California Official Visitor's Guide 2025 - 9

Santa Cruz Boardwalk
14 30+ New Stores
at South Coast Plaza
The Costa Mesa luxury
mall debuted more than
30 new boutiques in
2024, including Italian
apothecary brand Santa
Maria Novella and L.A.
eyewear maker Jacques
Marie Mage.
15 Jumbo's Win Win
A former San Francisco
expert mixologist moved
to the rural Anderson
Valley, best known for its
wines, and opened this
roadside burger spot
named after his son.
visitors can participate in
guided hikes and
stargazing events
(see more, p. 124).
18 Aerial Tour of
Catalina Island
Maverick Helicopters
now off ers a 20-minute
daily tour over the
island's stunning 22-mile
landscape, departing
from Avalon. Keep your
eyes peeled for dolphins
or roaming buff alos
below.
19 LEGO Driving
The popular LEGOLAND
Driving School attraction
returns in a new location,
giving riders the chance
to earn their driver's
licenses once again.
Gilroy Gardens
16 Gilroy Gardens
Turns 25
The agricultural-themed
park will start celebrating
its anniversary in the
spring, followed by a new
Cherry Jubilee festival in
the summer.
17 California's
Newest State Park
Located near Modesto,
est Sta e Park
Dos Rios State
Park is the
fi rst state
ark is the
park to be
created in
California
since 2014.
since 2014.
The park's
1,600 acres
continue to be
developed, but
The park's
1,600 acres
continue to be
developed, but
ocated near Mode
s Rios St
20 More Rides on the
Santa Cruz Beach
Boardwalk
Two new rides debuted
on Santa Cruz's iconic
boardwalk, including the
Dream Wheel, a familyfriendly
65-foot modern
Ferris wheel, and the
Surge, a 360-degree
spinning thrill ride. The
boardwalk's famous
roller coaster, the Giant
Dipper, celebrated its
100th year in 2024.
21 San Pedro
West Harbor
This former industrial
waterfront
property in
an Pedr
olved into a
This former industrial
aterfront
San Pedro has
property in
evolved into a
lively hub with a
amphitheater, a
Ferris wheel,
unique r
lively hub with an
amphitheat
beer g
and shopping.
22 Chumash
Heritage National
Marine Sanctuary
Designated by NOAA
in 2024, the Chumash
Heritage National
Marine Sanctuary
spans 4,543 square
miles along the Central
Coast from San Luis
Obispo County to Santa
Barbara County. The
sanctuary will conserve
the area's diverse
range of marine life and
celebrate Indigenous
peoples' connections
to the region, while
also allowing for new
research, education,
recreation, and
sustainable tourism
opportunities.
mean more protection
of the state's biodiverse
and culturally signifi cant
Native American tribal
lands. The expansions
help California get
closer to its goal of
conserving 30 percent
of its lands and coastal
waters by 2030.
24 Mission Rock
This new waterfont
neighborhood has
emerged on the
San Francisco
Bay, off ering
off ering
fi ve acres of
green space,
e acr s o
green sp
views of
Oracle Park
and the
Morro Rock
23 Expansions to Two
National Monuments
In 2024, nearly
14,000 acres were
added to Berryessa
Snow Mountain
National Monument
near Napa; the San
Gabriel Mountains
National Monument
in Los Angeles County
increased by 105,919
acres. These expansions
Bay Bridge,
a sandy
shoreline, and a
still-expanding roster of
shoreline, and a
still-expanding roster of
restaurants, including
local favorites such
as Flour + Water and
Arsicault Bakery.
25 Caviar with
Thomas Keller
What started as a caviar
and champagne pop-up
lounge has evolved
into RO Restaurant
and Lounge, the
SCAN THIS
QR CODE TO
DISCOVER MORE
NEW THINGS
HAPPENING IN
CALIFORNIA
This new w erf
neighborhood has
emer ed on the
an F ancis
latest restaurant in
the acclaimed chef's
Yountville collection.
Chef de Cuisine Jeff ery
Hayashi created an
Asian-inspired menu that
highlights local California
ingredients.
Note: Opening dates are
subject to change.
beer garden, a dog
park,
ark, a towering
erris wheel, and
unique restaurants
and shopping.
Flour + Water
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California Official Visitor's Guide 2025

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