Major Attractions

The San Diego Zoo celebrates its centennial throughout 2016. Founded in Balboa Park in 1916 by Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the world famous zoo commemorates 100 years as one of the world's leading animal presentation facilities with a series of special events through the summer including partnership exhibits with other museums in Balboa Park. A new website features an interactive timeline showcasing the Zoo's history, growth, innovation, expansion, and goal to end species extinction.

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California, open Mar. 1 and run through May 8, 2016, featuring 80-acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers on coastal farmland overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In addition to theme gardens, fresh strawberries, antique tractor wagon rides, a sweet pea maze and picnic areas, special events and activities are organized throughout the 10-week season. Events are free with admission and include kids' day, a photography workshop, bonsai show and sale, and Mother's Day celebration. Concert days include bands playing Zydeco, Bluegrass, Blues and rock 'n' roll.

On Feb. 6, 2016, LEGOLAND® California Resort in Carlsbad premieres “The LEGO® Movie™ 4D A New Adventure,” a new attraction that reunites the stars of “The LEGO® Movie™” in an all-new story appearing exclusively at LEGOLAND theme parks. The film shows what happened after the blockbuster movie, when Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty, MetalBeard and Benny reunite at the invitation of a shady new character, Risky Business, who plans to open a curious theme park bearing a suspicious resemblance to LEGOLAND. The short film will play several times a day, with “4D” effects such as wind, water, fog and more bringing the action bursting off the screen and into the audience.

Special Events

In Nov. 2015, Cabrillo National Monument celebrated the opening of its new visitor contact station at the entrance to the tidepools. The center includes an education table with bio-models, shell samples, tide charts and grey whale artifacts. Throughout 2016, the park will be celebrating the National Park Service Centennial with special events such as sunset yoga classes, moonwalks, open Lighthouse Tower Days, Whale Watch Weekend, Biodiversity Festival and every 4th Saturday, the WW2 bunker is open to the public. Special living history programs are free to the public on Sat.-Sun. at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium, and free guided nature walks are offered Mon.-Sat.

On Mar. 5-6, 2016, downtown's recently opened Waterfront Park on San Diego Bay will host the third CRSSD Fest, an electronic music festival featuring top acts such as Odeza, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones and Green Velvet on three stages during this ticketed, paid-admission event for attendees 21 or older. Craft beer, mixed drinks, local food and a VIP area will be available.

Held Apr. 8-10, 2016, at Scripps Park overlooking La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance draws droves of vintage car enthusiasts to the luxury seaside village. The sophisticated event includes a cocktail party on Friday night, a motor tour and VIP party on Saturday and the signature Concours d'Elegance car show from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday.

On Apr. 30–May 1, 2016, the Mission Federal ArtWalk will celebrate its 32nd annual event in the streets of Little Italy San Diego. Featuring more than 300 artists filling 17 square blocks of the iconic urban neighborhood with art, craftsmanship and beautiful goods, this event now attracts artists from across the globe. More than just an art event, the festival is a family friendly opportunity to participate in interactive art installations and features live music and dance performances. 

New Venues

In February 2016, a sprawling food hall will open in Liberty Station, a historic collection of buildings that once housed the Naval Training Center and have been restored into a thriving arts, culture, dining and shopping area that includes schools, parks, housing and hotels. The Liberty Public Market follows a path paved by iconic markets such as Seattle's Pike Place and the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The $3 million Point Loma project transforms a 1920s-era warehouse-style building into an indoor-outdoor marketplace that will feature select purveyors of cheeses and butchered meats, baked goods, seasonal produce and locally caught seafood. 

In spring 2016, Horton Plaza Park, a newly expanded 1.9 acre public space will open adjacent to Westfield Horton Plaza shopping mall. The 53,000-sq.-ft. park will hold a new, modern amphitheater with a standing room capacity of almost 2,000 and the freshly renovated historic Irving Gill fountain, one of the first fountains in the country to combine the features of water and light. Westfield will hold its own signature events in the park, and the space will also be a rentable venue for weddings and meetings. A trellis-covered patio will offer seating for three on-site eateries operated by Bruxie Waffles, Sloan's Ice Cream and Starbucks.  

New Hotels

In October 2015, The Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center hotel opened for business. Located steps from the Gaslamp Quarter and four blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, the hotel features 90 guest rooms with complimentary internet, luxury bedding, stylish décor and upgraded bay view rooms. The Courtyard San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center includes The Nolen, a roof-top bar and lounge that overlooks the historic Gaslamp Quarter with panoramic views of the downtown skyline and San Diego Bay.

In November 2015, a new Hilton Garden In opened in San Diego's Old Town neighborhood. The hotel's exterior echoes the Spanish influence found throughout historic Old Town San Diego, while the interior offers a contemporary lobby. Business perks include oversized desks and ergonomic chairs, free wi-fi throughout the hotel, 6,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, an on-site executive boardroom, 24-hour business center, and personal booking link for corporate travelers. Additionally, this Garden Inn features refrigerators and microwaves in the 179-guest rooms, an on-site fitness center and outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, and on-site eatery, Verde Kitchen & Bar.

In February 2016, a new Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley/Zoo will open in Mission Valley. Centrally located near Hotel Circle, this Homewood Suites by Hilton will offer all-suite accommodations, contemporary furnishings and deluxe amenities. Spacious and well appointed, the 118 guest suites offer studio, one king or two queen beds, free wi-fi, a microwave and refrigerator. Of these rooms, the 75 one-bedroom suites offer the perfect choice for families on vacation, or business travelers on an extended stay looking for a home-like experience.

Opening in March 2016, the Springhill Suites Mission Valley will feature 135 guest suites and a 700-sq.-ft meeting room. The new five-floor all-suite hotel is within the Marriott family of brands, which offers a free hot breakfast buffet, fitness center and heated pool, and complimentary hotel-wide wi-fi. Each spacious suite provides separate sleeping and living areas, along with a stocked wet bar, microwave, and mini-fridge. Spa-inspired bathrooms feature Paul Mitchell products, and the hotel has a complimentary business center and 24-hour Market Pantry to accommodate guest needs at any hour.  

Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife

In spring 2016, San Diego's Little Italy will get a Polynesian-inspired tiki bar called False Idol within the newly renovated Craft & Commerce restaurant. False Idol will allow Martin Cate—who built the largest rum selection in the United States at his internationally acclaimed bar, Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco—to spread his passion to an all-new tropical paradise. While specifics on the bar's elaborate interior layout are currently under wraps, the remodel of the 2,500 sq.-ft. Craft & Commerce restaurant includes a physical overhaul to the interior design, an outdoor patio expansion, and a new kitchen in preparation for Executive Chef JoJo Ruiz's new culinary program. 

Arts and Museums

In conjunction with the bicentennial of the San Diego Zoo, in March 2016 the San Diego History Center will debut “Lore Behind the Roar: 100 Years of the San Diego Zoo,” the largest exhibition the museum has ever produced. The exhibit runs through Feb. 26, 2017 and explores how the San Diego Zoo became an icon of American culture over the last 100 years.

Tours and Transportation

On Apr. 7, 2016, Allegiant Air begins offering new, nonstop service from Stockton, California, to San Diego International Airport (SAN), and from El Paso, Texas, to SAN on May 6. The company is offering one-way fares for as low as $39 to kick off the promotion. The new flights will operate twice weekly and expand on the route Allegiant currently operates from Bellingham, Washington to SAN.)

On Mar. 26, 2016, British Airways will deploy a larger aircraft on the San Diego-London route. The Boeing 747-400 will be a 20% increase in seat capacity versus the aircraft currently flying between San Diego and Heathrow during the peak summer months. The change will result in a net seat increase in all cabins of service: 14 seats in first class (new offering for SAN), 4 seats in business, 12 seats in premium economy, and 40 seats in economy.

In January 2016, San Diego International Airport opened a new consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC) on the north side of the airfield. The RCC houses 14 rental car companies in a single building, including leading national brands, as well as local, independent and small business rental car companies. The 2-million-sq.-ft. facility is served by 16 energy efficient shuttle buses going to and from the airport.

Awards

In January 2016, Fodor's Travel included San Diego in its list of the world's “10 Best Beach Getaways for 2016.”

In December 2015, San Diego was awarded “Best Family-Kid Destination” at the Top Travel magazine ceremony in Beijing, China. Top Travel magazine, founded in 2007, is one of China's leading lifestyle magazines. 

In November 2015, National Geographic Traveler  magazine selected the San Diego/Tijuana region as one of 20 “Best of the World” destinations for the magazine's December 2015/January 2016 issue. The selection process involved nominations from National Geographic Traveler's worldwide network of editors, writers, and explorers. “The Best of the World list reflects the travel expertise and global knowledge of National Geographic,” said features editor Amy Alipio. “The destinations represent what's superlative, timely, and richly authentic in the world of travel today.”

Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.