Vacation Like a Royal in California on Any Budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC) declared summer 2011 "The Royal Summer" in California in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's upcoming official visit July 8-10, 2011. While the royal newlyweds will only have three days to soak up California's legendary lifestyle, the rest of the world can vacation like a royal in the Golden State all summer long. Hotels, attractions and venues statewide are offering special Royal Summer packages and experiences inspired by Will & Kate's visit and recent nuptials, giving everyone the opportunity to bask in the royal afterglow throughout July and August.

"We are beyond thrilled that California is the destination of choice for the Duke and Duchess on their first official visit to the United States," said Caroline Beteta, CTTC President and CEO. "Their recent wedding captivated two billion people around the world and their upcoming visit will inevitably shine a spotlight on California. With heightened interest in travel to California, it was our goal to make the royal experience accessible to all visitors. The best part is you don't have to be royalty to tap into the incredible sense of possibility our state inspires – visitors can make their California dream a reality on any budget."

From over-the-top luxury and British-inspired to value-driven and quirky, the "People's Prince and Princess" – as the down-to-earth couple are often referred to – would surely approve of the inclusive nature of California's Royal Summer. Hotels and resorts will be rolling out the golden carpet for guests up and down the state, be it the ultra-luxurious "Royal Wedding Celebration Package" at Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside and "Royal Summer Escape" at Montage Beverly Hills; the adventurous "California Royalty Hearst Castle" package at Paso Robles Inn on the Central Coast and "Safari Knights" at Safari West in Sonoma County; or the pampering "Royal Treatment Summer Package" at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach in Orange County and "Royal Retreat" at Harvest Inn in Napa Valley.

Anyone can be granted the type of VIP status the royals enjoy daily when booking private tours, such as "The Royal Yosemite Tour" of Yosemite National Park, the "Royal Behind-The-Scenes Tour" of the California Academy of Sciences and "Royal Share the Love" experience at Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara invites guests to be queen for the day with their indulgent "The Royal Treatment" spa package. Royal highness can be achieved on Golden Gate Helicopters' "Royal Helicopter Tour" of the Bay Area. For folks who prefer to stay at sea level, Hornblower Cruises presents "Royal & Romantic Cruise for Two" yacht charters out of Marina del Rey, Newport Beach and San Diego.

Royal Summer offers are available on VisitCalifornia.com/RoyalSummer. The site also features new trip ideas for the regally-inclined: a profile of up-close "Wild About California" animal encounters (one of Prince William's pet passions), a "California's Grandest Castles" check-list, a "Royal Bubbly" tasting-and-toasting guide and a "California Royalty" round-up.

The California Travel & Tourism Commission 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. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $95.1 billion annually in California (18 percent of which is international), support jobs for 873,000 Californians and generate $6.1 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about CTTC and for a free California Visitor's Guide, go to VisitCalifornia.com.

SOURCE California Travel & Tourism Commission