Virtual Tourism Offers Stay-At-Home Adventures

By Molly Bloss 04/09/2020

California’s attractions are offering an escape to the millions of adventurers stuck at home through virtual travel and tourism experiences. Below are just a few of these offerings, which not only provide wholesome content for viewers to enjoy, but keep the Golden State top-of-mind for future travel.

Culinary

Restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries have channeled a taste of California directly into the home. Offerings include a virtual wine tasting across Napa Valley and Sonoma County, at-home cocktail classes from Yes Cocktail Co, virtual chefinars from Avital Food Tours, and a cooking class series by Chef Robert Synder III of Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant.

Cultural

Museums and historical sites are sharing tours, online galleries and educational sites. Just a few highlights include the 360 online tours offered by San Jose’s Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, online galleries of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco available on Google Arts & Culture, a virtual tour of Columbia State Historic Park, and Balboa Park TV.

Outdoors

The state's parks and gardens are posting live cams and virtual tours where viewers to hike, sightsee and chew the scenery. Those stuck indoors can enjoy the outdoors with Botanical Collections Tours by The Huntington, bird migration at Mono Basin, a virtual tour of the Redwoods, and Joshua Tree National Park’s Google Earth tour. Golfers can play a simulation of the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Family Learning

Kids home from school can stay engaged with LEGOLAND’s Building Challenge series, DIY games and crafts from MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, and standards-aligned class activities and a Virtual Field Trip from San Jose Tech Interactive Museum. Zoos across the state are sharing dozens of animal webcams.

Wellness

With gyms closed and outdoor activities limited, at-home wellness has surged in popularity. Offerings include Dana Point’s iHeartYoga daily morning virtual yoga classes, Moments of Zen by Laguna Beach and Napa Valley, and MeditOcean by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Destination

The armchair traveler can tour the state with Greater Palm Springs’ resource guide, a Beverly Hills 360° experience, Costa Mesa’s Virtual Vacation, and Paso Robles’ Virtual Escape.

Please submit your organization’s virtual experience or other creative responses to the challenges raised by the coronavirus pandemic. Visit California features industry submissions in new consumer content and media pitchers.

Sample of media coverage secured by Visit California featuring California attractions offering virtual experiences: