Gold Country partners feature local experiences at Destination Mixer
Visit California welcomed industry partners and staff to Sacramento for the Gold Country Destination Mixer, an immersive event highlighting the region’s various tourism...
Gohar Manukyan
Oct. 22, 2026
On April 21, 2026, Gold Country’s culinary talent, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences took center stage as Visit California welcomed destination partners to Sacramento for a Destination Mixer.
Representatives from Calaveras County, Placer County, Sacramento and Folsom brought their destinations to life through presentations, tastings, live music and interactive activities. The event connected Visit California staff and agency partners directly with the people behind these experiences, providing fresh story ideas, local perspectives and relationships to inform content, media outreach and travel trade programs.
Go Calaveras
Go Calaveras combined history and hands-on activities to introduce staff to the county’s small towns, outdoor recreation and local flavors. Actor Jeffrey Weissman appeared as Mark Twain, connecting the destination’s literary heritage with its visitor experiences, while a human frog-jumping activity offered a playful nod to one of Calaveras County’s best-known traditions.
The presentation highlighted the giant sequoias of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, mountain adventures along the Highway 4 corridor and the shops, restaurants and wineries of historic Murphys. Hinterhaus Distilling and Gold Country Roasters added a local craft beverage connection, illustrating how the county’s makers complement its outdoor attractions.
For staff, the combination offered new ways to connect Calaveras County’s familiar icons with broader itineraries featuring nature, history and locally owned businesses.
Visit Placer
Visit Placer showcased the connections among the county’s culinary scene, agriculture, wine and arts offerings. Chef Jeana Pecha of Omakase Por Favor prepared bites featuring local ingredients, giving staff a taste of the creativity shaping the destination’s dining experiences.
Representatives from The Flower Farm added another dimension to the agritourism story, while Casque Wines introduced staff to the county’s wine offerings. Musicians from the Auburn Symphony provided a live connection to its arts and culture scene.
Together, these partners helped attendees see how a Placer County visit can bring together dining, farm experiences, wine tasting and performing arts. Meeting the chefs, producers and artists behind those experiences also provided local voices and potential story leads for future marketing efforts.
Visit Sacramento
Visit Sacramento focused on culinary experiences, music festivals and sports — and how major events attract visitors and encourage them to explore beyond the event itself.
The team shared a look ahead at 2027 opportunities, including Aftershock, GoldenSky Country Music Festival, NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament games, IRONMAN California, the California International Marathon and Terra Madre Americas. The presentation explained Visit Sacramento’s role in attracting and supporting events that drive overnight visitation and introduce new audiences to the region.
Chef Oliver Ridgeway of Camden Spit & Larder shared a bite featuring Sacramento and California ingredients, connecting the city’s Farm-to-Fork identity with its restaurants and culinary talent. Jody Bogle of Bogle Family Vineyards shared the family’s farming and winemaking story, adding a regional wine perspective.
The session gave attendees a clearer understanding of Sacramento’s event strategy and timely opportunities to connect sports, music and food with broader destination storytelling.
Visit Folsom
Visit Folsom highlighting the destination’s positioning as a basecamp for Gold Country adventures and Paddling Capital of the West.
An interactive “Folsom Feud” game introduced destination highlights, from Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake to trails and the Historic District. Nick Clark, co-founder of Spotted Dog Yoga & SUP, led a short yoga session, demonstrating how wellness and outdoor recreation can come together in a Folsom itinerary. Snooks Candies & Chocolate Factory added a sweet connection to the destination’s local businesses.
These experiences gave staff practical ideas for telling Folsom’s story through active getaways, wellness experiences and historic downtown exploration, while positioning the city as a starting point for discovering surrounding foothill communities.
The Destination Mixer strengthened connections between Gold Country partners and Visit California staff and agency partners while deepening firsthand knowledge of the region. By sharing their expertise and experiences directly, participating businesses helped equip staff to tell more specific, compelling stories and connect travelers with more of what Gold Country offers.
