What’s New in San Diego Fall 2025

Attractions & Events

All October long, kids are invited to stay, eat and play for free as a part of the annual “Kids Free San Diego.” Offers include free hotel stays or amenities, free entrance to theme parks and attractions and free meals for children with a paid adult throughout the month and region. With over 100 offers to choose from, there is something for every child and child-at-heart to do this fall.

Opening October 4 in Downtown San Diego near the Embarcadero, the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego will offer an immersive experience into the elite world of U.S. Navy SEALs. Through hands-on exhibits, cutting-edge technology, and face-to-face interactions with retired SEALs, the museum will spotlight the values of leadership, perseverance, and service. This new museum, and the first on the west coast, will connect visitors with the storied legacy of Naval Special Warfare, just across the bay from where every Navy SEAL begins their journey in Coronado.

The San Diego Food and Wine Festival returns to the Embarcadero November 7-9 to showcase cross-border cuisine, celebrated chefs, winemakers and more. The festival also spotlights sustainability, features award-winning chefs including James Beard–recognized talent, and supports culinary education programs through scholarships that benefit aspiring hospitality professionals across the region.

SeaWorld San Diego is reopening its signature water coaster, Journey to Atlantis, with a reimagined experience that incorporates new narrative elements, updated effects, and enhanced ride features this fall. The attraction now includes immersive storytelling centered around The S.E.A. Collective, a group of explorers investigating the lost city of Atlantis, with references to other SeaWorld locations.

New Hotels & Renovations

After more than six years, the Hotel Del Coronado recently unveiled 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.

As part of a property-wide transformation, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego has debuted its fully redesigned deluxe guest rooms in the Seaport Tower. This milestone marks the first completed phase of the 1,628-room hotel’s top-to-bottom renovation, which will continue through 2026 with additional upgrades to guest accommodations, dining venues, meeting spaces, and rooftop recreation.

The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club recently completed the first phase of its $60 million resort-wide renovation. This first phase focused on enhancing key areas including the pool and deck, restaurant and bar, and back-of-house facilities, all while preserving the rich coastal heritage that has made The Club an iconic destination for generations.

Awards and Recognitions

The 2025 Michelin Guide recently named the newly opened Lilo as San Diego’s newest one-star Michelin restaurant. Lilo is an intimate, design-forward tasting restaurant from Eric Bost and John Resnick, the team behind Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie and Campfire, serving 12-course dinners to just 22 guests per evening. With Lilo’s addition, San Diego County now boasts five Michelin-starred establishments: the three-star Addison by Chef William Bradley, and one-star restaurants Valle (Oceanside), Juene et Jolie (Carlsbad), and Soichi (University Heights). Beyond the starred restaurants, San Diego has earned recognition for nine Bib Gourmand eateries and several recommended restaurants, totaling well over a dozen Michelin-recognized establishments.

Transportation

San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 transformation will reach a major milestone in September with the completion of phase 1. The reimagined terminal will welcome travelers with 19 gates, a new elevated departures roadway, an outdoor check-in pavilion, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences.