Is California open for leisure travel?
Yes. As of June 15, 2021, in accordance with the new Beyond the Blueprint reopening guidelines, California is now fully open for travel for any and all purposes.
Is California accepting out-of-state visitors?
Yes. Though vaccination is not required to enter the state, it is strongly recommended.
Are there any travel restrictions?
There are no travel restrictions in California, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed collection of safe travel practices that is worth reviewing. It’s also a good idea to follow the CDC’s travel recommendations and we encourage all visitors to travel responsibly.
Can I fly to California?
Yes. There are no current restrictions on air travel to California from within the United States. But as mentioned, CDC travel requirements are still in effect, which means all international air passengers to the U.S. are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery.
What attractions are currently open?
With the statewide reopening, all California attractions and service providers are permitted to be open for business, without restrictions, except in the case of “mega” events (see “Are there any requirements for events? below) and non-vaccinated visitors (see “Are masks still required indoors? below). This includes state and national parks, campgrounds, amusement parks, beaches, museums, sports venues, movie theaters, retail establishments, hotels, restaurants, bars, and wineries. Still, since every facility will have its own policies, check their website before you visit and be sure to review Visit California’s Responsible Travel Hub, as well as Visit California’s California Is Open: What You Need to Know hub.
Is this reopening for international visitors?
Yes. But CDC travel requirements are still in effect, which means all air passengers to the U.S. are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery before they can board a flight to the United States.
Before traveling, familiarize yourself with local guidelines and regulations for all of the destinations you plan to visit. Please reference Visit California’s Travel Alerts for more information and links.
Are masks still required indoors?
With some exceptions (see bulleted list below), the mask requirement for vaccinated individuals has been lifted. People who are unvaccinated must continue to wear a mask in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public) for their own safety as well as others. Everyone should honor masking and distancing rules in place at private businesses.
Though not mandatory, the CDC's latest guidelines state that in a majority of California counties, all people, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, should wear masks in public indoor spaces. (The most current local guidelines are available here.)
Mask wearing is still mandatory for everyone in the following settings:
- While taking any form of public transit (planes, buses, trains, rideshares, cable cars, etc.) Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor travel situations (like a ferry or top deck of a bus).
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Homeless shelters
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings
For a more detailed summary of changes to mask-wearing requirements, see this page on the CDC’s site. To read the California Department of Public Health's latest recommendations for face coverings, click here.
Do I need to be vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test to fly into California from other states?
No. California recommends travelers be vaccinated before visiting, but it is not mandatory.
Is social distancing still enforced?
No. This is true for typical indoor/outdoor situations as well as indoor/outdoor events and gatherings.
Are there any requirements for indoor dining or events?
Some counties (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa) are requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining or to attend indoor events or large outdoor events. Statewide, vaccine verification (this includes self-attesting) and/or negative testing is required only for indoor “mega” events of 5,000 attendees or more. The same is recommended, but not required, for outdoor mega events of 10,000 attendees or more. However, any private business or event can require proof of vaccination, so check before going. For limited exceptions to these guidelines, visit this Beyond the Blueprint memo from the California Department of Public Health.