Major Milestones, Mega-Events and Attractions Await Travelers Across California in 2026
The Voice of Chandigarh | Travel Trade Reporter:
California welcomes 2026 with a wave of new attractions, hotel openings and milestone celebrations, coupled with mega-events that will put the state’s iconic cities on a global stage.
“California continues to redefine its already incredible offerings and experiences,” said Caroline Beteta, president & CEO of Visit California. “From groundbreaking new attractions and accommodations to world-class sporting events and milestone anniversaries, 2026 is the perfect time to discover, or rediscover, the Golden State.”
MAJOR EVENTS & MILESTONES
Route 66 Celebrates Centennial From the deserts of San Bernardino County to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, California will celebrate its legendary stretch of Route 66, as it turns 100 in 2026. Travelers can look forward to roadside landmarks, retro-inspired motels, a new visitor center and cultural installations celebrating the Mother Road’s rich history.
Super Bowl LX returns to San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco will host Super Bowl LX in 2026, bringing one of the world’s premier sporting events back to the Bay Area. The city will celebrate with fan festivals, community activations and special events across the region.
California Gateways Host FIFA World Cup 2026 Games California will play a major role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 14 matches hosted in both the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will welcome fans from around the world as part of the tournament’s expanded North American format.
NASCAR San Diego Weekend For the first time ever, NASCAR will host races on an active military base in San Diego in June. The three-day Father’s Day weekend event features the Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy.
ARTS & ATTRACTIONS
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to open in 2026 Slated to open in 2026 in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, the highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will showcase storytelling through painting, photography, film and sculpture in its impressive 100,000 square feet. The 11-acre campus not only features the 5-story museum, but also includes a rolling landscape of greenery and parkland.
LEGOLAND® California Resort launches Galacticoaster Launching in early 2026, LEGOLAND® California Resort will debut Galacticoaster, its first new roller coaster in over two decades. The one-of-a-kind 30,000-square-foot indoor space-themed attraction features nearly 1,500 feet of track and personalized “spacecraft” ride vehicles for an immersive LEGO® galaxy adventure.
Universal Studios Hollywood unveils new roller coaster Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes an exciting lineup in 2026, including the debut of its first high-speed outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. The heart-pounding coaster reaches up to 72 mph and features a groundbreaking 360-rotation, simulating drifting cars just like the movie.
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration continues through summer 2026. Guests can enjoy limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise and more.
SeaWorld announces reimagination of Shark Encounter
SeaWorld San Diego announced plans for a renovation and reimagination of one of the park’s most iconic exhibits, Shark Encounter. Set to open spring of 2026, the new exhibit invites guests to experience the ocean like never before. With cutting edge multimedia and revitalized habitats, the new Shark Encounter will also introduce an exclusive VIP Shark Tour, giving guests an unforgettable, educational and up-close experience.
DSRT Surf set to open summer 2026
Palm Desert will welcome a new resort this summer, DSRT Surf. The resort will feature a hotel, restaurant, luxury villas and a 5.5-acre surf park. The park’s waves are adjustable for all ages and abilities, plus focuses on sustainability through its Surf to Turf program.
San Diego Zoo Elephant Exhibit
Opening in early 2026, the Danny Sanford Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo allows visitors to step into the heart of the savanna like never before. Complete with over 350 native savanna plants, the project represents over 10 years of planning and innovation to wildlife conservation.
Meow Wolf Los Angeles
As its sixth permanent art exhibition, Meow Wolf Los Angeles will open in 2026. The immersive art and entertainment company blends storytelling and interactive installations with technology, creating a world of art and exploration.
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS
West Harbor, the newest waterfront entertainment destination
Opening in summer 2026, West Harbor will redefine the Los Angeles Waterfront as a dynamic new destination for dining, entertainment and community connection. Spanning 42 acres at the Port of Los Angeles, the development features restaurants, retail, recreation and a 6,200-seat amphitheater, all linked by a scenic public promenade. The opening also comes with a launch point for Harbor Breeze Cruises, where visitors can experience tours, private charters and whale watching directly from the site.
OCVIBE to unveil first phase of opening
OCVIBE, a new immersive entertainment district in Orange County, spans over 100 acres along the river situated around the iconic ARTIC and Honda Center. Opening in phases, the district’s anticipated 2026 openings include the Market Hall, a 50,000-square-foot culinary space featuring 21 chef-driven concepts and six bars; the Weave, a flexible working space office building; the Concert Hall, a 5,700-person venue; and Urban Park, the heart of OCVIBE.
ONT Field Opens for Ontario Tower Buzzers Debut
ONT Field in Ontario is a 190-acre sports and entertainment district and is now home of the Ontario Tower Buzzers, the new Los Angeles Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate team. The field is slated to open in April 2026 in time for baseball season.
NOTEWORTHY NEW ACCOMMODATIONS
California’s diverse accommodation offerings continue to expand. In 2025, more than 46 new hotels and resorts have opened, adding nearly 6,300 additional rooms. The year ahead has dozens of hotel projects already nearing the end of construction.
Noteworthy openings projected for 2026 include:
- Outbound Yosemite Resorts, a new stay experience in the Yosemite region offering modern design and elevated amenities
- The Baby Grand, bringing boutique sophistication to Coronado with elegant seaside accommodations and refined coastal dining
- The Kali Hotel & Rooftop, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, in Inglewood conveniently located near SoFi Stadium
- The Elene, Napa Valley’s newest boutique resort and dining destination
- Hard Rock Casino Tejon opened just before the close of 2025 as the first full-scale casino and entertainment resort in Kern County
- Under Canvas Yosemite, offering an upscale glamping experience with safari-style tents nestled in nature, combining comfort and sustainability
- Limelight Hotel Mammoth, debuting in December 2025 and bringing Aspen Hospitality’s contemporary mountain style and vibrant après-ski energy to Mammoth
- Hotel Solea, Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel, minutes away from LEGOLAND
- Six Senses Napa Valley, a resort blending wellness, luxury, and vineyard charm
Rosewood San Francisco, situated in the burgeoning Transbay District with access to iconic landmarks - Appellation Petaluma, a wine country hotel in the heart of downtown Petaluma
- Pan Am Hotel by Hilton, offering airline-themed accommodations at the Citadel Outlets in Commerce
- The Oasis RV Resort, offering 50 meticulously designed sites with full hook-ups
- Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara reopens in 2026 following an extensive restoration, unveiling refreshed interiors and culinary offerings
- Several of Beverly Hills’ most iconic hotels, including The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Wilshire, and L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, are undergoing major renovations to debut refreshed luxury experiences in 2026
