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 3 of this 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, Part 1, and Part 2 here. The next ten are:
21. Emerald Farm Tours
Bay Area
One of the first cannabis tour companies in California, Emerald Farm Tours offers various guided experiences that offer a behind the scenes peek to visitors. Cannabis lounges, shops, manufacturers, and farms are all on the tour experience menu, as are cannabis wedding bar services for private events and gatherings.
22. Mendocino Craft Farmers Auction
Mendocino County
The Mendocino Craft Farmers Auction is a local non-profit fundraiser in the form of a curated evening of cannabis forward experiences and programming. Produced by the cannabis grower community of Mendocino County, the Famer’s Auction is a ticketed private event. Attendees are invited to mix and mingle among the best and most award-winning cannabis farmers in the world while participating, as interested, in a silent auction and live auction. The experience includes a delicious multi-course meal in a beautiful outdoor redwood grove setting.
23. Cannescape
Northern California
Cannescape is the first travel-centric cannabis dining company specialized in overnight getaway experiences that weave together food, cannabis, and the magic of travel. Cannescape prides themselves on creating meticulously curated lively and fun experiences where participants can indulge, relax, and enjoy cannabis unabashedly wherever and whenever they desire.
24. Plantshop
Mendocino County
A boutique shop and outdoor lounge in a beautiful setting, Plantshop is a travel worthy destination. The Plantshop experience includes an interactive Cultural Landmark along The Cannabis Trail that honors the back-to-the-land story of intentional communities, and the menu is a celebration of the best locally grown, award-winning craft cannabis products. Visitors are invited to hang in the lounge, sip a mocktail, create art, or enjoy the outdoor stage entertainment and seasonal events.
25. Four Twenty Bank
Palm Springs
The Four Twenty Bank cannabis shop and lounge in downtown Palm Springs is a mix of sensory experiences and activities for visitors. Complete with pool tables, stand up chess, a pretty large stage, and a gaming arcade, the Four Twenty Bank is a lively space with music and events on the regular.
26. Ganjier
Humboldt
Ganjier is the recognized industry leader for cannabis sommelier certifications. The Ganjier Wilderness Campus resides in Humboldt County. With nearly 300 Ganjiers around the world now certified and offering their services, the era of guided sommelier style cannabis experience is reaching a new level of mainstream polish and innovation.
27. The Emerald Village
West Hollywood
The Emerald Village is the first cannabis-centric destination marketing organization in the world. With a focus enticing travelers and visitors to West Hollywood for memorable cannabis experiences, The Emerald Village has demonstrated the power of a shared destination experience brand and voice for cannabis. The Emerald Village works with their cannabis businesses and brands to invite and entice visitors to visit West Hollywood and enjoy the incredible cannabis lounges, cafe’s, and experience that are part of this vibrant forward-thinking community and destination.
28. Origins Council
Coalition of Organizations
After years of development, the cannabis appellations of California are soon taking flight under the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Origins Council has been a key steward of the effort. Origins Council is a coalition of legacy craft sungrown farmer organizations that care about sustainable agriculture and cannabis being a legally protected and branded expression of place. Similar to wine AVA’s, cannabis appellations of origin will power authentic agri-tourism experiences and stories of terroir, micro-climates, breeding projects, and legacy cultivation craft and culture. Cannabis appellations go hand in hand with travel and placemaking, tied to expression of product.
29. America’s Cannabis Heartland
Southern Humboldt
Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau has been a leader of cannabis travel storytelling for years, boldly weaving the region’s cannabis farmers, culture, and craft into the story of place. Southern Humboldt is indeed a special travel experience and should be at the top of the list. The nature experiences are world class, the people are kind and authentic, and the cannabis experiences are second to none. Welcome to America’s Cannabis Heartland.
30. Travel Writers and Storytellers
Jamie Evans of The Herb Somm, Christina Wong of Fruit and Flower, and Rachel Burkons of Smoke, Sip, Savor continue to tee up travel-rich experience stories that spotlight cannabis-infused culinary and food and beverage, in beautiful California destinations. The Ganja Traveler creates the ‘Trippin with The Ganja Traveler’ guidebook series which highlights the best cannabis destinations in California. Check out The Ganja Traveler’s Guide to the Emerald Triangle.
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.
