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This season, California promises a plethora of diverse adventures and activities across the state. California’s spring update boasts luxurious new accommodations with eco-friendly features, revamped attractions like immersive theme park experiences, and a plethora of family-friendly activities including interactive nature trails and educational museum exhibits
Accommodations
El Caminante Bar & Bungalows
El Caminante Bar & Bungalows, a boutique hotel complete with an adjoining coastal and Mediterranean-inspired Boutique Café is slated to open in May 2024 in Dana Point along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, offering ocean views in every room. Explore a Spanish Riviera oasis with 30 bungalows, including The Hacienda suite, private sun deck, charming rooms, and in-house restaurants like Boutique Café and The Bar.
New Getaway at Yosemite’s Doorstep
A beckoning retreat for discerning travellers, Firefall Ranch comprises 55 thoughtfully designed, stand-alone cottages and villas dispersed amongst 300 acres of serene meadowland and forested rolling hills. This getaway is filled with striking design flourishes throughout the grounds, including a pool area, restaurant, tavern, general store, wine room, and event centre.
My Humboldt Abode
Located at the gateway to the rugged beaches and trailheads of the Lost Coast and just a short distance from Humboldt Redwoods State Park and world-renowned Avenue of the Giants, My Humboldt Abode allows guests to immerse themselves amongst the ancient redwoods and relax through activities such as forest bathing, massage therapy, reiki energy healing, spa services, wine tastings, adventure tours, sport fishing, kayaking and more.
Hotel Renovations in L.A.’s Marina
Hilton Garden Inn, Marina del Rey just completed a renovation of its 136 guest rooms and suites, including their spacious loft studios, boasting a vibrant and welcoming setting for guests. Jamaica Bay Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will complete a renovation of its 111 guest rooms and suites in the spring.
New Lodging in Yosemite Mariposa County
Yosemite Mariposa County, the home to Yosemite National Park, is celebrating new lodging properties in 2024. This spring a new glamping option, Wildhaven Yosemite, will open its first phase in May. After a few years of closures, the Yosemite High Sierra Camps will open again in summer 2024.
The Reimagined Meritage Resort and Spa
The Meritage Resort and Spa proudly unveiled a $25 million reimagination this April, debuting 322 transformed guest rooms, renovated amenities, a lobby and bar area, an updated bowling lounge, a brand new steakhouse, and elevated bubbly tasting room. The transformation unveils 467 rooms, tasting rooms, an artisanal market, a cooking centre, dining options, pools, a spa, and diverse event spaces, redefining California Wine Country hospitality.
Silverado Resort Renovation
Silverado Resort, nestled in Napa Valley, completes a $1.5 million renovation of meeting spaces and enhances The Grill restaurant. Upgrades also include golf carts and tennis/pickleball courts.
Sandbourne Hotel Debut
Formerly Le Merigot Santa Monica, the revitalized Sandbourne Santa Monica promises wonders beyond comparison with chic design curation from architect and designer Gulla Jónsdóttir with 175 exquisitely designed guest rooms and suites, 400-square-foot patios, a new restaurant, and a 10,000 square feet event.
120 Years of Timeless Elegance at the Westin St. Francis
The Westin St. Francis, a beloved landmark in the heart of San Francisco, is celebrating its 120th anniversary in March, marking over a century of exceptional hospitality and enduring sophistication. The Westin St. Francis celebrates its anniversary with the opening of the Paris of the West Historical Museum, featuring iconic artefacts like the famous coin washing machine.
Art and Entertainment
Record Shop Open in Tasting Room
Montagne Russe, a small winery in Healdsburg, has elevated its wine-tasting experience with the grand opening of Vino and Vinyl’s, a record shop located within its tasting room with Montagne Russe’s wine selections while perusing and listening to over 2,000 new and used records.
Art and Music Expansion in Oceanside
Vinyl and music enthusiasts can immerse themselves in curated tracks, Mediterranean bites, and refreshing beverages ranging from gourmet coffee to cleverly crafted cocktails at the new Sound by the Sea listening room. The Oceanside Museum of Art premieres a new exhibit featuring images of Oceanside over the last decade. Also debuting at the museum is the Ving Simpson exhibit featuring paintings and sculptures from Simpson’s Oceanside studio created between 1994-2023.
