
At Visit California, our mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that inspire travel to, and within, California.
We work hard to promote and market California as a premier tourist destination. From the mountains to the beaches, the redwoods to the deserts and from our metropolitan cities to our unique small towns, we see it as our job to inspire travel to this amazing state, one visitor at a time.
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2023 California Visitor’s Guide - News & announcements
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12 Jan 23
Partner News
Wellness breaks in CaliforniaFrom yoga retreats to living like a monk, rejuvenating the mind and body is ...Read moreWellness breaks in California - News & announcementsFrom yoga retreats to living like a monk, rejuvenating the mind and body is one of the travel industry’s top trends for 2023. The need to unplug and reboot is largely due to fast-paced lifestyles, increased stress factors and post-pandemic lag. California has long been a mecca for travellers seeking a higher level of health, fitness and inner peace. Retreats can be found all across the Golden State, from the beachy yoga culture in Southern California to the breezily beautiful Central Coast and remote northern regions. Discover five of the best wellness experiences for 2023 in California. Live like a monk in Shasta Abbey, Mount Shasta Achieve a more profound sense of self through a stay at Shasta Abbey. This Buddhist monastery welcomes outsiders into its beautiful, sacred space, located on a 16-acre forest near the base of Mount Shasta. The three-day Introductory Retreat encourages visitors to try Soto Zen through guided meditation, Dharma talks, and mindfulness. Soak in a desert oasis at Two Bunch Palms, Desert Hot Springs Two Bunch Palms, a former favourite of Al Capone, the resort has more recently hosted Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Madonna, and more. Thanks to natural aquifers found in Desert Hot Springs (30 minutes outside of Palm Springs), guests can soak in healing mineral water under the shade of tamarisk trees. The spa menu encourages adventure through unique therapies, including water shiatsu, sound vibration healing and shaman-lead classes. Find your centre, then ride waves with a Surf & Stay retreat, San Diego Up your fitness, SoCal-style, with a Surf & Stay retreat in San Diego. Guests can choose from weekend or five-day packages, both of which include accommodations at Blue Sea Beach Hotel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Guests will be fully kitted out in head-to-toe surfing gear while enjoying unlimited lessons and surf tours up and down the San Diego coast. Yoga classes, guided bike tours and stand-up paddleboarding lessons are offered too. Relax with curated cannabis in Mendocino County Incorporating cannabis into wellness has become more popular and for those who would like to combine the CBD trend with travelling, Mendocino is a place to be. Key takes on integrating CBD and cannabis products into a visit include a session at Fort Bragg’s The Bakery, featuring artisanal cannabis products presented in bakery-style display cases. In Ukiah, visitors can head to Plantshop for a selection of local sun-grown herb or a medicated yoga session. Located in the most southern tip of Mendocino County, Gualala’s High Tides offers up full service of “compassionate cannabis care”. Relax with yoga and wine in Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma It’s all about balance at Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma where Body Flows hosts regular retreats. It includes daily yoga classes, meditation, hikes, healthy farm-to-table meals, and nightly tastings best enjoyed before a dip in the hot tub. Visitors can retire to the private or shared cabin, nestled in among trees and gardens. -
12 Dec 22
Partner News
Eco-Friendly California DestinationsIf you are looking to support destinations that are doing their part for the ...Read moreEco-Friendly California Destinations - News & announcementsIf you are looking to support destinations that are doing their part for the planet, look no further than the Golden State. It should come as no surprise that California is a pioneer in green initiatives and sustainability programmes. Here we look at five destinations that are doing their part to help with game-changing policies and programmes.
Sonoma County Sonoma County is one of the most eco-friendly destinations in California. Sonoma Winegrowers is the world’s most sustainable wine-growing region, with 99 percent of the county’s vineyards certified as sustainable. Benziger Winery was the first in Sonoma County to become certified biodynamic. In addition, Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is 100 percent solar powered. Monterey County There are many reasons Monterey is one of the most sustainable destinations. Monterey County hosts 13 weekly farmers’ markets. Salinas Valley’s Scheid Family Wines uses wind turbines to power its operation and 120 surrounding homes. Ventana Wildlife Society works to protect the California condor, a bird that was nearly extinct but now can be seen soaring over Big Sur and Pinnacles National Park. Irvine The master-planned city of Irvine has 300-plus miles of on-road bike lanes, 50-plus miles of off-road trails, and 16,500 acres of parks and dedicated open space. It’s home to the historic Irvine Ranch, a National Natural Landmark featuring 50,000 acres of protected land laced with hiking and equestrian trails. Irvine also has one of the highest percentages of solar-powered homes among US cities. In 2021, it became the third California city to pledge carbon neutrality by 2035. Big Bear The Southern California Mountains Foundation Programme connects people to public lands through education, stewardship and environmental citizenship. The Care for Big Bear campaign inspires residents and visitors to care for the natural environment. Volunteers keep Big Bear Lake’s shoreline and beaches clean through the Adopt-a-Shoreline programme. The Adopt-a-Trail programme maintains clean trails in national forest lands. Eureka Eureka has 14 parks, including the 67-acre Sequoia Park Zoo and its Redwood SkyWalk, a series of bridges and platforms 100 feet above the forest floor. The Eureka Waterfront Trail offers six miles of wildlife education and recreation along Humboldt Bay. An active port, Eureka’s restaurants serve locally harvested seafood including oysters, salmon, and crab. -
02 Nov 22
Expert Hub
Unique Wine Experiences in CaliforniaAs the fourth largest wine producer in the world, California is synonymous with wine ...Read moreUnique Wine Experiences in California - News & announcementsAs the fourth largest wine producer in the world, California is synonymous with wine travel in the United States. From the well-known areas of Napa Valley and Sonoma to less discovered areas like El Dorado County and San Diego, the Golden State is a mecca for oenophiles. Here are some of our favorite wine experiences throughout the state.
LOLA Wines It’s hard to beat wine and caviar for sheer decadence. At LOLA Wines, founder and winemaker Seth Cripe is also one of the world’s only producers of bottarga, a caviar delicacy usually only found on the menus in top restaurants in the world. Wine & Design Stay at the boutique MacArthur Place in Sonoma and book the Wine + Design package which takes wine lovers on a day trip exploring the area’s most design-forward wineries. Guests will enjoy wine tastings and a gourmet lunch and receive a copy of The New Architecture of Wine book. Art & Wine Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills just a stone’s throw from Yosemite National Park, Casto Oaks winery serves up its Zinfandels and Bordeaux varietals in a tasting room that doubles as an art gallery. Here you’ll find the blending of fine art and fine wine in historic downtown Mariposa. Cause and Effect Wine geeks can do a truly original tasting at the fifth-generation, family-owned Lange Twins Winery in Acampo. Appropriately named Cause and Effect, guests will taste a variety of wines stored in different conditions to see how it impacts the look, aroma and taste of the wines. Guitars and Grapes Wine and music are a perfect pairing, and at Solvang’s Cali Love Wine, guests are treated to an authentic sensory experience with a pink tasting room and the first-ever guitar museum housed within it. Malibu Discovery Wine Tour Did you know a wine region is hidden behind the Santa Monica Mountains? With Malibu Discovery, you can choose from four tours to explore this secret wine area. Tours include wine room tastings and either brunch, lunch or dinner. Winemaker for a Day Test your skills at crafting wine at the Blending Lab at the BOTTAIA Winery in Temecula Valley. Guests will barrel taste a variety of wines to create three red blends. Once you pick your favorite creation, the staff will bottle, cork and capsule it for you to take home. -
02 Nov 22
Expert Hub
California’s Newest and Most Iconic Luxury Hotels and ExperiencesEveryone deserves to be pampered, so do it in style at one of California’s ...Read moreCalifornia’s Newest and Most Iconic Luxury Hotels and Experiences - News & announcementsEveryone deserves to be pampered, so do it in style at one of California’s newest luxury hotels, a once-in-a-lifetime event or an unforgettable dining experience. You truly won't regret planning a fabulous getaway to one of these many luxury offerings. It’ll be the best time of your life!
NEW LUXURY HOTELS
Stanly Ranch, Napa Valley Surrounded by rolling vineyards and farmland, Auberge Resorts Collection's newest destination in Napa Valley, Stanly Ranch offers an authentic wine country experience in an ultra-luxury setting. Enjoy the holistic, farm-to-table food at the Bear restaurant alongside a Halehouse, Springhouse and Fieldhouse spa wellness program. Connect with nature on a hawk walk, mountain lion experience or simply enjoy the view from your room. For the wine enthusiast, hang out with a local winemaker each Thursday on the property or take advantage of an experienced concierge team to create an unforgettable and exclusive tour of local wineries. Park Hyatt Aviara, Golf Club & Spa For those looking for a luxury seaside escape, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad recently completed a $50 million luxury renovation complete with a Mediterranean-styled lobby, an enchanting open-air courtyard entrance, as well as new suites featuring a private balcony, teak furnishings, marble bath and views featuring either the courtyard, pool, Batiquitos-Lagoon or the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course. The Ranch at Laguna Beach This boutique coastal ranch resort is nestled in the majestic Aliso and Wood Canyons in the heart of Orange County, The Ranch Laguna Beach blends the rich history of its location and the artistry that is Laguna Beach. The 87-acre property offers 97 guest rooms and suites reflecting its iconic beach community, a half-acre organic farm, the only golf course in Laguna Beach and a 3,000-square-foot Sycamore Spa by Hudson. The resort’s diverse dining program includes seasonal garden-sourced California comfort cuisine at HARVEST restaurant, upscale grab-and-go coffee and picnic provisions at Ben’s Pantry and locally sourced hook-to-fork beach cuisine at Lost Pier Café, the resort’s coastal extension located on the sands of Aliso Beach. Central Valley’s Hotel Ynez and Skyview Los Alamos Located in Santa Barbara wine country, the Hotel Ynez is nestled on two private acres studded with trees, native gardens, bonfire pits and a grassy outdoor pavilion for nights under the stars. Relaxed yet sophisticated, the hotel provides respite from urban living and a place where modern travelers can lounge in hammocks on their private patio, soak up California sun rays in Adirondack chairs and savor local wines by the fire. Nearby, the Skyview Los Alamos is housed within a historic 1950s motel. Rooms showcase the property’s original mid-century modern artistry with an updated modern-rustic aesthetic and luxury trimmings. The five-acre property also includes a retro-cool 1950s era pool, the full-service Norman restaurant (as in Bates) and a working vineyard which produces the house wine. The Conrad Los Angeles The new Conrad Los Angeles is a luxurious contemporary property and the first West Coast location from Hilton’s Conrad brand. Heralded by the vision of legendary architect Frank Gehry, the hotel is an elegant oasis with 305 modern guest rooms, a rooftop terrace complete with a private pool deck, spa and locally inspired culinary experiences. Led by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, The Conrad’s stunning dining concepts include the Spanish flavors of San Laurel serving unique dishes such as “beefsteak” tomato tartare and tarta de queso with truffle, while the beautiful outdoor Agua Viva effortlessly weaves vibrant Asian flavors with Latin American influences. Luxury Accommodations in Sonoma County With stunning 360-degree views of lush greenery, fine dining and some of California’s best wines, Sonoma County is also home to several luxury hotels and resorts. Earlier this year, The Madrona, originally built in 1881, reopened in Healdsburg. The property underwent a $6 million renovation, and houses over 250 historic pieces and antiques that date back to its original owner. There’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name within the maison’s parlos. Located along the banks of the Russian River, Dawn Ranch in Guerneville reopened this summer after a destructive 2019 flood. The full-service, luxury resort features cabins and bungalows, and guests can participate in wellness activities, sunset wine tastings, fireside chats and of course, s’mores!UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Top Gun and Dom Perignon Mission Pacific Hotel As the home of the "Top Gun House," Mission Pacific Hotel invites aspiring mavericks to grab their wingman for an adventurous Top Gun themed Oceanside getaway with “The Need for Speed” experience. To ensure guests look the part, Mission Pacific provides two matching bomber jackets and Ray-Ban sunglasses for an action-packed weekend, including skydiving with former Naval aviators onto the beach followed by a Dom Perignon rooftop celebration, private surf lessons and a custom commemorative David Barr Surfboard. The package includes round-trip luxury car service from San Diego or Orange County airports and a two-night stay in Mission Pacific’s Ethereal Suite. Five-Star Accommodations and Activities of Beverly Hills Home to more 5-star hotels per square mile than any other city in the U.S., Beverly Hills exudes luxury. Visit the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate its 110th anniversary and indulge in the Polo Lounge’s $1,912 McCarthy Salad; get a ‘Pink Palace’ manicure; view the Bert Stern photo exhibit of long-time guest Elizabeth Taylor; the newly named ‘Elizabeth Taylor’s Bungalow 5’ and more. Or plan a stay at the Beverly Wilshire to experience the David Collins Studio-designed guest rooms and suites that will offer hints of drama and old Hollywood glamour. Melt away stress at The Spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills which recently debuted a menu of bespoke services named after guests-inspired affirmations. Treatments range from the ‘I Am Beautiful’ facial to an ‘I Am Comforted’ anti-stress body treatment. La Valencia Hotel Celebrates 95 Years of Luxury Take part in the storied San Diego La Valencia Hotel’s celebration of its 95th anniversary. Reserve the “R&R Like a Hollywood Star" package that includes two customized commemorative robes, a $95 food and beverage credit and two Gilded Icon cocktails by the new “cocktail butler.” Be whisked around La Jolla village in a custom pink golf cart or take in a new exhibition of archival photography. Synonymous with La Jolla’s sparkling coastline, the property is known for its distinctive pink hue and became a glamorous getaway for stars of the silver screen. Dream Hollywood Social Club Membership After implementing concierge robots and the first ever NFT exhibit in a hotel, Dream Hollywood, a luxury lifestyle boutique hotel in the Vinyl District, continues to cement its role as a leader in technological innovation with its new Social Club membership. Designed for the modern luxury traveler, the VIP membership is purchased as an NFT in the form of a limited-edition, original Perry Cooper artwork, which grants access to different benefits and luxury offerings. Members also receive a complimentary one-night stay in a luxury suite, discounts on hotel rooms and poolside cabanas, including all event spaces, including Tao Group’s LA venues. Casa Elar Villa and Sun Air Jets Partnership To celebrate the recent renovation of Ojai Valley Inn’s Casa Elar villa, the hotel has introduced an ultra-luxe partnership with Sun Air Jets, a premier Southern California-based private charter company. Available for up to ten guests, the package includes round-trip chartered flights, a three-night stay at Casa Elar, a Petrossian Caviar Masterclass and Krug Champagne tasting, unlimited golf on the property’s award-winning course, spa treatments at Spa Ojai, private VIP concierge and more. The Spa at Rancho Valencia Tucked away amid lush gardens and olive groves lies an enchanting oasis of self-discovery, wellness and relaxation at The Spa at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. Celebrating the revitalizing benefits of herbs, minerals and oils along with leading-edge product lines and offerings, every detail at the Forbes 5-Star rated Southern California spa resort is meticulously tailored to create the ultimate destination for wellness and tranquility. Start with the basics like freshly made organic fruit and vegetable juices, to the Serenity Yoga Pavilion, Pilates studio, advanced exercise programs and fitness sessions hosted by top-tier wellness professionals.UPSCALE CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Global Cuisine Series at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay This November, take a trip to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay to experience its new Global Cuisine Series, a celebration of cuisines from around the world featuring award-winning celebrity chefs from the Bay Area and beyond. The acclaimed chefs will collaborate with Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón of the resort’s signature restaurant Navio to present a seven-course weekend dinner menu, as well as a two-hour weekend brunch experience. Soak in the coastal bounty, presented with fresh, locally grown ingredients and spectacular ocean views. Vine and Dine at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley has debuted a coveted Vine and Dine package for visitors looking to indulge in their next wine country getaway. The special includes a wine tasting experience for two at Elusa Winery, the boutique winery by winemaker Jonathan Walden and consulting winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. The experience also includes a $200 dining credit at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, led by new executive chef Rogelio Garcia, which highlights seasonal dishes using ingredients from local farms, along with great wine, cocktails, and a lively indoor-outdoor environment overlooking the Calistoga vineyards and mountains. Land Luxury in Paso Robles Soar into Paso Robles in style Fly your ACI Jet directly into wine country and land in time for a sensory wine tasting at Halter Ranch. Tour