Dreaming of a California getaway? Think again.

After months of quarantine with four kids ranging from 5 to 8 years old, Heather Reichel was determined to make their family trip to Venice Beach unforgettable for everyone.
She found a charming vacation rental just a few blocks from the Strand. Her husband managed to get some time off. The plan was simple: the family would drive down from Northern California and enjoy a long weekend filled with beach outings, canal tours, and people-watching.

Then, new Covid-19 cases began to surge.
Reichel and her husband watched in shock as coronavirus numbers soared in and around Los Angeles. They were disheartened when Governor Gavin Newsom ordered bars in Los Angeles County to shut down once again. With heavy hearts, the Reichels decided to cancel their trip just weeks after booking it. For now, their long-awaited family vacation would have to be put on hold.
"We were craving a vacation, but our kids haven’t even stepped inside a grocery store in months, so heading to such a high-risk area didn’t sit well with me," Reichel explained, adding that she was able to get a full refund. "We’ll have to explore LA another time."
The Reichels aren’t alone in rethinking their California travel plans; every day, thousands of would-be summer vacationers are facing the same tough decision.
It's understandable why many are putting their trips on hold. While California's leisure travel sector reopened in mid-June, Governor Newsom reversed many of the reopenings this week in a bid to curb virus spread during the July 4th holiday weekend.
In short, the rising Covid-19 cases have left many travelers questioning whether it’s wise—or even responsible—to visit California right now.

Concerning statistics
A wealth of recent data helps explain why many are hesitating to travel.
The data comes from Destination Analysts, a San Francisco-based research firm that has been surveying 1,200 potential travelers every week since the pandemic began to gauge their thoughts on travel.
CEO Erin Francis-Cummings shared that in May and early June, respondents were excited about the idea of traveling again. But in recent weeks, as cases surged across the country, that enthusiasm has started to fade.
In the latest edition of the Coronavirus Travel Sentiment Index, conducted June 26-28, 2020, the percentage of people saying they have no plans to travel in 2020 rose to 37.4%, up from 32.8% the week before.
Francis-Cummings noted that this new figure marks the highest recorded in her firm’s 16-week study. She believes it may also be a record in modern travel history.
"It’s a highly unpredictable situation," she said, emphasizing that the data reflects opinions nationwide. "After everything being shut down for three months, and yet people still feel this way—it’s truly heartbreaking."

What’s driving this anxiety? What’s causing 40% of Americans to say they won’t travel this year? Certainly, the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic is a big factor. But another reason: noncompliance.
Francis-Cummings explained that many travelers seem to be unnerved by what Destination Analysts calls "poor pandemic etiquette," including people ignoring mask mandates or failing to maintain proper social distancing.
"We noticed a clear correlation—if people observed non-compliant behavior in their own community, they were much less open to having tourists visit," she said. "Seeing such behaviors scares people and makes them hesitant to go out in their own towns, let alone travel to other places."
Conflicting messages
In California, mixed messaging about reopening travel may be adding to the confusion.
Leisure travel resumed on June 12, and Visit California, the state’s tourism marketing body, has been encouraging residents to get out and discover their vast state.
During the shutdown, Visit California rolled out a digital campaign called "See You Soon" to generate excitement about exploring the state this summer. A new initiative, "Calling All Californians," set to launch on August 3, aims to inspire locals to enjoy the state's attractions and experiences.

"[The new campaign] encourages people to see their California bucket list as a form of modern patriotism and a way to support their fellow Californians in getting back on their feet," she explained. "By visiting and spending money, we're helping to boost the economy."
However, many California residents are receiving conflicting instructions at home. Several of the state's 58 counties remain effectively closed to tourism, and Governor Newsom’s rollbacks on July 1 limited most tourism activities in 19 other counties.
Many local health orders urge residents to engage only in "essential" travel outside their home counties. A recent statement from the state’s Department of Public Health emphasized this advice, starting with the recommendation: "Stay home whenever possible. It’s the safest place for everyone."
The guidelines also stress the importance of wearing masks in public and maintaining six feet of physical distancing.
Recently, Visit California launched a website offering guidance on how to travel “responsibly” during the pandemic. However, with local authorities advising against travel entirely, these mixed messages may end up causing more confusion than clarity.

Brian Ketterer, the coastal division chief for the State Department of Parks & Recreation, acknowledged the confusion surrounding the situation.
"There’s definitely a mixed message being sent to the public," said Ketterer, whose department manages 280 park units across the state. "Some of our park campgrounds are open, others remain closed, and some aren’t taking new reservations, meaning they’re only available to travelers who booked prior to the pandemic. People are eager to get outside, but it’s tough for anyone to fully understand what’s going on."
The strain on hotels
No one in California’s travel industry feels this uncertainty more than hotel operators.
While most of these hotels are open, many have implemented strict safety measures to comply with requirements from county health officials, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and the California Hotel & Lodging Association.
However, enforcement of these guidelines remains inconsistent. Plus, there’s no way to guarantee that guests will adhere to the same rules once they leave the hotel.

Joe Bartolomei, co-owner and managing partner of Farmhouse Inn, a popular 25-room resort in Sonoma County, welcomed guests back on June 18. He described his feelings as a blend of excitement and anxiety. Bartolomei acknowledged that running a travel business during a pandemic presents new challenges and risks that operators have never faced before.
"We’ve always had a responsibility to ensure guests' safety while on the property, but that was mainly about preventing physical accidents or injuries in their rooms," he explained. "Now, it’s an entirely different level of responsibility. We’re assuring guests they can stay here without getting sick. Everything we do has to be more deliberate and intentional."
To address these challenges, the Farmhouse has implemented a series of new safety measures. These include sanitizer stations, specialized aerosol cleaners for soft surfaces, and regular disinfecting of high-touch areas such as doorknobs.
The resort has also posted signs reminding guests to wear masks and maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
"We have to ensure we’re making the right choices at every stage," said Bartolomei. "If we’re forced to close again, the consequences will be severe."
Other hotels have taken different approaches to tackle these challenges.
At the Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles, housekeepers enter guest rooms between stays to use ultraviolet light technology to eliminate airborne particles.
At Nobu Ryokan Malibu, guests must undergo a temperature check upon arrival to ensure they’re not showing symptoms of the virus.
Given the high-profile guests who visit the exclusive 16-room beachfront resort, GM Janelle Eng explained that she and her team have worked to make the process as seamless and discreet as possible.

The temperature scanner resembles an iPad. Guests simply stand in front of it and look straight ahead. If a guest's temperature is 100.4°F or higher, the front desk staff will escort the guest to the concierge, perform a visual check, and take another temperature reading with a different thermometer.
Eng mentioned that if the guest's temperature remains abnormal, the hotel will collaborate with them to determine next steps, including possibly rescheduling the visit.
"We’ve put in a lot of effort to ensure these protocols don’t feel intrusive or uncomfortable," she said. "At the same time, we have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of all our guests, employees, and everyone on the property."
Challenges for theme parks, attractions, and restaurants
The pressure is even greater for other sectors of the travel industry.
Consider theme parks and attractions, for example. These venues typically attract thousands, if not tens of thousands, of visitors daily – each potentially carrying the virus. While many facility operators are eager to reopen after enduring months of lost revenue, most are experiencing the same anxiety as Bartolomei, closely monitoring case numbers.

Disneyland serves as a prime example. The theme park had initially planned to reopen in phases starting on July 17, but park officials announced last month that they would be delaying those plans indefinitely.
Legoland California, located in Carlsbad along the I-5, also recently revealed similar delays. The park had planned to reopen on July 1 but has now postponed the reopening until at least August 1.
"We understand we're navigating through an unprecedented public health crisis, so our schedule is constantly changing based on the latest information," said Kurt Stocks, GM of Legoland. "Whenever we do reopen, we’ll do so with reduced capacity and an exceptionally safe, sanitized environment for our guests."
Safari West, an animal-themed park in Santa Rosa, welcomed back guests on June 20, adding plexiglass barriers in the four-wheel-drive vehicles used for tours to ensure social distancing among visitors as they explore the 400-acre property.
As of the latest update, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey had been planning to reopen on July 9 for members and July 13 for the general public. However, the reopening has since been postponed to an unknown date. Spokesperson Kevin Connor stated that when the aquarium reopens, new measures will be in place to reduce the spread of the virus, including mandatory face coverings for guests over 3, the closure of children's play areas, and restricted access to certain crowded exhibits.
Connor mentioned that visitors will be guided along two separate one-way paths as they explore the aquarium.
"We want people to enjoy their visit, but we’re really focused on giving them the space they need," he explained. "If you feel like you missed something during your first pass, you can always go through it again."
Restaurants are facing their own challenges in adapting to tourism during this time.
Even after Governor Newsom ordered 19 counties to halt indoor dining on July 1, more than half of California’s counties are still allowing it, provided restaurants can ensure tables are spaced at least six feet apart.
Some eateries are playing it safe by seating guests only on open-air patios or in outdoor dining spaces where the risk of transmission is lower. Others are getting creative with new strategies to help diners feel more at ease.

John Shay, the CEO of LULU California Bistro in Palm Springs, explained that they’ve adopted a touchless menu system to ensure that the only things exchanged between guests and servers are food and payments.
The system works through QR codes; guests scan the code with their phone, and the menu instantly appears in their browser. For those who prefer, servers can also offer single-use paper menus.
As of the latest update, only the patio area of LULU is open for dining, but Shay reported that guests have responded very positively to the new, contactless ordering system.
“You’ll feel secure as soon as you walk in,” he assured.
What does all this mean for those planning to travel?
Ultimately, despite any precautions, none of us, except perhaps those who’ve recovered from Covid-19, can truly claim to be 'safe' from the virus.
This highlights the responsibility that falls on travelers to adhere to local health guidelines to the best of their ability.
Ketterer, a state parks official, pointed out that most Californians don’t need to leave their home counties to enjoy themselves. His advice: Travel during off-peak times to avoid crowds, and be flexible enough to change plans if a destination feels unsafe.
He also suggested considering an RV or trailer to maximize 'self-containment' and reduce the need to visit local places for restroom breaks or meals.
For extended trips within California, or for out-of-state visitors eager to escape quarantine with a California getaway, it’s crucial to respect the rules and regulations of each destination and be mindful of local residents.
To be clear, at the very least, this includes wearing masks, maintaining a six-foot distance from others, and washing hands frequently.
Additionally, travelers from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey may need to quarantine upon their return, making a trip to California a costly decision if you’re looking to avoid post-vacation restrictions.

Francis-Cummings, a researcher from Destination Analysts, mentioned that while everyone could likely use a break from the ongoing pandemic, for some, the wisest decision may be to stay home or, as the Reichels did, cancel their plans and look forward to traveling later.
“Is it morally right to travel within or to California at this moment?” she asked. “That’s a question worth considering. As Americans, it’s in our nature to resist restrictions, and travel has always been an important part of life. Some may feel it’s the right thing to do, while others might not feel comfortable. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It boils down to making responsible choices and taking precautions – for your own safety and for others.”

1

2

3

4

5
Evaluation :
5/5