‘Play in the Bay’ global press trip dives into urban, culinary and wellness
Xavier Roque
May 2, 2024
To build on the momentum created by Visit California’s Ultimate Playground brand evolution, the organization hosted 12 journalists from 11 priority international markets on a “Play in the Bay” press trip around the San Francisco Bay Area.
The global press trip included Oakland, San Francisco and Sonoma County highlighting the region’s diversity, liveliness and many ways to play, including stays at new and improved hotels, culinary and cultural delights, natural beauty and wellness experiences.
The media group included:
- Ernest Doroszuk, Toronto Sun (Canada)
- Emma Hodgson, National Luxury Magazine (Middle East)
- Gloria Ines, Travel + Leisure (Mexico)
- Junghyun Kim, Allure Korea (Korea)
- Tara Ledden, Fabulous (U.K.)
- Antonio Leggieri, Dove.It (Italy)
- Michiko Ono, W Life (Japan)
- Magalie Ove, L’Est republicain (France)
- Pallavi Pasricha, freelancer (India)
- Anne Persson, freelancer (Nordics)
- Sharon Stephenson, Stuff (New Zealand)
- Daniela Tapia, Donde Ir (Mexico)
The seven-day itinerary kicked off in San Francisco — the group’s ultimate urban playground — with the Beacon Grand at Union Square serving as the group’s home base. On day one, the media jumped on a cable car outside the hotel to Fisherman’s Wharf to ride the new Sky Star Wheel with stunning views of the bay, city and Golden Gate Bridge. They then went to the Presidio Tunnel Tops to explore the national park, surrounding picnic areas, food vendors and Fort Point. They ended the day aboard the iconic USA 76, an International America’s Cup Class racing yacht used by the ORACLE Racing team. They spent their second day in San Francisco with Dylan's Tours, eating their way through the city's unique neighborhoods, including stops in The Castro, Chinatown, Japantown, the Mission, North Beach and Upper Haight.
The media group then moved to the North Bay for a taste of mindful play and slow travel. They stayed at the relaxing Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa. They settled into the destination with a sound bowl experience and garden lunch on the property before leisurely making their way to Paradise Ridge Winery for wine tasting and a property tour. The next day, they headed to the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve for a guided hike through the ancient redwoods. They then headed to the coast and drove parts of Highway 1 toward Bodega Bay for lunch at Fishetarian Fish Market and then to The Barlow Market for shopping before a final dinner at Fern Bar in Sebastopol.
Their final stop was the East Bay — the ultimate culinary playground of the Bay Area. There, the group spent a whole day with local chefs: Paul Iglesias from Parche, Nelson German from Sobre Mesa, Priscilla Przygocki from Mama Oakland, Michele McQueen of Town Fare, and Charles Farrier from Crumble and Whisk. The chefs took the group to the local Rockridge Market Hall and the Oaktown Spice Shop to pick up ingredients for an interactive cooking class. They had one final meal in Oakland at the Fairmont Claremont Club & Spa the following day. They then took the ferry back to San Francisco to attend Visit California’s San Francisco Media Reception.
To date, coverage on Oakland, San Francisco and Sonoma has been published in Travel + Leisure En Español as a result of this press trip.
