Pictured is Burning Barrel Brewing Co. in Rancho Cordova. Photo courtesy of Visit Rancho Cordova

 

Think of the last time you took an amazing trip to a new destination. Before you even packed your bags, you booked your hotel room, researched transportation and spent time learning about the best attractions and restaurants in the area. You planned a great itinerary and now you have the epic vacation photos to show for it!

When you traveled to that destination, you had a lot of fun … and you made more than memories. You made meaningful economic impact to its residents and community. You shopped, explored and dined at local establishments, directly supporting small businesses. You stayed in a hotel, stimulating the creation of more hospitality jobs. Any volunteer opportunities you participated in left a positive mark on their city. And the taxes you paid during your visit will fund community needs so their destination can continue to be a vibrant place for locals and visitors alike.

What a win-win situation! You had a great experience as a traveler and their community was made better because you were there. That is the power of tourism.

Did you know that Rancho Cordova attracts more than 880,000 visitors annually? We might not be a high-profile tourist destination like Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs or New York City but travelers set their sights on our destination too … and they make more than $325 million in economic impact for our community every year.

Why do travelers choose Rancho Cordova? The answer is multidimensional.

Rancho Cordova attracts road trippers who love Gold Country history, families looking for affordable activities they can do together, married couples who love finding hidden gems and retirees who like to slow down and savor their travels. We also attract businesses looking for meeting space and sports teams looking to host tournaments in our region. All those people want to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep here.

Visitors are drawn to our outdoor attractions such as the Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail and Soil Born Farms, access to the American River and Lake Natoma watersport rentals, quirky major events including the California Mermaid Convention and California Capital Airshow, award-winning Barrel District locations and our culturally diverse cuisine. We invite visitors to step off the beaten path to find true treasures and we really know how to put on a good show. (Speaking of which, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Cordova Christmas Tree Lighting!)

Rancho Cordova isn’t flashy. We’re not trying to be something we’re not. But we’re layered. We’re local. We speak more than 90 languages within city borders and we’re kind in the way that places used to be. It’s a place that doesn’t just welcome you; it makes room for you.

Once you’ve seen it, once you’ve felt it, you’ll wonder how you ever passed us by.

And then you’ll book a return trip.