Three New Welcome Centers Invite, Inspire and Educate California Visitors and Businesses

Two brand new California Welcome Centers have just opened across the Golden State in Ukiah and Modesto, along with the re-opening of the center in Santa Rosa.

On June 1, the summer’s first California Welcome Center celebration re-introduced the California Welcome Center, Santa Rosa. The grand re-opening launched with an open house event at the center that brought together 60 industry partners.

This CWC will allow Visit Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber to serve travelers heading into California’s highly-regarded wine country.

Image Credit: Santa Rosa Metro Chamber

Ukiah’s first ever California Welcome Center kicked off its grand opening with a festive open house event on July 11. The event celebrated the rich native history rooted in the land of Ukiah with Native American blessings delivered by Buffie Schmidt, who keeps the culture alive by teaching the Northern Pomo language at Ukiah High. 

Run by the Greater Ukiah Businesses and Tourism Alliance, the California Welcome Center, Ukiah sits right off the 101 to serve as an accessible gateway to the Redwoods. As the only CWC in the North Coast region, there’s no better place for folks coming, going, or passing through the North Coast region to stop.

Opened on July 19, the California Welcome Center, Modesto is the first in its area. Run by Visit Modesto, the center will serve travelers heading in or out of Yosemite. Sitting just off the 99, it is the Central Valley region’s only CWC.

Modesto’s open house celebration was graced by Mayor Sue Zwahlen. California Welcome Center, Modesto representatives used the ceremony to remind attendees that not only is Modesto a great hub to pass through, it is just as exciting to travel to their charming destination, marketing that they are one of the only cities of their size to have a symphony, a ballet and an opera!

The VCA team and partners hold these mixer-style open houses as a great way for businesses to learn more about Visit California and what their local CWC offers, as they are a valuable resource for regional tourism businesses.