Did you get FOMO when we announced the 2025 Visit California Agency Advisory Council and where they the SoCal and NorCal fams would be heading this week? We get it, and we got you. We’ve secret-squirrelled ourselves along (digitally, anyway) and have all the updates from the Northern California fam!
The dream team are back together for the 2025 California Agency Advisory Council trip (CAAC), with Visit California, United Airlines, and Infinity Holidays, partnering to send this year’s members to the Golden State.
Split into two famils – Southern and Northern California – the groups are under the guidance of Visit California’s Eva Huezo (NorCal) and Monique Campanella (SoCal). Both groups united in San Luis Obispo County for the final two days of the fam.
Check out our dynamic map of the NorCal itinerary stops, then read on to see what went down, including when the two fams united in SLO CAL.
San Francisco
Does San Francisco really need an introduction? Probably not, it’s that legendary, thanks to its spectacular bay views, tapestry of historic neighbourhoods, world-class cuisine, and arty vibes that inspire at every turn.
After a comfy United Airlines flight, the NorCal group travelled to the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf, home for two nights at Argonaut Hotel. Once a warehouse, this property is a vibe, merging nautical charm with modern luxury.
Where else to get your bearings in SF than at the Golden Gate Bridge? The group pics from Presidio Tunnel Tops are unreal!
From there, a walk to Dalida, an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant, then a 2-hour guided city tour with Fogcutter Tours. Dinner at Saluhall Market and a Chinese scallion cooking class at Skola rounded out the first day.
Melanie Evans from Travel Associates rated the city tour. “Eric from Fogcutters was super knowledge and tailor made the itinerary to suit us. It was a unique way to experience the city up close and personal.”
On day two, the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market and elevated Salesforce Park revealed a different side to the city, before lunch treats at Flour + Water Pizzeria and an acrobatics show dedicated to San Francisco’s story at Club Fugazi.
A dinner cruise in the harbour for one final look at the epic Golden Gate Bridge concludes the SF adventures on the NorCal itinerary.
Sonoma County
With a spirit rooted in sustainability, the collective love for Sonoma County’s sun-drenched valleys and forested hillsides has created a unique destination with a warm heart and an abundance of attractions.
Sonoma County showed the destination’s heart at a hosted French bistro lunch at The Girl & the Fig. A fun electric rickshaw tour with PushPak Wine Country Tours revealed the region’s Spanish past before A trip to Santa Rosa to the Charles M. Schulz Museum (Snoopy’s creator).
The NorCal group had a ‘special experience’ marked on their itinarary for Timber Cove Resort, a gorgeous mid-century modern lodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and home for one night. Escorted to a private, intimate dining room, they had a front-row seat to sunset over the Pacific Ocean, followed by an opulent dinner, a celebration of the region’s finest produce, perfectly paired with local wines.
AutoCamp played host for night two, a fabulous glamping experience in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country.
It won over Envoyage independent travel broker Holly Summer who shared, “AutoCamp Russian River was such a unique and cool experience. The Camp is set up so well for families and couples alike, with lots of cool and unique quirks. I’ve since learnt there’s a few of them throughout the States and will certainly be adding them to my next USA trip!”
A hike through the colossal trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve wowed the group and worked up an appetite for lunch (and a tour) at The Barlow, an open-air market home to an abundance of innovative artisans.
What better afternoon pursuit in wine country than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine tastings at Balletto Vineyards? Especially when followed with a farm-to-table dinner at the elegant Vintner’s Resort!
San Luis Obispo
The rugged coastlines, rolling vineyards, abundance of adventures, and an equal amount of charm make SLO CAL a brilliant final stop for Advisory Council to unite. Thanks to its slower pace of life, it’s a place for connection – be it to nature, local artisanal producers, and each other.
Hotel SLO, a modern boutique property with an epic rooftop bar, played host. The group swapped California travel tales on their way to a thrilling sand dune ride in military Humvees on Pismo Beach with Pacific Adventure Tour and Xtreme Hummer Adventures.
After walking Pismo Beach Pier, the famished members (jokes, they all ate so well on this trip!), enjoyed an incredible private dinner at Vespera Resort.
The final full day of touring kicked off with a locally sourced brekkie at Hidden Kitchens before a wow-worthy stop at Elephant Seal Vista Point, home to hundreds of northern elephant seals. Equally impressive, though in different ways, was a tour of Hearst Castle, an opulent estate atop the San Simeon Hills, followed by lunch and tastings at the family-owned Niner Wine Estates.
Scheduling a walking tour of Paso Robles between delectable vineyards meals is genius. The group had time to work up an appetite before a tour of delectable meal at Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse. The day concluded with Sensorio, an immersive outdoor art installation with 58,000 lights!
A final half-day of fun before the return to Australia kicked off a tour of Downtown SLO by Visit San Luis Obispo hosts. Then, an exhilarating ziplining ride at Santa Margarita Ranch, artisanal sandwiches at Colony Market Atascadero, and beer tasting at Ancient Owl Beer Garden concluded a journey of epic proportions!
“A voice for California”
Leading the Visit California Agent Advisory Council initiative, Eva Huezo shared, “The agents selected have demonstrated incredible enthusiasm and commitment on our famil this year. I’m excited to see them take this journey, gain deeper insights, and bring California to life in a way that resonates with their clients.”
“The CAAC is a unique opportunity for agents to go beyond selling a destination; to truly experience it, shape its narrative, and become a voice for California in the Australian and New Zealand markets.”
To find out how to join the CAAC for 2026, check out the upcoming SoCal fam coverage.
The deets
How cool are both itineraries? For your client who’ll love the same, head to Infinity Holidays. You’ll find two packages based on the CAAC members’ experiences, with everything bookable and ready for sale. Find them here.
To explore more of Northern California’s attractions, head to Visit California. For all things United Airlines, check out their website here.
This article is brought to you by Visit California, United Airlines, and Infinity Holidays.
