What is California’s cannabis experience brand today? Which attractions, brands, organizations, and experience creators are leading the way and shaping the future of cannabis tourism and travel in California?
It’s an important question because California is an influential global brand, a trend-setting market, and a bucket list travel destination with a powerhouse tourism economy – the trifecta.
Visit California recently announced that in 2023 travel spending in California grew to approximately $150.4 billion. (Dean Runyan, Economic Impact Report 2023). A powerful fact.
The California cannabis brands and businesses that are actively invested in cross-industry growth opportunities with the travel and visitor economy strategies will continue to differentiate and excel in this next stretch.
On that note, we’re excited to present a three-part series on the top thirty brands ushering in a new era of cannabis tourism in California, Here are the first ten, you can read Part 2 here and Part 3 here.
1. Humboldt Cannabis Tours
Humboldt County
A one-of-a-kind tour of Humboldt cannabis farms and attractions. Humboldt is a ‘place of source’ destination for cannabis, which means rich and authentic cultural experiences for visitors. Tours include a jaunt to the towering redwoods and a picnic lunch, and the guides are excellent storytellers that share about the war on drugs and life under prohibition behind the redwood curtain.
2. Sunstone
Santa Barbara County
Set in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and known for their long standing sustainable practices, Sunstone connects place to beverage, much like wine AVA’s. Sunstone’s award-winning Spritz beverage is the only craft cannabis beverage tied to California terroir. To experience Sunstone in Santa Ynez Valley is to feel as if you’ve been transported to the French countryside. Book a private sommelier led Sunstone Spritz tasting in a world class setting.
3. The Bohemian Chemist at The Madrones
Mendocino County
Located in the picturesque Anderson Valley, one of the most breathtaking valleys in the world to traverse, The Bohemian Chemist is an apothecary style boutique cannabis shop flanked by a charming outdoor lounge that invites visitors to relax and imbibe on local sungrown cannabis. Rare landrace cultivars and sungrown craft are signatures of this experience, in a sophisticated getaway setting.
4. PleasureMed
West Hollywood
Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Pleasure Med is one of the best cannabis lounges in California. Visitors enjoy a full spectrum hospitality hightouch service experience that includes cannabis menus alongside delicious food and beverage. The lounge space is filled with plants as a pleasing aesthetic hits on all senses.
5. Cannabis Cafe
West Hollywood
A Friday evening in this busy and vibrant al fresco restaurant-style atmosphere is one of the best cannabis experiences in California. Guests are provided with three menus, including a dedicated cannabis menu, and invited to mix and match the food, beverage, and cannabis experience as they wish. Smoking pieces are available and there is an adjacent patio a few steps away that offers beer and wine options. Great lighting, ambiance and vibe, enjoy.
6. The Cannabis Trail
Santa Cruz County to Trinity County
The Cannabis Trail is a nine county cultural trail that takes visitors to travel worthy cannabis farms, shops, and lounges, while celebrating the pioneers, places and significant moments of the cannabis legalization movement. Cultural Landmark installations are the heartbeat of the trail, each telling a story and offering an interactive element. Visitors are invited to travel the Trail at their own pace in their own way, in this self-guided, gamified adventure.
7. Papa & Barkley Social
Humboldt County
A one-of-a-kind spa-style cannabis lounge in Arcata offering various full spectrum cannabis-infused spa services. Ranging from hot stone massage to facials to stretching, this unique travel experience offers a glimpse into the future of cannabis spa wellness spaces and experiences.
8. The Emerald Cup Festival
Oakland
Happening in Oakland August 17th-18th, The Emerald Cup is the most respected long-standing cannabis cultural celebration and festival. Deemed “the Academy Awards of Cannabis” by Rolling Stone, The Emerald Cup is a sensory-rich festival experience that includes a marketplace of hundreds of cannabis-themed booths, lounges, art installations, and stages with world class entertainment. Visitors travel in from all over the world for this one-of-a-kind event.
9. Sol Spirit
Trinity County
An award-winning legacy cannabis farm that sets the bar for sustainability and regenerative practices. Glamping getaway retreat vibes, epic nature setting, and their annual Emerald Triangle Revealed Tour is not to be missed.
10. Huckleberry Hill Farm
Southern Humboldt
The first cannabis farm in the world to offer tours, Huckleberry Hill experience is a special mix of nature, culture, and craft. Expect your heart strings to be tugged upon. The life under prohibition storytelling is moving, vulnerable, inspiring, and human. A fish-friendly farm, Huckleberry Hill is a small craft legacy back-to-the-land family farm located in southern Humboldt.
About The Author
Brian Applegarth is the founder of the Cannabis Travel Association International and Applegarth Strategies, an award-winning boutique consultancy specializing in cannabis tourism. Brian leads the cannabis and hemp task force for Destinations International and the cannabis and hemp council for the California Travel Association.
He was the sole advisor on first-ever study on the cannabis travel audience in the United States, an effort in partnership with MMGY Travel Intelligence. Brian co-produced and launched the California State Fair Cannabis Awards & Exhibit. His work has been recognized by the Clio’s, the Visit California Poppy Awards, US Travel ESTO Awards, and the International Federation of Fair and Expo Awards
