Led by Inflation, Travel Spending Increases in California to Record Highs

The top five travel regions include the Bay Area, Los Angeles area, San Diego County, Orange County, and Central Coast.

Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls in the Yosemite National Park, Calif., on July 3, 2020. Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images

California saw record levels of travel-related spending in 2023, according to a newly released report published by Visit California—a nonprofit organization promoting tourism in the Golden State—though when inflation is factored in, the totals lag pre-pandemic highs.

Spending totaled $150.4 billion last year and is forecast to hit $159.8 billion for 2024, according to the report.