california - Skift

California’s Bullet Train Hangs on Funding From a Democratic Congress

Romy Varghese, Bloomberg

High-speed rail in the U.S. feels impossible. Tracks are garbage in the Northeast, Wisconsin rejected its funding, Florida just now made a baby step, and the price tag on all this is shocking. But zipping from San Francisco down to Los Angeles comfortably is too sweet a dream to give up on.

1 month ago

Pot Tourism to Expand Into San Francisco Lounges

Paul Elias, Associated Press

All these years after President Reagan, we still crack down on communities of color for nonviolent drug offenses, but now, we make sure that a privileged class of purveyors of the same weed can safely operate tasting rooms for tourists. It's no accident that the lounge referenced here is in "a once-rundown neighborhood that is gentrifying."

3 months ago

How Downtown L.A. Transformed Into a Cultural Destination

Mary Holland, Bloomberg

Like many other neighborhoods in cities around the world, Downtown L.A. no longer resembles its image from your parent's generation and has transformed itself for the better. But some developers are wary that it'll become over-commercialized and lose its character.

6 months ago

Disneyland Cuts Annual Passes for Locals Before Star Wars Crowds Arrive

Christopher Palmeri, Bloomberg

Disney has been tweaking its pricing to better control visitor numbers so it's no surprise that approach extends to annual passes. The risk in this case is that the change will anger locals who might have otherwise visited repeatedly.

7 months ago

Environmental Reviews of California Bullet Train Pushed Back to 2020

Associated Press

Will this high-speed rail train actually become a reality in our lifetime? We certainly hope so. But we also hope officials consider a route that has the least environmental impact as possible, too.

7 months ago

California Wine Country Hopes Tourists Will Return After Deadly Fires

Olga R. Rodriguez and Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

Businesses in Napa and Sonoma counties are no doubt counting on tourism to help them after these devastating fires.

8 months ago

Most Napa Valley Wineries Closed Because of Raging Wildfires

Associated Press

It's too soon to tell how these wildfires will impact the grape harvest and local tourism.

9 months ago

California’s Big Sur Makes the Best of Tough Times for Tourists

Nikki Ekstein, Bloomberg

Big Sur has turned a potential disaster into a win for its community and travelers alike.

10 months ago

U.S. Pot Tourism Growth Symbolized in Development of Small Town in California

Jennifer Kaplan, Bloomberg

We're not sold on some places making bets that weed will be the rebirth of their local economies but pot tourism has definitely proved it can bring more revenue into states where the drug has been legalized.

11 months ago

Lux Bus Startup Hopes Design and Flat Beds Will Make Overnight Trips Appealing

Colin Nagy, Skift

Cabin seeks to bring style and a "moving hotel" approach to the overnight bus journey. They've nailed the design and approach, but will Californians choose it over flying?

11 months ago

California Tourism Leaders Get Lessons on the Road From High-End Brands

Laura Powell, Skift

California is in a unique position because it both has a product every traveler is after and it knows how to speak luxury from the start. Trips like these are just icing on the cake.

1 year ago

Airbnb Settles Race Discrimination Complaint in California

Deanna Ting, Skift

Whatever can be done to prevent discrimination and bias on the Airbnb platform is a good thing. Let's just hope this plan works toward that goal.