronado in spring 2025.