What’s New In San Diego

Hotel News

The MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO is ready to debut its new look in Winter 2026 after completing a two-year, comprehensive renovation. The renovation includes all 1,628 guestrooms and suites, more than 320,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, a new adults-only pool area and lounge on the third floor, and multiple dining venues and recreational areas.

FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR unveiled its newly reimagined Fairmont Spa & Wellness Center, blending European-inspired luxury with nature-driven design inspired by Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. As one of only ten U.S. spas to partner with the Gharieni Group, and the only one to offer the exclusive Zestós Dryfloat experience, the spa introduces advanced therapies like vibroacoustic treatments, chromotherapy and zero-gravity loungers.

Celebrating its centennial in 2026, LA VALENCIA HOTEL in La Jolla, also known as “The Pink Lady,” debuted the Spa at Valencia, a wellness oasis with six treatment rooms, the reopening of its iconic 1940s-era Whaling Bar and refreshed meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 120 guests.

After more than six years, the HOTEL DEL CORONADO unveiled its $550 million property-wide renovation. This project encompassed the historic Victorian building, its garden courtyard, and event spaces, as well as two new dining destinations: the alfresco restaurant Veranda and Nobu del Coronado.

LE MÉRIDIEN PINNACLE SAN DIEGO will soon open in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. The sleek 39-story hotel will offer 231 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar, outdoor fitness center and modern European-style decor. Situated in one of San Diego’s most walkable neighborhoods, hotel guests will have seamless access to the waterfront and Broadway Pier, Santa Fe Depot train station and Little Italy’s restaurants and shops.

Located just steps from the San Diego Convention Center and a landmark pedestrian bridge that connects to Petco Park, the HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation that refreshed 165,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Beyond the ballroom, the hotel has expansive outdoor venues, from the 1.3-acre Bayfront Park to poolside patios and terraces, offering a range of open-air settings for receptions, awards dinners and networking events.

 

LA JOLLA BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB  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.

The eco-chic ELEMENT SAN DIEGO MISSION VALLEY debuted in summer 2026, bringing an elevated “whole living” extended stay option to Mission Valley. The property offers 148 guestrooms and two exclusive Studio Commons Suites with shared living areas, a fully equipped kitchen, and four connected private guest rooms. The property also features a resort-style pool, fitness center, and 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.

 

Venue News

Just around the corner from Petco Park, the DIAMOND ROOM is a new 1970s-inspired cocktail lounge with a vintage feel and look that’s also sprinkled with a variety of fun Padres memorabilia. The intimate space features music played on vinyl and offers an inventive cocktail menu, like the house clarified “Diamond Margarita.” The lounge is part of Finest Collective, the San Diego Padres’ hospitality and events division, and can be booked for private events for 44-50 people.

Downtown San Diego has a beautiful new green space option for groups of up to 2,000 people along the waterfront. PROGRESS PARK is now open across from the USS Midway Museum, providing groups a fresh, flexible outdoor option for receptions, breaks or attendee meetups. It's part of the broader RaDD transformation, which offers a mix of dining, retail and public spaces that make walkable off-sites easy.

Now open in Downtown San Diego near the Embarcadero, the NAVY SEAL MUSEUM SAN DIEGO offers 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 Coronado, where every Navy SEAL begins their journey.

 

Restaurant News

The WESTGATE HOTEL unveiled its newest culinary concept, BONNE VIE BRASSERIE & BAR. Led by Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel, Bonne Vie features a vibrant menu that blends fresh California coastal ingredients with authentic recipes from the coast of Northern France.

 

ADDISON BY WILLIAM BRADLEY, the only restaurant in the San Diego region to be awarded three stars from Michelin, recently underwent a renovation in time for its 20th anniversary — the first time major changes were made to the restaurant’s design since opening in 2006. The dining room and private dining spaces were refreshed with new décor, including custom Murano glass fixtures and metallic murals, and the bar was transformed into a new elegant Champagne lounge.

 

SHERATON SAN DIEGO RESORT debuted SHORELIGHT, a new restaurant in the recently renovated Bay Tower, that offers panoramic views of San Diego Bay. Shorelight is designed to provide a serene dining experience and tranquil retreat for both hotel guests and locals, perfect for a sunset dinner, casual lunch, or weekend brunch by the bay.

 

CLOAK & PETAL, a Japanese-inspired restaurant in Little Italy, earned MICHELIN recognition in December 2025 in the “Good for: Groups” category. The restaurant will also open a coffee shop this year, Black Mizu Café, which will serve as a private dining space for Cloak & Petal during non-café hours.

New to the University City neighborhood, FLEURETTEis the second act for acclaimed chef Travis Swikard, whose first restaurant, Callie, was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Fleurette’s menu highlights Swikard’s spin on the cuisine of Southern France with an emphasis on using local produce and seafood. Located near La Jolla, Westfield UTC and San Diego’s biotech cluster, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor private dining accommodations.

 

LUCIEN has been making a buzz since it opened in La Jolla, a reputation further solidified by being awarded a Michelin star in 2026.  The restaurant solely offers a ten-course tasting menu by Chef Elijah Arizmendi, whose culinary pedigree includes Michelin-starred establishments Per Se and l’abeille. Guests start with canapes and sips in the courtyard before heading to the 30-seat dining room for Arizmendi’s hyper-seasonal menu, which emphasizes California seafood, produce and wine, and could feature a rich egg custard presented in the shell and topped with caviar.

 

DORA RISTORANTE, a new Italian restaurant from acclaimed chef Accursio Lota, opened at the LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE bringing theatregoers an exciting pre-show dining experience. The restaurant also offers group dining and reception options that can accommodate up to 180 guests.

 

ZUMA, the high-end Japanese restaurant with more than 20 locations around the globe, opened its first California location in downtown San Diego at THE GUILD 

 

HOTEL. The restaurant spans more than 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor seating, and serves wagyu dishes, sushi and robata grill offerings, and a late-night lounge experience.