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 thrilled to present part 2 of our three-part series on the top thirty brands leading the new era of cannabis tourism in California. You can recap the first list of ten and Part 1 here and Part 3 here. Here are the next ten:
11. The Oakland Cannabis Trail
Oakland
A curated cannabis trail adventure that highlights Oakland’s travel worthy cannabis lounge experiences, shops, and seasonal cannabis events. Interactive Cultural Landmarks and effect pairings are highlighted along the trail, pairing signature Oakland food, art, and nature travel activities with cannabis effects.
12. The Woods WeHo
West Hollywood
Actor Woody Harrelson and his cannabis team hit a bullseye with The Woods WeHo, a beautifully curated shop and lounge experience that is a true cannabis oasis. Complete with a koi fish pond, three parrots, and several private open air cabanas, The Woods WeHo is a travel experience to remember. Book a space, settle in, lose track of time, and enjoy.
13. Planet 13
Santa Ana
A tourism attraction style large scale cannabis shop, Planet 13 is a spectacle. Upon entry, the lobby walls and floors are animated with video effects and an instagrammable VW bus with smoke-like fog pouring out of the windows. Inside the shop, a big octopus mascot is front and center. Each visitor is assigned a personal shopper to help navigate the experience. Planet 13 also has regular ongoing events on-site and a handful of other locations.
14. The Artist Tree
West Hollywood
A hybrid art gallery infused cannabis experience circuit, The Artist Tree offers a vibrant collection of multiple surprise and delight moments. See cannabis plants up close, take in local art, explore all the offerings at the cannabis bar, or spend an afternoon relaxing in the patiolounge. Visitors are invited to participate in a puff and paint class or any of the activities they offer in their flex space on the top floor.
15. Barbary Coast Shop & Lounge
San Francisco
A bucket list worthy experience when in San Francisco, the Barbary Coast cannabis lounge offers a vibey low-lit old school cigar space ambiance for visitors. The setting is an experience in itself. Visitors are invited to belly up to the dab bar or checkout a house bong and grinder for their enjoyment.
16. MoTown Cannapass
Modesto
The MoTown Cannapass was the very first cannabis destination passport in the world. A gamified adventure with check-in challenges and prizes for participants, the MoTown Cannapass offers a curated interactive adventure that weaves together cannabis moments with the greater destination. The downtown elevated mural art walk effect pairing cannabis adventure is highly recommended.
17. Heritage Mendocino
Mendocino County
Welcome to the world’s first public hashery experience, where cannabis plant alchemy and the craft of hash making is celebrated. Visitors to Heritage Mendocino in Ukiah can watch hash be made through the viewing window on the cannabis shop floor. An outdoor lounge is available seasonally and host to events. The menu features craft legacy cannabis farms that specialize in rare and special locally bred genetics.
18. Sonoma Hills Farm
Sonoma County
Just an hour north of San Francisco and located in the Petaluma Wind Gap, Sonoma Hills Farm grows hemp and vegetables alongside cannabis. The Petaluma Gap was the first agricultural appellation in the world based on natural wind patterns. Sonoma Hills Farm hosts private events, retreats, and is known for their seasonal culinary-infused gatherings.
19. SF Weed Week
San Francisco
Every April, SF Weed Week lights up the city of San Francisco for the entire week of 4/20, the cannabis cultural high holiday. The best lounges and shops in the city host gatherings that spotlight the best and most award-winning cannabis farmers in the state. Farmers come down from the hills of the Emerald Triangle to indulge alongside consumers in curated experiential settings that celebrate the plant, together.
20. Five Sisters Farm
Southern Humboldt
Season George, the owner of Five Sisters Farm, has created a special glamping experience alongside a cannabis grow. With views of the beautiful Eel river, Five Sisters Farm is in the heart of southern Humboldt cannabis country and is an authentic Emerald Triangle glamping experience not to be missed.
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
