See Yourself Outside

MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

Yurok Country Makes People Feel at Home
As a Native American cultural hub, the town of Klamath in Yurok Country is teeming with tribal-owned businesses that make visitors feel at home. Paul's Famous Smoked Salmon offers up famous smoked salmon jerky, and after a day of hiking, visitors can test lady luck at Redwood Hotel and Casino. Yurok Redwood Canoe Tours invites guests to paddle in hand-carved redwood canoes while learning of Yurok lore. The Historic Requa Inn, built in 1914, overlooks the mouth of the river and has locally sourced, home cooked meals.

Locals Love Concord Tap House and The Lettuce Inn in Concord
As restaurants reopen, Concord Tap House has become a local favorite. Owner Keith Burke serves a BBQ feast outdoors each Saturday. Sundays, he features rock and blues bands in front of the brewery. These new events give patrons an entertaining and safe outdoor experience beneath the Concord sunshine. Along the same sentiment, Karen Bell’s The Lettuce Inn is excited to welcome customers back to her healthy, good for you, restaurant with spacious outdoor seating where she serves vegan food including taco salads, falafels, lasagna and burgers.

Mike Chicco of Skyrider Ultralights in Camarillo
Ventura County Coast is home to Skyrider Ultralights, an outdoor flight company owned by Mike Chicco. Born and raised in Peru, Chicco came to the United States in 1982 to pursue his career in aviation. With a mission to promote, introduce, inform and teach, Skyrider Ultralights offers tours, lessons and flight training to pilots of all levels.

Support Black and Minority-Owned Businesses in San Luis Obispo
R.A.C.E Matters SLO is an organization dedicated to lifting and sharing the voices of Black and minority-owned businesses in San Luis Obispo. Their Black Business & Professional Services Directory is a guide for visitors and locals alike to discover new ways to support people of color. The directory allows users to locate minority-owned restaurants such as Bap Jo: Korean Street Food to Black-owned businesses like Renoda Campbell Photography.

Sequoia Guides: Hidden Gems and Iconic Sites in Visalia
Owned and operated by Krista Simonic, Sequoia Guides in Visalia is a female-owned business that offers some of the best customized national park tours in California. Knowledgeable, fun and inspiring, Krista brings Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park to life for visitors from across the globe. No matter their background, hikers will learn the secrets of the forest, gain a deeper understanding of nature’s beauty and leave with a lifetime of useful outdoor techniques.

Evelynn Escobar: Female-Owned BIPOC Hiking Club in Los Angeles
Hike Clerb is a Los Angeles–based intersectional women’s hike club and nonprofit founded by Evelynn Escobar. Inspired to take action by the lack of representation of people of color in the outdoors, Hike Clerb was born as a radical solution to invite and welcome everyone to explore and see themselves in nature.


INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR TOURS, EXPERIENCES AND CAUSES

Whale Watching for All in Dana Point
Dana Point has always been known for its coastal activities, and with restrictions lifting, Dana Wharf Whale Watching and Sportfishing is prepared to welcome visitors and locals alike back, especially children. Sponsored by Dana Wharf, Fish for Life Foundation provides fishing and whale watching for children with special needs. Similarly, Wyland Foundation arranges art lessons and whale watching for disadvantaged kids. Sunday Fishing Clinics are back to educate children learning to fish, including several other safe and informative activities.

Inclusive Surfing for Children in San Francisco 
City Surf Project in San Francisco works to provide equitable access to the ocean and outdoor activities by creating opportunities for Bay area youth to learn surfing. They strive to help youth build healthy habits, connections with nature and personal growth skills for a successful future.

Student Planet Tours in San Diego and Mexico
For those looking to learn English in a fun environment, Student Planet Tours offers custom and unique excursions, activities and trips between San Diego and Mexico. Participants explore hidden gems and must-visit icons with locals and bilingual teachers who also provide English language tutoring. Tours include San Diego beach activities such as surfing, fishing and whale watching, plus trips to Baja California's attractions.

Guidance to Help Recreate Responsibly
The Recreate Responsibly Coalition, a national movement, has emerged as a resource to offer guidance and a starting point to help people safely get outside. The organization centers its beliefs around seven pillars such as “Know Before You Go,” “Leave No Trace,” “Plan Ahead” and “Build an Inclusive Outdoors.” These pillars acknowledge there’s space for everyone to enjoy the outdoors differently and encourages outdoor participants to lead with kindness. By following these guidelines, outdoor participants in California can continue to care for each other and the state’s 47+ million acres of public lands.

Note: As communities re-open after COVID-19-related closures, some parks, businesses and attractions may still be closed or have new protocols in place. Please verify local guidelines and regulations for all destinations and hours and availability of individual businesses before publishing. Check out Visit California’s Responsible Travel Hub for guidance on how visitors can travel within California safely.

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