California Welcome Centers

Placer County is paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs, epicureans and history buffs alike. Though Placer County is famous for its rich Gold Rush history, there is as much “gold” in the modern day activities as the famous American River that flows through the canyons. In Placer County you can hike among pine trees, raft the glorious rivers, mountain bike in the endurance capital of the world and then picnic under live oaks with a bottle of Mediterranean style wine all in one day. If it is a leisurely pace you desire, sip wine at an award winning winery in the central county communities of Auburn, Newcastle and Loomis, tee up at one of the many pristine golf courses or sail the emerald waters of North Shore Lake Tahoe. And finally, if history is what you are looking for, Placer County is rich with a bounty of museums and historic sites.

Allow our past to catch up with you as you visit our many antique shops and unique museums. Let a drive through our rich agricultural lands refresh and revitalize you. Feel pride in our heritage as you attend one of our fine festivals. Seek the quiet serenity of nature on one of our many wilderness peaks, or the thrill of a lifetime as you ski down one of Lake Tahoe's mountains.

Outdoor enthusiasts thrill at the county's abundance of year-round recreational activities while others marvel at the array of galleries, theaters, musical and festival events. Shoppers love the large selection of boutiques, specialty shops and farmer's markets. Everyone enjoys the variety of restaurant choices from fine cuisine to family style dining, and the range of lodging and accommodations from the luxurious to quaint and romantic.

Whether you come for lunch or a lifetime, we invite you to visit and discover Placer County for yourself. 

Hours: Monday thru Saturday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4:30 pm

To grasp California’s true gold, you can escape to the foothills for outdoor recreation! Experience the magic at Lake Tahoe, surrounded by world famous ski-resorts with legendary snow in winter, with arts, music, and festivals in summer. Hike to a swimming hole, four wheel on the Rubicon, or shop in El Dorado Hills' Town Center - this region has everything to make your California visit unforgettable.

The California Welcome Center in El Dorado Hills is conveniently located right off of US Highway 50 in Town Center. The friendly staff can help you find local restaurants, book hotel rooms near and far and provide your furry friend a respite in our pet friendly location.

Hours: Monday thru Friday 9:30 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm

Spend a day, the night, or better yet the weekend. Merced is a unique city, filled with warm, friendly people who instantly make visitors feel welcome. Merced offers a wide variety of attractions, historical sites, accommodations and dining opportunities that are sure to please. Merced is the Gateway to Yosemite. Whether summer, autumn, winter or spring, Yosemite is picture perfect whenever you visit Merced.

Try planning your trip around one of the areas great events. Visit the California Welcome Center for information on the Merco Cycling Classic which brings world-class riders from around the globe to Merced each spring. Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete, the longest existing, annually held Tahitian Dance and Cultural Festival outside of French Polynesia, is held in Merced each March.

Art and culture are thriving is this proud community. From the galleries at our Multicultural Art Center to the live performances at Playhouse Merced there is something for everyone! Come play, stay and experience Merced! 

The Greater Ontario area hosts some of the very best in extreme sports, quiet retreats and spas, and is home to some of California’s ultimate shopping and dining opportunities.  The city is the gateway to experiencing Southern California gems such as lush green vineyards and Prado Regional Park to the South. While a short drive North brings you to historic desert communities and the California Route 66 museum.

Eastern travelers seeking serenity can experience mountain resorts near Big Bear Lake or take on the thrill of NASCAR at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. And a short drive brings visitors to the biggest and the best of entertainment with California’s premier theme parks waiting to be explored.

The California Welcome Center – Ontario is located at the Ontario Mills Premium Mall, and is excited to assist with planning your Southern California vacation with Greater Ontario being your home away from home. We look forward to your visit!

Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am - 9 pm, Sunday 10 am - 8 pm

Discover beautiful Salinas California, the gateway to the Monterey Bay in Steinbeck Country, where you'll find historic sites, unspoiled farmland, world-class wines, a quaint, historic downtown, and some of the friendliest people around. Author John Steinbeck was born here, so visit his boyhood home as well as the National Steinbeck Center while you're here. Salinas is famous as the Salad Bowl of the World for agriculture and our fresh, home-grown produce is available internationally. We have the best year-round climate in the entire North American continent, and some of the cleanest air in the United States of America!

Salinas' hospitality blends yesterday's charm with today's modern conveniences. Visitors can explore the beauty of nearby Monterey Bay beaches, historic missions of San Juan Bautista, Soledad, Carmel, and San Antonio de Padus and wineries of South Monterey County, Carmel Valley and Pinnacles National Monument.

Local attractions include more than 50 beaches, 60 plus parks, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Giant Redwoods of Big Sur and Santa Cruz, Gilroy Gardens Amusement Park, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a variety of history and art museums.

The area plays host numerous festivals, some celebrating agricultural heritage, such as the Artichoke Festival, Garlic Festival and Strawberry Festival as well as a great many music festivals like the world famous Monterey Jazz Festival, Blues Festival, and Bach Festival.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10am – 4pm

The California Welcome Center in Santa Rosa is conveniently located just off Highway 101 in the Railroad Square Historical District. It is housed in a beautifully restored 1904 train depot alongside the tracks for Amtrak and the future SMART rail project. The building’s importance to quaint Railroad Square is that of a focal point for the local railroad heritage and an important resource for travelers and the community. The depot houses the Northwestern Pacific train museum featuring railroad artifacts and interactive displays.

The Center is walking distance to a variety of fine hotels as well as dining choices ranging from funky little coffee shops to first-class restaurants. There is a multitude of charming retail shops surrounding the depot - offering a wide selection of goods.

Open 7 days a week, the Center offers an array of logo wear, locally-made gifts and souvenirs, in addition to travel information, maps, and brochures.

Amenities

• Concierge Services
• Free maps, guides and brochures
• Gift Shop – selling local souvenirs
• Handicapped Access
• Nearby Restaurants
• Nearby Hotels
• Restrooms
• RV Parking/Bus Parking

Often referred to as the “gateway” to California’s outback, the Morongo Basin is conveniently situated just a short drive to some of Southern California’s great outdoor destinations.  With the majestic Joshua Tree National Park on its southern border, the basin communities play host year-round to visitors and outdoor recreation enthusiasts from all over the world.  The unique natural surroundings of the Joshua Tree National Park have made it a favorite destination for rock climbers, hikers, campers, photographers and natural enthusiasts!! The region’s California Welcome Center is found on State Route 62 in Yucca Valley and offers information and resources for the California Desert Visitor. From Idyllwild to Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms, from Palm Springs to Big Bear, our courteous Ambassadors at our Center will show you where to eat, where to stay, and where to play while you're in our Basin and Southern California.

Hours: Monday thru Friday from 9 am – 4 pm, Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm and Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm.