Visit California gives Canadians 23 reasons to visit in 2019

With Canada representing California's second-largest visitor market, representatives from Visit California met with travel professionals from across the country this fall, wrapping up their 2018 Sales & Media Mission in Vancouver last week.

Positive Growth

In 2017, California welcomed approximately 1.6 million Canadian visitors, who spent $2.2 billion. The 2018 forecast is for 1.7 million visitors, growing to a projected 1.8 million by 2021.

“We’ve brought 30 partners from 23 of our destinations and properties all over California and I hope you will get to know them," said Visit California’s Ally Carlson to the group. “We have so much to offer visitors, throughout the entire state.”

Exploring the Golden State

Let’s begin our California road trip from South to North.

San Diego Tourism Authority

With near perfect climate (average temperature of 70°F), San Diego offers over 100 diverse neighbourhoods, and is home to more than 150 craft breweries, making it the Craft Beer Capital of the USA.

Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

Boasting 350 days of sunshine, Palm Springs is also famous for its Thursday night street market called Villagefest, and the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway.

Greater Palm Springs CVB

Made up of nine cities which include Palm Springs, the area is a mecca for outdoor adventure, as well as resorts, spas, golf and shopping.

Newport Beach & Company

Forty-five minutes from LAX, Newport Beach is an idyllic beach town with the largest, small-yacht harbour in the U.S., and hosts an annual Christmas boat parade.

Visit Anaheim

Renowned for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm theme parks, Anaheim also offers great shopping and a vibrant culinary scene with local craft breweries.

Visit Huntington Beach

With a 16-km paved bike path, five beaches and over 500 beach bonfire sites, Huntington Beach is the closest beach to Disneyland resort.

Los Angeles CVB

Los Angeles has now been named the ultimate sports capital with more major sports franchises, venues and events than any other U.S. city.

Visit West Hollywood

A 4.9-km walkable city, West Hollywood is also home to the Sunset Strip, a furniture Design District, and is LGBTQ-friendly.

Beverly Hills CVB

Visitors can discover the “Golden Triangle” of Beverly Hills, home to 17 hotels ranging from boutique to 5-star, Rodeo Drive shopping, and more than 250 restaurants.

Universal Studios Hollywood

The largest movie studio in the world will debut the new Jurassic World ride in 2019 to complement the Studio Tour and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, among others.

Pasedena CVB

Located 10 miles north of Los Angeles, Pasedena attractions include the Rose Parade, 22 blocks of shopping and restaurants, and is the setting for Back to the Future and the Big Bang Theory.

Visit Santa Barbara

With its year-round Mediterranean mild climate, Santa Barbara offers a European and West Coast vibe and is a place of escape for celebrities such as Oprah and Ellen.

Santa Barbara Hotel Group

This group of five romantic inns is scattered throughout the city and offers a variety of packages including the Sweet and Salty with a tour of a confectionary and the Salt Caves.

Monterey County CVB

Comprised of Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey, the county’s attractions include Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Pebble Beach which will celebrate its 100th anniversary by hosting the US Open Golf Tournament.

Visit Santa Cruz County

Scenic Highway 1 provides easy access through Santa Cruz County to visit the birthplace of mainland surfing, and explore old growth redwood forests aboard a vintage steam train.

The Grand Hotel & The Cupertino Hotel

Just 25 minutes’ drive from San Francisco airport, both deluxe boutique hotels provide extended buffet breakfast, wi-fi, parking, and are ranked number one on TripAdvisor.

San Francisco Travel

The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the largest Chinatown in the States, an arts and culture scene, and the most Michelin three-starred restaurants in America are just a few examples of what’s packed into the 49-square mile city.

Sonoma County Tourism

In addition to its famous wine region, Sonoma also offers a rugged coastline, redwood forests and a wealth of outdoor activities such as hiking and paddling. A wine country art and culture scene completes the diverse county.

Visit Napa Valley

Only 30 miles in length, Napa Valley boasts 10 public golf courses and more than 125 restaurants. Ninety-five per cent of the region’s wineries are family-owned, which accounts for up to four per cent of the state’s wine production.

Gold Country Visitors Association

Highway 49, which will celebrate 150 years in 2019, connects the ten scenic counties in Gold Country. Yosemite National Park, the Capital Region and the Sierra Foothills are all part of this adventurous and culturally-rich area.

Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Year-round events, festivals and activities surround the Mammoth Lakes, including hiking, fishing, mountain biking, bird-watching, nordic and alpine skiing, which can go as late as August.

North Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the country’s largest alpine lake, and the northern lake region is home to 12 resorts and towns. Squaw Valley - home to the first televised Winter Olympics in 1960 - is also located in the area.

High Sierra Visitors Council

With Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Forest, High Sierra offers outdoor adventurers a wealth of activities including hiking, biking, fishing and skiing.