the property by train or take an excursion tour in a Land Rover Defender. Next head to Six Test Kitchen for a Michelin-Star meal before checking into The Piccolo, a boutique hotel that screams luxury at first sight. Named after a small flute with the ability to play the highest notes in an orchestra, the hotel promises to elevate your stay to the same heights. The ultra-modern hotel is complete with a rooftop bar, wine lounge, courtyard fire pits and wait for it… Moët & Chandon Champagne vending machines. Thomas Keller’s Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge Now a permanent addition to the prestigious Yountville dining scene, Thomas Keller’s Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge began as a pop-up and now offers a luxury escape in the heart of Napa Valley. Enjoy a variety of imported caviars and other small plated delights with a champagne and wine list curated by Michelin-starred The French Laundry’s head sommelier. California Wine Festival, Hosted by Paséa Hotel & Spa Wine, food, live music and a beachside resort are just a few of the elements that come together to create the California Wine Festival hosted by the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. From Nov. 11-12, California’s best wineries will pour hundreds of vintage red and white wines expertly paired with appetizers by the region’s top chefs. The festival will kick off with an elegant VIP event for fine wine lovers on Nov. 11, followed by an afternoon of premium California wines along with the best regional craft brews and a variety of foods to sample on Nov. 12. Guests can purchase VIP or general admission tickets. Under the Influence Dinner at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa On September 8, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa will host its edition of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts dining series, "Under the Influence of SoCal." The quarterly series launched earlier this year and includes four dinners, one at each of Noble House's SoCal properties, with each property chef preparing a specialty menu inspired by what the bounty of SoCal means to them and how it influences their personal style of cooking. The hotel’s dinner will be led by Executive Chef Vincent Savignano and is the third of the series and Kona Kai Resort & Spa is set to host the final series in November. Guests can expect a menu with influences from Baja California, aligning with the dining experience at Mustangs & Burros, the signature dining experience at the property. -
10 Oct 22
Partner News
Visit Native California Launches in Palm Springs with Tribal SupportOn Sept. 14, the Visit Native California initiative was introduced at day-long press conference ...Read moreVisit Native California Launches in Palm Springs with Tribal Support - News & announcementsOn Sept. 14, the Visit Native California initiative was introduced at day-long press conference and media event that started at the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indian’s new Cultural Plaza in Palm Springs. The initiative is a collaboration with the state’s 109 federally recognized tribes to promote American Indian tourism in the Golden State. The program is funded by a noncompetitive grant received by Visit California as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta, Director of the Yurok Economic Development Corporation Raymond Bacon, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman Reid Milanovich, and American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Association CEO Sherry L. Rupert. Coverage of the Visit Native California media event generated more than 670 stories with a reach of 724 million readers, reflecting strong interest in American Indian tourism. Highlights include coverage by AFAR, AP News, Desert Sun and The Points Guy. When the program formally launches in March 2023, it will be anchored by a dedicated content portal VisitCalifornia.com. This will host blogs, podcasts, itineraries and more to promote the state’s cultural centers, museums, parks, trails, festivals and hotels where travelers can experience California’s Native heritage. The media launch event featured Native American musical performances, cuisine and examples of the tourism experiences on offer to visitors. The event featured Me-Wuk singing and storytelling as well as dance performances by regulars at Oakland’s Indigenous Red Market street fair.
The Young Family, who frequent Oakland’s Indigenous Red Market, performed at the media event luncheon. The media event also showcased Native farm-to-table cuisine. Lunch was prepared by Chef Crystal Wahpepah, an Oakland native and member of the Kickapoo nation. Wahpepah runs Oakland restaurant Wahpepah’s Kitchen and is rapidly gaining celebrity as an ambassador for Native cooking. The event also featured a farm-to-table dinner by women of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians who run Temalpakh Farm, wine provided by native winemaker Kitá Wines and beer from the Yurok-owned Mad River Brewing.
Media were treated to an unforgettable dinner at Temalpakh Farm in Coachella. In addition to expanding the reach of cultural experiences, Visit Native California will be an opportunity to deepen the tourism industry’s commitment to sustainability and responsible travel in partnership with the state’s tribes. Carlos Geisdorf of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk, who performed at the event, offers guided hikes on which he shares his knowledge of Me-Wuk history and the natural landscape. Members of the Yurok tribe displayed a 20-foot redwood canoe they use for guided tours of the Klamath river, which runs through their ancestral land. The tribe recently signed a memorandum of understanding with California State Parks to integrate Yurok forest management techniques that can prevent wildfires and access the land for traditional cultural practices.
A Yurok redwood canoe on display at the media event. Local DMOs and tourism industry members can help expand the program to include more tribes, businesses and individuals by submitting suggestions to the consumer content and public relations teams.
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07 Sep 22
Partner News
Influencers Surf SoCal Beach Destinations in Lead Up to California Surfing DayTo support surf destinations and build hype for California Surfing Day on Sept. 20, ...Read moreInfluencers Surf SoCal Beach Destinations in Lead Up to California Surfing Day - News & announcementsTo support surf destinations and build hype for California Surfing Day on Sept. 20, Visit California hosted prominent surfers and content creators this summer. The three influencers attended the Huntington Beach event A Great Day in the Stoke — the largest gathering of Black surfers in history! — and visited SoCal surf hotspots.
The surfing and travel influencers toured beach destinations, sharing photos in and out of the water to their combined 400,000 global Instagram followers. Nique Miller (Pro Surfer), @nique_miller In addition to checking out classic surf breaks in Huntington Beach and Santa Barbara, Nique enjoyed a visit to the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, a sunset cruise with Santa Barbara Sailing Center and a treatment at Alchemie Spa in Santa Monica.Cherif Fall (Pro Surfer), @fallcherif9 Following the competition in Huntington Beach, Cherif headed down the coast to Carlsbad and Hermosa Beach, where he enjoyed an SUP experience in the Carlsbad Lagoon and visited the Surfers Walk of Fame in Hermosa Beach.
Phil Calvert, @philwaukee Phil kicked off his trip with a visit to the Del Amo Fashion Center and a surfing lesson with AQUA SURF at Torrance Beach, before heading to Huntington Beach to attend A Great Day in the Stoke. Phil wrapped up his trip with a stay in Oceanside at Mission Pacific Resort and a visit to the California Surf Museum. A Great Day in the Stoke was organized by Nate Fluellen of @worldwidenate, who Visit California has worked with previously and who continues to promote California Surfing Day on his social media.
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30 Aug 22
Partner News
Rural Regions Enhance Marketing Efforts with Visit California ProgramVisit California’s rural marketing programs help rural destinations promote and manage visitation and accelerate ...Read moreRural Regions Enhance Marketing Efforts with Visit California Program - News & announcementsVisit California’s rural marketing programs help rural destinations promote and manage visitation and accelerate pandemic recovery. Marketing support is distributed on a regional basis to eight defined rural tourism regions: North Coast (North of Ordinary), Shasta Cascade (UpstateCA), Gold Country, High Sierra, Central Valley, Central Coast, Discover Inland Empire and Visit California Desert.
California Digital Optimization Visit California partnered with Miles Partnership to conduct a rural region-based California Digital Optimization program aimed at improving the quality of California tourism content on Google, TripAdvisor and Yelp. COVID-19 left many assessed businesses with inaccurate business profiles on search platforms, which can cause confusion and lost business. The experts at Miles Partnership educated and provided hands-on assistance to DMOs and individual businesses on how to increase their exposure, improve destination perception and drive more measurable results through travel search platforms. The California Digital Optimization program is ongoing, addressing COVID-19 recovery, demand generation and an rural destination stewardship efforts. All industry partners are invited to take advantage of California Digital Optimization evergreen resources. Digital Optimization by the Numbers
- Total participating DMOs: 75
- Total counties audited for top searched locations on Google: 46
- Total business listings submitted for audit: 3,500
- Total new images uploaded to Local Guide Accounts on Google: 829
- Consumer image views from Local Guide accounts (Dec– Aug): Over 6M
- Total Investment: $149,000
- Total Investment Per Region (7 regions): $21,285
Google Ads Retargeting Campaign: March 1 – June 30, 2022 The Google Ads retargeting program leveraged Visit California’s $46 million spring paid media investment, targeting the influx of consumers who visited VisitCalifornia.com. Consumers who visited the homepage and other various campaign pages on VisitCalifornia.com were retargeted with region-specific banners which clicked through to regional DMO websites. The campaign increased direct partner hand-offs and regional DMO exposure.