New DIY Wellness Program at Azure Sky Hotel
Discover tranquillity at Azure Sky Hotel in Tahquitz River Estates, an adults-only oasis offering 14 rooms and various wellness experiences amidst serene surroundings and outdoor amenities.
New Wildlife Lantern Festival in Redding
Opening March 29 and running through May 26, 2024, Glowing Wild is an illuminated wildlife lantern festival at the iconic Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA, featuring 10 acres of displays inspired by colourful Asian lanterns that showcase plants and animals worldwide.
World Design Capital in San Diego
World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 celebrates art, design, and innovation with cross-border exhibitions, summits, and events, including the World Design Experience (Sept. 18-25) in San Diego. WDC will back 300+ public events tackling regional challenges through design, and unveil a cross-border art exhibition by artist Daniel Ruanova and design agency Heleo in Balboa Park and Tijuana.
New Exhibition at Tuolumne County Museum
The Tuolumne County Museum in Sonora, which holds the largest collection of California Gold Rush artefacts, presents a new exhibition, “Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making,” highlighting the true stories of California’s Mexican period, which lasted from 1822-1846.
New Bookstore in Downtown Ventura
Smitten, a local and women-owned romance bookstore, has officially opened in downtown Ventura. Smitten is a welcoming inclusive space that highlights women and non-binary literature and creators.
New Initiatives by Indigenous Leaders at this Historic Estate in San Mateo County
Filoli collaborates with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone to establish the Lamchin Interpretive Center, sharing the history of San Francisco Peninsula’s Indigenous people. Scheduled to open in June 2024, alongside a new trail, expanding access to the 650+ acres of surrounding natural lands.
Family-Friendly Experiences
Disneyland Resort Reveals New Experiences for Season of the Force
Season of the Force is underway at Disneyland Resort through June 2, featuring new and limited-time Star Wars offerings at Disneyland Park. Don’t miss Sabine Wren from “Ahsoka” at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, playful BDX Droids, Seek and Find missions, and more excitement.
New Jellyfish Experience at SeaWorld San Diego- SeaWorld San Diego
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.
Big Blooms and Big Splashes at Gilroy Gardens- Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
is kicking off the 2024 season with the return of Fantastical Flowers, a spring celebration featuring larger-than-life silk flowers, live entertainment, colourful flower beds, and big blooming fun throughout the park.
Legoland Celebrates 25th “Brickday” with New Rides- LEGOLAND California
is gearing up to celebrate its 25th birthday (aka “brickday”) in a big way. In celebration, the park just introduced 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. This summer, North America’s first-ever LEGO World Parade will debut with six themed floats and entertainers inspired by LEGO City, LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO Friends, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure and DUPLO.
Natural History Museum Celebrates 150 Years
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.
Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Studio Tour
Universal Studios Hollywood invites guests to take a nostalgic walk down memory lane as the destination celebrates the Studio Tour’s 60th milestone anniversary with a dedicated experiential program from April 26 through Aug. 11, 2024 with highlights including return of iconic Glamor Trams, legendary movie sets, renovated attractions like “Earthquake – The Big One,” original picture cars, themed merchandise, food, and more.
Outdoors
New Padel and Pickleball Options in Oceanside
Padel has made its way to Oceanside through Padel California, an innovative sports company bringing thrilling and fast-paced sports to California. Padel is a racket sport with a dynamic and strategic game played on a court slightly larger than pickleball with faster balls.
New Seasonal Hike at Kunde Family Winery
Join fifth-generation winegrower Jordan Kunde on seasonal dog hikes at Kunde Estate, exploring paths from the Valley of the Moon to the Mayacamas Mountains. Learn about sustainable wine practices and enjoy wine tasting with lunch.
Castle Rock State Park Expands
Castle Rock State Park will soon grow to nearly 6,000 acres with new forest lands, trails, picnic areas, climbing rocks, and campsites, enhancing visitor experiences.
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