8 ways to enjoy California’s ecotourism.

Now more than ever is the time for inland travel, weekend getaways and home tourism. Lucky for Americans, there are plenty of spots to choose from and the sunny state of California is an excellent choice for those who envision days on the beach and golden tans.

If you’re looking to visit the Golden State but do it the green way, here are 8 fun activities you won’t want to miss out on.

1. Take a trip to Yosemite National Park. No matter the season this park is a true Nature lover’s paradise with numerous hiking, biking and horseback riding trips to explore the Yosemite Valley. If you want to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum you can take a bus to the Park from San Francisco.

2. Tour the State via Amtrak. Some of the most beautiful train routes in the U.S travel along the California coast. The Amtrak railway service is an energy-efficient alternative to both driving and flying and provides a number of routes through the State. 

The Pacific Surfliner route is one of the most popular, offering 29 stops between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The track follows the beautiful Southern California coastline for part of the route. Other routes can be found HERE.

3. Visit Lotusland in Montecito. Lotusland is a striking 37-acre estate recognized as one of the world’s best gardens and once owned by the late Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland promotes a more sustainable landscape with many succulent plant species capable of retaining more water and consuming less. The 25 gardens of Lotusland’s feature more than 3,000 different plants from around the world.

4. Take a stroll through West Hollywood. Though you might not think so, West Hollywood is one of the most walkable cities in California and if you are looking to lower your carbon footprint then getting around by foot is your best bet. There are plenty of private tours for visitors to hire throughout the area including beach tours, famous landmark tours and a famous film location tour. Bikes & Hikes LA, along Santa Monica Blvd, offers daily hiking tours to the Hollywood Sign, starting at Griffith Park and ending on Mount Hollywood.

5. Scoot around the city. If walking isn’t for you, throughout downtown San Diego there are a number of dockless bikes and electric scooters available for rent for as little as $1 a day.

Visitors can track down the nearest bike or scooter with LimeBike and drop it off almost anywhere in the city. It’s a greener alternative to a car and an affordable and convenient way of seeing the sites.

6. Take a hike. A significant part of ecotourism is cutting back on or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Hiking offers breathtaking views to go along with it and a challenge for those more adventurous souls. There are countless natural paths that wind through North County San Diego. Annie’s Canyon Trail and the Torrey Pines State Reserve are popular ones.

A visit to Los Penasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve and Lagoon is another popular destination where you can be inspired by the sensational terrain surrounding the lagoon. The spot boasts a rich history and diverse ecosystem worth exploring.

7. Enjoy a glass of sustainable wine in Sonoma county. Few things in life are as satisfying as a good glass of wine, but when you discover the wine you are tasting has been produced in an environmentally friendly way by a county that strives hard to grow the best grapes to make their world-famous wines, the rush is all the stronger.

Winegrowers of Sonoma County announced back in 2014 that it would become the country’s first 100% certified sustainable wine region in 2019 and with 85% of the County’s vineyards being family owned and operated, this sustainability program has helped preserve agriculture and multi-generational family farms. 

8. Taste the farm-to-fork food in Sacramento. Known as American’s farm-to-fork capital, Sacramento sits among 1.5 million acres of farms and ranches. For a true taste of Sacramento visitors can join walking food tours to sample some of the finest menus in town whilst traveling and learning about the rich history and architecture of the city.