California Beaches Blog

When compiling our list of best travel resources in the Golden State, the California Welcome Center program ranks among the top 5. It is an old fashioned one-to-one experience that can’t be replaced by websites.

With the introduction and opening of two new facilities, the total of centers numbers 14 places to mark your map for road stops.  Assisting travelers with maps, visitors guides, coupons, bathrooms stops, souvenirs, and friendly people who provide directions and suggestions, this is a resource that can’t be beat, ranking among our favorite tourism programs in California.

Truckee and Tulare have welcomed new businesses in their cities, punctuating the thought that they want tourists to stop,  visit and stay. Travelers now have access to help in California Welcome Centers, one in the High Sierra mountains at a train depot in downtown Truckee, and one in Tulare at the Heritage Complex, part of the International Agri-Center. Both are open seven days a week offering brochures from throughout the state (some feature magazines from surrounding states, too) destinations, attractions, performing arts, and accommodations.

I actually go out of my way to visit Welcome Centers, as I find so many interesting things to explore. But generally what makes them so noteworthy are the people who in these facilities. I recently wrote a blog item on one such visit and how the Oceanside Welcome Center made me want to stay longer.  And for those who formerly visited the California Welcome Center at MainPlace Santa Ana, it is gone.

California Welcome Center List

Anderson

• The California Welcome Center Anderson
• 1699 State Highway 273
• Anderson, CA 96007-4283
• Phone: (530) 365-1180
• Fax: (530) 365-1258
• Email: info.anderson@visitcwc.com

Arcata

• The California Welcome Center Arcata
• 1635 Heindon Rd
• Arcata, CA 95521
• Phone: (707) 822-3619
• Fax: (707) 822-3515
• Email: info.arcata@visitcwc.com

Auburn

• The California Welcome Center Auburn
• 13411 Lincoln Way
• Auburn, CA 95603
• Phone: (530) 887-2111
• Fax: (530) 887-2134
• Email: info.auburn@visitcwc.com

Barstow

• The California Welcome Center Barstow
• 2796 Tanger Way, Suite 100
• Barstow, CA 92311
• Phone: (760) 253-4782
• Fax: (760) 253-4814
• Email: info.barstow@visitcwc.com

Merced

• The California Welcome Center Merced
• 710 W 16th Street Ste A
• Merced, CA 95340
• Phone: (209) 724-8104
• Fax: (209) 384-2793
• Email: bakerk@cityofmerced.org

Oceanside

• The California Welcome Center Oceanside
• 928 N Coast Hwy
• Oceanside, CA 92054
• Phone: (760) 721-1101
• Fax: (760) 722-8336
• Email: touristinfo@oceansidechamber.com

Oxnard

• The California Welcome Center Oxnard
• 1000 Town Center Dr Ste 135
• Oxnard, CA 93036
• Phone: (805) 385-7545 x224
• Fax: (805) 385-7571
• Email: info.oxnard@visitcwc.com

Pismo Beach

• The California Welcome Center Pismo Beach
• 333 Five Cities Drive, Ste 100
• Pismo Beach, CA 93449
• Phone: (805) 773-7924
• Fax: (805) 773-4686
• Email: info.pismobeach@visitcwc.com

San Bernardino

• The California Welcome Center San Bernardino
• 1955 Hunts Ln Ste 102
• San Bernardino, CA 92408-3344
• Phone: (800) 867-8366 x27
• Fax: (909) 891-1873
• Email: info.sanbernardino@visitcwc.com

San Francisco

• The California Welcome Center San Francisco
• Pier 39
• Building “P” 2nd Level - Marina Plaza
• San Francisco, CA 94133
• Phone: (415) 981-1280
• Fax: (415) 956-0209
• Email: cwcsanfrancisco@guestservicesolutions.com

Santa Rosa

• The California Welcome Center Santa Rosa
• 9 4th St
• Santa Rosa, CA 95401
• Phone: (707) 577-8674
• Fax: (707) 571-5949
• Email: info.santarosa@visitcwc.com

Truckee

• The California Welcome Center Truckee
• 10065 Donner Pass Rd
• Truckee, CA 96161
• Phone: (530) 587-2757
• Fax: (530) 587-3429
• Email: info@truckee.com

Tulare

• The California Welcome Center Tulare
• 4500 S Laspina
• Tulare, CA 93274
• Phone: (559) 688-6894
• Fax: (559) 688-1406

Yucca Valley

• The California Welcome Center Yucca Valley
• 56711 29 Palms Hwy
• Yucca Valley, CA 92284-2942
• Phone: (760) 365-5464
• Fax: (760) 365-5770
• Email: info.yuccavalley@visitcwc.com