When a place is so often on our screens and in our feeds, it’s easy to presume we know it. And California is no stranger to the spotlight. But beyond its truly fabulous icons, there’s a side to California that you (and your clients) need to see.
Visit California took four Aussie travel agents to experience, first-hand, the best of its icons. Karryon caught up with them on their return to get the lowdown on what’s new, what’s still hot and what your clients will absolutely love.
Melissa Goetz – Travel Associates Williamstown
Melissa is all about the details and urges would-be visitors to California to “get out, walk and look up”.
“Given that the population of LA County is just shy of our entire population, it’s important to not take on too much.
“Instead, take small bites. Immerse yourself in a neighbourhood. Take in the shops and talk to the local traders, enjoy the street art and the landscape the area offers.”
The fab four started their Golden State adventures in West Hollywood. It’s quintessential Los Angeles, Melissa says. “It’s so vibrant and spacious.”
“Get to a rooftop,” she advises.
“My fave is The ROOF Pool Deck at The West Hollywood Edition. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy it. Go up for a sunset and enjoy a cocktail or two.”
Melissa was last here in 2019 with her two sons who are 24 and 22. Her first ever trip to California was 15 years before that when her boys were eight and six. So she’s obviously seen California change over the years and particularly since the pandemic.
“I was looking forward to seeing how Los Angeles was doing after my trip in 2019,” she tells Karryon.
“There was a real shift in the overall vibe of the LA I remembered. I was so happy to see how vibrant she is.”
Jacqui Smart – Travel Associates Shellharbour
She’s been in the industry for 26 years and Jacqui’s recommendations to clients have exposed them to travel experiences they either may not be aware of or don’t know how to access. And her California stand outs post-fam are many!
While it’s (sometimes) hard to choose your favourite child, Jacqui gives a shout out to:
- The London West Hollywood for its beautiful rooms (all with balconies) and amazing service;
- heading to the Chase Centre in San Francisco to watch the Warriors take on the Mavericks; and
- (with so many amazing meals, this was a tough one) dinner at Meteroa in LA.
As a big gateway for Aussies, LA can sometimes get forgotten. And while Jacqui says “arrival in LAX is still a long process” and recommends at least 2.5 – 3 hours transit time, there’s some fabulous sights and experiences at its doorstep.
“There are some really amazing outdoor experiences to be found very close to California’s major cities,” she tells Karryon.
“For example, there’s horse riding and hiking in the Hollywood hills just a short drive from your hotels.” The Sunset horse ride with Sunset Ranch was highlight, she says. As was a Runyon Canyon hike with Bikes and Hikes: LA TOURS.
“There are also some great bike tours in LA. So even though you’re in a major city as large as LA, there are lots of great outdoor experiences to be had.”
Rachael Heelan – Ross & Turner Travel Associates
If someone’s instagram posts could almost act as a travel agent, it would be Rachael’s.
“I encourage my clients to follow my journeys,” she tells Karryon.
“I email them all before I go away to say where I’m going and to remind them of our office Facebook profile and my personal instagram profile. My clients love seeing where I’m going and send me messages and engage with me whilst I’m away.
“They are particularly keen on seeing the hotels and quite often I book the ones I’ve stayed at for my clients. My posts encourage others to do the same or similar activities.”
Her posts include nuggets of knowledge, like tips on how to while away the hours before your hotel is ready in LA (FACEGYM anyone?) or the inclusion of a menu and not just images of the food.
Like Jacqui, Rachael hadn’t realised that places like Runyon Canyon “were pretty much in the city”.
“It’s easy to pigeonhole LA into a box: Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, homes of the stars,” Rachael says.
“But there is so much more to offer. Hiking, biking, beaches and lots of active options. It is worthy of more than a stopover that’s for sure.”
Karina Jones – Travel Associates Cronulla
Going back to California really brought the “spark” back for Karina.
“It makes such a difference when you’ve just been to where a client wants to go,” she tells Karryon.
“That’s what they want.”
And while the whole trip was “absolutely amazing”, it was the bits when Karina forgot she was travelling that really stood out to her.
“We did a walking food tour through San Francisco and our guide was brilliant.”
Food is almost a national pastime in SF and travellers can be overwhelmed by the choices. But Karina says a tour with a local like San Francisco Chinatown & North Beach Food Walking Tour will have you going into places you probably wouldn’t.
“We were never hungry,” she jokes.
“And it just didn’t feel like you’re on a tour. I was just completely immersed in the city.”
The icons of San Francisco are still so worth seeing, Karina says, but after Lombard Street and Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, there are places like Muir Woods and Sausalito.
“I didn’t realise just how easy it was to get to places so close to the big tourist drawcards of San Francisco.
“Like Mill Valley, this beautiful little town on the way to Muir Woods and its redwoods, or Sausalito, just a ferry trip away!”
“We went to Scoma’s, a restaurant on the water at Sausalito. And I had a clam chowder, which was amazing. It was just a really, really nice atmosphere, sitting back having glass of white wine with fabulous clam chowder…
“And that’s what’s it’s all about. Painting pictures for your clients from your first-hand experiences, rather than just ticking off things on a bucket list.”
GETTING TO CALIFORNIA
Melissa is six foot tall. So she particularly loved the added room of United Airlines’ Economy Plus and says the upgrade is “worth the cost”. Rachael was also impressed with the legroom and a separate cabin.
“United Airlines’ Economy Plus really does bridge the gap between Economy and Premium Economy and I believe it’s a fantastic product,” she says.
MEET THE REAL TRAVEL INFLUENCERS
Visit California’s Tourism Development Manager – Australia & New Zealand Bonnie-Sue O’Garey tells Karryon these agents were hand-picked based on their influence within their peers.
“We believe they have wonderful voices to share California whilst they were abroad and also on their return.”
But what makes travel agents so influential, Karryon asks.
“It’s one thing to be able to make travel arrangements, but it takes expertise and sheer passion to craft the best itineraries and experiences for travellers and destinations. Travel agents are the ones who make travel happen. They care about the places they visit and are always hustling to bring back value for their clients when they’re abroad.”
“If we had it our way, we would take every travel agent to California because we know that travel agents are the real travel influencers.”
Feeling inspired? You can be a California Star too! Bring yourself up to date with selling California at star.visitcalifornia.com.
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