Explore California’s wealth of new experiences unfolding in 2024.
The Golden State is set to welcome travellers with endless new opportunities, including the debut of thrilling attractions, enriching educational experiences, new theme parks, luxurious hotels, and other exciting additions. Throughout the year, new offerings promise a diverse range of adventures and memorable moments at this iconic destination.
Thrilling Theme Parks
In 2024, Disneyland Park unveils Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a musical journey inspired by “The Princess and the Frog,” complementing the Tiana’s Palace restaurant, which opened in 2023, and Eudora’s Chic Boutique, featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets retail shop, which opened in New Orleans Square in 2022.
Knott’s Berry Farm is set to open the reimagined 6-acre Camp Snoopy, featuring Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster, Off-Road Rally, and a rustic-themed Camp Snoopy Theatre. The updated Grizzly Lodge dining hall will feature new décor and menu items, new family restrooms, and an immersive new Snoopy Camp Store.
In 2024, LEGOLAND California celebrates turning 25 with new attractions, entertainment and experiences. A new land, Dino Valley, debuts in spring with three rides, an interactive zone, and character meet and greets. New rides include the Explorer River Quest and DUPLO® Little Dino Trail rides. Summer introduces North America’s first-ever LEGO World Parade with six themed floats and entertainers inspired by LEGO City, LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO Friends, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure and DUPLO.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will debut two new rides in 2024, in addition to celebrating the centennial anniversary of the iconic Giant Dipper. The Dream Wheel is a modern take on the quintessential seaside amusement park Ferris Wheel. The ride will provide views of the Boardwalk, Monterey Bay, downtown Santa Cruz and the coastline, and will open around spring break. The second ride, Surge, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend, is a modern spin on a classic thrill ride that will provide guests with 360 degrees of adrenaline-packed excitement.
The first of its kind for SeaWorld parks, the Jellyfish Experience will be the newest immersive and interactive aquarium at SeaWorld San Diego. Guests will be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes in three unique galleries, as if diving into the heart of the ocean. Each gallery will feature a jellyfish species to discover, including Moon Jellyfish, Pacific Sea Nettles, Upside-Down Jellyfish and Comb Jellies.
Milestone Anniversaries
The Old Spanish Days Fiesta is a beloved Santa Barbara tradition celebrating 100 years in 2024. The annual event educates residents and visitors about the history, customs and traditions of the American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and early American settlers that comprise the rich cultural heritage of Santa Barbara. The festival has grown due to the overwhelming interest of many different organisations in developing and maintaining it as an extension and expression of their place in the community.
September is the 20th annual California Wine Month, a time to raise a glass to the state’s wine industry and celebrate its people, regions, wines and experiences. Wine lovers can join the festivities all month long as wineries across California host events and activities ranging from hands-on harvest boot camps and tours to wine festivals, grape stomps and food and wine pairing experiences. As the top U.S. wine-producing state and home to more than 6,200 wineries, California grows over 100 grape varieties, producing over 81% of the country’s wine and 95% of its wine exports. In addition, California is a leader in sustainable practices, with 80% of the state’s wine produced by Certified California Sustainable Wineries.
Museum Expansions and Re-openings
In 2024, several of California’s museums are reopening or debuting expansions. An expansion of the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, including galleries for Indigenous American art and American design. The reimagination and reopening of Building One at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, including over 40 new exhibits. Additionally, 2024 construction will be completed on the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA, a new building for the permanent collection designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor.
New Accommodations
California’s diverse accommodation offerings continue to expand, with more than 70 new hotels and resorts opening in 2023, accounting for over 7,500 additional rooms. New hotels slated to open in 2024 include Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Fairmont Breakers, Long Beach’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Jordan San Gabriel, a tranquil retreat in Los Angeles County, Chicken Ranch Casino Resort in Tuolumne County, Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort, Thompson Palm Springs, in the heart of the Design District, AutoCamp Sequoia, located just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and Wildhaven Yosemite, located in Mariposa outside Yosemite National Park.
Major Attractions and New Openings
In February 2024, Destination Crenshaw, the largest black-led public art project in the US, will debut, featuring over 100 works by artists with strong ties to Los Angeles. The initiative fosters a vibrant cultural landscape and generates jobs for artists. The project integrates pocket parks along the site, promoting community engagement and healing. Committed to environmental equity, it aims to reforest the boulevard with 800 trees and sustainable landscaping.
Simultaneously, World Design Capital (WDC) is designated every two years by the World Design Organization (WDO) and recognizes cities for their effective use of design to enhance economic, social, cultural, and environmental quality of life.
The San Diego Tijuana designation provides the region with a year-long international design showcase through unique experiences and explorations that stimulate thinking and bring the two communities together to celebrate what makes San Diego Tijuana exceptional.
Meanwhile, the Intuit Dome, set to open in Inglewood for the 2024–25 NBA season, promises a tech-enhanced fan experience, economic growth, and impressive facilities for the Los Angeles Clippers, featuring five courts, an outdoor plaza, and various amenities.