- Total campaign investment: $120,000
- Total investment per region: $15,000
- Nearly 59 million Impressions with at least 5.8 million per region , exceeding goal by over 80%
- Over 100,000 banner ad clicks
- Overall click-through rate of .21%, exceeding industry average (.1%) by 100%
Snow Photography Project This inspirational photoshoot brought the Dream Big brand snow regions. Photos of families engaging in entry-level “snow play” activities challenged misconception that you can’t enjoy the mountains if you are too young or unable to ski or snowboard.
- Total Investment: $150,000
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21 Jul 22
Partner News
Visit California’s Year in Review Highlights Record Marketing Success & New Programs Accelerating RecoveryVisit California’s Year in Review for the fiscal year 2021-2022 highlights impressive results achieved ...Read moreVisit California’s Year in Review Highlights Record Marketing Success & New Programs Accelerating Recovery - News & announcementsVisit California’s Year in Review for the fiscal year 2021-2022 highlights impressive results achieved through state and industry collaboration through the first year of pandemic recovery. These include a record $17.1 billion return on the organization’s ad spend — fueled by a $95 million state stimulus — and new programs to accelerate slower recovering sectors and achieve a complete, shared recovery.
The Year in Review website recaps these shared successes and key economic impact and recovery data. For more in-depth reporting, download the full-length PDF or request a hard copy. The report covers Visit California’s program of work from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. Highlights include:- Paid marketing campaigns that delivered $17.1 billion in travel spending and drove family travel, road trips, professional meetings and events, urban tourism, culinary, and seasonal travel.
- New initiatives to accelerate urban recovery
- Tourism’s economic impact in California and current recovery projections
- Initiatives to advance sustainability goals and raise the industry’s relevance in government
- Cooperative marketing and industry collaborations that strengthened the California brand and increased local tourism
- Tourism industry resources and what’s ahead from Visit California
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14 Jul 22
Partner News
‘California Road Trips’ 2022-23 Features Eight Themed Itineraries, Sustainability GuideBegin your Golden State adventure today with the 2022/23 “California Road Trips” guide, now available ...Read more‘California Road Trips’ 2022-23 Features Eight Themed Itineraries, Sustainability Guide - News & announcementsBegin your Golden State adventure today with the 2022/23 “California Road Trips” guide, now available to visitors and industry members.
This year’s 60-page publication has two distinct covers — Los Angeles and the Sonoma Coast — and includes two sections: a guide to sustainable road trips alongside eight themed dream drives that chart a course through the entire state. You can order bulk boxes for your guests and colleagues for free. Part one, a “Guide to Sustainable Road Trips,” arms readers with everything they need to know to explore California in an eco-friendly way. This section walks readers through planning an eco-friendly trip and covers electric vehicles, trip timing, what to pack and an introduction to “regenerative travel” or leaving a destination better you found it. A special feature article highlights California towns, counties and regions that have made green travel a priority. The eight themed itineraries represent the breadth of California’s geography while exploring a mix of classic and surprising experiences:- “Wine to Waves” takes readers on a journey through four wine regions — Yolo, Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino — connected by one road: Highway 128.
- Those looking for luxury can take the “SoCal Splurge,” which starts in Laguna Beach and ends in Santa Barbara.
- “A Geek’s Guide to California” is an epic journey through locations used in sci-fi classics.
- The “Autism-Friendly California Adventure” celebrates attractions and destinations that have made extra effort to accommodate those with autism.
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Visit Native California Spotlight: Suki Waters
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Visit Native California Spotlight: Pergish Carlson and the Yurok Tribe
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Visit Native California Spotlight: Anthony Purnel and Agua Caliente
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Am I Dreaming? Golden Gate BTS
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California 101: Universal Studios Hollywood
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The Best Cities in the World!
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Dive Bars & Five Stars is in San Francisco!