Visit California’s 2014 Visitor’s Guide Inspires Travelers to Live Their Vacation Dream in the Golden State

From hands-on culinary adventures, to luxurious spa retreats, to ways to explore iconic places like Yosemite, Big Sur, and California’s exciting gateway cities, Visit California announces the release of the all-new, 2014 California Official State Visitor’s Guide. With inspiring articles, enticing trip ideas, eye-popping photography, and helpful maps, this year’s 204-page guide serves as an invaluable free resource for consumers to be inspired and plan their next vacation to sunny California.

“Our visitor’s guide includes boundless ideas and stunning photography that will inspire any type of traveler to make California their next vacation destination,” says Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, the state’s official tourism agency. “Plus, this year’s edition features inside scoops from California’s top chefs and designers as well as off the beaten path road trips and unexpected ways to enjoy some of the state’s favorite attractions.”

The visitor’s guide also includes 12 feature articles penned by award-winning writers and brought to life by stellar photography. Packed with innovative travel ideas, these articles highlight a host of new ideas and ways to play in the Golden State, including how to live the ultimate dream day being pampered like a movie star, indulging like a foodie, and playing in the sea and sun like a California surfer. Articles also focus on family-friendly farm stays and visits, favorite shopping destinations, a “how-to” guide on attending tapings of live television shows, incredible state and national park experiences, and theme park “after dark” programs and events. The guide also includes must-see events, 32 regional trip ideas covering all corners of the state, and an easy-to-use statewide travel planner, with hundreds of helpful resources, fun destinations, and details on lodging.

Other highlights include the 2014 Official State Map. The highly detailed, large-format map, dotted with urban must-sees and bonus ideas like rooftop dining, zoos and aquariums, and California missions, can be pulled out of the guide and used both for planning and for use when travelers are on their vacation.

Visit California (formerly known as the California Travel & Tourism Commission) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures total $106.4 billion annually in California, support jobs for 917,000 Californians and generate $6.6 billion in state and local tax revenues.