SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Visiting California has never been easier with the help of the California Travel and Tourism Commission's (CTTC) new 2007 California Official State Visitor's Guide and Travel Planner. The redesigned publication, featuring a cover shot of the San Francisco Bay and the city's famed cable cars, includes 47 new maps, regional tour drive guides, fresh editorial format, photography, list of attractions and easy-to- read lodging and recreation vehicle park charts. Visitors have all the information they need at their fingertips to book a California vacation. Guides are free and available by clicking to http://www.visitcalifornia.com/ .

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070116/SFTU073 )

This year's 220-page visitor's guide is divided into a more useful, two- part format, titled Inspiration and Action. The Inspiration section gives travelers a snapshot of the Golden State's amazing diversity of landscapes, attractions, and cultural and recreational activities. It is beautifully illustrated with nearly 100 photographs, and is divided into four sections: 1) discover -- highlights the natural beauty and geographic diversity of California from the beaches to the mountains and deserts, 2) taste -- incorporates food and wine from farmers' markets and winery tours to fine dining, 3) play -- promotes adventures ranging from river running and surfing to family fun at theme parks and fast action at casinos and 4) enjoy -- explains how best to experience California's cultural and ethnic diversity and join the dynamic arts and shopping scene.

The Action section is all about planning a California trip, with a detailed look at each of the state's 12 tourism regions. The opening spread of each region features that region's top attractions, festivals and a graph showing the local climate by season. The regions have been broken into districts that encompass destinations and activities that travelers are looking for. Each district now has its own detailed map and drive guide. Attractions and activities in each district are listed under their respective city. Cities are listed alphabetically within their district and include map coordinates so travelers can easily find them on the district map. Accommodations listings in the Where to Stay charts for each tourism region are also listed alphabetically by city.

The California Official State Visitor's Guide and Travel Planner also includes the pullout 2007 California Official State Map, which this year features information about the California Fun Spots attractions (see sidebar). Both the map and guide will be available digitally in early 2007 at http://www.visitcalifornia.com/. The technology, provided by NxtBook, allows users to turn pages, search, make notes, as well as click through to advertisers' Web sites.

The CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs -- in partnership with the state's travel industry -- that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. California is currently the number one travel destination in the country. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $88.1 billion annually in California, support jobs for 911,800 Californians and generate $5.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free California vacation packet, go to http://www.visitcalifornia.com/ .

SIDEBAR DOWNLOAD DISCOUNT ADMISSION TO CA FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Travelers to the Golden State can now enjoy discount admission to nearly 50 of California's leading family attractions -- from the San Diego Zoo to LEGOLAND California, Roaring Camp Railroads, Universal Studios Hollywood, California Speedway and Six Flags -- with California Fun Spots. This year's participation is up from six attractions in 2006, giving families even more options for savings. Fun Spots locations and attraction information are featured in the 2007 California Official State Map. Travelers can also click to http://www.cafunspots.com/ or http://www.californiarewardscard.com/ , to download and print discount vouchers right at home. It's free and easy. The Web site also features maps, itineraries, games and fun facts. Additionally, travelers can receive $50 in California Rewards, good for savings at hotels throughout the state, when they go to http://www.californiarewardscard.com/ and enter the code shown on the Fun Spots page (back page of folded map).

CONTACT: Jennifer Jasper, +1-916-319-5428, or Sam Caygill,
+1-916-319-5424, both of CTTC; or Christine Pierson, Edelman PR,
+1-916-442-2331

Web site: http://www.visitcalifornia.com/
http://www.cafunspots.com/
http://www.californiarewardscard.com/